Published: October 21, 2025
Edmonton just chose a new direction. With Andrew Knack elected mayor this week, City Hall is about to feel a little more practical, a little more people-first, and a lot more focused on day-to-day quality of life. Or, at least, that’s what we’re being told. For homeowners, renters, and families across every corner of the city—from The Hamptons and Edgemont to Griesbach and Mill Woods—here’s what this win likely means for your taxes, your street, your commute, and your housing options. (Andrew Knack)
The Big Picture: Predictable Budgets, Clear Priorities
Knack’s “Stronger Edmonton” vision centres on reliable core services, safer public spaces and transit, and a housing response that actually adds front doors at prices people can pay. The emphasis is on predictable budgeting and better value for every tax dollar—steadying the ship so households aren’t surprised at budget time and can see where their money goes. (Andrew Knack)
What that looks like for you:
Fewer last-minute swings at tax time and clearer reporting on how dollars translate into the services you use (snow/ice control, parks, rec centres, transit). (Andrew Knack)
A continued push for compact, transit-oriented growth to lower long-run infrastructure costs—pressure relief for property taxes over time. (Andrew Knack)
Everyday Affordability: Practical Help You Can Feel
Knack’s affordability plan reads like a list of “real life” fixes for families, seniors, and renters: protect and expand low-income transit and leisure subsidies (targeting up to ~100,000 users), look at expanding access for students, keep core services affordable, and simplify access with a one-door, digital approach. Expect tangible cost relief without sacrificing the amenities that make Edmonton livable. (Andrew Knack)
Safer Transit, Safer Streets: Presence + Help (Not Just Promises)
His Safer City plan combines predictable police funding and accountability with more front-line presence where people actually feel the pinch—on transit and in public spaces. Think more Community Peace Officers, teams pairing enforcement with social workers, station attendants, Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (lighting, lines of sight), and partnerships that activate stations with arts and community uses. The goal: places that feel safe, are easy to navigate, and where issues get help fast. (Andrew Knack)
Housing: More Homes, Better Compliance, Healthier Neighbourhoods
On homelessness and affordability, Knack backs a three-pronged plan: (1) build and preserve supportive, social, and deeply affordable housing (including a City-enabled affordable-housing development corporation and land/permit support); (2) rapid actions like day-shelter capacity, hygiene hubs, and coordinated outreach; (3) prevention via eviction diversion and youth strategies. Expect a shift from managing encampments to opening doors—especially near transit and at Exhibition Lands. (Andrew Knack)
On infill, the aim is to add family-sized and senior-friendly options while raising the bar on behaviour and design: stronger tools for derelict/problem properties, tree protection and neighbourhood character, and clearer compliance/enforcement so projects are better neighbours. (Andrew Knack)
Active Transportation & Roads: Bike Lanes Without Overreach
Where does Knack land on bike lanes? He supports building the network that’s already planned—no rollback, but also no push to outpace the City’s current plan—while insisting on better integration and engagement so routes fit their streets. We live in one of the largest urban parks systems in the world, and in my opinion, not developing this natural resource in a meaningful, planful and sustainable manner would be a disaster for our city. In Taproot’s survey, he chose “Build only what has already been planned” and added: “Bike lanes are needed, but we aren’t integrating them thoughtfully with community at the table and that needs to change.” That means continuity for projects already funded, with a sharper focus on design, connections, and local input. (Taproot Edmonton)
How He Plans to Get It Done: The Knack Playbook
1) Focus the safety toolkit where it moves the needle.
Maintain the police funding formula with transparency; expand outreach/diversion teams; add station attendants and CPTED upgrades on transit; use libraries, rec centres, and community leagues for prevention programming; and advocate bail/justice reforms while scaling FCSS-style supports. (Andrew Knack)
2) Treat housing as infrastructure—deliver, don’t just debate.
Stand up a City-enabled affordable-housing development corporation; free up City land and reduce permitting friction for non-profits; pursue federal programs (e.g., Build Canada Homes) while redirecting local dollars from “managing” homelessness to solving it; create a housing acquisition program to preserve affordability; accelerate TOD and Exhibition Lands. (Andrew Knack)
3) Fix infill pain points and lift neighbourhood standards.
Use stronger compliance and public reporting; encourage 3-bedroom/senior-friendly models; expand tools that tackle derelict properties so they’re remediated, sold, or demolished rather than dragging the block down. (Edmonton’s recent results—demolitions, sales, remediation, and a derelict tax subclass—show the playbook works and can scale.) (Andrew Knack)
4) Make affordability real at the household level.
Protect and expand the low-income recreation and transit programs (with potential student access), keep core services accessible, and stabilize city-delivered costs while the broader economy cools. (Andrew Knack)
5) Build the bike network with better design + community input.
Stay the course on the funded plan, prioritize safe connections, and engage early to reduce friction—especially where curb space is tight or business access is sensitive. (Taproot Edmonton)
How This Affects You (Real-World Scenarios)
Homeowner in a mature neighbourhood (e.g., Lymburn, Calder): Tighter builder compliance and action on derelict properties improve block appeal and reduce friction during nearby builds—supporting long-run property values. (Andrew Knack)
Family in a growth area (e.g., Secord, Edgemont): A fix-the-services-gap approach should prioritize core services and amenities you were promised before opening new land elsewhere. (Andrew Knack)
Transit user (Downtown–Southside): More front-line staff, better station design, and community activation make daily rides feel safer and more welcoming. (Andrew Knack)
Senior/caregiver: Protected subsidies and simpler access reduce winter and monthly-cost stress while keeping community amenities within reach. (Andrew Knack)
Renter (Oliver, Garneau, Clareview): A healthier rental ecosystem as standards, accountability, and affordable-housing supply all move in the right direction. (Andrew Knack)
Cyclist/driver/pedestrian: Expect the planned bike network to continue, with more thoughtful integration to minimize conflicts and improve safety for everyone. (Taproot Edmonton)
FAQ
Did Andrew Knack actually win?
Yes—newsrooms called the race today; official certification follows the City’s results timeline. (Andrew Knack)
What’s his core message as mayor?
A “Stronger Edmonton” built around reliable services, safer public spaces/transit, practical affordability, and housing that matches what people need. (Andrew Knack)
What changes first for riders and pedestrians?
More visible staff/supports on transit, CPTED fixes, and local activations that make stations feel safer and more welcoming. (Andrew Knack)
How will this impact property taxes?
The platform stresses predictable budgeting and cost-efficient growth to limit long-run tax pressure while protecting essential services. (Andrew Knack)
Where does he stand on bike lanes?
Keep building what’s already planned, do it better (design/engagement), and resist knee-jerk rollbacks or rushed overbuilds. (Taproot Edmonton)
From Mike at Pabian Realty: How I Can Help
If you’re a first-time buyer, I’ll help you target neighbourhoods benefiting from new supply near transit and model monthly payments versus rent—without surprises. If you’re a homeowner in a mature area, I’ll give you a clear read on nearby infill, resale timing, and smart value-adds. If you’re a renter planning for 2026, I’ll map a realistic step-by-step path—from pre-approval to keys—leveraging programs and communities that stretch your dollar further. At the end of the day, I am a passionate supporter of our community and its people, and I want to empower you to get the most out of everything our great city has to offer.
Let’s talk about your next move.
Book a consult on PabianRealty.ca
Watch quick neighbourhood and market videos on Inside Edmonton (YouTube)
DM me on Instagram @pabianrealty
Sources
Vision & overall platform: Andrew Knack campaign, Andrew’s vision for Edmonton—A Stronger Edmonton (policy pillars; budget predictability; service focus). (Andrew Knack)
Safety plan & transit delivery details: Andrew Knack campaign, A Safer City (policing formula, outreach/diversion, station attendants, CPTED, activations). (Andrew Knack)
Homelessness & housing implementation: Andrew Knack campaign, Homelessness and Affordable Housing (housing corp, land/permits, acquisition program, TOD & Exhibition Lands, prevention). (Andrew Knack)
Affordability actions: Andrew Knack campaign, Affordability for Everyone (subsidies, program access, protecting core services). (Andrew Knack)
Bike-lane stance & quote: Taproot Edmonton, Action on bike lanes: Where the candidates stand (selected option and contextual quote). (Taproot Edmonton)
