"This is a city where people make things happen."

2007 Campaign

Entries relating to Don Iveson’s 2007 campaign for Edmonton city council.

Read some of Don's previous blog posts on this topic:


Nenshi, Canada25 & Me posted October 29th, 2010 in 2007 Campaign, 2010-2013 Term

Yesterday I was surprised and pleased to find myself in the company of Calgary’s newly-elected Mayor Naheed Nenshi who dropped by my place for a cup of tea before heading back to Calgary. He had been up to meet with the premier and Mayor Mandel.

I first met Nenshi in person four years ago when mutual friends put us in touch, since he had run for Calgary city council in 2004. We learned a lot from those meetings which definitely helped me get elected in 2007.

Turns out I knew some of his work from before that, although I didn’t realize it at the time. Nenshi and I were both part of a project in 2002 that was put on by a group called Canada 25, which was a non-partisan public policy forum that ran for a few years back in the early 2000s. The core group was a network of former university student leaders who did this to stay connected.

In the summer of 2002 they held a series of roundtables on cities, competitiveness, creativity and attracting and retaining young people. This was a time when we were all fretting about the brain drain and when Canadian mayors were screaming for a new deal for cities. These discussions had a profound impact on my thinking about urban issues and in retrospect I’m sure this contributed to my interest in municipal politics.

I was a bit player but it was Nenshi himself who penned the very thoughtful final report: “Building Up: Making Canada’s Cities Magnets for Talent and Engines of Development”. So, if you want to understand his agenda and mine, to the extent that they may overlap, reading this report would be your best starting point.

Campaign Finance Reform: Boring but Consequential posted February 18th, 2010 in 2007 Campaign, 2007-2010 Term, Campaign Reform

Earlier in February, the provincial government enacted most of the provisions of MLA Jeff Johnson’s 2009 Legislative Session private member’s Bill 203, the Local Authorities Election (Finance and Contribution Disclosure) Act.

I had previously requested a report on what Bill 203 could mean for Edmonton, as well as on changes that Calgary had enacted in the fall; on February 17, City staff provided the report. Some of the Act’s implementation details are quite ridiculous, given the nearness of the 2010 election.

The City report included a draft letter to the province articulating a number of concerns and questions, although the letter was updated considerably after debate. I can’t yet locate a copy of the updated letter on the city’s website. This was the original draft.

The revised letter approved by Council called for the outright repeal of the Act and included some additional questions and concerns about the audit requirements, about whose onus it is to establish which corporations are related for purposes of the $5,000 contribution limit, and about whether volunteer hours count as campaign contributions. I supported sending the letter, though I didn’t agree with all the points in it.

I spoke against asking for repeal of the whole Act, since I think the principles of the Act are good. Most of the contribution disclosure requirements and rules about campaign surpluses mirror our existing Disclosure Bylaw. Really the only additions are a $5,000 limit to contributions by a person, corporation, or labour group to a given campaign, and a requirement to disclose the identity of anyone whose contribution exceeds $100 per three-year period (under our current bylaw, this threshold is $300).

I spoke in support of the contribution limits and in support of the $100 disclosure threshold. Sadly, this was not reported in yesterday’s Journal story (nor the Sun story), so it appeared as if all of Council opposed the whole bill, which is not quite accurate. In any case, I had intended to observe these rules in the conduct of my own campaign this fall.

Like my colleagues, I believe there are some poor policies specific to 2010 election implementation, such as the requirement to submit any accumulated surpluses within 90 days of proclamation (that is, by May 3, 2010). The way this is written, any funds raised since the last election must also be handed to the City in trust; a candidate won’t get the funds back until nomination day, which is September 20, 2010. This could unfairly impact a campaign’s cash flow, and it will essentially force all prospective candidates — if they have raised more than $500 — to declare their candidacy by May 3.

The big issue that irks many of my colleagues–and me somewhat, but less so–is the province’s imposition on municipal autonomy. This territoriality came up when I discussed Bill 203 in May last year. To my eyes, incorporating the majority of our Disclosure Bylaw in provincial law is a testament to our city’s leadership in this area and a commentary on Calgary’s comparatively Wild West rules.

Either way, I was more or less dared to put amendments forward to our Disclosure Bylaw if I really think the $5,000 limit and the $100 disclosure threshold are good policy. So I gave Notice of Motion on Wednesday to do just that:

Councillor D. Iveson stated that at the next regular meeting of Council, he will make the following motion:

That Administration bring forward amendments to the Disclosure Bylaw as follows:

a) limiting campaign contributions by any person or corporation to (figure to be added) in any campaign period

b) requiring disclosure of contributions $100 and above from any one contributor during the campaign period, and the disclosure of the total amount of contributions below $100

So we’ll debate this at our March 10 Council meeting.

Keep on Blogging posted November 2nd, 2007 in 2007 Campaign, 2007-2010 Term

Again, apologies for the hiatus. I have been, as you might expect, incredibly busy.

I was sworn in last week, and since have had the chance to participate in a public hearing, bring greetings to an arts group (FAVA) and a youth group (the City’s Youth Council). We’ve also had a number of informative briefings on pressing issues, like our city’s fiscal situation and the ongoing planning and coordination question unfolding in the larger Edmonton Region.

We’re finally getting through new-councillor orientation, so our days will be less filled with powerpoint presentations and veggie trays (one of which I am partial to, you may guess which). It bears mentioning, however, that I am profoundly impressed with the vast majority of the city’s staff whom I’ve met—the clerk’s office, the senior managers, the folks in the council services area, and all the others who keep city hall running—they seem a knowledgeable and committed bunch.

My office is coming together too. I’m adjusting slowly to the Windows environment, having never owned a PC before. Councillor Henderson is also a dyed-in-the-wool Mac user, and we’re both struggling a bit. On the plus side, my Blackberry is pretty amazing.

I’ll write in greater detail about the special initiatives the mayor has assigned me later, though I’ll note here that I’m excited to be leading the new Environmental Sustainability initiative in addition to joining Councillor Krushell in supporting the ongoing Youth and Next Gen initiatives. I’ve also been appointed to the Edmonton Public Library Board as well as the River Valley Alliance.

I’m told, and I’ve already seen some indication, that I’ll be quite busy for the next three years. This suits me fine as I work best when I’m kept busy.

“Life” is adjusting, though it will never be quite the same after this. Already people are recognizing me on the street, and though I was told to expect it and I am not surprised, it is a little odd to be known.

Web site revisions on the way… promise.

Energy Drinks Really Work posted October 18th, 2007 in 2007 Campaign, 2007-2010 Term

The last few days have been utter mayhem, though certainly of the good sort.

Yesterday (the day after Election Day) started with a visit to City TV at 6:30 am, then to CBC radio for 7:15. Following which the phone didn’t stop ringing until virtually every media outlet in town had contacted me.

Amidst the flurry, Councillor Anderson—whom I’m excited to work with—came by to have coffee in the morning to discuss a few transitional issues, and some imminent ward issues; one or two of the tv outlets were able to get shots of us chatting.

Today started with a brief meeting with Mayor Mandel, which was excellent. We discussed some of my priorities, and potential fit with ongoing council initiatives. Then we ate a wonderful lunch with returning and new councillors. I car pooled with the mayor to the restaurant.

I hitched a ride back to city hall with Coun. Krushell, who took me upstairs and introduced me to a few people. I also received my parking pass for city hall, which seemed significant in the moment.

But the real show stopper was letting myself into the council chamber to take a look. It was empty, and the new name plates aren’t in yet, but I had an overwhelming sensation of responsibility to constituents as well as a sense opportunity to do good for our city.

I went sailing with my dad for the afternoon and left the phone on shore, which was a welcome respite.

Finally, my campaign manager and I went out to finish taking down the public boulevard signs. We were out quite late, and boosted up on some of those caffeine-loaded ginseng drinks which apparently were fueling his efforts for the better part of the last month. The long and the short of it is that they work, hence my taking a moment to write this when I really should be sleeping.

Incidentally, we’re looking at what to do with this website, but rest assured we’ll do something. And I’d like to keep blogging, though I’ve been told that time will be scarce. Stay tuned.

Heartfelt Thanks posted October 16th, 2007 in 2007 Campaign

Today was one of the longest days of my life. I feel especially privileged to have been able to share it with so many friends and family, even some who came a considerable distance to celebrate.

Quite honestly, it would have been a celebration either way. I was impressed at all points with the way the core team and the volunteers conducted themselves, and I feel deeply honoured to have had so much superb help. We worked hard, and we worked smart. The campaign was fun in its own right.

Of course, I’m both humbled and excited to have gained a seat on council.

I’ll need to reflect more on this all before I can write anything else.

But thank you to family, thank you to supporters, thank you to volunteers, and thank you to voters for placing your confidence in me.