Stephen Mandel

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.

This article is about the Canadian politician. For the American astronomer, see Steve Mandel. For the hedge fund manager, see Stephen Mandel (hedge fund manager).

Stephen Mandel
Leader of the Alberta Party
In office February 27, 2018 – June 30, 2019
Preceded by	Greg Clark
Succeeded by	Jacquie Fenske (Interim)
21st Alberta Minister of Health
In office September 15, 2014 – May 24, 2015
Premier	Jim Prentice
Preceded by	Fred Horne
Succeeded by	Sarah Hoffman
Member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta for Edmonton-Whitemud
In office October 27, 2014 – May 5, 2015
Preceded by	Dave Hancock
Succeeded by	Bob Turner
34th Mayor of Edmonton
In office October 26, 2004 – October 29, 2013
Preceded by	Bill Smith
Succeeded by	Don Iveson
Edmonton City Councillor for Ward 1
In office October 23, 2001 – October 26, 2004
Preceded by	Leroy Chahley
Succeeded by	Linda Sloan
Personal details
Born	(1945-07-18) July 18, 1945 Windsor, Ontario, Canada
Political party	Alberta Party (2018–present)
Other political affiliations	Progressive Conservative (until 2017)
Spouse(s)	Lynn Mandel
Alma mater	Lincoln College (A.A.) Miami University (B.S.) University of Windsor
Profession	Businessman
Signature

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].

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.[7]

Mandel owns the Strathcona County’s Lakeland Village mobile home park.[8]

Mandel was active with promoting the city's arts and festival scene. He is also an active volunteer with the city's local Heart and Stroke Foundation and with several local Jewish organizations.

Entry into politics

Prior to being elected to city council, Mandel ran unsuccessfully for school trustee[9] 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.[7] Mandel credits his successes to the hard work and spirit of cooperation of his council.[10] Mandel left office as Mayor of Edmonton on October 29, 2013.[11][12]

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.[13]

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

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

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.[19] 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.[20] [21] Before construction could commence, Mandel was challenged with securing an additional outstanding $117M to guarantee the financing loans, as the Government of Alberta would not fund the arena.

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.[22]

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.[23][24]

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.[25][26]

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.[27]

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.[28]

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.[29]

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.[30]

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.[31]

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.[32][33]

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.[34]

Mandel proclaimed the Edmonton Public Library's centennial anniversary to be 'Edmonton Public Library Day' issuing free library membership.[35][36]

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.[37]

Provincial Politics

Mandel was named as Minister of Health by Alberta premier Jim Prentice in the fall of 2014.[38] 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,[39] and was elected Leader of the Alberta Party on February 27, 2018, with 66% of the vote, succeeding Greg Clark.[40] He secured the Alberta Party’s nomination to be the candidate in Edmonton-McClung on May 12, 2018.[41]

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.[42] 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".[41] 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.[43]

Electoral Results

2004 Edmonton municipal election

Mayor

Candidate	Votes	%
Stephen Mandel	85,887	40.68%
Bill Smith	68,767	32.57%
Robert Noce	52,640	24.93%
Tilo Paravalos	921	0.44%
Dieter Peske	905	0.43%
Dave Dowling	858	0.41%
Thomas "Buffalo Terminator" Tomilson	768	0.36%
Jean-Paul Noujaim	390	0.18%

2007 Edmonton municipal election

Mayor[44]

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%
Bill Whatcott	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

Mayor[45]

Candidate	Votes	%
Stephen Mandel	109,432	55.2
David Dorward	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

Edmonton-Whitemud by-election, 2014

Alberta provincial by-election, October 27, 2014: Edmonton-Whitemud
Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Progressive Conservative	Stephen Mandel	6,003	42.39	-17.85
	New Democratic	Bob Turner	3,150	22.24	13.24
	Wildrose	Tim Grover	2,680	18.92	2.72
	Liberal	Donna Wilson	2,033	14.35	2.39
	Alberta Party	Will Munsey	202	1.43	-0.92
	Green	René Malenfant	95	0.67
Total valid votes			14,163
	Progressive Conservative hold		Swing		-15.54
Elections Alberta.[46]

2015 Alberta general election

2015 Alberta general election: Edmonton-Whitemud
Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	New Democratic	Bob Turner	12,805	57.45%	+35.21%
	Progressive Conservative	Stephen Mandel	7,177	32.20%	-10.19%
	Wildrose	Chad Peters	1,423	6.38%	-12.94
	Liberal	Steven Townsend	629	2.82%	-11.53
	Green	Kathryn Jackson	182	0.82%	+0.15%
	Independent	John Baloun	73	0.33%
Total			22,289
Rejected, spoiled and declined			113
Eligible electors / Turnout			37,018	60.4%
	New Democratic gain from Progressive Conservative		Swing		+22.70%

2018 Alberta Party leadership election

Candidate	Votes	Percentage
Stephen Mandel	3,046	66.03%
Kara Levis	838	18.17%
Rick Fraser	729	15.80%
Total	4,613	100%

2019 general election

2019 Alberta general election: Edmonton-McClung
Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	New Democratic	Lorne Dach	8,073	43.6%	-11.76%
	United Conservative	Laurie Mozeson	6,640	35.9%	-3.99%
	Alberta Party	Stephen Mandel	3,601	19.5%	+14.74%
	Alberta Advantage	Gordon Perrot	188	1.0%	--
Total valid votes			18,502
Rejected, spoiled and declined			109	47	12
Registered electors			30,068
Turnout			61.9%
	New Democratic hold		Swing
Source(s) "2019 Provincial General Election Results". Elections Alberta. Archived from the original on May 5, 2019. Retrieved May 5, 2019.

References

1. "Prentice promises ‘new way of doing things’ as smaller cabinet sworn in" Archived October 6, 2014, at the Wayback Machine. Edmonton Journal, September 15, 2014.
2. "Ministers Mandel and Dirks planning to seek election in Edmonton and Calgary". CTV Edmonton, September 24, 2014.
3. "Premier Prentice to run in Calgary-Foothills in October byelection". Global News, September 29, 2014.
4. http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/former-edmonton-mayor-stephen-mandel-to-run-for-alberta-party-leadership-1.4478544
5. https://globalnews.ca/news/4051738/stephen-mandel-wins-alberta-party-leadership-race/
6. https://edmontonjournal.com/news/politics/alberta-party-leader-stephen-mandel-to-resign-june-30
7. Jewish Independent, November 5, 2005 Archived October 30, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
8. "Mayor Mandel says the trailer park he owns in Sherwood Park won't flood anymore". Edmonton Sun. June 28, 2013. Retrieved May 26, 2014.
9. "Archives Canada". Archivescanada.ca. October 18, 2004. Archived from the original on October 5, 2013. Retrieved June 14, 2013.
10. "The Morality of Politics: Sitting Down with Mayor Stephen Mandel | By Blue Knox – The Wanderer". Thewandereronline.com. Archived from the original on May 21, 2013. Retrieved June 14, 2013.
11. Karstens-Smith, Breanna (October 25, 2013). "Mandel reflects on his time as Mayor". CTV News. Retrieved October 29, 2013.
12. Tumilty, Ryan (October 29, 2013). "Slideshow: Don Iveson promises globally competive [sic] Edmonton during swearing in ceremony". Metro News. Retrieved October 29, 2013.
13. "Edmonton council votes to bring back Oilers arena deal | NHL | Sports | National Post". Sports.nationalpost.com. Archived from the original on April 11, 2013. Retrieved June 14, 2013.
14. http://ottewell.gateway.ualberta.ca/articles/opinion/2010/09/16/city-centre-airport-finally-shot-down%5B%5D
15. Canada (July 19, 2012). "Prosperity allows Edmonton to chart a clean, green future". The Globe and Mail. Toronto. Retrieved June 14, 2013.
16. "City Centre Airport to close in phases | Edmonton | News". Edmonton Sun. July 8, 2009. Retrieved June 14, 2013.
17. http://www.sportaccordconvention.com/#P754
18. "Edmonton Named as Host City for Women's World Cup Canada 2015 :: City of Edmonton". Edmonton.ca. Archived from the original on June 3, 2013. Retrieved June 14, 2013.
19. "Council approves funding for Edmonton arena – Journal of Commerce". Journalofcommerce.com. Archived from the original on May 2, 2013. Retrieved June 14, 2013.
20. http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/story/2013/03/08/edmonton-arena-funding-question-alberta-budget.htmlh. Retrieved April 10, 2013. Missing or empty |title= (help)
21. "Agreement for Edmonton arena passed by council". Cbc.ca. January 23, 2013. Retrieved June 14, 2013.
22. https://www.acws.ca/sites/default/files/documents/TakingaStandPositionDescriptionNov2010.pdf
23. "Edmonton Urban Aboriginal Accord Initiative Project (2005-2006) :: City of Edmonton". Edmonton.ca. Archived from the original on May 8, 2013. Retrieved June 14, 2013.
24. "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on August 28, 2008. Retrieved 2013-05-10.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
25. "About the Plan :: City of Edmonton". Gov.edmonton.ab.ca. Archived from the original on April 10, 2013. Retrieved June 14, 2013.
26. "Edmonton's ELEVATE Report: What it says about Poverty Reduction". Actiontoendpovertyinalberta.org. February 13, 2012. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved June 14, 2013.
27. Stolte, Elise (March 5, 2013). "Edmonton wants to annex 15,600 hectares of Leduc County, including airport". Edmontonjournal.com. Archived from the original on March 7, 2013. Retrieved June 14, 2013.
28. Metro, Staff (March 9, 2011). "Edmonton wins 'Smarter Cities Challenge' | Metro". Metronews.ca. Retrieved June 14, 2013.
29. "Mayor Leads China Mission Promoting Edmonton's Industrial Business, Environmental Leadership :: City of Edmonton". Edmonton.ca. Archived from the original on June 3, 2013. Retrieved June 14, 2013.
30. "Edmonton to be home of Canadian Women's Basketball Team". Globalnews.ca. May 8, 2013. Retrieved June 14, 2013.
31. http://www.edmonton.ca/city_government/documents/UrbanAboriginalAccord.pdf
32. "Nenshi proclaims Trans Day of Visibility". CBC News.
33. Tamara Gorzalka (June 19, 2008). "Queermonton – The first weekend of Pride". Vue Weekly (661: Cowboy Junkies). Retrieved May 26, 2014.
34. Nicholls, Liz (February 11, 2013). "A new award for the Mayor's Celebration of the Arts". Edmonton Journal. Archived from the original on May 27, 2014. Retrieved May 26, 2014.
35. "Edmonton Public Library waives $12 fee for cards during its centennial year". Globaltvedmonton.com. May 20, 2014. Retrieved May 26, 2014.
36. "Edmonton's library marks 100 years with free cards". CBC News.
37. Government of Alberta (June 18, 2012). "Alberta government partners with Calgary and Edmonton to develop big city charter". Alberta.ca. Retrieved May 26, 2014.
38. "Premier Jim Prentice shrinks Alberta cabinet, appoints two outsiders".
39. http://www.cbc.ca/amp/1.4478544?
40. https://twitter.com/CBCCalgary/status/968657618456719361
41. Heidenreich, Phil; Ramsay, Caley (February 8, 2019). "Elections Alberta gives Alberta Party leader 5-year-ban from running as candidate, Mandel plans appeal". Global News. Retrieved February 9, 2019.
42. "Individuals Ineligible to Run as a Candidate or Act as a Chief Financial Officer". Parties, Candidates & Contests. Elections Alberta. Retrieved February 9, 2019.
43. "Alberta Party Leader Stephen Mandel allowed to run in election, judge rules". CBC. March 4, 2019. Retrieved March 15, 2019.
44. "2007 Election - Official Results" (PDF). City of Edmonton. October 19, 2007. Archived from the original (PDF) on December 15, 2010. Retrieved September 19, 2010.
45. City of Edmonton (October 26, 2010). "2010 Election Results" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on December 14, 2010. Retrieved December 4, 2010.
46. "Report on the October 27, 2014 By-elections" (PDF). Elections Alberta. Retrieved May 19, 2016.

External links

• City of Edmonton biography
• CityMayors profile