EDMONTON- The City of Edmonton’s third and final mayoral forum was held Thursday evening.
All six candidates running for mayor took part in the forum at the Italian Cultural Centre.
The evening began with each of the candidates issuing a statement. Gordon Ward started off the night.
“As mayor, I would call for an immediate review of unfinished and unplanned capital projects. Ignoring our deteriorating and failing infrastructure while pursuing new projects is exactly how companies fail.”
Karen Leibovici was next up, speaking to her leadership capabilities.
“What I have to offer as your mayor is someone who will continue to ensure that we stay on course and that we continue the momentum of the city and continue moving forward.”
Candidate Kerry Diotte once again made his stance on debt and taxes known and came out swinging in his speech, with words for his two fellow council members.
“Both of my opponents will continue to rack up the debt; their dreams have become a taxpayer’s nightmare,” he said of Don Iveson and Karen Leibovici.
When speaking of Leibovici, Diotte went on to say “this former Liberal MLA even wants to set up a red tape committee to, get this, eliminate red tape.”
“Don has done everything in his power to appear grown up and experienced, but clearly that’s not so,” Diotte added.
“Am I ever glad that I’m not part of your guy’s rivalry,” candidate Kristine Acielo said as she approached the microphone next.
“A vote for me is a vote for no snow fines for any property owner that already pays property taxes… and just remember, I never created this $2 billion debt. I think these guys did,” she said as she pointed to her fellow candidates.
“I guess this is finally getting spicy now,” Iveson said with a laugh as he took to the podium.
“If we build it together and we build it strong, it will endure. This is a cultural shift I will help lead in our city administration and in our community,” he said of working with surrounding municipalities to build Edmonton and the capital region.
Candidate Josh Semotiuk gave a shout out to the people “in their underwear, drinking a beer at home” watching the forum online.
“I’m a father, I’m a spouse, I’m an electrician, I’m an Edmontonian,” he said. “I’m here as an option. I didn’t see any options in voting except for the status quo politician. So I decided to give the people of Edmonton a working option.”
The floor was then opened for questions from voters. Topics such as public-private partnerships, taxes, downtown revitalization, public consultation, and climate change were discussed.
About 500 people were in attendance Thursday evening, in hopes of getting a clearer vision of how to cast their ballot come October 21.
“I was at the chamber forum as well and it’s a bit more lively tonight,” said Edmontonian Fred, who preferred his last name not be published.
And while Fred admits he’s not yet sure who he’ll vote for, “I think it will be a reasonably close three way race.”
“I wanted to hear Leibovici and Iveson speak… and I had an interest in hearing what Diotte has to say as well. And I heard what I expected,” said another Edmontonian at Thursday’s forum.
“I don’t think I’m going to see anything serious in terms of a major breakthrough,” he said of the remaining 11 days of the campaign.
The evening ended with each candidate issuing a one-minute closing remark.
Advanced polls for the municipal election have already opened. For a full list of polling stations visit the City of Edmonton’s website.
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