The Edmonton 2025 mayoral election is slated to take place on October 20, 2025, and the Edmonton Somali Canadian community is vying for positions in the city council and Public School Board of Trustees. Incorporated as a city in 1904, Edmonton’s first mayor was Matthew McCauley, and its current mayor is Amarjeet Sohi and, in between, many mayors had come and gone.
With a lesser capacity, mayoral elections are fiercely contested as they are important to Canadians. It is held every four years. For this year, 13 Candidates (11 men and 2 women) are vying for the city’s mayoral position (Amarjeet Sohi is not seeking re-election). Each candidate promises to enhance and revitalize the city’s standard of living by improving already existing institutions and amenities and introducing new ones. The Edmonton population is over a million; it is still sprawling and increasing in population year after year. Various forums have been organized for the candidates to debate. For instance, the Edmonton Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with Global News Edmonton, facilitated a forum for their debate in early September 2025. It was a live, televised debate, and 450 people (ranging from community members, business leaders, and media personnel attended the debate arena in person.
The mayoral candidates have deliberated on issues concerning jobs and economic development, tax reduction, city revitalization, health, housing, education, and safety. The mayoral election, as candidates have indicated, is devoid of politics. “This election is not about left or right or political parties… It’s about leadership and getting our city back on track so families can feel safe and feel like their voices are heard at city hall on the issues that matter most, said Michael Walters, who is a mayoral candidate.
City citizens not only elect a mayor, but also elect city councillors and school trustees, who represent their wards and school jurisdictions in the city. Edmonton consists of twelve wards. Each councillor represents a specific ward (district). On October 20th, citizens will elect twelve councillors, nine Edmonton Public Schools Trustees, and seven Edmonton Catholic Schools Trustees. City councillors represent their particular wards and listen to residents’ concerns in those wards. In other words, city councillors are a vital voice when it comes to initiating or improving services provided by the city. City councillors advocate for residents’ needs, debate community matters such as housing, education, transportation, etc.
Like councillors, school board trustees play a significant role in the residents’ education. Canada has a Public School System and a Catholic School System. And each one has its own board of trustees. Being a Muslim community, the Somali Canadian community is involved in the Public School System, not in the Catholic School System. “Canadian Catholic schools differ from public schools by integrating Catholic religious instruction, values, and practices into their curriculum and daily life, while public schools are strictly secular and non-sectarian.” What do school trustees do? As community-elected officials, they are responsible for different areas. Among other things, they set policies, develop school curricula, and approve budgets.
For a long time, the Edmonton Somali Canadian community has been trying to be part of the city’s council and Public School Board of Trustees, but has not succeeded yet. Numerous obstacles have been in the way; however, the community has not given up and strives to occupy the above-stated positions. In this year’s election, some Somali Canadian individuals are running for the council and public school trustee positions. Their aspiration and efforts speak to the community’s resilience and unwavering determination.
Voting is a Canadian right enshrined in the country’s constitution. Hence, every Canadian citizen has the right to vote for whichever candidate. To vote and elect an official means citizens will have a voice in government decisions. October 20th is around the corner. On that day, citizens will vote to elect the city mayor, councillors and school board trustees.