'We have made the impossible possible': Calgary, Edmonton celebrate mayoral firsts
Alberta's two major cities are set to make history in their mayoral races after Monday's municipal elections across the province.
Jyoti Gondek is to become Calgary's first female mayor and Edmonton voters appear to have elected the city's first person of colour as mayor.
Gondek will replace Naheed Nenshi, who held the city's top job for more than a decade.
"Thank you, Calgary, with all of my heart," Gondek said late Monday during her victory speech. "Thank you for engaging in democracy and sending a clear signal about what our future looks like.
"Thank you for embracing a vision of promise and opportunity."
Nenshi responded to the unofficial results on social media.
"History. Made," he wrote as he congratulated Gondek on her win. He, too, made history as the first Muslim mayor of a large North American city. Earlier Monday, he thanked Calgarians for giving him the "honour of his life."
Gondek served as a city councillor in Calgary for four years, where she championed public transit, police reform and city growth.
Her mayoral campaign has focused on issues such as investing in transportation, getting more property tax dollars from the provincial government and making Calgary a "centre for excellence" to boost social, economic and environmental recovery.
In Edmonton, former federal cabinet minister Amarjeet Sohi, a Sikh immigrant from India, will likely become the first mayor of colour in the provincial capital.
"As an 18-year-old immigrant without much to my name, I had ambitions and dreams to build a better life in a new home -- dreams that sometimes seemed impossible," Sohi said during his victory speech late Monday. "Today, because of you, because of everyone in this room, we have made the impossible possible."
He was a city bus driver and an Edmonton city councillor before entering federal politics and serving as Minister of Natural Resources and Minister of Infrastructure and Communities under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
Sohi will take over from Don Iveson, who announced he wouldn't run for re-election after serving two terms as mayor. In a statement, Iveson said Edmonton will thrive under Sohi's leadership.
"I've had the pleasure of working with Mayor-elect Sohi during his time as (a) city councillor and have always appreciated and been inspired by how hard he has worked for our community," said Iveson.
Both newly elected mayors were leading with about 45 per cent of the votes with almost all polls reporting.
The election results, which also included mayors, councillors and school board trustees across the province, will be made official Friday.
Edmonton Elections said more than 229,000 residents voted in the municipal election. In Calgary, voter turnout exceeded 382,000 people -- though neither tally is finalized.
Provincial referendum questions on the federal equalization program and daylight time were also on the ballot. Elections Alberta said those results won't be available until Oct. 26.
Voters in Calgary were asked in a plebiscite about whether to return fluoride to the city's drinking water. Unofficial results show the majority voting in favour.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 18, 2021.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'He didn't want to die': Family of Calgary man killed in standoff speaks out
Family of a Calgary man killed after a 30-hour standoff with police last week are speaking out, sharing details of the tense and heart-wrenching experience.
Toronto family doctor who called patient's body 'perfect' suspended for 3 months: tribunal
A family doctor in Toronto has been suspended for three months after a disciplinary tribunal found that he failed to follow proper protocols while examining a patient's breasts and made inappropriate comments about her body.
Ohio mom who left toddler alone 10 days when she went on vacation pleads guilty to aggravated murder
An Ohio mother whose 16-month-old daughter died after being left home alone in a playpen for 10 days last summer while she went on vacation was sentenced Monday to life in prison with no chance of parole.
Canadian commander of volunteer fighter group dies in Ukraine
A Canadian-born commander of the so-called Norman Brigade, a volunteer fighting group in Ukraine, has died.
5 charged in Calgary kidnappings that targeted women
Calgary police have charged five men in a pair of kidnappings last year that targeted innocent victims.
Demand soars for solar eclipse glasses in Canada. Are they worth buying?
The demand for total solar eclipse glasses used to safely view the rare celestial event has been ramping up as sellers, along with astronomy and eye-care experts in Canada, warn that viewing the eclipse with the naked eye is dangerous.
Woman, 18, killed by co-worker's vehicle on Highway 1 in Moose Jaw
Moose Jaw police say an 18-year-old woman who was at work has died from injuries she sustained in a collision with a vehicle being driven by her co-worker last Thursday.
Retired teacher pleads guilty to paying for sex with 15-year-old in Collingwood, Ont.
In a Barrie courtroom on Monday, a retired high school teacher from the Niagara Region pleaded guilty to sexual touching and obtaining sexual services from a 15-year-old boy in Collingwood in 2021.
MPs to vote on NDP motion calling on Canada to recognize Palestinian statehood
Members of Parliament will vote Monday on a motion from the federal New Democrats, calling on Canada to recognize the 'State of Palestine,' among a range of other calls to action in regards to the ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict.