Don Iveson focusing on economy during re-election campaign

Don Iveson made his first policy announcement on Tuesday for his re-election campaign.

Iveson said his primary focus will be to write a new economic development plan if he’s re-elected as mayor.

“Let’s build on the work we’ve done to unite the region around economic growth and enable us to ‘hunt as a pack,'” Iveson said.

Iveson said license fees for small business need to be eliminated or reduced so they can “thrive and strengthen our employment base.”

READ MORE: Mayor Don Iveson launches re-election campaign ahead of fall vote

While Iveson has made it clear his top priority if re-elected will be the economy, he’s also touted transportation, infill and supportive housing as other important issues.

This summer, the group interVivos held an informal survey asking Edmontonians what issues were most important to them. They chose transit, homelessness and housing, residential infill, diversity on council, and safe injection sites.

‘Transit’ received nearly 90 per cent of the votes.

READ MORE: Candidates running for mayor and council

Iveson won the 2013 election with more than 60 per cent of the vote.

In his attempt for re-election, Iveson will face 12 other mayoral candidates.

Former Edmonton mayor Stephen Mandel said he doesn’t think Iveson has a lot of competition.

“The mayoralty race drives the turnout for the election, and so one would assume this would be a very low turnout, because the mayor’s race is the one that drives people to the polls, so it makes it even more difficult for an incumbent to get defeated in this kind of environment,” Mandel said.

READ MORE: Record number of candidates file nomination papers for Edmonton’s 2017 municipal election

A record 132 candidates filed their nomination papers on Monday to get their names on the municipal election ballot.

The previous record for the number of candidates was in 1986, with 120 in the race. They came close four years ago with 119 entered.

Election day is Monday, Oct. 16.