Dear Edmontonians,

November 23rd, 2020 in 2017-2021 Term

Dear Edmontonians,

It is an incredible honour, and a humbling duty, to serve as your mayor and I am thankful for every day I get to serve our community. I had only ever hoped to serve two terms as mayor and, after lots of reflection, today I am announcing that I have decided not to seek re-election next fall.

With a year remaining, I want to make clear that my singular daily focus is working tirelessly to protect and help Edmontonians impacted by COVID-19 and the economic challenges we face. Additionally, there remains considerable work to do in the balance of Council’s term, including:

  • Delivering a very tough budget with a goal of no tax increase;
  • Supporting and attracting new jobs and investment for our region;
  • Making the most of the economic opportunities that come with an urgent transition to a low carbon future;
  • Tackling systemic racism in our institutions while enhancing community safety and police accountability;
  • Delivering more housing and ending chronic homelessness; and, 
  • Further strengthening metropolitan collaboration with neighbouring municipalities.

There is much to do, and not everything will be resolved by the election. In fact, part of the beauty of cities is that they are perpetually unfinished. This complex, ever-evolving work demands thoughtful, compassionate and constructive civic leadership — which is why next fall’s election will be pivotal and why I feel it’s important to give people who may be considering a run, time and notice to make their plans.

I will always be grateful to my wife, Sarah, for her encouragement, to my parents and my in-laws for their support, and to my children for their understanding as they’ve had to share their dad with a very demanding public role. Alongside Sarah’s generous leadership and social advocacy in the community, our work has always been about building a better city for the next generation, so that more of our kids and grandkids might choose to stay here and be proud of their hometown.

There will be a lot of time to reflect in the year ahead, but I want to take this moment to say that it has been the honour and privilege of my life to serve the people of this wonderful and resilient city. Now let’s get back to work.

Alongside Sarah’s wonderful leadership in the community, our work has always been about building a better city for the next generation, so that more of our kids and grandkids might choose to stay here and be proud of their hometown.

Graphic Designed for Mayor Don Iveson by Jovi Klak

45 thoughts on “Dear Edmontonians,”

  1. It has and will remain an honour and a privilege to have been a public servant under your leadership. Your vision for a better city for our kids, for a climate resilient city, for a great city will continue to be my guiding star even after you have gone.

    You have made a huge impact in our daily lives and reinvigorated a sense of faith in our political leadership. While you may not know my beloved West Wing, that is the sense of service that your leadership has instilled. Good people trying to do what’s right, under what are often what seem like impossible conditions.

    All the best on your future endeavors, and thank you to Sarah and your kids for sharing you with us for so long.

  3. Thank you Don for the positive impact you have left on this city. Wishing you much success in future adventures and paths.

  4. Mayor Iveson, what stunning and positive change we have seen in Edmonton since you became our Mayor! You have helped peel back the veil of this of this gritty, hardworking place to show the diamond at the core. Today, I am so proud to show off my beautiful, progressive city, usually while cycling through our network of bike lanes. Thank you for seeing what we could be and working so very hard to make it happen. Best wishes to you and your family as you move toward your “next life”.

  5. So sorry to hear you are stepping down. But as we all do we must assess our situation and many times move on…thank you for your amazing work…wishing you the best

  6. Thank you Don, I believe you’ve done an awesome job as mayor of Edmonton Alberta. I live in the Oliver district, and don’t change the name. It is historic.

  7. I moved to Edmonton in 2010 and have a lot of respect for you and your work as mayor. I pray for all the best for you and your family in whatever direction you go after this. You will be missed, but you left Edmonton in a better place than it was. Thank you for your dedication, respect and work.

  10. congratulations on your decision, you have served the people of Edmonton in a stately and gracious manner. The province of Alberta has benefitted from your strong advocacy and I look forward to your next political endeavor. Thanks again

  11. Thank you so much Don. I wish to say thank you. For the past 10+ years (including the tine you were a Councillor), I have seen huge improvement to Edmonton. Yes, we’ve grown with more buildings and better infrastructure, but to me and my family, it’s the heightened importance on compassion and connection that you’ve brought to our city that we cherish the most. Thank you for everything that you’ve done, and thank you for making our city so much better for the generations to come (which is hugely important to us). I wish you, Sarah, Dexter and Alice the best! Look forward to learning about your next adventure, and may joy and success be with you and your family!

  12. Hi there. It’s Colette Derworiz at The Canadian Press in Edmonton. Is Mayor Iveson having any availability to talk about his announcement today? I can be reached at ced@cp.org or on my phone: 403-815-1556.

  13. We think you have done a hell of a good job Don! Totally understandable that you are stepping down.
    But we still think you should run again!
    The world needs more good politicians like you!

  15. I am sorry to hear this Mayor Iverson but I knew that inevitably you would continue to grow in your sphere of influence. I am excited to see what is next for you; I have been a supporter of yours since the early days of your campaigning. Keep strong in what you believe and know you are supported by so many of us.

  18. Thank you Don for the many years of public service – I am glad you have been our major during these challenging – yet – transformative times. I am hoping that we will have the wisdom, clarity and ethical imagination to elect another major of your personal, profession and political caliber. With much appreciation – wishing you well to you and your family. Kind regards | LCA

  19. Hello, the people of Edmonton will miss you and all the hard work you have done for the city!
    Wishing you and your family health, happiness in the future. God bless you all??❤️

    Hope u liked picture of ur parents ?.

  20. Dear Mayor Iveson,

    Thank you for leading Edmontonians through both good and tumultuous times. I appreciate all the hard work and long hours you have put in, trying to build a better Edmonton which citizens can be proud of. It was exciting to elect someone young with a passion and creative vision for the city.

    I wish you all the best on your future endeavors and hope you have more time to spend with your beautiful family.

    In gratitude,
    Kisa Mortenson

  21. Hi Don,
    I used to live across the street from you. In honor we named our wifi ‘Mayor Quimby’ from The Simpsons.
    I’ve since moved to Vancouver but being a born and bred Edmontonian that paid attention to your work over the years wanted to say thank you for your dedication and compassion. You are a true model human being and I wish you continued success in your next endeavor.

  22. Wow. Don, I am so sorry to hear this but certainly respect your decision. As someone who, during my time, covered politics, I have a great appreciation for how difficult and taxing civic life and public service can be. I have utmost respect for any who take it on, but I have even more respect for you, who not only took on the city’s leadership role, but excelled at it. Edmonton and Canada’s ‘big cities’ are going to miss your intelligence, passion, compassion and ethic. I wish you and Sarah and the kids happiness and peace as you all move forward to new stages in life.

  23. Dear Mayor Iveson,

    You have done excellent work as Edmonton’s mayor. I know nothing of the polls, but I think you would be re-elected with ease were you to run again. I wish you the best. You have made Edmonton a better place. Thank you for your service to our city.

  25. Thank you Mayor Don Iveson for the great work you have been doing to build a better city for Edmontonians.
    My son got a job in Regina and we have moved out of Edmonton. I know that I will be missing Edmonton and the several friends there. I spent seven happy years in Edmonton.
    I wish you and your family God’s blessings.

  26. Thank you,Your Worship, for your articulate and thoughtful leadership and commitment to the people of Edmonton.

  28. Very sorry you have decided not to run for another term Mayor Iveson. I feel you have done an Awesome job i all the years you have been our Mayor. I wish you and your family all the best.

    Yours Truly,
    Maureen Vollema

  29. Mr. Iveson, it has been a pleasure to have you as our Mayor. It has always been evident that you care deeply for our city and all people in Edmonton. You have done some truly great things and led Edmonton with quality leadership through some very challenging situations. In a time where politics is so divisive, you have always stood on the side of democracy, impactful change, and for what is right. Thank you a million times. God bless you and your family.

  30. Thank you for your service, Your Worship. It takes an incredible amount of dedication and perseverance to accomplish as much as you have while in office. May your future be bright. It was a steadying leadership you provided. Stand proudly, speak your mind and keep up your drive.

  31. I will be sad you are not running again, unless you were running for premier of Alberta. We need more policitians like you Don.

  32. Thanks, Don, you’ve been great. Can’t wait to see what you take on next, but remember to take a little break in between. You’ve earned it.

  33. When you were running for a mayor of Edmonton I was very impressed. As a publisher of a Korean community newspaper in Calgary I was following you closely your campaign trails for mayoral position of Edmonton. I remember I carried the effort of your homeroom teacher in Edmonon along with your mayoral campaign.
    I was very, very impressed from your family photo. So impressive. Your wife,from her name I could figure out that she was a descendent of Chinese immigrant family. Former mayor of Calgary Al Duerr’s wife was an Asian origin lad, I guess.Mayor Duerr had been elected and relected as a mayor for multilpe times. I myself am a first generation immigrant from Korea, and I know how hard it is to make up a life in Canada as a ethnic group member of Canadian society. I am sure you will keep working hard to make the society to be a better place to live and enjoy for everybody. You do have that capability as a brillilant young gentleman. God bless you, your family and in-laws. Thank you!

  34. Dear Don, You have been a wonderful mayor and Edmonton will lose a great champion, visionary and diplomat when your term ends. Thank you and Sarah for your service to our city. Best wishes in all your future endeavors.

  35. Dear Mr. Mayor: Don, with heavy heart I am trying to understand your position, you are the best Mayor we have ever had since we came to Canada in 1975. We deeply thank you for all of what you have done for this city, I live in Calder and my community has never looks so good. You did what all other mayors forgot or didn’t do for us. You have your reasons and wish you the best of luck, and I only hope that we are lucky enough to get someone close to your standards, because its only one of you and our community will miss you dearly. The honor to have you as a Mayor is all ours. Thank you!!

    With all our love, and sadness to see you go,
    Yours for always truly,
    Linda and Samuel Martinez.

  36. Thank you for your service and level headed approach to the many challenges faced. Edmonton is a much better place because of you.

  37. I am a retired City planner so I witnessed many Councils and Mayors over three decades of service. I have only the greatest respect for the vast majority of politicians closest to the people. I believe that their work is greatly undervalued in an era where many people are cynical about politicians. While interacting with Council members and Mayors, I gauged the intellect, people-skills and knowledge required to fulfill civic responsibilities. Truly amazing exercise in democracy when lay people oversee so many different areas of urban life and a budget the size of a major corporation. Don was one of the most brilliant and respected Mayors in Canada. His thinking was oriented to the future and social responsibility. He respected his Council colleagues and administrative staff, and listened carefully to all advise and public viewpoints. He looks like the job has aged him so I hope that he can find more time to be with his family and bike.

  38. Oh, no! I’m SO sad!! You are such a wonderful mayor. Both you and your wife reflect goodness, intelligence, and all that is good in our city. I am SO sad. No matter what turmoil was happening in the world I could always take comfort in knowing our city was a safe haven. It was a bubble protected by you and your staff. I am so sad right now. The city was in good hands under your leadership, but what now? Please tell me you are leaving to prepare to run for premier….

    Thank you for everything Mayor Iverson, you did so much good during your tenure as Mayor, the best we had! Your intelligent, caring, and progressive leadership will be sorely missed.?

  39. Don, You’ve been a tireless champion and ‘doer’ for the City of Edmonton. As you note there’s still lots to do but you’ve achieved many things for the City, and which will stand in good stead for a longtime. Whatever you do afterwards will be unquestionably good because you are that type of individual. A leader, an inspirer and galvanizing force. Until you move on, continue to do well for the City. All best.

  40. Thank you. I’m sure you’ll be needed in a much bigger role to serve our country.

    All the best

  41. Ivan, its easy when times are good. You don’t back off just because the times are tough. The city needs your experience, dedication and sense of servitude you exhibit. Don’t leave the city to dogs!

  42. Thank you, Don for all you have done for the city. Not gonna lie, I am sorry to see you move on and am nervous about future city leadership. All the best to you, Sarah and the wee ones (not so wee anymore).

  43. Thank you Don for donating your time, talents, and skills to public office.

    You have represented Edmonton and our economic region well.

    All the best on your new path forward.

    Mike Lanteigne, G.G.XII., C.R.C.

    Capital Cabinet Member
    Edmonton Federation of Community Leagues

    Chair
    Esther Starkman School Council
    Alberta School Council’s Association

  45. It’s amazing & privilege to have you as a mayor of Edmonton & Try heard reducing the systemic Recisim and most of all the climate changes & how you help us The youth for climate to reduce energy in our city.
    I know it’s rare to find a creation like you, and how we benefited your leadership. speaking on behalf of Canadian Black youths in Edmonton, I Would like to Thank you for serving us as our Mayer.
    Regards,
    Hassan

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