Stephen Mandel Explained

Honorific Prefix:The Honourable
Stephen Mandel
Office:Leader of the Alberta Party
Successor:Jacquie Fenske (interim)
Term Start:February 27, 2018
Term End:June 30, 2019
Office1:Minister of Health
Premier1:Jim Prentice
Term Start1:September 15, 2014
Term End1:May 24, 2015
Predecessor1:Fred Horne
Successor1:Sarah Hoffman (Health and Seniors)
Office2:34th Mayor of Edmonton
Term Start2:October 26, 2004
Term End2:October 29, 2013
Predecessor2:Bill Smith
Successor2:Don Iveson
Embed:yes
Office3:Member of the
Legislative Assembly of Alberta
for Edmonton-Whitemud
Term Start3:October 27, 2014
Term End3:May 5, 2015
Predecessor3:Dave Hancock
Successor3:Bob Turner
Office4:Member of the
Edmonton City Council
for Ward 1
Alongside4:Karen Leibovici
Term Start4:October 23, 2001
Term End4:October 26, 2004
Predecessor4:Leroy Chahley
Successor4:Linda Sloan
Birth Date:July 18, 1945
Birth Place:Windsor, Ontario, Canada
Spouse:Lynn Mandel
Party:Alberta Party (2018–present)
Otherparty:Progressive Conservative (until 2017)
Profession:Businessman
Signature:Signature of Stephen Mandel.svg

Stephen Mandel (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] Mandel was made a member of the Alberta Order of Excellence in 2024.[7]

Background

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.[8]

Mandel owns the Strathcona County’s Lakeland Village mobile home park.[9]

Entry into politics

Prior to being elected to city council, Mandel ran unsuccessfully for school trustee[10] 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.[8] Mandel credits his successes to the hard work and spirit of cooperation of his council.[11] Mandel left office as Mayor of Edmonton on October 29, 2013.[12] [13]

Mayor of Edmonton

Public works

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.[14]

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 [15] into a sustainable-300 acre inner city neighbourhood anticipated to accommodate 30,000 residents.[16] [17]

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.[18] The city is one of six host cities of the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup.[19]

Edmonton Downtown arena

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.[20] 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.[21] [22]

Social and Business initiatives

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.[23]

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.[24] [25]

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.[26] [27]

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.[28]

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.[29]

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.[30]

Events during Mayoralty

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.[31]

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.[32]

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.[33] [34]

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.[35]

Mandel proclaimed the Edmonton Public Library's centennial anniversary to be 'Edmonton Public Library Day' issuing free library membership.[36] [37]

City Charter

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.[38]

Provincial Politics

Mandel was named as Minister of Health by Alberta premier Jim Prentice in the fall of 2014.[39] 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,[40] and was elected Leader of the Alberta Party on February 27, 2018, with 66% of the vote, succeeding Greg Clark.[41] He secured the Alberta Party’s nomination to be the candidate in Edmonton-McClung on May 12, 2018.[42]

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.[43] 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".[42] 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.[44]

Electoral Results

2004 Edmonton municipal election

Candidate! Votes! %
Stephen Mandel85,88740.68%
Bill Smith68,76732.57%
Robert Noce52,64024.93%
Tilo Paravalos9210.44%
Dieter Peske9050.43%
Dave Dowling8580.41%
Thomas "Buffalo Terminator" Tomilson7680.36%
Jean-Paul Noujaim3900.18%

2007 Edmonton municipal election

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%
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

Candidate !! Votes !! %
Stephen Mandel 109,432 55.2
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

2018 Alberta Party leadership election

CandidateVotesPercentage
Stephen Mandel3,04666.03%
Kara Levis83818.17%
Rick Fraser72915.80%
Total4,613100%

2019 general election

External links

Notes and References

  1. https://edmontonjournal.com/Prentice+names+Mandel+health+minister+member+cabinet/10205281/story.html "Prentice promises ‘new way of doing things’ as smaller cabinet sworn in"
  2. http://edmonton.ctvnews.ca/ministers-mandel-and-dirks-planning-to-seek-election-in-edmonton-and-calgary-1.2023214 "Ministers Mandel and Dirks planning to seek election in Edmonton and Calgary"
  3. http://globalnews.ca/news/1587770/premier-prentice-to-make-byelection-announcement/ "Premier Prentice to run in Calgary-Foothills in October byelection"
  4. Web site: Former Edmonton mayor Stephen Mandel to run for Alberta Party leadership CBC News.
  5. Web site: Stephen Mandel wins Alberta Party leadership race | Globalnews.ca.
  6. Web site: Alberta Party leader Stephen Mandel steps down.
  7. News: Three Calgarians to be named to Alberta Order of Excellence. Calgary Herald. June 7, 2024. Michael. Rodriguez.
  8. http://www.jewishindependent.ca/archives/Nov04/archives04Nov05-05.html Jewish Independent
  9. News: Mayor Mandel says the trailer park he owns in Sherwood Park won't flood anymore . Edmonton Sun . June 28, 2013 . May 26, 2014.
  10. Web site: Archives Canada . Archivescanada.ca . October 18, 2004 . June 14, 2013 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20131005005906/http://www.archivescanada.ca/english/search/ItemDisplay.asp?sessionKey=999999999_142&l=0&lvl=1&v=0&coll=0&itm=256039&rt=1&bill=1 . October 5, 2013 . mdy-all .
  11. Web site: The Morality of Politics: Sitting Down with Mayor Stephen Mandel | By Blue Knox – The Wanderer . Thewandereronline.com . June 14, 2013 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20130521012008/http://www.thewandereronline.com/2013/04/23/the-morality-of-politics-getting-to-know-mayor-stephen-mandel-by-blue-knox/ . May 21, 2013 . mdy-all .
  12. Web site: Karstens-Smith. Breanna. Mandel reflects on his time as Mayor. CTV News. October 29, 2013. October 25, 2013.
  13. Web site: Tumilty. Ryan. Slideshow: Don Iveson promises globally Edmonton during swearing in ceremony. Metro News. October 29, 2013. October 29, 2013.
  14. Web site: Edmonton council votes to bring back Oilers arena deal | NHL | Sports | National Post . Sports.nationalpost.com . June 14, 2013 . dead . https://archive.today/20130411103716/http://sports.nationalpost.com/2013/01/23/edmonton-council-votes-to-revive-oilers-arena-deal . April 11, 2013 . mdy-all .
  15. http://ottewell.gateway.ualberta.ca/articles/opinion/2010/09/16/city-centre-airport-finally-shot-down
  16. News: Canada . Prosperity allows Edmonton to chart a clean, green future . The Globe and Mail . July 19, 2012. June 14, 2013 . Toronto.
  17. News: City Centre Airport to close in phases | Edmonton | News . Edmonton Sun . July 8, 2009 . June 14, 2013.
  18. Web site: SportAccord.
  19. Web site: Edmonton Named as Host City for Women's World Cup Canada 2015 :: City of Edmonton . Edmonton.ca . June 14, 2013 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20130603222423/http://edmonton.ca/city_government/news/2012/edmonton-named-as-host-city-for-womens-world-cup-canada-2015.aspx . June 3, 2013 . mdy-all .
  20. Web site: Council approves funding for Edmonton arena – Journal of Commerce . Journalofcommerce.com . June 14, 2013 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20130502230346/http://www.journalofcommerce.com/article/id53795/--council-approves-funding-for-edmonton-arena . May 2, 2013 . mdy-all .
  21. News: live . No funding in Alberta budget puts arena in question . 16 July 2023 . . Mar 8, 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230201040043/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/no-funding-in-alberta-budget-puts-arena-in-question-1.1327889 . Feb 1, 2023 . en.
  22. News: Agreement for Edmonton arena passed by council . Cbc.ca . January 23, 2013 . June 14, 2013.
  23. Web site: Archived copy . May 10, 2013 . January 7, 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140107004515/https://www.acws.ca/sites/default/files/documents/TakingaStandPositionDescriptionNov2010.pdf . dead .
  24. Web site: Edmonton Urban Aboriginal Accord Initiative Project (2005-2006) :: City of Edmonton . Edmonton.ca . June 14, 2013 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20130508172357/http://edmonton.ca/city_government/initiatives_innovation/edmonton-urban-aboriginal-accord-initiative.aspx . May 8, 2013 . mdy-all .
  25. Web site: Archived copy . 2013-05-10 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20080828060105/http://www.aboriginal-edmonton.com/projects/EAUAC-UAA2004.pdf . August 28, 2008 . mdy .
  26. Web site: About the Plan :: City of Edmonton . https://archive.today/20130410025942/http://www.gov.edmonton.ab.ca/city_government/projects_redevelopment/about-the-plan.aspx . dead . April 10, 2013 . Gov.edmonton.ab.ca . June 14, 2013 .
  27. Web site: Edmonton's ELEVATE Report: What it says about Poverty Reduction . Actiontoendpovertyinalberta.org . February 13, 2012 . June 14, 2013 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20160303225221/http://www.actiontoendpovertyinalberta.org/index.php/news/66-news/955-edmontons-elevate-report-what-it-says-about-poverty-reduction . March 3, 2016 .
  28. Web site: Stolte . Elise . Edmonton wants to annex 15,600 hectares of Leduc County, including airport . Edmontonjournal.com . March 5, 2013 . June 14, 2013 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20130307074941/http://www.edmontonjournal.com/business/Edmonton+wants+annex+hectares+Leduc+County+including+airport/8052733/story.html . March 7, 2013 .
  29. Web site: Metro . Staff . Edmonton wins 'Smarter Cities Challenge' | Metro . Metronews.ca . March 9, 2011 . June 14, 2013 . February 26, 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140226223900/http://metronews.ca/news/edmonton/13941/edmonton-wins-smarter-cities-challenge/ . dead .
  30. Web site: Mayor Leads China Mission Promoting Edmonton's Industrial Business, Environmental Leadership :: City of Edmonton . Edmonton.ca . June 14, 2013 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20130603145950/http://edmonton.ca/city_government/news/2012/mayor-leads-china-mission.aspx . June 3, 2013 . mdy-all .
  31. News: Edmonton to be home of Canadian Women's Basketball Team . Globalnews.ca . May 8, 2013 . June 14, 2013.
  32. http://www.edmonton.ca/city_government/documents/UrbanAboriginalAccord.pdf
  33. News: Nenshi proclaims Trans Day of Visibility . CBC News.
  34. News: Tamara Gorzalka . Queermonton – The first weekend of Pride . Vue Weekly . June 19, 2008 . 661: Cowboy Junkies . May 26, 2014.
  35. News: Nicholls . Liz . A new award for the Mayor's Celebration of the Arts . Edmonton Journal . February 11, 2013 . May 26, 2014 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20140527215711/http://blogs.edmontonjournal.com/2013/02/11/a-new-award-for-the-mayors-celebration-of-the-arts/ . May 27, 2014 . mdy-all.
  36. News: . March 12, 2013 . Edmonton Public Library waives $12 fee for cards during its centennial year . live . . Edmonton, Alberta . http://web.archive.org/web/20140811190911/https://globalnews.ca/news/408047/edmonton-public-library-waives-12-fee-for-cards-during-its-centennial-year/ . August 11, 2014 . January 15, 2024.
  37. News: Edmonton's library marks 100 years with free cards. CBC News.
  38. Web site: Government of Alberta . Alberta government partners with Calgary and Edmonton to develop big city charter . Alberta.ca . June 18, 2012 . May 26, 2014.
  39. News: Premier Jim Prentice shrinks Alberta cabinet, appoints two outsiders.
  40. Web site: Former Edmonton mayor Stephen Mandel to run for Alberta Party leadership.
  41. 968657618456719361. CBCCalgary. Stephen Mandel chosen new leader of.... February 28, 2018.
  42. News: Heidenreich . Phil . Ramsay . Caley . Elections Alberta gives Alberta Party leader 5-year-ban from running as candidate, Mandel plans appeal . 9 February 2019 . Global News . 8 February 2019.
  43. Web site: Individuals Ineligible to Run as a Candidate or Act as a Chief Financial Officer . Parties, Candidates & Contests . Elections Alberta . 9 February 2019.
  44. Web site: Alberta Party Leader Stephen Mandel allowed to run in election, judge rules . CBC . 4 March 2019 . 15 March 2019.