Only 1 in 4 Edmontonians think Sohi, city councillors should be re-elected: CityNews poll

A majority of Edmontonians want the mayor and their city councillor replaced, according to a new Maru Public Opinion poll for CityNews.

The survey of 400 residents in the Alberta capital concluded just 26 per cent of Edmontonians think Mayor Amarjeet Sohi and their city councillors deserve to be re-elected.

The poll, done in late August and early September, revealed 60 per cent think Sohi should be replaced, while 14 per cent didn’t know.

Sohi did not agree to an interview with CityNews, but in a statement he both sympathized with people struggling with “the affordability crisis” and defended tax hikes.

“I acknowledge that this year’s property tax increase was difficult for Edmontonians,” Sohi wrote in a statement to CityNews.

“It was a difficult decision that council had to make because our city is struggling with the same cost pressures that impact Edmonton residents and businesses.”

The Edmonton property tax increase this year is 8.9 per cent. It could be even higher next year, with a high of 13 per cent being discussed at a recent city council meeting.

“Early this year, I made a motion directing city administration to cut costs, find efficiencies, and minimize tax increases while protecting the core municipal services Edmontonians rely on,” Sohi said.

“I expect our administration to bring forward proposals that will help us achieve those goals during this year’s budget deliberations.”

Sohi’s low polling numbers were not a shock to political writer Dave Cournoyer, known for his Daveberta website.

“I think one of the challenges that Mayor Sohi and his office have had is really crafting a communication, a narrative, about the direction he wants to lead the city in,” Cournoyer told CityNews.

Cournoyer says he’s still not counting Sohi out in the next election, if the mayor decides to seek a second term. Sohi has refused to say if he plans to run again.

“He’s someone who’s been in politics, been involved in the community of Edmonton for many years. He’s well known, he’s been elected at the federal level, and to city council. I don’t suspect Amarjeet Sohi will take anything for granted.”

City councillors a ‘punching bag’

When it came to city councillors, 26 per cent polled felt theirs should be re-elected, 57 per cent said it is “time for a change” and 17 per cent said they didn’t know.

Michael Janz, the first-term councillor for Ward papastew, also feels for unhappy Edmontonians but believes city councillors are often a “punching bag” for decisions made by other governments.

“Class sizes are a little bit bigger, you can’t get a family doctor, emergency room wait times are longer, your landlord is raising your rent for no reason,” Janz explained.

“These things add up and people naturally get mad and it’ll be whoever is the first person who comes to their door.”

Janz is running for re-election. So too is Keren Tang in Ward Karhiio. She called the poll a “reality check” but defended Edmonton’s tax increases, which she acknowledged are historically high.

“Whether it’s inflation or affordability or just really rapid population growth, the city is trying our best to meet the demand of that growth and provide the services. We are facing a lot of the same challenges that Edmontonians are facing,” Tang said.

Edmonton ranks high for green spaces, nightlife

The bright spots of the poll: 89 per cent are happy with access to green spaces; 79 per cent think Edmonton has good or great nightlife and entertainment; and 71 per cent agree it’s a good city to raise a family.

But the city received low marks on crime, housing and homelessness and taxes. It also concluded 72 per cent think Edmonton city council is out of touch with what residents want.

CityNews took the poll results to Churchill Square and Whyte Avenue to get reaction from Edmontonians.

“Those are tough shoes to be in right now. Some of these problems are ones that don’t have easy solutions,” said Ryan Laclanialo.

“I think taxes are ridiculous and the strain it’s putting on Edmonton is devastating and destructive. Homeless rates have gone up since the taxes have been increasing in this city,” said Edmontonian Hunter Woodward.

“It comes with the times. Everybody is complaining about everything, right?” said “Breezy” Brian Gregg, a well-known street busker and former mayoral candidate.

Councillors will make more budget decisions this fall and Edmontonians will have their say at the ballot boxes in October 2025.