Edmonton Mayor Amarjeet Sohi is reportedly preparing to run as a Liberal candidate in the upcoming federal election, expected to be called on Sunday. This development comes amid scrutiny of his mayoral tenure over issues such as homelessness, rising property taxes, and affordability concerns.
Sohi’s tenure has been marked by declining public support. A June 2024 poll by Leger revealed that only 16% of Edmontonians intended to vote for him in a future election, a significant drop from the 45% support he garnered during his 2021 mayoral victory. The same survey indicated that 67% of respondents felt Edmonton was on the wrong track.
Sohi’s anticipated federal candidacy raises questions about whether he is making the jump to secure a parliamentary seat—and, in turn, a federal MP pension. Recently, NDP leader Jagmeet Singh received criticism for propping up the unpopular Justin Trudeau government while inching closer to the threshold of six years of service as an MP to qualify for a pension. Should Sohi win a seat in the House of Commons and serve as an MP for two years, he would receive a full pension upon his departure.
Sohi previously served as the MP for Edmonton Mill Woods from 2015 to 2019, during which he held cabinet positions as Minister of Infrastructure and Communities and later as Minister of Natural Resources. He lost his seat in the 2019 election as the Liberals suffered major defeats in Alberta.
If he decides to run federally, Edmonton could face a leadership void, with an interim mayor serving until the next municipal election in October 2025. With key issues still unresolved, one can’t help but wonder whether Sohi’s decision is in Edmonton’s best interest—or his own.
