EDMONTON – Prior to Monday’s election, Mayor Don Iveson asked Edmontonians to consider urban issues before casting their ballot. A day after the election Iveson was confident that happened.
“I think clearly in many cities across this country, including ours, there was a move to vote for policies that will be very, very good for cities, with respect to housing, with respect to transit, with respect to infrastructure,” said Iveson on Tuesday.
The mayor was also pleased to see the three major parties represented in Edmonton. The NDP claimed one riding, the Liberals two, and the Conservative candidates won the remainder.
“Opposition MPs do very important work on committees and representing our city as well,” said Iveson. “I think we’ll be well served in this parliament.”
READ MORE: Amarjeet Sohi wins seat for Liberals in Edmonton Mill Woods
City councillor Amarjeet Sohi was one of two Liberal candidates who won a riding in Edmonton. Randy Boissonnault was the other, capturing Edmonton Centre.
Iveson said he’s optimistic the two Liberal MP-elects will represent Edmonton well.
“I know both of them, I have good relationships with both of them. I think Edmonton will be well-served, not just by them, but by all the Members of Parliament elected in our city.”
READ MORE: Randy Boissonnault wins seat for Liberals in Edmonton Centre
If anyone knows the issues a city is dealing with, it’s someone who has served at City Hall.
Sohi is one of two former Edmonton city councillors who were elected Monday night. Conservative Kerry Diotte, who was elected in Edmonton Griesbach, is the other.
Councillor Mike Nickel believes that can only benefit Edmonton.
“They’re going to bring an urban perspective to parliament.
As a city councillor, Sohi was a big proponent of developing Edmonton’s LRT system. Nickel expects that won’t change when Sohi is in Ottawa.
WATCH: Federal Liberal leader Justin Trudeau campaigns in Edmonton
Prime minister-designate Justin Trudeau has promised to spend $20 billion in transit infrastructure over the next 10 years.
Meanwhile, if Sohi’s narrow victory (80 votes) in Edmonton Mill Woods is confirmed, there will be a by-election for his seat on city council. The by-election would cost an estimated $300,000.
According to the city’s website, the last municipal by-election in Edmonton was in 1994.
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