the first step in any home renovation is: run for public office

@yegwxnerdery.bsky.social is there an answer to the question "how much snowfall/snowpack is required to undo the drought effect of the last couple years?" I don't know enough about weather science to begin quantifying it.

"Should I chain myself to a tree over this?" A resident in Dovercourt is threatening to because an infill development is being built in her cul-de-sac. But when we look at the numbers, the area's population has halved in the last 50 years, plenty of parking. So, probably not

While Calgary contemplates flushing their progress on zoning down their unfluoridated toilets, Edmonton is reaping our rewards. #yeg has the most housing under construction since the 90s, and we've got the second-lowest consumer inflation in the country because of it

Property taxes are confusing, because the UCP prefers it. Last year, Edmonton increased municipal taxes by 5.7%. But then the UCP hiked the Education Tax by 9% and forced cities to collect it for them. The UCP loves systems where others shoulder the blame for their actions.

As City Council debates budget and a potential 6.4% property tax increase, comments sections are FULL of misinformation from people who have absolutely no idea how property taxes work So, I guess I'm spending my saturday making videos about tax policy youtube.com/watch?v=NjYc...

Many people complaining that growth should bring in new revenue, not cause a tax increase. And it does, a bit, but mostly what we're paying for is: - the sprawl pyramid scheme that we lose money on every neighbourhood we build and - being the province's punching bag

The UCP is starting to panic. Demetrios Nicolaides sent an email begging volunteers to fight his recall petition. He warns complacency could "topple our government". Don't threaten me with a good time.

Reed Clarke has left Better Edmonton. The municipal party has made it clear that they plan to engage in american-style constant campaigning for the next four years. For the candidates that won, they just CANNOT bring that to work every day. Nobody asked for or wanted this.

While mayor @andrewknack.bsky.social takes action on houselessness, the UCP calls it a "fake NDP crisis". Council will spend $1M this winter funding day-use shelter spaces. The UCP has declined to partner with them and says they "are not seeing any challenges" with shelter spaces.

On election night, Thu Parmar lost by six votes. But on recount, she was 627 up. No Better Edmonton candidate is ever gonna bring her down (aaa-AAA-AAAHH 🎶)

Lorne Gunter at the Edmonton Journal is framing a rash of infill arsons as the obvious outcome of people "pushed to the brink". He's essentially saying "terrorism is bad, BUT..." in the paper of record The fervent zealotry of people who oppose density is unreal

Nothing scarier than a bike lane!

Sometimes questions are more revealing than answers. The interview yesterday by Vassy Kapelos with Demetrios Nicolaides is one of those times. Please enjoy these highlights.

The canary in the coal mine has died. Around the world, authoritarianism is taking hold of once strong democracies. If we ignore the seeds being planted in our own legislature, it will be at our peril. Using Notwithstanding in this way is a BIG step over a "do not cross" line

Update: Thu Parmar has won the election! On the recount her vote total increased by about the amount that Kotch's decreased. They're alphabetically adjacent, so a human proabably put the total in the wrong spot. This is a MASSIVE bungle. I don't think it's possible to avoid a citywide recount...

My takeaways from the #yegvote results: - Voters resoundingly rejected UCP interference and party politics - Voters chose optimism over cynicism - The angry calls for change and reset were coming from a vocal minority, disproportionately amplified.

Godot will be here any minute with the Edmonton election results.

POLLS ARE OPEN. 3 things: 1. I'll be on CBC's e-night panel tonight, starting at 9pm, radio and video. 2. Thank you. These shortform videos have gotten over 1.5M views in the past 90 days. That's you. 3. VOTE. Take nothing for granted. It's all on the line. Show up (early!)

Tim Cartmell is using copyright to censor my content. Taking a page out of Mike Nickel's book, Tim Cartmell has gotten litigious. He's been unable to stop himself from torpedoing his campaign in every interview, so now he wants to stop the sharing of what he says.

Tim Cartmell says he's not the UCP candidate. He insists he's not corrupt. But while the UCP battles scandal after scandal, their donors are flooding to one place, Tim Cartmell. When voting ask yourself: is Tim working for me, or the UCP-aligned corporations that paid him?

The #yegbike community came together to honour Dr. Markland — a beloved ICU physician, cycling advocate, and friend to many — who tragically passed away in a mountain biking accident last month. buff.ly/wOwQGrB Let’s remember his kindness, passion for health & cycling, and his kindness.

An overview of the candidates running in the downtown Ward of o-day'min 🍓 and why given the field I'm choosing to support Anne Stevenson

Meet Team D̶a̶n̶i̶e̶l̶l̶e̶ ̶S̶m̶i̶t̶h̶ Tim Cartmell Tim was handpicked by Danielle Smith for Edmonton's "public safety task force" against the wishes of council, he's been handpicked by Danielle Smith to bring UCP ideology to Edmonton as her preferred mayoral choice.

You've heard about the flat earther running for school board, but meet @hollyfortrustee.bsky.social, the competent, passionate and brilliant candidate I'm rooting for to win. She's going to fight to ensure public dollars stay in the public system, and teachers have the supports they need.

A new poll from the most-respected, accurate pollster in Alberta, Janet Brown has Andrew Knack up 20 points over Tim Cartmell with decided voters. Half the city still remains undecided, however, so remember: Vote, and vote early!

There's a literal flat-earther running for the Edmonton Public School board. That's where Alberta is at right now

In his interview with CityNews yesterday Tim Cartmell wants to make VERY CLEAR that he is NOT corrupt. He wants you to know that he is NOT engaging in quid pro quo. All the allegations that Tim Cartmell is corrupt are FALSE. Maybe if he says it a few more times.

Tim Cartmell alone has raised as much money as EVERY other candidate outside his party COMBINED. Tim & his Timbits have pulled in over $1M of big corporate dollars, with another $200k for the party. The unprecedented flow of big money into our local election is staggering.

PACE is a social conservative Trojan Horse. PACE is backed by the people who make up the most extreme wing of conservatives in Alberta. They're using messaging about infill an taxation as bait to trick voters into electing their alt-right slate. Don't be tricked.

It's a two-way race for mayor. Polls from today either put Knack and Cartmell in a dead heat, or Cartmell slightly ahead. The UCP has changed donor rules, created unpopular parties, all to stack the deck for Tim, their preferred candidate. And it might work, unless we show up

The absolute easiest endorsement I can make this election season is for @ashleysalvador.bsky.social Truly, Ashley is one of the best councillors we've seen in decades. She's incredibly intelligent, but personable and doesn't condescend. She deftly builds consensus. We need her back.

Darren had an exceptional talent for egging people on, and convincing ordinary people to do extraordinary things. His greatest trick was convincing everyone that he was just an ordinary guy too. And he wasn't. He was exceptional. Join @yegbike.bsky.social tomorrow at Ezio park, 7-9.

When a shooter opened fire in City Hall, Michael Elliott cracked jokes about it on Twitter. Now, he's running to be a councillor in Tim Cartmell's party. This defender of the Thin Blue Line wants to bring that ideology to city hall this October #yegvote

Success! Peace officers have started tearing down some of the many, many illegal Better Edmonton signs. The candidate in papastew was pretty mad about it and slid into my DMs lol

I'm getting so sick of @saveonfoods.bsky.social maple-washing their goods. Putting a "Shop Canadian" sign on your "Product of USA" cereals should be illegal. It's clear our grocers are not willing to behave in good faith. We need to legislate and fine this practice out of existence

Tim Cartmell and Better Edmonton are cheating. They're intentionally breaking election signage rules, and they're happy to use their large corporate donations to make any fines go away. They believe in a city where rules do not apply to the rich and powerful #yegvote

Tim Cartmell skipping work, but it's Alexander Hamilton sneaking out a window

Everything old is new again. I made this video originally in 2017. A shocking amount of it still holds up two elections later. The housing forms may have changed, but all the same arguments about infill remain. #yegvote

Your #yegvote mayoral debate recap: - @andrewknack.bsky.social is the clear choice for mayor - Omar Mohammed and Rahim Jaffer don't live in reality, and don't understand cost of services - Walters and Cartmell think if only we would be nicer to Danielle Smith, our problems would be solved

There are 13 simple rules for sign placement on public property. But do candidates have enough basic literacy to read and follow them? Let's find out!

Jennifer Rice, the most incompetent, toxic city councilor we've seen in a generation is running for re-election. And she might not lose.

Ashborne used to be a non-profit seniors centre. Now, it's "Alliance", a for-profit REIT. And look whose massive signs showed up out front. This is exactly what Tim and his big donors that have contributed hundreds of thousands to his campaign want everywhere.

Edmonton mayoral candidates but it's the Parks and Recreation opening

Meet @andrewknack.bsky.social, my pick for Mayor of Edmonton. I caught up with him as he was walking across the ENTIRE CITY (!) and chatted about his plans to make Edmonton more affordable #yegvote

We've got mayoral polling data! @andrewknack.bsky.social has taken an early lead over Tim Cartmell who keeps losing support as people learn more about him (lol) And despite the media really strongly pushing infill as an issue, it doesn't seem to be a chief concern to voters in this poll

Cracks have formed into fissures in Tim Cartmell's party, with two major candidates within his party openly questioning his leadership last week and distancing themselves from his policy He was supposed to be the unbeatable candidate. But now people are looking for the lifeboats

The #yegfringe show I'm in is selling out! One of my three dates for Edmontask has already sold out! If you've been hemming and hawwing about getting tickets, now is the time to do it

Danielle Smith is a separatist. I'm only a separatist when it comes to traffic.

Mayor of Fort Saksatchewan "Gale Katchur the Cat Killer" is running again (this time as a councillor) We go live to my cats for their reaction