Page 27 - 08_Oct-2025

Andrew Knack
Andrew Knack (Top 40, '23) surprised many when he entered
Edmonton’s mayoral race, having previously vowed not to seek a
fourth term on city council — where he’s sat virtually his entire career,
starting at age 23 straight out of university. Known as a tireless “retail
politician” willing to engage with everyone, Knack has built a reputation
as city hall’s nice guy. But might his people-pleasing tendencies double
as his Achilles heel in an election where many voters want a fighter?
OM: Looking back at your three terms as
councillor, what are you most proud of doing?
AK: Starting in my ward (Nakota Isga),
getting the Lewis Farms recreation centre,
library and district park to come to fruition.
The other major project is the Valley Line
LRT. When I started on council in 2007, the
conversation was about securing funds just
to start it, which meant years before completion.
That was not acceptable because, for a city
of our size, you can’t build your way out of
congestion without mass transit. It’s also
about affordability — the number one issue I
hear about today. If a family can be a one-car
household instead of a two-car household,
they’re saving about $10,000 a year.
OM: Your core message seems to be “invest
now to save later,” but Edmontonians have
heard that for decades and yet budgets keep
rising. What do you say to voters who want
change and see you, the longest-serving
councillor, as part of the problem?
AK: The best indicator of what I’ll do is
what I’ve done. Take infrastructure: I set
up a motion last year that sped up road
construction by closing intersections for a
shorter period of time — get in, get out. On
finances, yes, I’ve been part of a council
that supported tax increases, but I was
also part of the council that delivered the
lowest increase in 25 years. I respond to
the moment. And I’m proud of my record of
engagement and finding common ground,
even across political divides.
OM: For readers concerned about infill and
upzoning, make your case about why it’s
necessary.
AK: Almost every conversation I’ve
had about infill has started with a shared
agreement: we can’t keep expanding outward
because it’s financially and environmentally
unsustainable. Zoning has always applied to
the entire city, and there’s an understanding
that we make decisions for all Edmontonian’s
best interests, even though occasionally
there are communities, like two I represent
right now, Crestwood and Glenora, that want
to go down a different path with restrictive
covenants, which are personal property
decisions. So, I don’t think the city should
remove the covenant option, nor should people
feel pressured into one by their neighbours.
OM: Do you trust the provincial government
to adequately fund shelters and supportive
housing?
AK: No. Homelessness is at record levels,
mental health, addictions and drug-poisoning
crises are playing out daily on our streets.
Groups like Alberta Municipalities have made
a simple request of the province: What is
your detailed action plan? Where will units be
built? What do you need from municipalities?
Don’t just announce funding over the next
couple years — show us a plan. We’ve
asked repeatedly and still haven’t received
it. For years we’ve been trying to fill the
gaps left by the province on housing and
homelessness. I think it’s time we ask: what if
this was our jurisdiction? Because waiting on
the province hasn’t worked.
OM: What would you want to see specifically
in terms of the drug-poisoning crisis? Would
it include supervised consumption sites, drug
testing, naloxone distribution, safe supply?
AK: It’s everything you’ve listed, as well as
the province’s recovery centres. When it
comes to the drug-poisoning crisis, it’s an
and, and, and, and approach. This provincial
government has been very ideologically
focused on recovery — that’s not necessarily
a bad thing. We need reactive solutions, but
we also need to invest heavily in prevention.
OM: The City’s relationship with the Province
is crucial. Given your outspoken criticism,
should voters worry this could hinder your
ability to get things done?
AK: I don’t think so. I’ve worked with people
in governance across the political spectrum
and we’ve been able to accomplish things.
That said, it’s incumbent on the mayor to
speak up when the city is being mistreated.
OM: You’ve called the allowance and
establishment of municipal parties “poison.”
As an independent, do you worry about
being at a disadvantage?
AK: The one disadvantage of running as an
independent is financial. I can raise up to
$1 million — the provincial cap — but parties
enjoy roughly a three-to-one fundraising
advantage. And since party resources can
be shared, it’s a distinct advantage. That
said, Edmontonians have been clear: they
don’t want big money or partisan structures
in local government. There’s a huge
opportunity to prove you can run — and win
— without playing the partisan game. ■
Tim Cartmell
Tim Cartmell built his reputation on council as a combative voice for
fiscal restraint and a critic of city hall straying into provincial territory,
often positioning himself as a foil to Edmonton’s last two progressive
mayors. Cartmell champions prioritizing core services and delivering
them well, a simple but popular message that struck a chord with voters
exasperated by rising taxes and obstructed roads. That support took a
big hit in July after he skipped a contentious infill vote for vacation, but
when I interviewed him in June, Cartmell was still the clear front-runner,
riding high on a war chest that supercharged his campaign.
OM: Reflecting on your last two terms as a
councillor, what are you most proud of?
TC: I’m pleased with the things I was able
to do for my ward (pihêsiwin). When I first
ran in 2017, southwest Edmonton was the
fastest growing area but was lagging in 
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