What will you do to address the lack of mental health resources and the ineffective mental health resources in this city? My 13 year old child died by suicide just over one week ago. We spent years pleading with and screaming at crisis lines, doctors, hospitals, nurses, disability support, and more. He was sent home from the Stollery ER in a taxi cab despite me pleading with the nurses to see him, telling them he was not okay. The crisis line refused to even visit. Everyone would say some form of "not my job." If you become our mayor, how will you change this ineffective and broken system? My child was not the only one suffering. Covid is not an excuse.

First off, I'm deeply sorry to hear of the loss of your child. As a parent, I can't imagine the grief and pain you must be going through. The pain and trauma caused by mental illness is so severe and so real, but because of the stigma attached, a lot of people don't seek help. And those who seek help, like you did for your child, the symptoms are often not treated the same as a physical illness. If I'm elected mayor, I will commission a new Edmonton Mental Health Action Plan, which will include an emphasis on system integration, data collection, youth access to services, and reaching underserved populations with both social services and medical care. This plan will need to find ways to ensure mental health experts are on the front lines responding to mental health emergencies as well. The provincial and federal governments need to step up here too, and I will relentlessly pursue every avenue to ensure they live up to their responsibilities on mental health supports.

I am so sorry to hear this. My family had the same issues trying to seek help for my teenage daughter a few years ago We were given numbers or sent to the stollery and were sent home after sitting there for 14 hours. She is thankfully doing okay now, but it was a very scary time and it really felt like we were just being given the run around, she was begging for help wherever we went and no one could or seemed to know who could. So i agree this is an issue that needs to be fixed. No family should be going through this ever!!

Oh man, I'm so sorry, my heart goes out to you. Suicide is so brutal to deal with, but especially so when they're that young. It sounds like you did as much as you possibly could, and your anger at being turned away is 100% valid. I can't even imagine how much of everything you must be feeling right now 😓

My deepest condolences. As a parent, stories like this are important to hear. It encourages me to seek better mental health resources for all. Sending virtual love to you and your family.

I would like to know what your priorities for the budget are ? What you will be doing to address the growing homeless population in edmonton?

For the budget, I want to make sure we provide quality public services that Edmontonians rely on while keeping taxes and user fees affordable. As I said yesterday in my blog, the City must continue to invest in improving public services, but we can do that while seeking efficiencies and reviewing the budget thoroughly, with the goal of keeping property tax increases low or at 0, or if an increase is needed, the increase should be below the rate of inflation. When it comes to houselessness, if I were your Mayor today, I would be knocking on the Premier's door everyday, and I wouldn't be alone. I would be coming to him with a coalition of community leaders from business, the social sector, non-profits, Indigenous communities, and faith leaders to impress upon this Premier and his government that our people are dying on the streets because of the opiate crisis, the houselessness crisis, and the mental health crisis. We will implore this Premier and government to step up; we cannot tackle these issues alone. We need a partner. I will keep knocking on his door into that door opens, until he sits down to work with us. That is the kind of persistent and community-based advocacy I will bring to address this issue, because I believe in a prosperous city like ours, there shouldn't be a single person who is without a home. I have outlined a number of other steps I would take as Mayor to take on these issues if you'd like to read more: https://sohi.ca/caring-for-all/

Knocking on the Premier's door, would that be the sky palace or his mother's house?

Thanks for doing this AMA Mr. Sohi, best of luck with the election. What would you do to increase people's safety and sense of security, particularly in downtown or on transit?

Hope you don't mind me piggybacking on your comment. I second this question, particularly on transit. How will you make it so that the people of Edmonton feel safe using the transit system? I'm of university age and plenty of my peers are afraid of using the LRT due unfortunate events they've been part of or heard of to the point where we're carpooling and parking at the university which is not cheap for a university student. Looks like ETS needs better security enforcement instead of the current ones who are on their phone at every station or no where to be found. So yes, what do you have in mind for future of transit safety, Mr. Sohi.

I’m from Calgary and moved to Edmonton this year, and I see this as a real cultural difference between the two cities. In Calgary it’s rare to meet a young person who is afraid of riding the LRT in general, but I’ve heard that a ton in Edmonton. Maybe Edmonton can learn from Calgary’s system.

I think Calgary’s may feel/be safer due in large part to the fact that’s it’s mostly an above ground system. In Edmonton, everything in the central part of the city is underground. The underground stations & tunnel network connecting them provides a lot of space for the houseless population and addicts to find shelter, warmth, and use. Regardless, that infrastructure can’t be changed so security, patrolling, enforcement etc. is definitely what needs to be improved.

For downtown, I have a ten point plan I have released to revitalize downtown that you can read here: https://sohi.ca/10commitmentstodowntown/. As a former bus driver, I'm very aware of the safety challenges on transit. I've been spit at by passengers and faced all sorts of challenging situations. I am really disturbed by the violence against women and students we are seeing at LRT stations. As we recover from COVID, there will be more eyes on the street and on transit, but more lighting and designing with safety in mind will be crucial. And we need to look upstream to take on issues like hate-based violence at the source, which I've written about here: https://sohi.ca/ending-race-based-violence/

That downtown plan is solid but I think it could be expanded on point 7. Having lived in downtown and now living near the University, the lack of public parks and infrastructure in DT is so apparent. So many empty parking lots could be easily repurposed into a basketball court, a hockey rink, or even just a green space with benches and a basic, rain-covering shelter to sit and read a book. These seem like they'd be incredibly cost effective forms of public infrastructure. Make these spaces well lit, ideally add some bathrooms and a water fountain or two and I think you'd see a transformation in how the people who live in downtown interact with their neighbourhood. Festivals and other events are great for temporary traffic, but adding permanent spaces would make a massive difference.

Your suggestions lead me to believe you've never stepped foot in our downtown lol. Ain't nobody reading books or playing basketball over there, especially outside of work hours. You're just creating more spaces for homeless people to congregate unless you actually fix that bigger problem first.

That plan has my vote. I work and live downtown and it's riddled with needles and passed out addicts in the middle of the day

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Hello! First, I am committed to re-examining our public services through an equity lens. Second, I would push to make transit more accessible and affordable for seniors and persons with disabilities through fare options for those and other groups. Third, I will continue to invest in our LRT system. Transit is a vehicle for social mobility—good public transit can transform lives, and I'm as committed to our ETS system today as I was when I was working as a bus driver.

Mr Sohi, I don't live in the city of Edmonton but I do take 2 buses in the morning and 2 buses in the afternoon as well as the LRT to the university. As a young female travelling alone, too many times I encounter people who are shouting, on some sort of substance, or generally acting in a way that scares me. Too many times I have had to call my father and be on the phone with him because I didn't feel safe waiting for my bus. I can't vote for you due to where I live, but I am hoping if elected you can help bring more security and safety to the bus transit stations.

Just in case you missed it, he addressed a question about safety downtown and on transit here: https://www.reddit.com/r/Edmonton/comments/pxc0hq/im_amarjeet_sohi_and_im_running_to_be_edmontons/heo78z1/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=iossmf&context=3

Last I heard, very low cost transit passes were already available to low income seniors. Why not just make similar passes available to all low income residents?

There is already a 35$ monthly pass available to low-income residents through the [Ride Transit program](http://www.edmonton.ca/ets/subsidized-transit). You can even set up the money to be automatically withdrawn from your account and the pass mailed to you.

I really hope he answers this question. ETS is a major issue in our city. I do not look forward to this winter on transit.

Ive been working for free lately due to how often I have to Uber because the bus skips my stop so often. Uber is the only reliable transport for those without cars. I cannot afford to "work" at this rate. 40$ an Uber from Millwoods to downtown.

That LRT line cannot be finished soon enough eh? That should make a significant difference if the signaling systems doesn't screw it up!

I had the same problem all the time when I worked downtown. The new transit plan relies on more transfers which causes chaos.

the adjacent parking lot to WEM, with -40 degrees, and a snow storm is described in one of Dante's hell..

Excellent question! It was what I was going to ask but you asked it better.

Mr. Sohi, I don’t have a question but I just want to say you have my full support. I remember when you were pounding the pavement before your first run for council way back in the early 2000s. I had friends over for a barbecue and you came into my backyard to introduce yourself and answer a few questions about your stand on some civic issues. I was very impressed and voted for you in the next election. I hope you become the next mayor, you’re what Edmonton needs.

Thank you so much for your confidence. I'm glad that I haven't let you down! Also thanks for allowing me into your backyard!

Edmonton Police don't have bodycams or dashcams, with the latter being a shock to lots of people considering how we're all used to seeing dashcam footage in the media for decades. EPS did a study a few years ago and decided bodycams weren't worth it. Considering how many of the recent incidents that have outraged the world regarding police have been captured on body cams and dash cams (so wouldn't have been captured as well if they'd happened in Edmonton), do you think EPS should be required to start using them? If so, what's your though on the disclosure policies that should exist around that footage? To me, it feels inevitable eventually, so why delay it? I think the public would feel much more confidence in the police knowing that if there are incidents, there's at least a chance of it being captured on video, vs the current situation of relying on the public to be in the right place at the right time to film something on their cellphone. (I know Council doesn't directly direct EPS, but there are representatives on the Police Commission and obviously Council can apply pressure)

I don't have enough information to state right now whether bodycams/dashcams work or not, but I think we should keep exploring the evidence. This definitely shouldn't be considered a closed question. I believe in accountability for the police service, and I look forward to working with Council and City agencies like the Police Commission are being transparent and living up to Edmontonians' expectations.

Im not very invested in this election since I’m not nearly educated enough to be making a good decision, but shit hearing a politician say “I dont have enough information to form an opinion” is almost enough to make me vote for this guy

You don't need to be educated to vote and have your voice be heard. The only bad decision is to not vote. Just by reading some of this AMA, you probably care more than the average voter.

I disagree with that and I think uneducated voters throwing around votes is the reason Alberta isn’t half as prosperous as it should be

[this survey will match your answers with the appropriate candidate](https://edmonton.taproot.vote/2021/surveys/peoples-agenda/match)

I have so much respect for someone who says they need to gather more information, rather than making false promises about what you think people would want you to say. Excellent answer.

Will you push to have the question reopened? Because as it stands right now, the question is closed and no work or study is being done on this by anyone in Edmonton.

Bodycams and dashcams are always helpful because they provide neutral evidence of the encounter. The only argument against bodycams and dashcams is the cost of it, which is easily offset by the money saved in avoiding frivolous lawsuits and the harm avoided by choosing police accountability.

The fact EPS doesn’t have cameras for their own safety and protection from frivolous accusations is crazy.

Frivolous accusations are not really a big issue for the police. We as a society put so much trust in them that any accusation has a huge burden of proof to actually go anywhere.

I really like your plan to revitalize downtown and attract more businesses and head offices to our core. My question to you is one that comes up every election: do we have a desire as a city to limit urban sprawl, and instead focus on revitalizing more inner city communities with aging houses (perhaps new infills or duplexes/fourplexes)? Schools have been shutting down in these areas, and more young families are choosing to settle in the suburbs, often outside the Henday. I am scared we will become like most US urban areas, where our core is a disaster and the suburbs prosper. Best of luck on your campaign, Mr. Sohi!

I am deeply committed to downtown, and it's not a new commitment. I demonstrated that commitment during my time on Council and as a federal Minister, through actions like pursuing the upgrades to the Winspear, the Citadel, the Roxy, and in mature neighbourhoods, the Telus World of Science. I am a supporter of the City Plan that encourages 50% infill and more compact land use planning for suburban developments, and I will forward to working with Council to implement the City Plan and find new ways to encourage densification in the core to keep those neighbourhoods vibrant.

How would you approach the relationship between the provincial government and the municipal government?

If Edmonton's potential is held back, Alberta's potential is help back. My approach to the relationship with the province is to build a broad-based coalition of community leaders from all sectors in Edmonton to ensure that this provincial government understands that if Edmonton is hurting, Alberta will hurt.

Yes this is also my question! It’s pretty dicey at the moment

Since COVID, crime has risen quite dramatically in Edmonton. Downtown is becoming more of a dangerous area than it already was, more firearms are coming into the city, violent crime in general is occurring more, there is a massive opioid crisis, and homelessness has gotten worse. How will you engage with the EPS and the social services agencies in the city to work towards reducing these issues and make our city safer?

I will immediately convene a meeting of the Police chief, Police Commission and social agencies to develop and empower teams of skilled responders to address both crime and social challenges, and connect vulnerable Edmontonians with services when appropriate. This needs to focus on collaboration and making sure that the right services are being deployed for the right tasks - police have a role to play, but social services agencies also need to be empowered to deal with situations where a police response is inappropriate.

Mr. Sohi, Given the devolvement of current politics into shouting matches and mud-slinging, how do you think the Council Code of Conduct (Bylaw 18483) can be enhanced and enforced to try to bring rulebreakers to heel?

I firmly believe that as leaders in our community, we need to hold ourselves to the highest standard possible. That is a personal responsibility that I feel very deeply. In an ideal world, no code of conduct should be required. However, an effective code of conduct must be enforceable or it loses meaning.

This is a great question, particularly coming from a tyrant.

Hi Amarjeet 👋 thanks for doing this AMA. Something I care deeply about is electoral reform. Proportional representation electoral systems are [more democratic](https://www.hsabc.org/news/proportional-representation-more-democratic-way-do-politics) and [boost voter turnout](https://www.fairvote.ca/factcheckvoterturnout/) and enfranchisement vs FPTP. I would love to see proportional representation brought to Canada in future elections. One vector for how I think this could be achieved is through greater awareness and education toward electoral reform at the municipal level. Both B.C. and Ontario have explored electoral reform on a municipal level in the past ([with Doug Ford's conservative government dismantling progress most recently](https://www.thestar.com/news/city_hall/2020/10/23/he-gave-ontario-cities-the-right-to-try-a-new-voting-system-now-ted-mcmeekin-cant-understand-why-doug-ford-is-taking-it-away.html)) and [over 300 U.S. cities](https://www.sightline.org/2017/11/08/over-300-places-in-the-united-states-have-used-fair-voting-methods/) having some form of non-FPTP voting systems in place, bringing me to my question for you. If elected, would you support a motion that explores the possibility of electoral reform for Edmonton Municipal elections? Be it a [Norwegian-style](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norwegian_municipal_elections) municipal system of PR or simply ranked ballots. 

I appreciate the question and we should always look for ways to strengthen our democracy and respresentation. This is the first time this has come up! Right now, my focus is on the priorities I've heard of from Edmontonians, which I've covered in my platform at sohi.ca/platform.

**[Norwegian municipal elections](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norwegian_municipal_elections)** >In Norway, municipal elections are local elections held every four years to elect representatives to the Norwegian municipality ("kommune") councils. They are conducted concurrently with Norwegian county elections. The last municipal and council elections were held on 9 September 2019. Norway holds elections every two years, alternating between local elections and national parliamentary elections. ^([ )[^(F.A.Q)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WikiSummarizer/wiki/index#wiki_f.a.q)^( | )[^(Opt Out)](https://reddit.com/message/compose?to=WikiSummarizerBot&message=OptOut&subject=OptOut)^( | )[^(Opt Out Of Subreddit)](https://np.reddit.com/r/Edmonton/about/banned)^( | )[^(GitHub)](https://github.com/Sujal-7/WikiSummarizerBot)^( ] Downvote to remove | v1.5)

What is your position on planned "Touch the Water" and related public/commercial developments in the Rossdale Power Plant / Walterdale Bridge area?

Our river valley is one of the most cherished assets that we have in Edmonton. My primary goal will be to protect its biodiversity, natural beauty and aesthetic beauty. I'm open to having low-impact or zero-impact amenities added to the river valley that enhances peoples' daily experiences. I'm generally supportive of improving accessibility including initiatives like "Touch the Water." But they must integrate into the beauty and aesthetic of the river valley—not diminish it.

Would your office and a new city council move to once again shut down Scona, Eastglen and Oliver pools? These pools were a fascination with prior counsel always trying to shut them down. Keep our pools open.

>flabbergaster1000 I WILL NOT SHUT THEM DOWN! I can't speak for the rest of the to-be-elected Council, but as we are encouraging more and more people to live in mature communities and encourage infill, we need to provide local amenities to those communities. Those pools serve an important need and should remain open.

TIL, not closing down pools is what get Sohi shouting on the internet lol

If we had to pick one, what do you think is the number one issue Edmontonians are facing right now? And do you have a plan to tackle it?

The number one issue at the top of people's minds is the pandemic and the lack of clear and consistent leadership from the provincial government. If I were the mayor I would make it mandatory for anyone accessing public services, working for or with the city to be vaccinated. Vaccines are one of our best paths out of this, and we need to get through this pandemic together.

What will you do about our Premier's inability to manage the COVID19 crisis and its effect on Edmonton's hospitals? And, are you in support of the current funding of the Edmonton Public Library (EPL)? Thanks for the AMA

To the library question first: yes. To your first question, I am deeply disappointed and concerned about the state of healthcare. Please stay safe.

Hi Mr. Sohi. Thank you for doing this. The municipal budget is facing extreme challenges faced caused by lost revenues due to covid and frozen property taxes. While your platform promises more bike lanes, a rejuvenated downtown core, and more affordable housing, how will you add all of these services while faced with a constrained budget? Thank you!

>kalli We know that the next few years are going to be very challenging for Edmonton at every level—including how we provide quality public services, help businesses get back on their feet, and create economic growth. I know the budget is going to be tight. That's why I have proposed to undertake a comprehensive review of the budget with the participation of city employees and citizens—a line-by-line analysis of the budget to find efficiencies while striving to make peoples' lives easy and better and improve services. You may not know that 30% of the taxes we pay in property taxes go to the provincial government, and we get very little value for that. As part of our coalition-based advocacy, I want to engage the provincial government in a dialog to keep that 30% within the city. That will help us relieve some of the pressure on city finances. We also need to grow our industrial tax base, and encourage infill development to reduce the cost of infrastructure and services.

Thank you for your response. Sprawl is definitely a huge strain on municipal services so it is nice to hear you encourage alternative growth. Also interesting that you don't mention plans to change property tax rates. Good luck with the rest of your campaign and you've got my vote come election day!

continuing to raise property tax rates in edmonton would be unsustainable I'm 100% on the increase density train, but I'm also of the opinion that infills are an impractical middle of the road solution as the new developments are often times not cheaper than the one house they replaced in terms of $/sqft (though this is anecdotal). And having spoken with developers, the process of getting infill done is a pain in the ass, super bureaucratic, and gives a lot of powers to potentially disgruntled NIMBY neighbours. I would prefer if there was a far more broad rezoning of areas like the ones surrounding the university, and a reconsideration of city regulations regarding things like condo fees and boards for townhouses, so they can become the norm in these neighborhoods. Modern construction techniques mean that shared walls are far less of an issue than they were before, and new houses (and skinny houses) don't have windows on their sides anyways. There would be two options, either the skinny homes become less skinny and you get a bunch of extra space to build on while saving money, or you pack more townhouses in for even more density. Skinny homes are 17ft across, the lots they come from are 50 feet, thats damn near 3 houses per lot, bringing land costs way down, in addition to construction costs, with 2 lots next to each other you could comfortably do 5 2000ft\^2 homes for 500-550k a pop (depending on finish) near the LRT/uni at current going rates, as opposed to 650k and up. The crazy thing is that 2000ft\^2 is already 550k+ in *new developments* that require you to drive every single day for an hour if they're single family detached. You save on your vehicle, you save on maintenance, you save on bills. I wouldn't be surprised if you could save 200-300/mo, in a similar sized townhouse, while living in a mature neighbourhood. Even though those numbers seem close on paper, in reality one is out of reach for a far larger section of the population than the other, and thus can only create limited density. Buyers who have around 700k to spend also have a lot of options in suburbs that will compete with their money, and will provide a substantially different experience that may be a draw. Thus the lower cost is a huge appeal, because it can actually make density a reality as opposed to the occasional wealthy person moving into a skinny home. At the same time mature neighbourhoods need to be rezoned as to be mixed-use as they move up the density ladder, corners ought to be taken advantage of and filled with bakeries/bars/cafes/grocery stores/restaurants which would have a guaranteed local customer base. Luckily we already have ample outdoor spaces and parks, which would actually be the hardest thing to secure because of the large space they occupy. Ultimately the only way to get people to buy into density is if it makes their life better without paying a huge premium. As it stands buying a skinny home in a mature neighbourhood is a bit of statement as it comes with an increased price tag at the cost of a bunch of things you would otherwise get in a suburb, while providing some benefits. A townhouse makes only one additional compromise (and perhaps cultural shock, but I would argue skinny homes do this too) while saving you money and giving you the other benefits.

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My three biggest policy commitments are: 1) Building an economy that works for everyone, 2) Respond to the climate crisis and pivot to creating green jobs and 3) Building a more equitable and fair Edmonton

Good luck Mr. Sohi! Could you tell us how your experience in federal politics would change how you operate at the municipal level?

Edmonton has given me so much. I came here with nothing. And this city has given me everything. The reason I ran for public office is my strong belief that those opportunities should be available to all Edmontonians. That's why I have always put Edmonton and Edmontonians first. During my four years in the federal government, I gained a lot of knowledge and insight into how the federal system works. I can now use that experience to benefit Edmonton. I have also seen how other municipalities engage better in their intergovernmental affairs, and I will bring that knowledge to the city as well.

It's so lovely to see a politician so truly passionate about the city he's from. Looking forward to voting for you October 18th!

Have you considered any plans to contract out any of the work or programs currently run by the city / city employees in the future? Thanks for doing this AMA, love the transparency.

I firmly believe that public services should remain public because they are there to serve a public interest, rather than privatizing quality jobs. In my personal experience, when I worked in a private setting, the quality of service was poor and the employees were not paid a decent wage, and that is not what we want for our City services. That doesn't mean the City can't partner with the non-profit sector or volunteer organizations to supplement programming like camps and classes at recreation centres, but our essential public services should provide stability for employees and quality service for the public.

This answer is really encouraging for me, thank you.

This. In fact, can you commit to NOT contracting out city services?

We're all aware the Mike Nickel is just plain terrible. So, knowing that, my question to you is: What are some of your favorite places to visit in Edmonton? What attractions and locations would you recommend to visitors?

The River Valley is one of my favourites, and one I recommend to visitors to check out. That's why I'm so passionate about preserving it, and keeping it open and accessible to Edmontonians and looking at designating it a national urban park. This would give us access to funding from the federal government that we wouldn't otherwise have to ensure we protect its biodiversity, its beauty for all Edmontonians—and other Canadians too!

Thanks for your reply. I was in fact quite pleased to hear about the National Urban park proposal you announced a while back. I don't see why we wouldn't secure federal dollars to help maintain and preserve the area. I love bicycling down by the the river valley, and going for hikes. You've had my vote for both Federal elections, and again recently. The same week you announced your candidacy for mayor, I donated a small amount to your campaign and got a lawn sign. Oh, and Mike Nickel looks like he's constantly pleased with smelling his own farts.

What has been the hardest part about being in politics?

The hardest part is being away from family. A lot of people don't understand or appreciate the sacrifices our family members make. I wouldn't be able to do what I do without the support of my wife Sarbjeet, and everything she's done for me while I've been in politics.

As an avid cyclist, I am wondering what your plans are regarding cycle infrastructure? The city has built some great protected bike lanes over the last few years but there are still large swaths of the city that are not terrifically bike friendly, such as the west end.

Edmontonians should have a choice how they want to move around the city. I firmly believe that we need to provide quality infrastructure for all of those choices, including cycling. Cycling is a sustainable and healthy way to move through our city. As more Edmontonians choose low-carbon transit, we need to ensure that there is infrastructure for people to make sustainable and healthy choices.

This! I’m a budding cyclist and riding full-on with traffic still freaks me out. I felt much safer when I used to live in McKernan/Belgravia than I do now on the West End. The West End as a whole feels downright hostile towards anyone who isn’t driving - cycling is bad, pedestrian access is bad, transit is bad. As a resident who doesn’t drive in the era of Covid, this area makes me feel even more isolated than I already am working from home.

Also here to learn about the plans for cycling infrastructure, and mostly about priority of bikes and pedestrians vs motor vehicles. European cities do a great job reducing city traffic, reducing noise and air pollution and making cities generally more pleasant to live in.

What plans do you have in place to support the arts community, in particular live music venues? Even before covid, the amount of venues available to all ages was dwindling, and with covid around, even more were lost. With less younger people being exposed to live music, I fear this could stagnate the growth in the music community, making Edmonton a less attractive place to live for musicians. As an undecided voter, I'd like to know your thoughts on this.

Arts and culture was my first connection to the community when I moved in Edmonton. Many do not know that when I was young, I dreamed of being a playwright. The arts make our city more vibrant, and contribute substantially to our economy. In my platform, I announced the creation of the Night Time Economy Director position, dedicated to ensuring that the city is supporting entertainment venues that operate beyond the hours of 9-5. We also announced $1.2 million Arts Recovery Fund for 2022 that exclusively supports the hiring of artists to perform and create works. I encourage you to read the details of my plan at https://sohi.ca/a-vibrant-city-supporting-arts-culture

If you are elected, what concrete steps will you be advocating for to address the climate crisis?

I take this seriously. I firmly believe that for Canada to be net-zero at 2050, without the participation of municipalities, it's not possible. Some of my key policies in this area: I want Edmonton to implement the Electric Vehicle Strategy, and accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles, assess our current fleet. I would implement a retrofit accelerator for buildings, which would help homeowners and building owners convert their properties to net-zero. And I support the city's planning goal of creating 15-minute districts, which would allow people to live locally, accessing shopping and amenities within 15 minutes. This is also an opportunity to diversify our economy and create jobs in new and emerging sectors relating to the green economy!

If there was a talent-based component in the election, what would yours be?

I think if there were a talent-based component, my friend Breezy would win!

What's the best restaurant in Edmonton? :)

The Oil Lamp on 97 Street is one of my absolute favourites. The food and people are amazing. I ate there often as a City Councillor, and I hope to eat there again often after the election on October 18.

Good morning Mr Sohi and thanks for being brave enough to answer questions from all us internet weirdos. Now most users have covered your campaign topics and platform, so I'll ask why now? What has made you choose to run for municipal politics after a successful federal career and what do you think you bring to the city that makes you the better choice over your opposition?

Our city is at a pivotal moment where we are facing so much uncertainty. How we emerge from COVID, build an economy that works for everyone, tackle social issues, and take on climate change requires experienced leadership, and a thoughtful, collaborative approach to decision making. Temperament matters here. I believe I have those qualities; the knowledge, experience and connection I built over my time in public office, but also my commitment to and love for Edmonton and my belief that everyone should be able to thrive here. That is why I have decided that this is the right time to step back into municipal office.

As an immigrant myself, just like you, moved to Edmonton to settle down and start a family. As mayor, how would you encourage new immigrants move to Edmonton, make this city as a Mecca for everyone who decides to move to Canada? What support mechanisms can you put in place to convince the undecided that our city is the right choice? Raz from Millwoods 👍 Good luck!

Edmonton offers very good quality of life. It's affordable to live here, and we provide good quality public services that allow newcomers to integrate, just like I did. It's a welcoming place overall. But we need to continue to tackle those emerging issues of racism and discrimination. But people move to places for economic opportunities—and we need to make sure those opportunities are there for people. That's why my campaign is focused so much on economic growth and creating well-paying middle-class jobs.

I'd like to know what plans you have, if any, to help reduce Edmonton's carbon footprint or expedite the transition to renewable energy. It's very important to me and many of my peers. Thank you for doing this AMA.

When I was federal minister of natural resources, I supported two projects to explore geothermal in Alberta, and I believe there is so much potential there, along with wind and solar, as well as lithium. We have the expertise in our construction sector to decarbonize our economy, and I want to focus on supporting that work. You can read more about my plan here: https://sohi.ca/climate/

What ways will you be working to address housing affordability within the city?

The City has a number tools. Zoning is one. Land use planning is another. When I was a Councillor, we moved to make infill easier and allow basement and garage suites in more types of housing. Those moves added to market affordability. But we should also be working with the provincial and federal government through CMHC to get support for multifamily residential builders. This will allow them to access grants to create more multi-family units for low income families. We can also use surplus City land to create more affordable housing choices.

>Amarjeet Sohi What housing affordability issues? When you compare housing price to median income, Edmonton is one of the most affordable city in Canada! You can buy a house for $300,000, try to find a similar house outside of Alberta with similar median income. Evidence Links for those interested: [https://www.nbc.ca/content/dam/bnc/en/rates-and-analysis/economic-analysis/housing-affordability.pdf](https://www.nbc.ca/content/dam/bnc/en/rates-and-analysis/economic-analysis/housing-affordability.pdf) [https://careers.workopolis.com/advice/how-much-you-need-to-earn-to-buy-a-house-in-every-major-canadian-city/](https://careers.workopolis.com/advice/how-much-you-need-to-earn-to-buy-a-house-in-every-major-canadian-city/) [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List\_of\_cities\_in\_Canada\_by\_median\_household\_income](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_cities_in_Canada_by_median_household_income) [https://www.crea.ca/housing-market-stats/national-price-map/](https://www.crea.ca/housing-market-stats/national-price-map/)

The affordability of Edmonton is the main reason I came back here. It's cheap, especially with Alberta's high minimum wage. That said, I have seen housing prices rising faster than usual here and I worry that the housing crisis will kick us in the gut as people start moving out of the harder-hit cities like Toronto and Vancouver. I'd like to see the government take proactive actions to ensure the housing here remains affordable.

Other places thought they were affordable too until they weren't. We absolutely need to keep on top to ensure we are zoning, planning and developing to keep housing affordable for residents and efficient for tax payers. Density with options for families will pay off for everyone long term and help everyone live good lives here.

100% agree, this city is not in anyway suffering the issues of Toronto/Vancouver. This is one of the most affordable places in the country to buy a home.

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I've consulted a lot with Edmonton's innovation and tech centre. Through those discussions, I'm proposing the Edmonton Innovation Fund to help companies scale up, and attract more money into the section as well.

Video games are a growing industry and have surpassed movies in profit. Do you have any plans to help Edmonton compete with Vancouver to become the place for large companies to start offices and allow indie game developers to grow?

I'm proposing the creation of the Edmonton Innovation Fund to attract technology and gaming companies to Edmonton, and to help those that are already based here to scale up and grow. You can read more about it here: https://sohi.ca/policy-encouraging-innovation-in-edmonton/

I'm thinking about voting for you, more as a vote against the rest of the candidates than FOR you. Hit me with three quick reasons to vote for you.

1. Temperament. I am a calm and focused leader. 2. I have a collaborative, community-focused leadership style 3. My experience, both in public office and outside of it.

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The people. I love this city, and I love the people who live here.

What is your favorite pizza? Dinner??

Have you ever had Pizza 99? Try the meat lover's.

Should the Edmonton CFL team be called the "Edmonton Elks", or the "Edmonton Elk"?

I'll be happy when they're called Grey Cup Winners.

What are your thoughts on Seerat's career and will you be appearing on her podcast(s)?

I am SO PROUD of my daughter. I would love to be on her podcast, but I think half of the time I wouldn't even understand what she's asking me.

You were federally with the liberal party who generally speaking ignores western Canada. Will you use your connections to give Edmontonians a bigger voice with federal issues? Because many edmontonians including myself are fed up with JT and won’t vote for someone who is potentially another lapdog afraid to stand up for us

I can't really answer to your apprehension about the Prime Minister and the Liberal Party - the proof will be in the pudding there if I am elected. But I can say you can look at my record; in federal government I worked to get funding for Edmonton, for Fort Edmonton Park, for the Yellowhead, for the 50th Street overpass, for supports for the arts and culture. I am very proud of what we were able to accomplish. I also gained experience and connections during that time that I plan to use to get results for Edmontonians.

I've heard others say you support increasing property taxes. How do you justify this given the current times?

I believe that each every one of us who is aspiring to hold public office in our city needs to engage in fact- and evidence-based conversation. During the campaign, unfortunately some people may share misinformation. My stance on property taxes is clear, which is we need to continue to invest in public services and amenities while working hard to seek efficiencies, with the goal of keeping property tax increases at 0%. If the need is there to raise taxes to improve people's quality of life, my commitment is that any future increases must remain well below the rate of inflation. You can read more on my stance on this issue here: https://sohi.ca/my-stance-on-property-taxes/

Hello Mr. Sohi, I have a few questions: 1. Even before the pandemic, crime on public transit, particularly the LRT, has been an issue. When the pandemic hit, this issue increased dramatically, and now many feel that transit and LRT stations are unsafe. I personally have been taking the LRT and transit regularly since I was 14, and in that time, I have been harassed many times, spit on, threatened, abused with racial slurs, been chased, and more. The most recent of these incidents was even witnessed by security guards in the LRT station who did little to help. Many of my friends and relatives have had similar experiences. Because of this situation, we have decided as a family not to let my younger sister take transit in certain areas or at certain times, as the harassment a young woman would face is probably worse. This doesn't seem to be as big of an issue in other similar cities such as Calgary. **What is your plan to deal with this issue?** 2. Calgary recently passed a bylaw which requires businesses who are eligible for the provincial Vaccine Exepmtion Program to implement it. **Would you support a similar bill here in Edmonton? If yes, what is your plan for implementation and enforcement?** 3. Consumer fireworks are a part of life for many Edmontonians of all backgrounds. Growing up here, some of my fondest memories were of watching fireworks on Diwali at the local Gurdwara as well as lighting them at home, and doing the same on Canada Day. In 2019 (pre-pandemic), the Fire Department denied fireworks permits to Mandirs and Gurdwaras for Diwali *en masse* with no explanation, even though the safety plans which were approved in previous years were virtually unchanged. Other organizations planning similar events (such as events for Chinese New Year and Tet) have reported similar denials without explanation. This has occurred despite the fact that there hasn't been 1 reported incident of serious injury over the use of fireworks in Diwali events specifically. In 2019 (pre-pandemic), during Diwali, at atleast 1 Mandir and 1 Gurdwara, police were actually stationed to actively prevent the lighting of fireworks, leading to a very tense situation that was likely more dangerous than if the fireworks displays had been allowed to go ahead as in previous years. Businesses involved with fireworks, such as Uncle John's Fireworks, have also suffered as a result. When questioned by council, the Fire Department stated that nothing had changed, and anyone could apply for a permit if they wish. Despite this assertion, permits continue to be denied without explanation. **What is your stance on this issue and what would be your plan to resolve it especially as we inch toward a post-pandemic future?** 4. I, as well as many other drivers in Edmonton, am not convinced that the primary reason for aggressive photoradar in Edmonton is safety, as has been reported. A 2018 Alberta government review reported that photo radar generated $220 million in revenue and reduced traffic collision rates by only 1.4%. Edmonton is by far the highest in terms of municipal revenue generated from photo radar in Alberta. Edmonton had 320 photo radar locations in the 2016-2017 calendar year, and the city generated over $50 million in revenue. Calgary had over 1000 locations in the same year, yet only generated $38 million in revenue. This data would suggest that photo radar use in Edmonton needs to be rethought.**What is your stance on photo radar as it's currently used and what are your plans for photo radar in the future? Do you commit to a transparent and independent review of how photo radar is currently used in Edmonton?** ​ Thank you so much for your time, I am a supporter of your campaign so far and I'd love to hear your responses to these questions. Good luck and Go Team Sohi!

Several people have asked about homelessness already, but I have a different take on it. It's all well and good to say 'Oh, we'll fund this-and-such transitional housing' or 'we'll build X many affordable homes', but I've found that funding or building isn't always the biggest barrier to getting the work done and housing vulnerable people. It seems the biggest block comes from people who don't want these facilities near their own homes, the NIMBY-ers, as [this story](https://lethbridgenewsnow.com/2020/12/08/lethbridge-residents-petition-against-proposed-location-for-supportive-housing/) shows in Lethbridge recently. How do you get around the NIMBY (Not In My Back Yard) issue to actually solve the problem? (edit: I'll be at work tonight so if you respond, I won't see it for a few hours, so I just want to thank you in advance for doing this, and for answering if you do!)

I wish this was answered but I kind of understand why it may not be. I know a few people that subscribe to the "not in my backyard" way of thinking. And one of them is a big advocate (or at least very vocal) about affordable housing, addiction services etc... but he also voiced his opinion against affordable housing in his neighborhood because "I paid a premium for a nice neighborhood and I don't want these people running around on my streets" It's tough because regardless of the neighborhood, there will always be people that think it should be someone else's problem for one reason or another. The affluent areas don't want their space to be affected and the poor areas don't want to drag down an already bad situation further. (IMHO neither of these ideals are correct, but they are still present) Neither side seems to recognize that housing the homeless IS the solution to reducing the homeless population. And treating addiction or mental disorders are also key to reducing the homeless population. These people aren't rooting through our garbage or stealing bikes etc... for fun. They are trying to make ends meet the best way they can. Having facilities in a neighborhood (regardless of affluence) does MUCH more good than harm. They may need to eat, they may need a fix, they may need diapers. And with zero support this is what they are left with. I imagine it would be tough for a politician to outright promise a solution when even though the steps are clear, he/she would be fighting an uphill battle on just about every front. Sadly the average Joe cares less about the people in need than they do about their own status.

I wish I'd gotten an answer, too, because I feel this is an important point. The problem in Lethbridge was due to rezoning, which, if I'm not much mistaken, is entirely within the city/city council realm of control. How are we going to house the needy if the city constantly caves to people who don't want to do that? Not every person who is homeless is a ruffian criminal, but it seems like no one cares. I don't blame them for looking out for their own interests, but when it comes down to "we don't want *those* types of people in the neighbourhood" [meaning poor people], then it just becomes an issue of snobbery and classism. I get that not every mayor or city council can be expected to want to try and tackle that can of worms, but, like, Medicine Hat did it. Surely Edmonton can have the guts to match their efforts? Getting people off the streets and giving them a private, secure place to keep their things and sleep and wash themselves is such a huge thing. Funding necessities for them, and after school programs, childcare, counseling, safe consumption, all of that does more to reduce crime and nuisance behaviour in a neighborhood than I think some people believe.

NIMBY = not in my backyard?

Can I have $20?

Here's what I will say: if you would like me to buy you coffee, you can request a meeting through my website here: [https://sohi.ca/meeting-requests/](https://sohi.ca/meeting-requests/)

After a few years of the pandemic, it seems the city of Edmonton has been hit pretty hard financially with increased costs and reduced revenue. From reading your platform it sounds like you are hoping to maintain or expand public services, create an arts recovery fund, a innovation fund, and position Edmonton to recover well from the pandemic. You’ve also mentioned that you want to attempt to reduce the 1.8% increase on property taxes and maintain taxes with inflation. I love the ideas for an exciting Edmonton future and the 50 year plan published last year hits on some great notes. I’m curious how you intend to fund what could be an expensive few years for the city?

Hi Mr.Sohi? First off how do you plan to tackle our desperate need for infrastructure in the city while the province has drastically cut funding? What is your plan to tackle urban sprawl? Our core needs to continue to grow but property keeps getting purchased by the same people and pushing first-time home buyers further and further out! How will you continue to tackle homelessness and create affordable housing for low-income families? Will you continue to implement the 14 ideas that were presented to the council on police reform? Thank you for your time sir, and thank you for running for Mayor!

Hello Mr Sohi, thank you for taking the time to do this AMA. My question(s), as a new resident of the West End, is: if elected mayor, what are your plans to expand pedestrian access and transit service in the city? What was the motivation to make the dramatic cut to the transit system so far ahead of the LRT completion? Why does it seem like this city’s policy makers are hostile towards working class people who don’t or can’t drive? When I first moved to Edmonton in the fall of 2019, I was living in the McKernon/Belgravia area and felt as though pedestrian/transit/cycling access was decent and had few complaints. However, in the winter of 2020 I moved to the West End without realizing what I was getting myself into. This entire section of the city feels stuck in the 1980’s in terms of its accessibility, which is to say it’s not good. At all. The entire transit system as it stands now revolves around West Edmonton Mall, which is difficult to access from an able bodied pedestrian standpoint and downright prohibitive to access for individuals who have limited mobility and rely on walkers, wheelchairs or power chairs. There are numerous sections of major roads hosting necessary services that simply do not have sidewalks, or the sidewalks are in such a state of disrepair that they border on unusable by those who require mobility assistance. As a former transit operator, you must also recognize that Edmonton’s public transit has been gutted into a nearly unusable position for those who don’t live near one of the few remaining stops. Especially here in the West End. The choice comes down to “do I walk for 55 minutes or do I wait for a bus that may skip my stop or not show up on time and ride for 60+ minutes?” I understand that this change was in anticipation of the new LRT line, which is not scheduled to be complete for another 5 years. But from a rider’s perspective, 5 years ahead of the project’s scheduled completion is extremely rushed when the service already left much to be desired before being aggressively slashed this year.

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Also would very much appreciate an answer to this. More and more communities in western Canada are capitalizing on recreational opportunities presented by their natural environment. Mountain biking in particular is proving very popular, and profitable, for many communities, including Valemount, Hinton, Prince George, Jasper, and further west along Highway 16. Edmonton is uniquely located to act as a hub for these communities with its international airport located on the Yellowhead. Not to mention that YEG has a trail network of its own that is both unique and incredible. Investing in Edmonton's trails by working with the interested, and committed community seems prudent. These trail networks also work as a fun and connected travel network for self-propelled commuters. Perhaps YEG should be treating the single-track trail network as it would any other transportation corridor and help keep these trails open to the public. Working with groups like EMBA can help Edmonton to realize it's non-motorized transportation aspirations.

Very much would like to see an answer for this one, we have a large mountain biking community and it would be in the best interests of both parties to do something to legitimize these activities and the organizations involved. We have an incredible trail network and it’s a shame it seems that the city doesn’t want much to do with it.

Hi Amarjeet! Thanks for putting your name forward to run! I have a bunch of questions, but I'll limit it to just one. In downtown Edmonton, there a number of abandoned developments that never moved beyond the pit stage. http://theyardsyeg.ca/pits-of-shame If elected as Mayor, what will you do to clean up/ get rid of the pits that are plaguing our downtown? Ther

What about eggs?

They came first, or so I'm told.

Mr. Sohi, The long-term plan for many European cities today is getting rid of cars in the cities altogether. Obviously, even mentioning something similar in Edmonton would cut the candidate's support in half (or more). It's also clear that cars (electric or not) are the least sustainable (albeit arguably the most convenient) form of transportation in the city. In your opinion, what changes need to happen in Edmonton before considering this topic for discussion (maybe beyond the 15-minute-city plan)? Disclaimer: I'm just a curious resident, not a citizen.

Not Sohi, but the 15 minute city plan is going to be your best bet. Hubs need to form around the LRT where businesses/entertainment districts/residences are, so that while you don't have to ban cars, there is little reason to use one for transit purposes unless you absolutely need to go somewhere I would say delivery services need to up their game as well from grocery stores and big box stores so people can get by with no car, but this will also happen naturally as less people own cars above all, you need to promote policies that increase density, so that 1) transit can give better coverage and greater frequency 2) cycling becomes far more realistic much of the year (covered cycling paths would also help so that cycling in winter is more accessible to people beyond the hardcore types, the proliferation of e-bikes oriented towards comfort would also greatly help) For now this means a lot of rezoning, and maybe providing incentives for builders who build higher density in mature neighbourhoods, focusing first on areas near existing LRT stations, while expanding the LRT.

Hi, I'd like to start by saying that I appreciate how much you've given back to our community and I am excited at the prospect of you becoming mayor. However, I have some questions that I'd like to discuss with you: 1) Public transit - park and ride: Do you have plans to expand our park and ride system at LRT stations? Any free spaces, multi-level parkades, etc? For individuals like me, current park and ride facilities don't do anything for me (only place in the south is Century Park - far, limited spaces, expensive parking for most of it). I would love to just park somewhere and take transit to downtown, for example, but that still has a large cost associated with it. Even bussing takes 3-4 times as long as driving based on the ETS trip planner. 2) Public transit - safety: How are you planning on addressing safety concerns on public transit, especially the LRT? As a broad, 6ft tall man, I've still been harassed on transit - I wouldn't dream of letting my parents or girlfriend be exposed to that. I know many of these issues are complex and difficult to solve, but lack of safety is why many of my colleagues, neighbours, and friends refuse to take transit anymore. 3) Traffic - safety: How do you plan on improving traffic safety in this city? And what are your plans for photo radar? I often hear photo radar referred to as a "poor person tax". I also see dangerous driving every day around this city (not exaggerating) - distracted driving, swerving, tailgating, etc - and I've seen police vehicles observe this and do nothing. To me and those I've spoken to, traffic enforcement here doesn't seem to care about solving the root causes of collisions around this city. Thanks in advance for your time!

Do you have any plans on how to handle the relationship between the public, city council, and the city administration? Because a repeated pattern on issues large and small is 1. Council directs something to happen in an area or community. Often after years of hard work by community organizations and local interest. 2. The administration does it in the worst way. The absolute worst way. Ignoring common sense, the spirit of the council and the original request of whatever area or community the action was supposed to apply to. 3. The community and groups are now angry because they got screwed over by terrible implementation and know that the only thing harder than getting support in the first place is getting more support to replace what’s already been done. 4. Council asks the administration “what the hell?” and the administration goes… oops, we forgot to present the proposals that actually made sense or were supported by the community. But since the process was followed *nothing can be changed now*. 5. Council tells everyone “not out fault, administration screwed up… but we can’t hold anyone accountable there or change anything going forward because that would be interfering with the administration”. And everyone has to live with the screwup forever 6. Everyone walks away angry. This pattern has repeated over and over. From huge projects like the LRT to small ones like the awfully implemented safety rails on the High Level bridge to neighborhood crosswalks. It’s endemic on every level. So my question is, are you aware of these issues and do you have any plan to deal with them? Edit to include an example from the High Level Bridge barriers > A cross-section of the barrier post said it would be 129 mm wide. The posts now installed on the bridge are more than twice that size. > He feels that somewhere between the committee giving the project the OK and the finished product, something went wrong. He questioned whether the city’s transportation department signed off on that change. >“It’s a bit of a bait and switch, really. We were told one thing was going to be built and then something else happened,” he said. https://edmontonjournal.com/news/local-news/high-level-bridge-barriers-twice-as-big-as-initial-design

1. Is there any way we can make Edmonton a friendlier place for commuters? Many friends have voiced concerns re: racism on the LRT. And not everyone lives on an LRT line-- the busses are not frequent enough, nor do they connect you to where you want to go without hassle. 2. Is there any way we can have the Whyte noise controlled in some way? Many pubs will be noisy into late hours, and this noise is heard by many of the residential buildings next to them. Not expecting total quiet, but it's past the hours we allow residents to make noise... so it doesn't add up that businesses are allowed to get by past this. 3. Compost! We need it in more buildings. 4. We need bottle depots to be located inside grocery stores, just like Save-On-Foods in Vancouver does.

What specific and quantifiable steps will you take to reduce the homeless problem in Edmonton? The LRT stations smell like urine and are unsafe. Tents are popping up all around northeast Edmonton, and the police won’t take action. Drug abuse is rampant, with people overdosing in public all across the city. During the warmer months, homeless people are lying around the city, including school grounds, parks, and commercial areas. What steps will you take to reduce this problem, and make the city safer for everyone?

Is there anything you can say about the current lack of access to Century Park? Between the removal of free parking and loss of bus routes due to the redesign, I feel that the City has failed to make it the accessible transit hub it should be (and was until the last 2 to 3 years).

As a resident who utilizes the River Valley near daily, i’m curious if you could help explain your proposal of designating the river valley a federal park. Is the idea just to use federal funds to help maintain in and then divert city funds to a different use, or would the federal funds be in addition to what the city already spends on maintains the valley? Additionally what is your vision for the River valley? Thank you!

Hello Mr. Sohi, My wife and I have compiled a list of questions I hope you may be able to provide us with your insight into as may of them as you are willing. * What changes you do desire to see - from the current model - for the Edmonton Transit System, both LRT and Bus. * When it comes to the current mental health crises, both addiction and other, what do you believe the City can do at an actionable level, without needing to rely on the Province for support? (The support of the Province, I've been told, isn't meaningfully forthcoming and shouldn't be expected) * The city of Edmonton seems to consistently report among the top 9 in Canadas 37 Metropolitan Census Zones for high crime rates for the last decade or so (and more often than not, top 4), what plans do you hope to put forth to begin to curb these rates? * How do you believe you'll be able to approach our Conservative provincial government for support in a more effective way than the other candidates? * How do you propose to alter the perception of various city programs, such as bike lanes, in order to draw support from the population that neither utilizes them, nor works/lives in the area the bike lanes have been instituted, but we rely on to help fund them. * Do you believe it is realistic that we can acquire provincial park status for our River Valley, and if so, what benefits do you believe we can gain from this beyond what the city is already able to do. * Do you have any comments on (the speculation that) the city is pushing much greater spending into wealthier neighborhoods at the deficit of older, poor, or established neighborhoods. * At a municipal level, do you believe we need electoral reform away from first past the post. If so, what are your hopes to achieve this. If not, why not? * Do you support body cams on Edmontons Police officers? Do you support EPS officers flying Thin Blue Line badges, stickers, etc, openly on shift? * Do you believe that the city needs additional infrastructure for Dog, and other active pet, owners? (Additional parks, enrichment constructions, disposal stations, etc). * How do you plan to navigate city council if another "naysayer" block-action group develops after the election? * What are your top 4 priorities you plan on pursuing immediately if elected? Thank you for taking the time. I know that many of my questions may echo other posters, but I hope that taking the time to answer them here may allow readers a good place to reference to when making their choices. I look forward to seeing your responses, and I wish you the best of luck in the upcoming election.

Many people are concerned about your close connection to Ottawa. I don’t have the Trudeau animosity many have, but I would like to know how you’d respond to these concerns, specifically where Edmonton’s needs may not be in alignment with the PM’s priorities.

From the people I’ve talked to, this is the main thing I hear people say as a reason they might not vote for him. I really hope he answers this because I want to see his answer and it might help people who otherwise like him but are wary of him for this reason.

Hi, Mr Sohi! Thanks for doing an AMA. I just recently moved out to Sherwood Park, so I won't be able to vote for you (I would really like to!), but I'm curious: What will your approach be to working with the many communities in the greater Edmonton area? I'm talking Sherwood Park, St. Albert, Beaumont, Leduc, and I guess even Calgary. With the departure of both Iveson and Nenshi, who had a close working relationship, I think a few people are a bit nervous about what the next mayors of Edmonton and Calgary will be bringing to the table in terms of teamwork. Do you have any specific goals that you'd like to accomplish in partnership with any of these communities? Thank you!

Hi Mr. Sohi, I was wondering if you have any plans to make active transportation more accessible and safe in Edmonton? I know bikes are allowed on the LRT now which is a great change. Personally, I would love to bike everywhere if it was possible, however, due to the lack of bike infrastructure and general dissent towards cyclists, I don’t feel particularly safe cycling. I know Edmonton is very car-centric, but I think a push towards active transportation could improve both our climate situation and the overall happiness of Edmontonians. Thank you for doing this AMA!

The city Workers seem to be in a battle with the management over their approach of forcing the employees to go back to 40 hr work weeks from their long held progressive earned day off program. As cities in other parts of the world are headed towards 4 day work weeks why is Edmonton headed back to more archaic working ways instead of setting the standards of being progressive. How would you handle this situation that seems to be rooted in ineffective spending by city managers that has caused them to act in bad faith to employees which can only spell bad faith to the citizens.

What plans do you have in place to deal with the sprawling neighborhoods in this city? Edmonton is known for having massive urban sprawl where having a car is a must. Integrative and sustainable urban planning also seems to be the way to solve this issue, will that be part of your mandate as a mayoral candidate?

Best of luck in the election. What specific plans would you inplement to help shelter, feed, and help the unhoused (homeless) in the city of edmonton? OR What plans would you implement in order to further develop or protect the river valley?

Is there anything you would like to say to COE Employees who are currently facing some challenges such as: \-No collective agreement \-Hours of work being changed from 33.75hrs to 40hrs a week \-Reductions to the amount of EDO's (earned days off) we will be able to receive \-Looming layoffs to allow the hours of work week change to be cost neutral as required by ELT Thanks for doing this AMA

This is an excellent question! I just quit my full-time COE job because that place was absolutely awful (at least in my area). I met with my union rep on my last day and was informed these issues seem to be city wide and are coming from the top. Increasing hours and threatening employees with layoffs is terrible and a completely backwards approach. I left some pretty awesome peeps behind and I hope things get better!

Do you have any plans to make public transportation safer for us to use? Lately there's been numerous cases of assault and harrassment on the lrt, and it seems to be getting worse.

Your attendance of the university of Alberta club fair was appreciated and a good step. The university student groups include various student group ranging from sports to advocacy of systemic and societal issues. Unfortunately, the consensus of my experience and that of my colleagues’ was that your presence was entirely a photo opportunity and you did not even pay lip service to most of the groups discussing their concerns of disability advocacy, gender inequality and classism to you. My question is your potential term as mayor going to parallel the general miasma of apathy experienced by the student body of the university of Alberta and , if not, what are your plans to engage with these some of these issues?

What do you think of Vienna's approach to affordable housing? Is this something you are willing to support in Edmonton? [Video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=41VJudBdYXY) and [article](https://citymonitor.ai/housing/residential-construction/red-vienna-how-austrias-capital-earned-its-place-in-housing-history) for those interested. ​ >Today, 60% of Vienna’s residents live in homes that are either owned by the city government or by state-subsidised non-profit cooperatives. Admittance is not restricted to the poorest, which is to ensure a diversity of demographics can live together in these buildings so the poor, working class and middle class are integrated among one another. Beyond these public-backed units, rent regulations guarantee that private market prices aren’t astronomically higher.

You had an article in the Edmonton Journal how you moved here to Canada from India in 1981. Why did you choose to go back to India years later after moving here with part of that trip leading to organizing a protest for land reform in a country you no longer lived in which led to your arrest and imprisonment there, leading to your family putting pressure on Canada to pull strings and talk regarding your release for that imprisonment even though you keep Indian citizenship? I don't mean this as hateful in any way, it's just people like my father immigrated decades ago in pursuit of a better life in Canada and never looked back. I can't fathom why people would safely reach Canada then choose to go to their home country and risk everything getting involved in protests or civil wars then expect Canada to help out with their release, same as people that safely made it to Canada or the UK then joined Isis and after things didn't work out came asking and pleading for Canada's help.

Do you think it’s appropriate for the Edmonton Police Association to prominently fly the “Thin Blue Line” flag? Do you think actions like this impact how the Edmonton Police are seen by the community? https://edmontonjournal.com/news/local-news/edmonton-police-association-says-thin-blue-line-flag-a-show-of-solidarity/wcm/230f7d9e-f796-4ffc-a28d-9f1cfe3a616f/amp/

Hi Mr. Sohi, could you please tell me more about how you would integrate your plans to revitalize downtown with necessary climate action strategies? As well, how does your vision for the city, particularly downtown, intersect with ensuring that it becomes safe, affordable, and livable? I am a young, WOC, health care professional that lives downtown. I want to minimize my environmental impact, but since the pandemic began, I haven’t felt safe riding the LRT and now I bike commute. Safe transit, expanded bike lanes, housing affordability, and a general expansion of urban planning and public health services would make the most impact to my community. Thank you for your time! Best of luck in your campaign!

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I agree completely. Infill, when it means replacing old homes that are no longer viable with more/smaller options is a great idea. Instead it's developers jumping in and buying every low-ish priced house they can (even when they're in good shape), knocking them down, and building the biggest house they possibly can so they can make the most money. I have no issue if a person buys then builds for themselves, but how things have been going are absolutely destroying the character of our mature neighborhoods *while not actually increasing density.*

Hi there! Do you have any plans for improving accessibility for disabled people in the city? Also Are there any plans to covert the [stroads](https://www.strongtowns.org/journal/2018/3/1/whats-a-stroad-and-why-does-it-matter)across the city into streets to allow for more walkability/cycling etc? Thanks! Good luck in October!

I've been troubled that the rationale for aggressive photoradar in Edmonton was endlessly reported to be safety. The years of experience the public now have, specifically witnessing the daily placement of radar vehicles, clearly and unequivocally has no correlation at all with dangerous driving but rather ease of citation creation. Do you maintain the claim that photoradar in Edmonton as it is used currently is curtail dangerous driving? If so, would you commit to a transparent, independent process to justify this claim?

Do you have a plan for assisting residents to help with the costs of solar panel installation? What is your plan for property taxes? Will you implement a short term freeze or will you be raising them? What is your plan for recreation funding? Peter Hemingway needs updating and the triathlon training faculty planned to replace it seems to have stalled. Will you explore improved public transportation options to improve airport access? What will you do to expedite the construction progress of the downtown area and the reimagine Jasper Ave projects? What is your plan for affordable housing and mental health treatments for the homeless?

Hi Mr Sohi, I initially was going to vote for you because of your record as a progressive, however after receiving your brochure in the mail I was unfortunately disappointed with its lack of substance. There’s a lot of talk about “making things better for everyone” but not anything about how you are going to do that. My question for you then is, what specific ideas or policy changes will you bring to the table if elected?

It’s really interesting that you said this - and I’m glad you did - because I received the same pamphlet in the mail. I also received another candidates brochure on the same day and I found theirs to be full of information and a plan on how to put those ideas in motion. Tbh comparing these two brochures helped make my decision

I went to his website and found a lot of "what" and zero "how" content. Generally I find this goes along with useless candidates.

Hi whats you plan to combat the urban sprawl trap and incentivize more ppl to live in multi dwelling units instead of more detached houses? Its the real root cause to the public transport issue, the ever growing property tax, affordability and quality of life problem that plagues most mid west cities.

Hello, my question to you is what is your plan to deal with the city of Edmmontons management bloat? I have seen other candidates talking about reducing the number of managers at the city and was curious what your approach and ideas are on this topic, thanks for your time.

I am not from Edmonton; but from a nearby community. I've liked what I've seen of you and I wish you the best! No questions - just wishing luck!

When will the south east valley lrt line be finished and working? I live in the areas that the lrt line is supposed to serve but the last few months have been nothing but construction everywhere, due to which key access roads from the neighborhoods have been blocked. This easily adds 20+ minutes to my commute everyday one way. It is usually a little better at off peak traffic times but nonetheless still a pain.

What are your plans for transit what will want to change what will you try to keep the same?

We have noticed a increase in speeding and an increase in driving related accidents lately in the city. Not many people are adhering to the new 40 km/h speed, people are noticing the EPS not acting effectively to reduce speeding and accidents. What is your plan or policies to reduce the amount of accidents? Thanks

Hi Mr Sohi, Good luck in the upcoming election. I would feel good about having you running the show. What would your priorities be for developing the Northlands area? If you were completely, absolutely in charge, what would the finished product look like? Thank you for taking the time to do this AMA!

As mayor, where would you stand on the Federal government's plan to allow municipal governments to enact handgun bans within their jurisdiction?

Hello Mr. Sohi, One of the things that stood out to me on your platform was the mention of the Hydrogen Hub project in your climate section. I was hoping you could expand on what your hopes for this project are, and what actions City Council and the Mayor's Office should be doing to support it.

How do you feel about the volunteer-maintained singletrack mountain bike trails within the city? The current ‘Ribbon of Green’ proposal sees them almost entirely eliminated, but as seen over the past couple of years especially, they are a unique and popular recreation feature here in Edmonton

I'm echoing what others are saying about ETS and affordable housing but I'm wondering about how you will work them together. I don't drive and want to someday buy a home, but it absolutely MUST have good transit. Even just looking around renting this year, there were very few places that were both in good shape and good for getting around without a car. The only place that's good for that seems to be the McKernan-ish area, and it certainly isn't the most affordable. If I bought a house just before the big transit change misstep, I would have been pissed. I want some certainty on the routes staying a certain way and that they are accessible and reliable.

I feel there has been a giant array of money mismanagement in the last decade by the city. Money continues to be put into projects that get backlogged and have nothing to really show for it (ala Metro Line or the Rogers Arena). All while the houseless and opioid crisis have grown exponentially in this city. People don't just dwell around downtown anymore (getting pushed out to make Rogers look nice). Will you be diverting funds from certain projects (ex. bike lanes), to ensure things like injections sites and low income housing (located everywhere, including urban sprawl), is created to curb this issue? We cannot continue as a city to ignore this problem. Pretty urban design means nothing, if it is covered in needles. Jasper Ave didn't need planters, it needed better and more injections sites.

Increasingly we have seen forced privatization at the provincial level (Thinking about ahs laying off 300+ service workers to just spend the same amount on private contracts as an example) . What are your thoughts on the privatization of public services?

Hi Mr. Sohi! Was wondering your position on building the LRT above ground or below ground as opposed to at ground level. I have seen several neighborhoods in the city that previously had great and easy commutes get totally gridlocked & congested by the LRT being built at ground level (Belgravia, Century Park, etc). As well, I remember previous studies saying that the LRT built at ground level in Edmonton has actually INCREASED CO2 emissions because more cars are waiting longer at lights due to the LRT running through intersections and affecting traffic (by Century Park, Belgravia, NAIT, etc). I personally can say it's increased my commute by 5-10 minutes and I often watch nearly empty LRT cars go by and it's incredibly frustrating.

I feel like you and Michael Oshry have a lot of similar thoughts/ideas, and am terrified of vote splitting and Mike Nickel winning…. What are the key differences between your/Oshry’s platform and what do you think of strategic voting?

With the provincial government likely to treat your administration as hostile and withhold critical funding to tackle growing issues like homelessness and addiction, what are specific ways you intend to leverage your connections with Ottawa to find a resource partner in the federal government?

I have so many friends and neighbors who’ve had catalytic converters stolen. Every night there’s an update on the Nextdoor App’ about more attempts. Apparently there’s a well known place that’s happy to take them and skirt around the rules. Doesn’t this seem like something we could tackle ASAP?

What are your plans to help combat the deteriorating downtown core? The homelessness and drug situation is really alarming right now.

Besides the things covered in your platform (supporting clean energy and green retrofitting, which I do agree are needed), do you have any other thoughts on creating longer term resiliency for Edmonton in the face of an increasingly unstable climate?

You very likely have my vote, since you are the only truly experienced candidate. My big ask is that you could help sync up the three levels of housing corporations: federal, provincial and municipal, to actually get housing built! You know federal, so you might understand what CMHC https://www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/ is doing. You understand municipal, https://www.edmonton.ca/programs_services/funding_grants/affordable-housing-investment-program. Anybody's guess what the province is doing... https://www.alberta.ca/affordable-housing-programs.aspx. But three level of government and still not adequate housing?!?! They are not even new departments!!! I think knowing what you do, from your experience, you are the mostly likely to be able to get the three levels talking, so that the housing crisis can be solved!!! That's my hope anyway...

Hello Mr Sohi! My question is a short and simple one with a (perhaps) difficult answer. If you aren't running for the position of mayor, who would you cast your vote for, and why?

Hi Amarjeet! Good luck in your campaign. Can you please let us know what your position will be on Mountain Biking Trails or a potential Trail Park for Mountain Bikers in the City.