Edmonton City Council is the governing body of the City of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
Edmonton currently has one mayor and twelve city councillors. Elections are held every four years. The most recent was held in 2025, and the next is in 2029. The mayor is elected across the whole city, through the First Past the Post plurality election system. Councillors are elected one per ward, a division of the city, also through the First Past the Post plurality election system.
On July 22, 2009, City Council voted to change from having six 2-seat wards to a system of 12 single-member wards. Each ward is represented by a single councillor. The changes took effect in the 2010 election. In the 2010 election, Edmonton was divided into 12 wards each electing one councillor.
Before 2010, the city at different times used a variety of electoral systems for the election of its councillors: at-large elections with Block Voting; at-large elections using Single Transferable Voting (when the mayor was elected through Alternative Voting; and two different systems of multi-member wards, using Block Voting system (when the mayor was elected through First past the post).Rek, Municipal elections in Edmonton
In May 2019, Edmonton's Ward Boundary Commission began reviewing the geographical boundaries of the city's wards. The final report was delivered on May 25, 2020. On December 7, 2020, Bylaw 19366 was passed which included the new geographical boundaries and new Indigenous ward names. The Indigenous ward names were determined by the Committee of Indigenous Matriarchs and came into effect on October 18, 2021, the date of the 2021 municipal election. The Committee of Indigenous Matriarchs, also referred to as the naming committee, was composed of 17 women representing communities from treaty territories 6, 7 and 8, along with Métis and Inuit representation.
Voters were given the opportunity to vote on specific laws and measures at various times in Edmonton's history, through holding of plebiscites. Also ratepayers (property owners) voted on money proposals in the early years.
Councils Since 2025 In 2025, the city adopted municipal political parties. Year Elected MayorWard Nakota IsgaWard AnirniqWard tastawiyiniwak (ᑕᐢᑕᐃᐧᔨᓂᐊᐧᐠ)Ward DeneWard O-day’minWard papastewWard sipiwiyiniwakWard MétisWard pihêsiwinWard IpiihkoohkanipiaohtsiWard KarhiioWard Sspomitapi Notes2025Andrew Knack (IND)Reed Clarke (IND)Erin Rutherford (IND)Karen Principe (BE)Aaron Paquette (IND)Anne Stevenson (IND)Michael Janz (IND)Thu Parmar (IND)Ashley Salvador (IND)Michael Elliott (IND)Jon Morgan (IND)Keren Tang (IND)Jo-Anne Wright (IND)
From 2021 until 2025 In 2021, the twelve ward boundaries were modified and the wards were given indigenous names in place of numbers.
Year Elected Mayor Ward Nakota Isga Ward Anirniq Ward tastawiyiniwak (ᑕᐢᑕᐃᐧᔨᓂᐊᐧᐠ) Ward Dene Ward O-day’min Ward papastew Ward sipiwiyiniwak Ward Métis Ward pihêsiwin Ward Ipiihkoohkanipiaohtsi Ward Karhiio Ward Sspomitapi Notes2021 Amarjeet Sohi Andrew Knack Erin Rutherford Karen Principe Aaron Paquette Anne Stevenson Michael Janz Sarah Hamilton Ashley Salvador Tim CartmellJennifer Rice Keren Tang Jo-Anne Wright
From 2010 until 2021 In 2010, Edmonton adopted a ward system in which one councillor was elected from each of twelve wards through first past the post. (This was the first time in the history of Edmonton that councillors were elected one by one through first past the post.)
The mayor was elected from the city at-large through first past the post.
In 2010, council was elected to serve three years. In 2013 and 2017 they were elected to serve for four years.
Year Elected Mayor Ward 1 Ward 2 Ward 3 Ward 4 Ward 5 Ward 6 Ward 7 Ward 8 Ward 9 Ward 10 Ward 11 Ward 12 Notes2017 Don Iveson Andrew Knack Bev Esslinger Jon Dziadyk Aaron Paquette Sarah Hamilton Scott McKeen Tony Caterina Ben Henderson Tim Cartmell Michael Walters Mike Nickel Mohinder Banga2013Dave Loken Ed GibbonsMichael Oshry Bryan Anderson Amarjeet Sohi (2013–15)Mohinder Banga (2015) 2010 Stephen Mandel Linda Sloan Kim Krushell Karen Leibovici Jane Batty Don Iveson Kerry Diotte Amarjeet Sohi
From 1980 until 2010 In 1980, Edmonton adopted a ward system in which two councillors (aldermen until 1995) were elected from each of six wards through Plurality block voting. These wards were more organic (based on natural boundaries and divisions within the city) than the previous four-ward system.
The mayor was elected at-large through first past the post. Those elected served for three years.
Year Elected Mayor Ward 1 Ward 2 Ward 3 Ward 4 Ward 5 Ward 6 Notes 2007 Stephen Mandel Karen Leibovici, Linda Sloan Ron Hayter, Kim Krushell Tony Caterina, Ed Gibbons Jane Batty, Ben Henderson Bryan Anderson, Don Iveson Amarjeet Sohi, Dave Thiele 2004 Karen Leibovici, Linda Sloan Ron Hayter, Kim Krushell Ed Gibbons, Janice Melnychuk Jane Batty, Michael Phair Bryan Anderson, Mike Nickel Terry Cavanagh, Dave Thiele 2001 Bill Smith Karen Leibovici, Stephen Mandel Allan Bolstad, Ron Hayter Ed Gibbons, Janice Melnychuk Jane Batty, Michael Phair Bryan Anderson, Larry Langley Terry Cavanagh, Dave Thiele 1998 Leroy Chahley, Wendy Kinsella Allan Bolstad, Rose Rosenberger Brian Mason, Robert Noce Michael Phair, Jim Taylor Bryan Anderson, Larry Langley Terry Cavanagh, Dave ThieleBrian Mason resigned June 30, 2000 owing to his election to the Legislative Assembly of Alberta. His seat was left vacant until the next election. 1995 Leroy Chahley, Wendy Kinsella Allan Bolstad, Rose Rosenberger Brian Mason, Robert Noce Michael Phair, Jim Taylor Larry Langley, Brent Maitson Terry Cavanagh, Dick MatherDick Mather died August 13, 1997. His seat was left vacant until the next election. 1992 Jan Reimer Bruce Campbell, Leroy Chahley Allan Bolstad, Ron Hayter Judy Bethel, Brian Mason Michael Phair, Tooker Gomberg Patricia MacKenzie, Lillian Staroszik Terry Cavanagh, Sheila McKay Bethel was elected to the House of Commons of Canada in the 1993 federal election, and was replaced on Council by Sherry McKibben in a 1994 by-election. 1989 Bruce Campbell, Helen Paull Catherine Chichak, Ron Hayter Judy Bethel, Brian Mason Mel Binder, Lance White Patricia MacKenzie, Lillian Staroszik Ken Kozak, Sheila McKay 1986 Laurence Decore Bruce Campbell, Helen Paull Ron Hayter, Jan Reimer Judy Bethel, Julian Kinisky Mel Binder, Lance White Patricia MacKenzie, Lillian Staroszik Terry Cavanagh, Ken Kozak In 1988, Laurence Decore resigned as mayor to become leader of the Alberta Liberal Party. Terry Cavanagh was selected by council to finish his term. Cavanagh's ward 6 seat was left vacant until the next election. 1983 Olivia Butti, G. Lyall Roper Ron Hayter, Jan Reimer Ed Ewasiuk, Julian Kinisky Ed Leger, Lance White Lillian Staroszik, Percy Wickman Terry Cavanagh, Bettie Hewes In 1984, Bettie Hewes was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Alberta. A 1984 by-election selected Ken Kozak to replace her. 1980 Cec Purves Olivia Butti, Kenneth Newman Ron Hayter, Jan Reimer June Cavanagh, Ed Ewasiuk Paul Norris, Gerry Wright Lois Campbell, Percy Wickman Bettie Hewes, Ed Leger
From 1971 until 1980 In 1971, Edmonton adopted a ward system in which three aldermen were elected from each of four wards through Plurality block voting. Each ward was a north–south slice of the city so each contained territories on both sides of the river.
Mayor was elected through first past the post.
Still the mayor and the councillors were to serve for three years.
Year Elected Mayor Ward 1 Ward 2 Ward 3 Ward 4 Notes 1977 Cec Purves Lois Campbell, Kenneth Newman, Paul Norris Olivia Butti, Gene Dub, Percy Wickman Ron Hayter, Edward Kennedy, Ed Leger William Chmiliar, Bettie Hewes, Buck Olsen 1974 William Hawrelak Robert Matheson, Kenneth Newman, Ches Tanner Olivia Butti, Laurence Decore, David Leadbeater Ron Hayter, Edward Kennedy, Ed Leger Terry Cavanagh, Bettie Hewes, Buck Olsen William Hawrelak died November 7, 1975, and council selected Terry Cavanagh to complete his term. Cavanagh's ward 4 seat was left vacant until the next election. 1971 Ivor Dent Dudley Menzies, Kenneth Newman, Ches Tanner Alex Fallow, Cec Purves, David Ward Ron Hayter, Ed Leger, William McLean Terry Cavanagh, Una Evans, Buck Olsen
1968 The 1968 Edmonton city election was different from the one before and the one after. Like the 1966 election the mayor and all the city councillors were up for election, councillors elected at large through Block Voting. Mayor elected through first past the post.
Unlike 1968 they were to serve for three years.
In 1968 Alberta's legislation had been changed to require elections every three years in all of the province's municipalities.
Year Elected Mayor Aldermen Notes 1968 Ivor Dent James Bateman, Neil Crawford, Una Evans, Julia Kiniski, Ed Leger, Kathleen McCallum, Kenneth Newman, Terry Nugent, Cec Purves, Ches Tanner, David Ward, Morris Weinlos Julia Kiniski died October 11, 1969. Her son, Julian Kinisky, was elected in a 1970 by-election to replace her.
From 1964 until 1966 In 1964 two new aldermanic positions were added, bringing the total to twelve. As well Edmonton unstaggered its terms for city officials, meaning that all the council seats would be up for election each election, held every two years. In preparation for this, in 1964 the mayor and all aldermanic positions up for re-election were elected to one-year terms. All aldermen continued to be elected at-large through block voting, mayor through first past the post.
Year Elected Mayor Aldermen Notes 1966 Vincent M. Dantzer James Bateman, John Leslie Bodie, Neil Crawford, Ivor Dent, Reginald Easton, Frank Edwards, Una Evans, Julia Kiniski, Ed Leger, Angus McGugan, Cec Purves, Morris Weinlos Though officials elected in 1967 were elected to two-year terms, these terms were truncated by provincial legislation.Frank Edwards died September 18, 1967. His seat was left vacant until the next election. 1964 William Hawrelak John Leslie Bodie, Vincent M. Dantzer, [vor Dent, Frank Edwards, Julia Kiniski, Robert Franklin Lambert, Ed Leger, Kathleen McCallum, Angus McGugan, Kenneth Newman, Morris Weinlos, Ethel Wilson William Hawrelak was ousted from office March 11, 1965, and Vincent M. Dantzer was selected to serve out his term. Dantzer's aldermanic seat was left vacant until the next election
From 1948 until 1963 In 1948, the mayor began to be elected for a two-year term. the mayor was elected through first past the post.
Annual elections were still used to elect half the council each year through Plurality block voting at-large (no wards). The council continued to be elected at-large to staggered two-year terms until 1963, when the council seats up for election were filled just for one year (to prepare for the change in 1964 to all seats being up for election each election.
From 1912 to 1960, seats were guaranteed to southsiders. The guaranteed representation for the southside was cancelled after a 1960 referendum. (But in 1971 with the introduction of wards altogether south of the river, southside representation was re-established.)