Over 100,000 neighbours chose this city over the last two years. Why? Great schools, services, relative affordability, and an absence of traffic. It’s like Connor McDavid said when interviewed about whether he liked living here: “Edmonton Checks a lot of boxes" and is "stress-free living. it’s a really convenient city.”
For decades, Edmonton has been building major infrastructure, mega-rec centers, and major road projects. Future City Councils need to focus on renewing what we already have.
Ward papastew Coun. Michael Janz said the city has already invested in major projects like LRT expansions and recreation centres, but Edmonton will need to wait to pay those off before building anything new.
“Which makes sense. Anybody who is deciding to run for mayor and promising to build another recreation center — well, there’s no money for it. I think it’s about managing expectations for Edmontonians,” he told Postmedia.
“We have really invested in building our city over the last 20 years, and now the next decade is going to be spent just paying off and enjoying those things.”
Edmonton’s original 2023-2026 capital budget, he pointed out, includes $1.8 billion for roads and bridges — more than one-quarter of the entire four-year capital budget.
Janz said Tuesday council agreed to go forward with some big new spending — such as Lewis Farms recreation centre, which he didn’t support — but now that spending on new facilities and upgraded roads are approved, the city will need to pay it off.
“These are things that Edmontonians wanted. We’re a growing city. We want services. We want amenities. And the reality is, they cost money,” he said.