First political party approved to run in Edmonton civic election
Edmonton Elections approved PACE's application making it the first official municipal party in the city
Principled Accountable Coalition for Edmonton — also known as PACE — is the first municipal political party approved to run in an Edmonton civic election.
The party's goal is "to unite common sense, practical, fiscally prudent, community-focused voices across Edmonton," according to its website.
"We submitted to 1,257 [signatures on] Dec. 19, and just received the news of our approval yesterday. It's been quite the process, that's for sure. Had to have our ducks in a row," PACE president Sheila Phimester told CBC in an interview.
Elections Edmonton approved the application on Monday.
The Alberta government announced last spring that formal parties will be allowed to run candidates in Edmonton and Calgary in the Oct. 20 vote.
For a party to register, it must collect more than 1,000 signatures of residents who support the party, provide a candidate list, a corporate registry search, and a statement of assets and liabilities.
Listed candidates for PACE according to Elections Edmonton's website include Phimester, Christine Haines, David Starko, Donald Grimble and Doug Main, a former broadcaster and Progressive Conservative MLA.
"People are extremely frustrated with what's happening at city hall, and unfortunately, that's the fuel that we have behind this," Phimester said.
The key issues PACE will focus on will include getting value for taxes, making the city more open for business and improving safety and security, Phimester said.
She noted her transition into politics began when she previously spoke at zoning bylaw public hearings and took issue with plans to densify housing and build bike lanes.
"How many people use bike lanes? We are a winter city. Does it give us value for our taxes to spend $100 million on a bike lane? This is an example of something that's based on ideology," Phimester said.
"Even being fiscally responsible is an ideology, really, but our goal is to have a council, create a council that can run the city like a business."
Under the Local Authorities Election Act, local political parties must be separate and distinct from federal and provincial political parties.
Local political parties also cannot receive campaign contributions from provincial or federal political parties.
WATCH | How political parties could change Edmonton's civic election:
Some political science experts and at least one councillor, have cautioned the move to introduce political parties in municipal elections will frustrate voters and erode public trust in the electoral system.
Political watchers said they are confused by the province's decision, as the province's own public survey showed 70 per cent of respondents disagreed with introducing the party system.
Alberta Municipalities, representing cities, towns and villages around the province, also opposed the move.
Edmonton Elections told CBC at this point, there are no other party applications under review.
Tim Cartmell, Ward pihêsiwin councillor and Edmonton mayoral hopeful, plans to form his own party, which he has previously said will not be partisan.
Phimester said PACE aims to cover the centre of the political spectrum.
"I would call us down the middle. We are small-c conservative thinkers for sure," Phimester said.
"We have value for taxes and first things, first, sensible decision-making, but our goal is to be focused on running a city like a business has nothing to do with political parties whatsoever."
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