In what was perhaps the worst-kept secret in local political circles, city councillor Tim Cartmell has officially announced he intends to run to be mayor of Edmonton.
Cartmell has been representing the southwest Edmonton Ward pihêsiwin (formerly Ward 9) since 2017.
In his time on council, Cartmell has been vocal about the need for the city to be more fiscally conservative and live within its means.
“This campaign is about doing the basics, right — ensuring our transit works, reducing traffic congestion, maintaining our parks, addressing homelessness, and keeping Edmonton affordable.”
Cartmell said those are the priorities he’s heard from residents.
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Who is Tim Cartmell? Meet the councillor-elect for Edmonton’s Ward 9
His campaign platform focuses on safer streets, cracking down on taxes, and doing a more efficient job at building public infrastructure.
Cartmell said he will zero in on practical solutions to the challenges facing Edmontonians and a renewed focus on addressing the issues that matter most.
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“I’m running for mayor because Edmonton deserves a leader who prioritizes what matters most to its residents,” Cartmell said.
“I have always believed in focusing on what works and making sure our city serves the needs of its people.
“This campaign is about ensuring Edmonton is safe, vibrant, and affordable for everyone.”
Cartmell was interviewed on Global News Morning Edmonton on Thursday and offered more insight into why he decided he wanted to run for mayor.
“I have been doing this for the better part of seven years now,” he said, “and I feel like I still have something to offer and more to offer.
“I remember a city when I was growing up that felt safe — I was never concerned for my safety (and) my parents never worried for it. It was a place that I never thought twice about raising a family in and starting a business in. And I don’t think we quite have that right now and I want to get that back.”
Cartmell’s campaign pillars are:
- Safe Streets: A comprehensive and proactive approach to public safety, including community policing, reduction in violent and gang related crime, working
alongside the province on mental health and addictions. - Tough on Taxes: A focus on fiscal responsibility, earning your tax dollars, transparency, and investing in projects that deliver a clear return on investment and long-term value for
residents. - Building Better: A commitment to ensuring essential services—like road networks, LRT and other critical infrastructure including parks—are delivered efficiently and effectively.
“We’re not being efficient with every dollar we’re using to operate the city — to maintain and cut the grass, shovel the snow,” Cartmell said on Thursday morning. “People need to see their dollar at work.”
Before becoming a city councillor, Cartmell was a small business owner and engineer who specialized in structural design and project management. He has also worked for the government of Alberta’s Treasury Board Ministry.
October’s election will see local political parties be allowed in municipal politics. Cartmell said he is not affiliated with any municipal political party but noted he plans to “form a team and that’s going to be taking place over the coming months.”
“And I effectively call that a party,” he added. “We’re not going to create a typical party with memberships and a board and performance reviews and those kinds of things.
“We want to present a team of people that will hopefully form the next city council and provide residents with some comfort of what to expect after the next election.”
–With files from Phil Heidenreich, Global News
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