I will get the job done for Edmontonians

Ask Tony: Addressing City Staff Size and Costs;

An irresponsible politician looking for votes would say, “Of course, I’ll come in with a chainsaw and blindly cut and cut some more.” This would have a very negative impact on Edmontonians, as they would lose direct and much-needed services everyone relies on.

The City of Edmonton currently employs 13,000 to 14,000 full-time or temporary seasonal contract workers. Most are covered by strong union contracts: City Operations (Transit, Waste, Parks, Roads) under Canadian Union of Public Employees Local 30 (CUPE 30); Clerical, Technical, and Administrative Roles, as well as Edmonton Public Library, under Civic Service Union 52 (CSU 52); Electrical Workers under International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers 1007 (IBEW 1007); Transit Workers under Amalgamated Transit Union Local 569 (ATU 569); Fire Services under Edmonton Fire Fighters’ Union; Police Services under Edmonton Police Association (constables to staff sergeants) and Senior Officers’ Association (superintendents, inspectors).

There are, of course, duplications, wastes, and even boondoggles along the way. These inefficiencies can be identified, saving the city significant funds moving forward. As Edmonton’s next mayor, I will take a strong stance on overspending. I will work with all departments to review operations and eliminate waste. We can achieve savings for taxpayers; it just takes strong leadership.

I am NOT the other guys.

THERE IS NO SUBSTITUTE FOR EXPERIENCE

Thanks for the question Melissa B.

I agree with Tim Cartmell; and I was there—Monday’s council meeting was an “absolute mess.” Tim’s attempt to modify the disastrous re-zoning Bylaw 20001 failed spectacularly. Now council goes on “vacation,” showing again that Tim is unable to get councillors onboard to work as a team.

Bylaw 20001 has turned into a “monster”—ask any neighbourhood resident. They’ll tell you that once new free-for-all, zero-clearance, no-extra-parking-needed, eight-door structures go up, they quickly destroy the quiet street you’ve known for decades.

As Edmonton’s next mayor, I will not work to modify this mess; I will kill Bylaw 20001. Slay the monster, as it were.

And every person on council who helped push for and voted yes on Bylaw 20001 in 2023 should be voted out of office. How’s that for blunt and straightforward? I am NOT the other guys.

THERE IS NO SUBSTITUTE FOR EXPERIENCE 

Vote Tony Caterina for Mayor, Oct. 20, 2025 

I am NOT the other guys! But.....

On this Bill 50 issue, featured in a detailed story on Taproot Edmonton, I actually agree with Councillor and now Mayor candidate Andrew Knack. 

Edmonton's Oct. 20, 2025 civic election campaign will serve as a window to the soul of how a candidate will govern over the city's 3.4 billion yearly budget and current and growing long-term debt of around $4.5 billion—just around $3,800 per person. That staggering long-term debt number is just not talked about in public enough. Most voters don't even know about this issue.

A big spender on an election campaign, sets the stage to be a big tax and spending Mayor, just look at their record as a councillor.

Alberta's Bill 50, which builds on Bill 20 has introduced political parties at the civic level. A first for the province that has only ever seen independent candidates.

A candidate for mayor, like Tim Cartmell, for example, can now spend up to two million dollars on his campaign. And published in his year-end disclosure, Tim raised in just 60 days between Nov. 1, and Dec. 31, 2024 a record $450,000+ dollars!

Edmonton voters have to ask, why would someone want to raise and spend one to a whooping two million dollars for a base $216,585, plus vehicle allowance of $14,457.36 annually, and a $3,600 health care spending account per year?

Candidates can either buy an election or honestly earn the voter's confidence. 

I prefer earning the trust and confidence of Edmontonians to manage their hard earned tax dollars for the next four years. 

I am only beholden to Edmonton's voters, Edmonton's taxpayers, not to a party,  group of people or individual big donor.  

THERE IS NO SUBSTITUTE FOR EXPERIENCE  

Vote Tony Caterina for Mayor Oct. 20, 2025

Simple answer. YES WE CAN! 

Adding a simple number after Edmonton’s unique ward names is far more inclusive for all Edmontonians, Albertans, and Canadians who engage with our 12-ward city system.  

Edmonton’s 12 ward names carry symbolic significance in our city’s commitment to Truth and Reconciliation, reflecting our province’s rich history through seven Indigenous languages. However, since their introduction in 2021, these names have caused on going confusion. Many residents and city staff struggle to read, pronounce or spell all 12 ward names, and most don’t even know which ward they live in. This leaving them feeling disconnected.” 

Adding a number in brackets after each official ward name (e.g., Ward Nakota Isga [1]) would make them universally understood, including by children.  

As Edmonton’s next mayor, I will reintroduce the adding of numbers (1) to (12), in brackets, alongside the names of our city’s wards to ensure clarity and exclusivity for all. 

Vote Tony Caterina for Mayor, Oct. 20, 2025 

THERE IS NO SUBSTITUTE FOR EXPERIENCE