Stephen Mandel

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Stephen Mandel
Mandel in 2013
Leader of the Alberta Party
In office
February 27, 2018 – June 30, 2019
Preceded byGreg Clark
Succeeded byJacquie Fenske (interim)
Minister of Health
In office
September 15, 2014 – May 24, 2015
PremierJim Prentice
Preceded byFred Horne
Succeeded bySarah Hoffman (Health and Seniors)
34th Mayor of Edmonton
In office
October 26, 2004 – October 29, 2013
Preceded byBill Smith
Succeeded byDon Iveson
Parliamentary constituencies
Member of the
Legislative Assembly of Alberta
for Edmonton-Whitemud
In office
October 27, 2014 – May 5, 2015
Preceded byDave Hancock
Succeeded byBob Turner
Member of the
Edmonton City Council
for Ward 1
In office
October 23, 2001 – October 26, 2004
Serving with Karen Leibovici
Preceded byLeroy Chahley
Succeeded byLinda Sloan
Personal details
Born (1945-07-18) July 18, 1945 (age 78)
Windsor, Ontario, Canada
Political partyAlberta Party (2018–present)
Other political
affiliations
Progressive Conservative (until 2017)
SpouseLynn Mandel
Alma materLincoln College (AA)
Miami University (BS)
University of Windsor
ProfessionBusinessman
Signature

Stephen Mandel ECA (born July 18, 1945) is a Canadian politician and leader of the Alberta Party from 2018 to 2019. He previously served as an Alberta cabinet minister from 2014 to 2015 and as mayor of Edmonton, Alberta for three terms from 2004 to 2013. Prior to being mayor, he was a councillor for three years.

On September 15, 2014, he was made Minister of Health by premier Jim Prentice, despite not holding a seat in the Legislative Assembly of Alberta.[1] He was subsequently named as the Alberta Progressive Conservative Party's candidate in a by-election in Edmonton-Whitemud,[2] the seat formerly held by Dave Hancock, which was scheduled for October 27, 2014.[3] He won in the byelection but was subsequently defeated in the general election on May 5, 2015.

Mandel announced his candidacy for the leadership of the Alberta Party on January 10, 2018.[4] He was elected on February 27, 2018, defeating two other candidates.[5] Mandel resigned as Alberta Party leader in June, 2019.[6]

Background[edit]

Mandel received an associate of arts degree from Lincoln College in Lincoln, Illinois, a bachelor of science in business administration from Miami University, and his masters in political science from the University of Windsor.

He moved to Edmonton in 1972 from Windsor, Ontario.[7]

Mandel owns the Strathcona County’s Lakeland Village mobile home park.[8]

Entry into politics[edit]

Prior to being elected to city council, Mandel ran unsuccessfully for school trustee[9] He was first elected to the Edmonton City Council in 2001 as a councillor for Ward 1. In 2004, he became mayor by defeating Edmonton's three-term mayor, Bill Smith.[7] Mandel credits his successes to the hard work and spirit of cooperation of his council.[10] Mandel left office as Mayor of Edmonton on October 29, 2013.[11][12]

Mayor of Edmonton[edit]

Public works[edit]

Mandel's city council was responsible for many infrastructural achievements: expansion of the LRT lines, the construction of a new arena for the Edmonton Oilers.[13]

After years of public consultations since 2008, the city approved a plan gradually decommission the City Centre airport by implementing the City Centre Redevelopment Plan. The City Centre Redevelopment Plan aims to mitigate urban sprawl by redeveloping the aging and costly City Centre Airport [14] into a sustainable-300 acre inner city neighbourhood anticipated to accommodate 30,000 residents.[15][16]

According to sporting organization 'SportAccord', the city has a Silver class partnership with the convention, enabling Edmonton to host many world classed events awarded during the Mandel administration.[17] The city is one of six host cities of the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup.[18]

Edmonton Downtown arena[edit]

Edmonton Oilers CEO Daryl Katz has entered into an agreement with the city of Edmonton to joint finance the construction of a new arena for the hockey team which the city will own. The entertainment complex, arena and plaza along with neighbourhood development, and adjacent Winter Garden LRT Station costing $35M has an estimated budget of $601 Million CAD.[19] The project will be financed between the city with a seed fund valued at $219M CAD. Katz Group will contribute $143M and invest in the neighbouring land development. The Albertan government won't fund the arena as Mandel anticipated however the provincial government inadvertently funded $170M through the Municipal Sustainability Initiative. $125M will be raised through ticket surcharges.[20] [21]

Social and Business initiatives[edit]

Responding to an upsurge of domestic spousal violence in 2006, Mandel together with the Alberta Council for Women's Shelters hosted the first 'Breakfast with guys' peace seminar aimed at curbing violence. The event inspired Edmonton's business leaders raise awareness and support among their staff and community. This initiative has since been replicated globally.[22]

To address the needs of Edmonton's Aboriginal community the city conducted the 'Edmonton Urban Aboriginal Accord Initiative Project', many important documents and agreements with Treaty 6 natives, 'as an accord between Edmonton and the Aboriginal community' were written.[23][24]

In 2011 Mandel commissioned the 'Community Sustainability Task Force', to address problems that mature Edmontonian neighborhoods faced. The organization reported on recommendations through the 'ELEVATE' report.[25][26]

Mandel negotiated with the county of Leduc to amalgamate, 15,600 Acres of land to be used to support Edmonton's anticipated growth, if approved it will be the first major growth since 1982.[27]

IBM granted 400,000 USD worth of expertise and advice to assist local experts in improving the lives of Edmontonians through the effective use of data and technology, listing the city as a 2011 Smart Cities Challenge winner.[28]

In 2012, Mandel embarked on a trade mission to meet business and municipal leaders from Asia, to assert Edmonton's place in global Energy and business trade.[29]

Events during Mayoralty[edit]

In 2013, city council approved to support the UofA as home of the Canadian Women's Basketball team, the city will grant 500,000 CAD over 4 years to develop the sport such as introducing youth to the game.[30]

The city of Edmonton and the aboriginals Treaty 6 commenced on a dialog to address the needs of Aboriginal Edmontonians. In 2005 the two parties signed with the Edmonton Urban Aboriginal Accord.[31]

Mandel started the first Mayor Pride Brunch, in 2005. The event is a fund raiser to raise money for gay pride youth Camp fYrefly. Mandel proclaimed a week in April 2013 as Transgender Awareness week to bring awareness of the challenges Transgender Edmontonians face such as violence.[32][33]

In 2006–2011 the city administration has been criticized by some members of the local press on issues relating to infrastructure maintenance.

In September 2007, Mandel ordered the removal from city property of work by Edmonton sculptor Ryan McCourt, after receiving a 700-name petition that alleged McCourt's sculptures had "hurt Hindu religious sensibilities".

Mandel created the Mayor's Evening for the Arts held at the Francis Winspear Centre, out of formerly a luncheon event to an annual festive evening gala. The event showcases the talents of Edmontonian performing artists in a grand spectacle and awards ceremony. In 2012, he celebrated the 25th Anniversary of this tradition. In 2013, Mandel created the 'Ambassador of the Arts Award' awarded at the gala. Honouring significant contributions by individuals or corporations who represented Edmonton artistically on the international or national stage.[34]

Mandel proclaimed the Edmonton Public Library's centennial anniversary to be 'Edmonton Public Library Day' issuing free library membership.[35][36]

City Charter[edit]

To address the challenges of evolving into metropolises, Mandel, together with Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi, negotiated a memorandum of understanding with the Alberta government. This motion will enable both mayors to work with the Alberta government to draft city charters in 2013, effectively articulating the powers and responsibilities the municipalities have to deal with unique issues of development such as taxation.[37]

Provincial Politics[edit]

Mandel was named as Minister of Health by Alberta premier Jim Prentice in the fall of 2014.[38] Two months later, he would win the seat vacated by Dave Hancock (Edmonton-Whitemud) in a by-election. He went on to serve as health minister and MLA until the defeat of the Progressive Conservatives, and the loss of his own seat to NDP candidate Bob Turner, in the 2015 election.

Mandel announced his candidacy for the leadership of the Alberta Party on January 10, 2018,[39] and was elected Leader of the Alberta Party on February 27, 2018, with 66% of the vote, succeeding Greg Clark.[40] He secured the Alberta Party’s nomination to be the candidate in Edmonton-McClung on May 12, 2018.[41]

On February 8, 2019 Mandel's name was added to an Elections Alberta list of politicians deemed Ineligible to run as candidates or serve as Chief Financial Officers in provincial elections. He was given a five year ban for having missed a deadline for filing a financial campaign return for his 2018 nomination campaign.[42] The Elections Alberta deputy chief electoral officer stated that candidates have four months from the time they are nominated to file financial campaign returns. Mandel stated that "there is confusion about the actual due dates this paperwork is due to Elections Alberta. Because the penalties for late filing are so serious, we have also applied to the Court of Queen’s Bench to review and rule on this matter as soon as possible" and "we believe we have filed within the required deadline".[41] On March 4, 2019, the 5 year ban was lifted after the Court of Queen's Bench ruled that a 5 year ban was an inappropriate penalty for a missed deadline, in this case.[43]

Electoral Results[edit]

2004 Edmonton municipal election[edit]

Mayor
Candidate Votes %
Stephen Mandel 85,887 40.68%
Bill Smith 68,767 32.57%
Robert Noce 52,640 24.93%
Tilo Paravalos 921 0.44%
Dieter Peske 905 0.43%
Dave Dowling 858 0.41%
Thomas "Buffalo Terminator" Tomilson 768 0.36%
Jean-Paul Noujaim 390 0.18%

2007 Edmonton municipal election[edit]

Mayor[44]
Candidate Votes %
Stephen Mandel 98,751 65.80%
Don Koziak 38,027 25.34%
Dave Dowling 2,690 1.79%
George Lam 2,647 1.76%
Dustin Becker 2,568 1.71%
Bill Whatcott 1,665 1.11%
Peter T. Lefaivre 1,413 0.94%
Robert (Bob) Ligertwood 1,235 0.82%
Khaled Kheireddine 1,089 0.73%

2010 Edmonton municipal election[edit]

Mayor[45]
Candidate Votes %
Stephen Mandel 109,432 55.2
David Dorward 58,856 29.7
Daryl Bonar 20,672 10.4
Dan Dromarsky 4,621 2.3
Dave Dowling 2,295 1.2
Andrew Lineker 1,131 0.6
Bob Ligertwood 1,129 0.6

Edmonton-Whitemud by-election, 2014[edit]

Alberta provincial by-election, October 27, 2014: Edmonton-Whitemud
Resignation of Dave Hancock on September 25, 2014
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Progressive Conservative Stephen Mandel 6,003 42.39 -17.85
New Democratic Bob Turner 3,150 22.24 13.24
Wildrose Tim Grover 2,680 18.92 2.72
Liberal Donna Wilson 2,033 14.35 2.39
Alberta Party Will Munsey 202 1.43 -0.92
Green René Malenfant 95 0.67
Total 14,163
Rejected, spoiled and declined 14 11 17
Eligible electors / turnout 35,795 39.36 -19.67
Progressive Conservative hold Swing -15.54
Source(s)
Alberta. Chief Electoral Officer (2015). Report on the October 27, 2014 By-elections in: Calgary-Elbow, Calgary-Foothills, Calgary-West, Edmonton-Whitemud (PDF) (Report). Edmonton: Legislative Assembly of Alberta; Chief Electoral Officer. ISBN 978-098653678-6. Retrieved April 20, 2021.

2015 Alberta general election[edit]

2015 Alberta general election: Edmonton-Whitemud
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
New Democratic Bob Turner 12,805 57.45% 35.21%
Progressive Conservative Stephen Mandel 7,177 32.20% -10.19%
Wildrose Chad Peters 1,423 6.38% -12.94%
Liberal Steven Townsend 629 2.82% -11.53%
Green Kathryn Jackson 182 0.82% 0.15%
Independent John Baloun 73 0.33%
Total 22,289
Rejected, spoiled and declined 57 45 11
Eligible electors / turnout 37,018 60.39% 21.03%
New Democratic gain from Progressive Conservative Swing 22.70%
Source(s)
Source: "46 - Edmonton-Whitemud, 2015 Alberta general election". officialresults.elections.ab.ca. Elections Alberta. Retrieved May 21, 2020.
Chief Electoral Officer (2016). 2015 General Election. A Report of the Chief Electoral Officer (PDF) (Report). Edmonton, Alta.: Elections Alberta. pp. 254–258.

2018 Alberta Party leadership election[edit]

Candidate Votes Percentage
Stephen Mandel 3,046 66.03%
Kara Levis 838 18.17%
Rick Fraser 729 15.80%
Total 4,613 100%

2019 general election[edit]

2019 Alberta general election: Edmonton-McClung
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
New Democratic Lorne Dach 8,073 43.63% -11.73%
United Conservative Laurie Mozeson 6,640 35.89% -4.00%
Alberta Party Stephen Mandel 3,601 19.46% 14.71%
Alberta Advantage Gordon Perrott 188 1.02%
Total 18,502
Rejected, spoiled and declined 109 47 12
Eligible electors / turnout 28,961 64.30% 10.25%
New Democratic hold Swing -10.84%
Source(s)
Source: "36 - Edmonton-McClung, 2019 Alberta general election". officialresults.elections.ab.ca. Elections Alberta. Retrieved May 21, 2020.
Alberta. Chief Electoral Officer (2019). 2019 General Election. A Report of the Chief Electoral Officer. Volume II (PDF) (Report). Vol. 2. Edmonton, Alta.: Elections Alberta. pp. 140–143. ISBN 978-1-988620-12-1. Retrieved April 7, 2021.

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Prentice promises ‘new way of doing things’ as smaller cabinet sworn in" Archived October 6, 2014, at the Wayback Machine. Edmonton Journal, September 15, 2014.
  2. ^ "Ministers Mandel and Dirks planning to seek election in Edmonton and Calgary". CTV Edmonton, September 24, 2014.
  3. ^ "Premier Prentice to run in Calgary-Foothills in October byelection". Global News, September 29, 2014.
  4. ^ "Former Edmonton mayor Stephen Mandel to run for Alberta Party leadership | CBC News".
  5. ^ "Stephen Mandel wins Alberta Party leadership race | Globalnews.ca".
  6. ^ "Alberta Party leader Stephen Mandel steps down".
  7. ^ a b Jewish Independent, November 5, 2005 Archived October 30, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
  8. ^ "Mayor Mandel says the trailer park he owns in Sherwood Park won't flood anymore". Edmonton Sun. June 28, 2013. Retrieved May 26, 2014.
  9. ^ "Archives Canada". Archivescanada.ca. October 18, 2004. Archived from the original on October 5, 2013. Retrieved June 14, 2013.
  10. ^ "The Morality of Politics: Sitting Down with Mayor Stephen Mandel | By Blue Knox – The Wanderer". Thewandereronline.com. Archived from the original on May 21, 2013. Retrieved June 14, 2013.
  11. ^ Karstens-Smith, Breanna (October 25, 2013). "Mandel reflects on his time as Mayor". CTV News. Retrieved October 29, 2013.
  12. ^ Tumilty, Ryan (October 29, 2013). "Slideshow: Don Iveson promises globally competive [sic] Edmonton during swearing in ceremony". Metro News. Retrieved October 29, 2013.
  13. ^ "Edmonton council votes to bring back Oilers arena deal | NHL | Sports | National Post". Sports.nationalpost.com. Archived from the original on April 11, 2013. Retrieved June 14, 2013.
  14. ^ http://ottewell.gateway.ualberta.ca/articles/opinion/2010/09/16/city-centre-airport-finally-shot-down[permanent dead link]
  15. ^ Canada (July 19, 2012). "Prosperity allows Edmonton to chart a clean, green future". The Globe and Mail. Toronto. Retrieved June 14, 2013.
  16. ^ "City Centre Airport to close in phases | Edmonton | News". Edmonton Sun. July 8, 2009. Retrieved June 14, 2013.
  17. ^ "SportAccord".
  18. ^ "Edmonton Named as Host City for Women's World Cup Canada 2015 :: City of Edmonton". Edmonton.ca. Archived from the original on June 3, 2013. Retrieved June 14, 2013.
  19. ^ "Council approves funding for Edmonton arena – Journal of Commerce". Journalofcommerce.com. Archived from the original on May 2, 2013. Retrieved June 14, 2013.
  20. ^ "No funding in Alberta budget puts arena in question". CBC.ca. March 8, 2013. Archived from the original on February 1, 2023. Retrieved July 16, 2023.
  21. ^ "Agreement for Edmonton arena passed by council". Cbc.ca. January 23, 2013. Retrieved June 14, 2013.
  22. ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on January 7, 2014. Retrieved May 10, 2013.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  23. ^ "Edmonton Urban Aboriginal Accord Initiative Project (2005-2006) :: City of Edmonton". Edmonton.ca. Archived from the original on May 8, 2013. Retrieved June 14, 2013.
  24. ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on August 28, 2008. Retrieved 2013-05-10.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  25. ^ "About the Plan :: City of Edmonton". Gov.edmonton.ab.ca. Archived from the original on April 10, 2013. Retrieved June 14, 2013.
  26. ^ "Edmonton's ELEVATE Report: What it says about Poverty Reduction". Actiontoendpovertyinalberta.org. February 13, 2012. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved June 14, 2013.
  27. ^ Stolte, Elise (March 5, 2013). "Edmonton wants to annex 15,600 hectares of Leduc County, including airport". Edmontonjournal.com. Archived from the original on March 7, 2013. Retrieved June 14, 2013.
  28. ^ Metro, Staff (March 9, 2011). "Edmonton wins 'Smarter Cities Challenge' | Metro". Metronews.ca. Archived from the original on February 26, 2014. Retrieved June 14, 2013.
  29. ^ "Mayor Leads China Mission Promoting Edmonton's Industrial Business, Environmental Leadership :: City of Edmonton". Edmonton.ca. Archived from the original on June 3, 2013. Retrieved June 14, 2013.
  30. ^ "Edmonton to be home of Canadian Women's Basketball Team". Globalnews.ca. May 8, 2013. Retrieved June 14, 2013.
  31. ^ http://www.edmonton.ca/city_government/documents/UrbanAboriginalAccord.pdf[bare URL PDF]
  32. ^ "Nenshi proclaims Trans Day of Visibility". CBC News.
  33. ^ Tamara Gorzalka (June 19, 2008). "Queermonton – The first weekend of Pride". Vue Weekly. No. 661: Cowboy Junkies. Retrieved May 26, 2014.
  34. ^ Nicholls, Liz (February 11, 2013). "A new award for the Mayor's Celebration of the Arts". Edmonton Journal. Archived from the original on May 27, 2014. Retrieved May 26, 2014.
  35. ^ "Edmonton Public Library waives $12 fee for cards during its centennial year". Global News. Edmonton, Alberta. March 12, 2013. Archived from the original on August 11, 2014. Retrieved January 15, 2024.
  36. ^ "Edmonton's library marks 100 years with free cards". CBC News.
  37. ^ Government of Alberta (June 18, 2012). "Alberta government partners with Calgary and Edmonton to develop big city charter". Alberta.ca. Retrieved May 26, 2014.
  38. ^ "Premier Jim Prentice shrinks Alberta cabinet, appoints two outsiders".
  39. ^ "Former Edmonton mayor Stephen Mandel to run for Alberta Party leadership".
  40. ^ @CBCCalgary (February 28, 2018). "Stephen Mandel chosen new leader of..." (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  41. ^ a b Heidenreich, Phil; Ramsay, Caley (February 8, 2019). "Elections Alberta gives Alberta Party leader 5-year-ban from running as candidate, Mandel plans appeal". Global News. Retrieved February 9, 2019.
  42. ^ "Individuals Ineligible to Run as a Candidate or Act as a Chief Financial Officer". Parties, Candidates & Contests. Elections Alberta. Retrieved February 9, 2019.
  43. ^ "Alberta Party Leader Stephen Mandel allowed to run in election, judge rules". CBC. March 4, 2019. Retrieved March 15, 2019.
  44. ^ "2007 Election - Official Results" (PDF). City of Edmonton. October 19, 2007. Archived from the original (PDF) on December 15, 2010. Retrieved September 19, 2010.
  45. ^ City of Edmonton (October 26, 2010). "2010 Election Results" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on December 14, 2010. Retrieved December 4, 2010.

External links[edit]