Title: Social Disorder Emerges as Key Issue in Alberta Elections

Alberta's municipal elections are approaching, with voting scheduled for October 20. The elections in Edmonton and Calgary are drawing significant attention as both cities prepare for leadership changes. Citizens express concern about the implications of these elections, emphasizing their importance. "This municipal election in Alberta matters," said one resident. "The province is the economic engine of Canada, and as goes Alberta, so goes the country."

Since 2020, both cities have experienced double-digit growth, fueled by Alberta's robust economy, which has attracted a surge of new residents. The province's population has now surpassed five million. Adam Legge, president of the Business Council of Alberta, acknowledged the challenges that come with this growth. "It’s a good problem to have," he stated, but noted that it presents difficulties for city leaders.

In Edmonton, Mayor Amarjeet Sohi is stepping down, creating an open race for his position. Meanwhile, Calgary's incumbent mayor, Jyoti Gondek, is seeking re-election despite facing low approval ratings. In a notable move, the Business Council of Alberta surveyed its members regarding the municipal elections. The results indicated a decline in prosperity and livability, with a warning that strong leadership and clear priorities are essential to reverse this trend.

Legge pointed out that ambitious projects, such as Edmonton's Ice District and Calgary's East Village, require substantial investments in safety and public services to thrive. He highlighted that 94% of council members identified social disorder as the most pressing issue in the upcoming elections. This term encompasses homelessness, mental health, addiction, and crime, all of which have raised concerns among business leaders.

"If you want to keep me and my company in this community or in this downtown, you better do something about it," Legge said, noting that the issue extends to rural areas where businesses have faced vandalism. As a member of Premier Danielle Smith's Alberta Next panel, Legge has heard similar concerns from residents across the province. "It’s a problem in big centres, small centres, rural centres, remote centres," he remarked, emphasizing the pervasive nature of the issue.

Legge advocates for a collaborative approach among all levels of government to address social disorder. "This is no longer something that’s just up to the municipal government to tackle; it’s not just up to provincial, not just up to federal. There needs to be an all-of-government approach," he stated. He suggested that the federal government should reform catch-and-release and bail legislation to prevent repeat offenders from returning to the streets shortly after committing crimes.

He also called for increased support from the provincial government for local law enforcement and mental health services. "We need wraparound supports for those that need help with mental health, addictions," he added. Legge believes municipal governments should take the lead in coordinating efforts with provincial and federal authorities to effectively address these challenges.

In Canadian cities, mayors typically hold one vote on council, lacking the extensive powers seen in some American jurisdictions. However, Legge noted that mayors play a crucial role in setting agendas and serving as chief spokespersons. He warned that without the right priorities, cities could face division and stagnation.

Legge cited Gondek's decision to declare a climate emergency as an example of misaligned priorities. "What’s the business community looking for in civic leadership?" he asked. "They just want good, boring, solid government. They don’t want spice; they don’t want fireworks; they just want to know that whoever is going to take the helm of their government locally is going to do a good job of addressing their concerns. Because they feel that they just aren’t being addressed right now."