The two biggest cities in the western Canadian province of Alberta now have mayors whose politics are seen as progressive.
Naheed Nenshi was re-elected mayor of the city of Calgary with 74 per cent of votes cast. In the city of Edmonton, Don Iveson was elected with 61.88 per cent of the vote.
Described by the Globe and Mail newspaper as one of the most popular politicians in Canada, Nenshi was first elected in 2010.
The Calgary Herald summed up what happened this way: “Naheed Nenshi entered his re-election campaign for mayor as an overwhelming favourite, battled like a feisty underdog and exited as a triumphant victor.”
In his victory speech Nenshi thanked the citizens of Calgary saying “[Calgarians have] spoken loud and clear about the kind of community they want. A community of great, livable, walkable neighbourhoods everywhere … not a community of never-ending sprawl.”
City of Edmonton’s mayor-elect Don Iveson (Photo: CBC)
In Edmonton mayor-elect Don Iveson said of his win: “In this election, I believe Edmontonians signalled a willingness to pass the torch to the next generation of leadership.”
“I cannot deny that I’m part of that generation and in some ways I’m being seen as its standard-bearer, but I want to assure you I will be a mayor for every Edmontonian.”
More information:
Calgary Herald – Nenshi triumphant: ‘Calgarians have spoken loud and clear’ – here
CBC News – Naheed Nenshi re-elected as Calgary mayor – here
Calgary election results – here
Edmonton Journal – Mayor-elect Iveson seeks help building ‘extraordinary’ Edmonton – here
Edmonton election results – here
Globe and Mail – Nenshi, Iveson election wins show powerful winds of change in Alberta – here
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