Media Release

For Immediate Release
October 6, 2025

Survey Shows Strong Consensus Among Edmonton Election Candidates for a Reset on Growth and Zoning

Edmonton — A new survey of candidates in Edmonton’s October 20 municipal election reveals striking consensus for major changes to the city’s planning and growth strategies,  including revisiting the City Plan, amending the controversial zoning bylaw, and restoring public trust in development decisions.

Conducted by Edmonton Neighbourhoods United (ENU) between August 19  and September 21, the 30-minute survey drew responses from over half of all registered candidates, including nine mayoral contenders and 38 new ward candidates. Only one incumbent councillor responded.

Key Findings

  • Revisiting the City Plan:
    95% of candidates support re-examining the City Plan. Nearly all (98%) call for stronger public participation, including transparent incorporation of citizen feedback (85%) and co-designed engagement processes (71%).

  • Zoning Reform:
    43% would repeal or rescind the new zoning bylaw (Zoning Bylaw 20001), while the vast majority of others support significant amendments such as overlays to protect heritage and infrastructure (78%), tighter design standards (84%), and collaborative review with residents (95%).

  • Housing and Land Use:
    -     84% support dedicating public land to affordable housing.
    - 90% agree to revising plans to prioritize serviced, publicly owned lands like Blatchford  for   housing and 76% agreed this should be a priority before allowing as-of-right multi-units over 4 units in established neighbourhoods.

  • Developer Influence:
    80% believe current city policies favour developer interests over residents.
    Nearly all pledged to address this imbalance, 74% as an immediate priority.

“This survey shows new candidates across the city converging on a clear message: Edmonton’s growth strategy needs a reset,” said ENU member Greg Meimar.

“From scaling back mid-block 8-plexes to rethinking the City Plan, new candidates are aligned on restoring balance and public trust in how the city grows”, said Research and Planning Advisor Lydia Kawun.

The ENU survey achieved an exceptionally high participation rate for a survey of this length and depth. It points to a 2025 election where voters face a clear choice: continue the current  continue the current approach, or elect a new council ready to reset how Edmonton manages growth, housing, and neighbourhood development.

About Edmonton Neighbourhoods United

Edmonton Neighbourhoods United (ENU) is a non-partisan, volunteer-led network of engaged citizens who share a common goal: to strengthen democracy, transparency, and accountability in how Edmonton grows.

This report card is not an endorsement of any candidate or political slate. Instead, it is an issue-based, evidence-driven analysis of where candidates stand on key topics related to planning, zoning, and public participation.  These issues are at the heart of ENU’s mission to ensure residents have a meaningful voice in shaping their communities.

Media Contacts:

Lydia Kawun (for enquiries about the survey)

Research and Planning Advisor

marketresponse@shaw.ca

Edmonton Neighbourhoods United

(780) 905-8436

Greg Meimar (for general enquires about ENU)

ENU Research Team

Edmontonneighbourhoodsunited@gmail.com

(780) 707-7191

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