From August 22 to 25, 2025, we surveyed Edmontonians on the direction of their city and the upcoming municipal elections.
Highlights include…
Perceived Direction of Edmonton
- Nearly six-in-ten (58%) believe Edmonton is on the wrong track, while one-third (33%) believe it is headed in the right direction.
- Those aged 55+ are more likely to believe Edmonton is on the wrong track (74%), while those aged 18-34 (47%) and those with lower incomes (<$60k) (43%) are more likely to believe it is headed in the right direction.
Mayoral Election Voting Likelihood:
- 49% report they will ‘definitely’ vote, while a further 18% are ‘very likely’ to vote, for a total of 66% likely voters.
- Men (76%) and those aged 55+ (82%) are more likely to report they are likely to vote in the upcoming election.
- Those aged 35-54 (57%) or 55+ (69%) and those with incomes of $100k+ (63%) are more likely to report they will ‘definitely’ vote.
Mayoral Voting Intention:
- Voting intention among Edmonton residents is divided: Knack leads with 12% and is closely followed by Cartmell with 10%. Walters (7%), Jaffer (5%), and Mohammad (4%) round out the top 5 candidates.
- 48% of residents report that they are unsure or undecided regarding their voting intentions, including 48% of likely voters.
Awareness of Mayoral Candidates:
- Cartmell leads in awareness with 46% and is followed by Knack with 41%. Caterina (34%), Jaffer (31%), and Walters (24%) round out the top 5 candidates.
Mayoral Candidate Approval
- Among residents aware of each candidate; Mohammad leads in approval with 52% and is closely followed by Knack (50%) and Walters (49%). Residents are less positive regarding Cartmell (43%), Caterina (37%) and Jaffer (24%).
Top Voting Issues
- Lowering taxes (43%), reducing poverty (27%), and reducing spending and fiscal restraint (26%) are the top issues cited by Edmonton residents as important heading into the upcoming mayoral election.
Perceptions of Increased Density and Downtown Revitalization
- More than half of residents support limiting property tax increases by reducing or limiting City services (54%) and increased investment by The City in downtown revitalization projects such as residential conversions (57%). Just above four-in-ten (44%) support requiring more infill and redevelopment help manage housing demand and city growth.
Methodology
The results for this wave of research are based on online research conducted from August 22 to August 25, 2025 with a representative sample of 401 Edmontonian adults 18 years of age and older from Leger’s LEO panel.
Results were weighted according to age, gender, mother tongue, region, education and presence of children in the household in order to ensure a representative sample of the Canadian population.
A margin of error cannot be associated with a non-probability sample in a panel survey, but for comparison purposes, a probability sample of this size yields a margin of error no greater than ±4.9%, (19 times out of 20) for the sample.
