In our seventeenth episode we discuss campaign contributions made during municipal elections. Should developers and unions be able to make donations? Do those donations influence politicians once they are elected? Should elected officials excuse themselves from decisions for which they might have a conflict of interest?

We discuss those questions and more. The cost of running a campaign for council has risen quite a bit over the last four elections, from about $22,000 in 2001 on average to more than $56,000 in 2010. Candidates need to raise the money, but as Graham says, “money buys influence.”

Here are some relevant links for this episode:

• The data: Do developers play kingmaker in civic politics?
• Filed Campaign Disclosure Statements – Edmonton Elections
• Only some Edmonton election candidates pledge to publish donor dollars
• Katz Group’s $430,000 ‘bulk donation’ to Redford’s Tories cleared by Elections Alberta

Thanks for listening!

Full disclosure: Mack is volunteering for Don Iveson’s campaign for mayor.

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In our fifteenth episode we discuss some of the latest campaign announcements that have taken place. The municipal election doesn’t take place until October, but that hasn’t stopped a number of candidates from kicking off their campaigns, including three current councillors running for mayor.

Things really got underway with the approval of the arena deal and the announcement the very next day by Kerry Diotte that he would run for mayor. In recent weeks, both Karen Leibovici and Don Iveson have announced that they too will run for the top seat. With Amarjeet Sohi’s decision to run again for council, it looks as though the big names for mayor have all come forward. There’s a long way to go before a winner is declared, but that doesn’t stop us from comparing them!

Here are some relevant links for this episode:

• The 2013 Edmonton Mayor Elections in a Nutshell
• Under Mayor Mandel’s leadership, Edmonton has thrived
• Don Iveson brings new energy to Edmonton’s mayoral election
• Declared candidates for the 2013 Edmonton Election

There’s much more to come on this topic. Thanks for listening!

Disclosure: Mack is volunteering for Don Iveson’s campaign.

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