As Edmontonians settle into the long stretch between provincial elections, attention now shifts to the emerging landscape for the 2025 municipal race, where a new political coalition is making waves across Alberta’s capital.
The Principled Accountable Coalition for Edmonton (PACE) unveiled its first slate of candidates last week, marking what could be a significant shift in how municipal politics operates in the city. The coalition, positioning itself as a fiscally conservative alternative to the current council, has announced five candidates who will carry their banner into the 2025 election.
“Edmonton deserves leadership that puts taxpayers first,” said coalition founder Jennifer Hoekstra during their announcement at the Royal Glenora Club. “Our candidates represent diverse communities but share a commitment to responsible spending and transparent governance.”
The coalition’s emergence comes amid growing taxpayer frustration over property tax increases and what some residents describe as runaway spending at city hall. Recent polls from Leger suggest nearly 58% of Edmontonians feel the current council has lost touch with everyday concerns about affordability.
Among PACE’s candidates is Derek Miller, a small business owner from Ward Nakota Isga, who told me he entered the race after watching his commercial property taxes climb 32% over four years.
“When I talk to other business owners, I hear the same story everywhere,” Miller said while sipping coffee at a local café in west Edmonton. “We need voices on council who understand what it’s like to meet a payroll and navigate red tape.”
The coalition has positioned affordability and public safety as their core platform issues, with particular emphasis on the downtown core. PACE candidates have collectively pledged to vote against any budget that would increase property taxes beyond inflation.
Mayor Amarjeet Sohi, who has not yet officially declared his candidacy for re-election, responded to the coalition’s emergence with measured words. “Edmonton has a long tradition of independent voices on council working together,” Sohi told reporters at a community event in Mill Woods. “That diversity of thought has served our city well.”
Political scientist Jared Wesley from the University of Alberta notes that formal political coalitions remain relatively uncommon in Alberta municipal politics, but suggests this could represent a shifting trend.
“What we’re seeing in Edmonton reflects similar movements in Calgary and other Canadian cities,” Wesley explained over the phone. “As municipal governments take on increasingly complex issues from homelessness to climate adaptation, we’re seeing more organized political movements forming at the local level.”
Current council members seem split on whether the coalition represents a healthy development for local democracy. Councillor Tim Cartmell from pihêsiwin called the development “concerning” in a statement posted to his website.
“When candidates arrive with pre-determined voting blocs, it fundamentally changes how decisions get made,” wrote Cartmell. “Each neighbourhood deserves representation based on their unique needs, not ideology.”
The coalition’s candidates include names both familiar and new to Edmonton politics. Alongside Miller, PACE announced Samantha Gill, a former provincial ministerial aide running in Métis; retired EPS officer James Hooper in Anirniq; community league president Fatima Rahim in sipiwiyiniwak; and transportation engineer Michael Chen in papastew.
What distinguishes PACE from previous municipal campaigns is their coordinated approach to fundraising and messaging. The group has secured office space in the Oliver neighbourhood and has already begun door-knocking operations, despite the election being more than a year away.
At a farmers market in Ritchie last weekend, I found mixed reactions to the coalition concept. Longtime resident Margaret Fuller, 68, expressed skepticism about organized slates in municipal politics.
“I’ve always voted for the person, not the party,” Fuller said while browsing local produce. “I’m not sure I want city council turning into another partisan battleground.”
Younger voters seemed more receptive. University student Jamal Williams, 22, said he appreciates knowing where candidates stand. ”
