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focus on them are welcome to, but I’d rather
focus on what I’ve gained from weathering the
storms. I was very young when I was thrust
into the limelight, and it was a lot of excitement
without the responsibilities I have now — a
family, a son, employees who rely on me. I’m
humbler now.
OM: You’ve said you were enjoying your
anonymity — not even being on social media
— why are you returning to politics after 17
years?
RJ: I remember the potential of Edmonton
and what this city can be. As a business
owner risking my own capital, I’ve seen how
difficult it’s become to succeed here. I hoped
someone with a business background would
step forward, who understood what it takes
to create energy and attract investment. That
kind of representation is missing. Instead, I
saw many of the same people who helped
create today’s problems putting their names
forward for promotions or leadership roles.
OM: You’re calling for a hard reset of city
hall, including reviving Edmonton’s economy,
improving safety and fixing what you’ve called
“absurd priorities.” What practical changes
would you want to see?
RJ: With so many pressures, the City needs
to get back to basics and manage spending
better. From my experience running a
business, I’ve heard constant frustrations
about parking. We should support businesses
by restoring parking rules that worked — free
after 6 p.m., Sundays and holidays. I’d freeze
new bike lanes until we evaluate their real
impacts.
The permitting process is a real problem,
too. Permits should be processed within 30
to 45 days or get an automatic green light.
I’d also revisit the industrial policy council
shelved. We have land south of the Henday
— let’s make it competitive, with tax offsets,
to attract major investment. Finally, I’d freeze
property tax increases.
OM: How do you fund a city without property
tax increases while also making it more
affordable in other ways?
RJ: Edmonton needs to send the message
that we’re open for business. We should
adjust taxes to attract investment, jobs and
revenue. We’re not only competing globally
but with our own region — businesses
are choosing suburbs because of permit
headaches and costs.
OM: Public safety is a key part of your
campaign, especially around transit. What do
you see as the problem now, and how would
you like to see transit made to feel safer?
RJ: First, back up police with more beat
cops and mental-health support. We can’t
normalize destructive behaviour, and repeat
offenders need consequences, because
there's no bail reform.
Rahim Jaffer
Second, transit design is ineffective. We’ve
spent so much on LRT, yet it’s easy to ride
without paying. That’s causing issues. We
need some sort of barrier so access isn’t
free and unchecked. New line expansions
can include (purpose-built security) barriers,
and there are (retrofiting) options for existing
stations like turnstiles and metal fences. Yes,
there will be costs, but some of those costs
can come from provincial security funds.
OM: That’s your safety plan for people who
aren’t street-entrenched, but how do you
make it safer for those dealing with housing
and substance problems too?
RJ: I’ll start bigger, then get to your question.
When you create economic activity, you
reduce the risk of people being trapped in
poverty. A thriving city means more jobs,
more supports, more resources for social
programs. But we need to think outside the
box. Why not locate services — police, mental
health, addictions — in one area? Like an
Olympic Village with training, medical and
other services for athletes.
OM: These sound a lot like the conditions of
a ghetto.
RJ: I’m glad you used that word, because
what I’m proposing is the opposite. Housing
should integrate social services in the same
area. By keeping accommodations and
supports together, they don’t have to travel
across the city, and mature communities
are prepared to deal with projects
lacking medical or addictions services.
Otherwise, crime and disorder spill into
neighbourhoods.
OM: Where would you find land for a
community this size? Edmonton’s homeless
population is comparable to many
neighbourhoods.
RJ: Unlike denser cities, Edmonton has
land to target. Some Anthony Henday
land could be used for housing,
treatment and job training all in one place.
Centralization means police can better
manage the area.
OM: Concentrating people in one place and
with heavy police presence sounds like even
more of a ghetto.
RJ: You can see it in a negative way, but the
goal is to help people stabilize, then transition
into society. It’s just an idea worth exploring. ■
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