Do young people care about municipal politics? Do they know the ways that their lives are affected by city governments? Edmonton Edge has been working on a series of articles covering this topic.

Members of the class of BSCS 497 submitted questions to several of the candidates running for mayor for the City of Edmonton. Our concerns were about municipal matters: supporting young people’s concerns, cost of living and parking, The following are unedited answers from the candidates in no particular order.

Omar Mohammed

How do you plan on advocating for students through your municipal powers?

As Mayor, I want to ensure that students’ voices are part of municipal decision-making. I will prioritize public transit routes, safe streets, and infrastructure that supports student life. This includes accessible housing, reliable transportation options, and community spaces where students can gather and thrive. I will actively engage with student associations to understand their needs and bring them to council discussions.

How do you plan on making things more affordable for University students?\

Affordability is critical for students. I will work to keep property taxes and transit fares stable while exploring programs that support lower-cost housing and community amenities. Efficient city spending, targeted subsidies, and support for shared-use facilities can reduce living costs for students while keeping the city financially responsible.

Do you plan on providing University students more accessible and affordable parking around their campuses?

Yes. I recognize parking is a challenge for students, especially those commuting from outside the city or living off-campus. My approach will be to balance on-campus and nearby community parking, explore partnerships for affordable parking solutions, and ensure safe, well-maintained facilities that are accessible to all students, including those with mobility challenges.

What do you want university students to know about municipal politics?

Your voice matters, and voting in municipal elections can directly influence decisions that affect your quality of life. I encourage students to engage, ask questions, and hold their representatives accountable.

Andrew Knack

How do you plan on advocating for students through your municipal powers?

Young people are facing uncertainty. Youth unemployment is at an all-time high, campus food banks are overburdened, climate change is creating fear about the future, and it is difficult to find affordable and adequate housing.

If we make deep cuts today like other candidates are proposing, it will leave a legacy of further problems for younger Edmontonians tomorrow.

Instead, I am going to create more opportunities so that young people can get a good job, build a life, and own a home in Edmonton. I’m going to improve protections for renters and ensure there are more housing choices for students.

I will work to create a targeted strategy to tackle youth unemployment and create internship, co-op, and apprenticeship opportunities at the City and on City-funded projects.

Edmonton’s robust post-secondary sector is an advantage. I will collaborate with economic development partners to drive product commercialization, support student entrepreneurs, attract investment, and help graduates turn skills into careers here at home.

How do you plan on making things more affordable for University students?

The cost of housing has risen steeply over the past few years, making it hard for many students to make ends meet. I’m proud that the City of Edmonton has already exceeded its targets for building affordable and supportive housing. But we must go further. We need more homes everywhere – including in good neighbourhoods that are close to the river valley and downtown – so that young people can afford to rent and eventually own a home in Edmonton.

I’ll do everything in my power to scale up affordable housing by continuing to invest in City grants and leveraging federal programs. I’ll partner with Indigenous partners to increase the supply of Indigenous-led and operated affordable housing. I’ll accelerate the redevelopment of Exhibition Lands and other underdeveloped areas, delivering thousands of new homes close to LRT and bus rapid transit.

I’ll protect renters and increase accountability by implementing a landlord registry. I’ll develop a targeted multi-unit residential program with a focus on health and safety, increased enforcement, and compliance. And I’ll support landlords who reduce displacement and increase safety.

We can also use innovation to help reduce housing costs. I’ll work to form our City’s first affordable housing corporation and a housing acquisition program to help affordable housing providers accelerate their work. And I’ll create a dedicated position and provide resources to empower local co-operative housing development, ownership, and management by residents.

Affordability also means growing subsidized access to transit and recreation centres and protecting public services from privatization. It means tackling food insecurity by incentivizing grocers in low-access areas, expanding community gardens, and creating hubs to direct unsold food to food banks, so that no one in our community goes hungry.

Do you plan on providing university students more accessible and affordable parking around their campuses?

Although affordable parking spaces are important, cities have limited control over their creation. My focus will be on protecting and improving public transit so more students can travel safely and efficiently to school.

As Mayor, I will improve transit options for young people throughout the City. This includes increasing transit frequency, off-peak services, and enhancing routes to support youth and students living in suburbs. I will improve transit connectivity by adding more city-wide express routes.

Just as important, I will build a safe and vibrant transit system by adding station attendants, improving the design of stations, increasing outreach workers and transit peace officers, and bringing art, music, and business into our stations.

This paired with new day shelters for unhoused individuals will help make our public transit a safe and affordable way for students to get to school.

What do you want university students to know about municipal politics?

We need more youth voices included in decision-making and planning for our city’s future. It’s the Mayor’s job to go to students and make sure their voices are heard.

That is why I will be holding regular town halls with Edmontonians. I will continue to knock on doors. I will engage directly with residents on the City’s budget. I will create a lobbyist registry and bylaw to ensure transparency. And I have committed to improving the City’s engagement processes. Edmonton used to be a leader in this area, and it can be again.

This election is about two very different visions for the future. One vision is to cut the budget, and not talk about the consequences. My vision is about solving the real problems Edmontonians face every day.

Let’s be honest: pausing or slowing down construction and city programs now means the same things will be more expensive in the future. It means fewer good jobs when unemployment among young men is already higher than it’s been in years. We need to invest in Edmonton so our future leaders can enjoy an affordable, thriving city full of opportunity.

Michael Walters

How do you plan on advocating for students through your municipal powers?

As mayor, I will make sure students have a real voice in City Hall. Edmonton’s universities and colleges are a huge part of our city’s success, and students deserve to be part of the decisions that affect them.

I plan to hold regular meetings with student associations, campus leaders, and City departments to talk about housing, transit, safety, and job opportunities. I’ll work to strengthen partnerships between the City, universities, and local employers.

I’ll also assist in advocacy efforts to the province for stable post-secondary funding so Edmonton remains a leader in education and innovation. Studentsshould know that City Hall is open to them and that their input matters. I see Edmonton’s students as future leaders and builders of our city, and I want to make sure they always have a seat at the table.

How do you plan on making things more affordable for university students?

Affordability affects everyone, but I know it hits students particularly hard. My plan starts with keeping property tax increases at or below inflation so landlords don’t pass extra costs on to renters. I will freeze transit fares and improve service so students can get around without needing a car.

I also want to encourage more student-focused housing near campuses and transit by cutting red tape for good projects that fit their neighbourhoods. The City can’t control everything about affordability, but we can make better choices that keep costs down and make life easier for people who are just starting out.

Do you plan on providing university students more accessible and affordable parking around their campuses?

I understand that many students rely on cars to get to school or work, and parking near campuses can be difficult and expensive. I am open to working with universities, nearby communities, and private partners to identify underused parking lots or shared-use spaces that could be made available to students. I’m also open to expanding short-term and digital parking options to make it easier for students to find affordable spaces when they need them.

At the same time, I believe in giving students real choices. I’ll keep improving transit so it’s safer, more reliable, and a genuine alternative to driving. Accessibility means options, whether that’s parking that works, buses that run on time, or safe bike paths that connect to campus. My goal is to make it easier and more affordable for students to move around the city in whatever way works best for them.

What do you want university students to know about municipal politics?

Municipal politics has a bigger impact on your life than most people think. City Hall decides how we build our streets, how safe our communities feel, how affordable housing is, and how well transit runs. I want students to know their voices matter in those decisions. When you vote, volunteer, or speak up about an issue, you help shape the city’s priorities.

I also want students to see local government as something they can be part of. There are opportunities to serve on advisory committees, and participate in consultations.

My message to students is simple: Edmonton’s future depends on you. This city should reflect your energy, ideas, and ambitions. I’ll make sure City Hall listens to students and welcomes their input because the decisions we make now will define the kind of city you inherit and help lead next.

Tim Cartmell

How do you plan on advocating for students through your municipal powers?

As mayor, I’ll be a strong advocate for students by focusing on what the City can control — housing, transportation, and safety. I’ll work directly with post-secondary institutions, student associations, and the province to make sure Edmonton continues to grow as a student-friendly city. That means ensuring reliable, affordable transit, safer streets and LRT stations, and zoning policies that actually support student housing close to campus.

Students are a vital part of Edmonton’s future workforce and economy, and I want to make sure this city works for you — not against you.

How do you plan on making things more affordable for University students?

Affordability starts with managing the City’s finances responsibly. Property tax hikes and endless construction delays drive up the cost of living for everyone — including students.

My plan freezes property taxes to inflation and focuses spending on core services so we can reduce the financial pressure on renters and homeowners. I’ll also push for more affordable housing options near post-secondary institutions, and work with developers and the universities to create incentives for purpose-built student housing, so fewer students are forced into long, expensive commutes just to find a place to live.

Do you plan on providing University students more accessible and affordable parking around their campuses?

Yes — accessibility around campuses needs to make sense for everyone. That means striking a balance between active transportation, transit, and parking. I believe parking is a symptom of safety as well. We need to fix the growing safety concerns residents have.

We can also work with universities on a parking strategy that better reflects student schedules and real demand. That includes more flexible parking options, ensuring residential streets near campus aren’t overrun, and improving connections between transit hubs and campus. We need to plan transportation around how people actually live, not based on ideology.

What do you want university students to know about municipal politics?

Municipal government affects your daily life more than any other level of government — from how long your commute takes, to whether your street feels safe, to whether you can afford rent. It’s also the level of government where your voice has the most impact. When students speak up — on housing, transit, climate action, or city planning — City Hall listens.

I want students to know that your ideas, your energy, and your optimism matter. Edmonton’s next chapter depends on keeping young people here — and that starts with listening to you, involving you, and building a city where you can see a future for yourselves.

With files from: Jaida Radek, Melanie Wright and Keagan Myrhaugen-Purcell

Danielle Paradis

+ postsBio