Alberta’s fall municipal elections in 2025 marked more than just the selection of new mayors and council members—they were the first test of the province’s updated municipal election laws. For firefighters, these elections provided a critical opportunity to ensure their voices are heard on public safety issues that impact communities across Alberta.
- Testing New Election Laws in Alberta
- Calgary: Fire Commission and Strategic Engagement
- Edmonton: Focus on Public Safety and Growth
- Red Deer: Tackling Staffing Challenges
- Strengthening Relationships Across Alberta
- Frequently Asked Questions
- What new election laws were introduced in Alberta?
- How did these laws affect firefighters’ engagement?
- What is the fire commission proposed in Calgary?
- How did Red Deer address staffing issues?
- Why do municipal elections matter to firefighters?
- Conclusion
While the new laws changed certain aspects of how municipal campaigns are conducted, they did not significantly alter the strategy of the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) in Alberta. Local unions continued meeting with candidates, assessing their positions, and securing commitments on key issues affecting firefighters and public safety. Early results from the October 20 elections indicate a promising outcome, with several labor-friendly candidates securing important municipal positions.
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Testing New Election Laws in Alberta
“The key provisions of the new law were tested this cycle in the province’s largest cities, Calgary and Edmonton,” said Elliott Davis, President of the Alberta Professional Fire Fighters and Paramedics Association (APFFPA). “It is true that it did not drastically alter the way we do things, but it is too early to tell how these new policies might impact us long-term. Overall, we are mostly pleased with the outcome.”
Some of the most notable changes under the new law included allowing candidates to run under municipal political party banners rather than as independents, revising campaign fundraising rules, and altering the candidate endorsement process. Despite these adjustments, Alberta firefighters maintained focus on their primary priorities.
Calgary: Fire Commission and Strategic Engagement
In Calgary, IAFF Local 255 President James Blayney emphasized that the new laws required some procedural adjustments, but the union’s approach remained consistent. “We met with over 50 candidates in the mayoral and city council elections. With each candidate, we gauged their support regarding our issues,” he said.
A top priority for Local 255 is the creation of a fire commission, modeled after the Calgary Police Commission. The proposed commission would oversee the department’s budget, make policy decisions, and ensure that fire operations are both safe and effective.
“Right now, our fire chief and Local 255 have to go through about four different layers of city administration for our voices to be heard. Having a commission would cut out all those unnecessary layers,” Blayney added. “We look forward to working with the new mayor, the ten new council members, and the four returning council members on this issue.”
Edmonton: Focus on Public Safety and Growth
Edmonton’s mayoral race featured 13 candidates, most running as independents, including the winner, Andrew Knack. City council seats included a mix of independent candidates and members of the Better Edmonton political party. Polling indicated that key voter concerns centered on government spending, affordable housing, and public safety.
“Our executive board engaged with all candidates to ensure they understood our key issues surrounding the lack of new fire stations, staffing to match rapid city growth, and apparatus life cycles,” said Edmonton Local 209 President Greg Rehman. “We will continue to focus on building relationships with the mayor and council to ensure our issues are heard.”
Red Deer: Tackling Staffing Challenges
In Red Deer, Local 1190 members prioritized candidates committed to addressing the city’s ongoing fire department staffing issues. The city’s fire department saw overtime costs rise to over $3 million in 2024. Instead of hiring additional firefighters, the city implemented a “dynamic staffing policy,” which reduces minimum staffing levels and occasionally closes Fire Station 2, one of the city’s busiest stations.
Local 1190 organized a candidate forum to discuss these staffing challenges. “We planned for 150 people to come, but over 300 showed up. It was the most attended candidate forum in the city,” said Local 1190 President Brad Readman. “It was a clear sign that the community supports us and our effort to properly resource the fire department.”
Red Deer voters elected a new mayor and four new council members. All newly elected leaders, along with two incumbents, have expressed willingness to explore alternatives to dynamic staffing to improve emergency service coverage.
Strengthening Relationships Across Alberta
Across the province, the municipal elections reinforced relationships between firefighter affiliates and local governments. The process also highlighted that issues affecting firefighters resonate with voters.
“The issues that most impact our members and their ability to serve their communities are the top priority of our provincial and affiliate leaders in every election cycle,” said 6th District Vice President Mike Carter. “They work hard to vet the candidates, educate them on the issues, and encourage open lines of communication to resolve concerns and improve emergency response. I’m very proud of the work they put into making this election cycle a success.”
Frequently Asked Questions
What new election laws were introduced in Alberta?
Candidates can now run under municipal political party banners, with revised rules for campaign fundraising and endorsements.
How did these laws affect firefighters’ engagement?
The new laws did not significantly change the IAFF’s approach, which continues to involve candidate vetting and advocacy on key public safety issues.
What is the fire commission proposed in Calgary?
A fire commission would oversee budgeting, policy-making, and operations for the Calgary Fire Department, streamlining decision-making.
How did Red Deer address staffing issues?
Red Deer adopted a dynamic staffing policy, which temporarily reduced staffing at certain stations. Local 1190 is advocating for more permanent staffing solutions.
Why do municipal elections matter to firefighters?
They influence decisions on fire department funding, staffing, safety policies, and community emergency response capabilities.
Conclusion
Alberta’s 2025 municipal elections marked a pivotal moment for firefighters and public safety advocates. The first test of the province’s new election laws showed that while procedural changes are necessary, the core priorities of firefighter unions remain unchanged. Across Calgary, Edmonton, and Red Deer, elected officials are now more engaged with firefighter issues, and labor-friendly candidates secured important victories.
