Better Edmonton

Last updated

Better Edmonton
Leader Vacant
FounderTim Cartmell
FoundedMay 1, 2025
RegisteredMay 28, 2025
Ideology Conservatism [1]
Political position Centre to centre-right [1]
Colours
  • Aqua
Seats on council
1 / 13
Website
votebetteredmonton.ca

Better Edmonton is a municipal political party in Edmonton, Alberta, founded ahead of the city's 2025 municipal election. [2] It was founded by former city councillor Tim Cartmell. The only party on council, it is represented by Karen Principe.

Contents

History

On November 21, 2024, Edmonton city councillor Tim Cartmell announced that he would be running for mayor in 2025, and would be launching a municipal political party. [3]

On May 1, 2025, Cartmell announced the formation of Better Edmonton. [4] On May 28, the party officially registered with Edmonton Elections. [5]

On June 3, Better Edmonton announced its slate of candidates, which included councillor Karen Principe, who joined the party. [6]

In the 2025 municipal election on October 20, the party won 3 council seats and Cartmell lost the mayoral race. [7] The councillors were sworn into office on October 29. [8]

On November 10, 2025, less than a month after the municipal election, councillor Reed Clarke left the party to sit as an independent. [9] Three days later, councillor Michael Elliott also left the party and became an independent. [10] The next day, leader Tim Cartmell left the party. [11]

Electoral performance

Mayoral election

ElectionCandidateVotes%StatusResult
2025 Tim Cartmell61,66829.832ndLost

City council

ElectionCity council seats+/–PositionResult
2025
3 / 12
Increase2.svg 3Steady2.svg 2ndOpposition

Better Edmonton councillors

Current

CouncillorWardTenureNotes
Karen PrincipetastawiyiniwakOctober 29, 2025—presentIndependent councillor from 2021 to 2025.

Former

CouncillorWardTenureNotes
Reed ClarkeNakota IsgaOctober 29, 2025—November 10, 2025Left party to sit as an independent.
Michael ElliottpihêsiwinOctober 29, 2025—November 13, 2025Left party to sit as an independent.

Party leaders

#Party LeaderTenure
1Tim CartmellMay 1, 2025 – November 14, 2025

References

  1. 1 2 "Keith Gerein: Party politics have proven to be strange experiment in Edmonton's civic election". Edmonton Journal. Retrieved 22 October 2025.
  2. "Official List of Candidates Election of the Chief Elected Official (Mayor) for the City of Edmonton" (PDF). Edmonton Elections. City of Edmonton . Retrieved 25 September 2025.
  3. Boothby, Lauren (21 November 2024). "Edmonton Coun. Tim Cartmell running for mayor with new political party". Edmonton Journal . Postmedia Network . Retrieved 14 November 2025.
  4. Cummings, Madeleine (1 May 2025). "Tim Cartmell to launch budget panel, safe streets strategy if elected Edmonton mayor". CBC News . Retrieved 14 November 2025.
  5. "Slates and Political Parties | City of Edmonton". www.edmonton.ca. Retrieved 9 September 2025.
  6. Ellingson, Craig (3 June 2025). "City councillor running for mayor unveils slate for upcoming Edmonton election". CTV News . Bell Media . Retrieved 18 November 2025.
  7. "2025 Edmonton Election Results (Official)". City of Edmonton . 24 October 2025. Retrieved 14 November 2025.
  8. Anchan, Mrinali (29 October 2025). "Edmonton mayor and city councillors to be sworn into office". CBC News . Retrieved 18 November 2025.
  9. "Ward Nakota Isga councillor Reed Clarke leaves Better Edmonton to sit as independent". CityNews Edmonton. Rogers Sports & Media. 10 November 2025. Retrieved 10 November 2025.
  10. Zhao, Emma (13 November 2025). "As 2 councillors cut ties with Better Edmonton, where does that leave the party?". CBC News . Retrieved 14 November 2025.
  11. Ellingson, Craig (14 November 2025). "Runner-up for Edmonton mayor leaves municipal political party he co-founded". CTV News . Bell Media . Retrieved 14 November 2025.