Edmonton City Council Candidate Engagement 2025

Dear Katy and the members of CCI North Alberta, 

Thank you for reaching out and clearly articulating the serious challenges facing condominium and other multi-family communities in Edmonton due to the waste collection program rollout. I share your concern that the implementation has created significant operational and financial burdens for your members, and I recognize this is a critical, vote-deciding issue for thousands of Edmontonians. 

I fully support the environmental goals of the program, particularly the move towards organics collection. However, the current execution is clearly unsustainable and requires immediate, concrete action. Officials’ “rosier picture” does not align with the reality of persistent waste overflow, illegal dumping, pest issues, and rising costs your communities are experiencing. 

Commitment to Action 

Yes, I absolutely commit to taking immediate and decisive action to address the current, unacceptable issues with the multi-family waste collection program. If elected, fixing this broken rollout will be a top priority. The City cannot continue to implement a program that forces residents and condo boards to shoulder the operational and financial burden of its failure. 

Plan for Improving Waste Management Services 

My plan focuses on a three-pronged approach: Immediate Relief, Policy Re-evaluation, and Collaborative Redesign 

1. Immediate Relief and Program Stabilization

The first step is to stabilize the situation for struggling communities to address the overflowing bins and associated health/financial issues. 

• Implement a Pause on Further Capacity Reduction: I will advocate for an immediate pause on any further capacity reduction or rollout until the operational issues identified by organizations like yours are resolved. We need to stop the bleeding before moving forward. 

• Restore Interim Waste Capacity: For buildings demonstrably experiencing persistent overflow and forced to hire private contractors, I will work to restore interim regular waste capacity. This could be done by re-evaluating and expanding the temporary use of larger roll-off bins in designated, secured areas until a long-term solution is in place. 

• Increase Pickup Frequency Options: I will mandate that the City’s waste management department create and offer flexible options for increased pickup frequency for buildings struggling with overflow, even if this means an initial temporary increase in operational costs. It’s better for the City to manage this cost and issue than for condo boards to be forced to pay exorbitant private contractor fees. 

2. Policy Re-evaluation and Capacity Calibration

The core issue appears to be an overly aggressive capacity reduction that didn’t account for the unique dynamics of shared multi-family living. 

• Review and Recalibrate Capacity Standards: I will push for an independent, data-driven review of the capacity reduction formula for multi-family units. This review must include input from condo managers and board members to set a realistic, revised capacity target that adequately serves high-density communities while still driving diversion. We need a more gradual capacity reduction that is supported by measurable decreases in landfill waste, not an arbitrary cut. 

• Address Enforcement Gaps: The difficulty in enforcing individual compliance in shared-bin communities is a critical flaw. We must explore policy options that focus on community-level support and problem-solving rather than issuing fines to boards for issues they cannot control. This includes better support for securing waste areas to prevent illegal dumping by non-residents. 

• Financial Impact Assessment: I will mandate a thorough assessment of the financial strain the current system is placing on multi-family housing. If City policy is directly forcing condo boards to incur new, significant costs for essential services, a mechanism for financial mitigation, or a revision of the utility fees, must be considered. 

3. Collaborative Redesign and Long-Term Solution

A durable solution must be co-created with the people experiencing the problem. 

• Formal CCI Working Group: If elected, I will honor your request to meet immediately and will establish a formal, standing Working Group comprises of City Waste Services, CCI North Alberta, property managers, and other multi-family stakeholders. This group will be tasked with co-designing the long-term, scalable, and workable multi-family waste system for Edmonton. 

• Targeted Education and Infrastructure Support: While education isn’t a silver bullet for overflow, it’s essential. I will advocate for targeted infrastructure support for condos (e.g., funding assistance for bin enclosure security upgrades to mitigate illegal dumping) and highly personalized, multi-lingual educational resources developed with the CCI Working Group. 

Your members deserve a waste management system that is efficient, clean, and financially sound. I look forward to the opportunity to work with CCI North Alberta to fix this broken rollout and deliver the meaningful solutions your communities need. 

Sincerely, 

Malik ” Chase” Chukwudi – Edmonton mayoral Candidate

Dear Ms. Campbell,

Thank you for reaching out on behalf of the Canadian Condominium Institute North Alberta and for sharing the concerns of your members. With more than 15,000 condominium owners and board members represented, your perspective is vital to understanding the real-world impacts of City policy.

I want to be clear: while the environmental goals of the multifamily waste collection program are important, the rollout has not reflected the day-to-day realities of condo communities. The issues you’ve raised—overflowing bins, reduced capacity, increased illegal dumping, pest control problems, and added financial strain—are unacceptable. Edmonton cannot call this program a success while so many residents are struggling to make it work.

If elected mayor, I will commit to immediate action in three areas:

1. Pause and Reassess – I will pause any further rollout of the program until current issues are addressed, and conduct a transparent review that includes direct consultation with condominium boards and residents.
2. Restore Capacity and Flexibility – I will push to restore interim waste capacity, expand pickup frequency where needed, and reconsider options like roll-off bins to better serve multifamily housing. One-size-fits-all solutions do not work for a city as diverse as Edmonton.
3. Collaborative Solutions – I will establish a working group with representatives from CCI North Alberta and other multifamily housing stakeholders to ensure ongoing feedback and solutions that reflect lived experience—not just theoretical models.

Ultimately, waste management must balance environmental responsibility with fairness, affordability, and practicality. That means listening to the communities most affected and making adjustments when programs clearly are not working as intended.

I welcome the opportunity to meet with you and your members to discuss these issues further and to collaborate on meaningful, workable solutions. Thank you again for bringing this forward and for your commitment to strengthening Edmonton’s communities.

Sincerely,

Utha NadaUK

Dear Ms. Campbell:.

If elected (or if I remain in a position to influence policy), I will push for the following:

• A pause on further rollout of the program to allow time for a full review and stakeholder consultation with condo boards, waste experts, and community leaders.
• Restoration of waste capacity in the interim, including revisiting the use of roll-off bins where feasible.
• Flexible pickup frequency options based on building needs and volume, not rigid citywide schedules.
• A reevaluation of enforcement and education strategies, with a focus on shared responsibility models that don’t disproportionately penalize condo boards.
• An independent audit of the program’s implementation so far, with transparent reporting on gaps between official reporting and resident experiences.

Thank you, Ronald S. Billingsley, Jr.

Katy, 

Thank you for raising this. Waste management is a core service that affects daily life for every Edmontonian, and current multifamily collection issues are unacceptable.

Commitment: Yes—I will take action to ensure reliable, fair, and timely waste collection for all residents, including multi-unit dwellings.

Plan:

1. Engage residents and property managers directly to identify gaps and challenges in service.
2. Increase transparency and accountability with clear schedules, faster response times, and better reporting tools for missed pickups.
3. Explore innovative solutions for dense neighborhoods, such as centralized collection points or enhanced alley access, while maintaining affordability and accessibility.
4. Regular review and improvement: Waste management services should be monitored continuously, with adjustments made based on resident feedback and operational data.

Edmonton residents should never have to worry about overflowing bins or inconsistent collection. It’s time we get this right, for everyone, everywhere in the city.

Omar

Dear CCI North Alberta,

Thank you for reaching out and for clearly outlining the challenges your members are experiencing with the multifamily waste collection rollout. I want to acknowledge that these concerns are real, not just “perceived,” and they deserve a more practical response from the City than what you have received so far.

Q1: Will you commit to taking action to address the current issues with multifamily waste collection?
Yes, I will. Edmonton cannot ask condo boards, property managers, and residents to shoulder the costs and burdens of a program that was not designed with their unique realities in mind. Supporting environmental goals is important, but implementation must also be practical, equitable, and workable on the ground.

Q2: What is your plan for addressing these issues and improving waste management services in Edmonton?
If elected, I will:

• Pause further rollout until immediate problems are resolved for existing multifamily sites.
• Restore interim waste capacity and explore alternatives like roll-off bins to relieve pressure in the short term.
• Offer flexible pickup frequencies for buildings that demonstrate ongoing overflow issues, rather than one-size-fits-all schedules.
• Establish a dedicated condo & multifamily advisory group within waste services, so policies are informed directly by those living the reality, not just by reports.
• Phase changes more gradually, with measurable targets and support, instead of sudden drastic capacity reductions.

Closing:
My commitment is to ensure Edmonton’s waste management system reflects both our environmental values and the day-to-day realities of residents. A city program is only successful when people can actually make it work in their homes and communities. I look forward to working with CCI North Alberta and your members to find that balance and build a system that serves everyone.

Warm regards,
Vanessa Denman
Candidate for Mayor of Edmonton

Hi Katy,

Thank you for your message and for outlining the concerns of condominium owners and boards. Michael Walters appreciates the challenges you have raised with the rollout of the multifamily waste collection program and understands the frustration many residents feel when services do not meet the realities of their communities.

Michael supports the environmental goals behind the City’s waste strategy, including diverting more material from landfills, but he has serious concerns about how this program has been implemented, with the result being reduced capacity and an erosion of confidence in how City Hall delivers services.

Will you commit to taking action to address the current issues with multifamily waste collection?
Michael Walters believes the multifamily waste program needs significant review and adjustment. He has heard from many residents and condominium boards that the current approach is not working, and in his opinion, City Hall should not ignore those voices. Michael is committed to ensuring that feedback from multifamily households is taken seriously, rather than brushed aside with the same talking points. He believes it is reasonable to pause and reconsider elements of the rollout when they clearly create financial burdens, overflow, and operational challenges for residents. While he supports the environmental intent behind the program, he also believes any system must be practical and fair. If elected, he would expect administration to come back with workable solutions and better consultation before proceeding further.

What is your plan for addressing these issues and improving waste management services in Edmonton?
Michael’s view is that the City must start by acknowledging the gap between policy and reality. He believes interim measures should be considered, such as restoring some of the lost waste capacity, providing flexibility for additional pickups in high-demand areas, and phasing in reductions more gradually. He also feels enforcement and compliance need to be better tailored for multifamily settings, where individual accountability is difficult. Beyond operational fixes, Michael believes the City must rebuild trust with residents by sharing accurate data, consulting meaningfully with condo boards, and demonstrating that practical solutions matter as much as environmental targets. In his opinion, better two-way communication and a willingness to adapt will go a long way in improving the program and ensuring residents see value for their fees.

As mayor, Michael Walters will work to bring positive change to Edmonton by making our city safer, more affordable, and a place where Edmontonians can thrive.

Regards,

Mike V

Team Walters

Good morning Katy;

Yes in the short term we need to make sure we have a clean city and not pollute our communities. I am a big believer in technology and if you look at what Singapore has done it’s simply incredible and totally environmental friendly. We have to look at alternatives that do not just dump waste into landfills. Epcor is our City owned Corporation and should be directed to explore alternatives. Attached is how Singapore addresses their garbage debacle.

Roger kotch

https://www.europeofcities.com/blog/waste-management-innovation#:~:text=But%20the%20ultimate%20metric%20is,a%2093%25%20waste%20recovery%20rate.

Hello Katy,

Thank you for reaching out and for sharing the concerns of your members about the multifamily waste collection program. I understand how significant the impact has been because I lived it myself: I previously lived in a standalone condo building, and today I live in a hybrid townhouse-and-towers condo complex that relies on shared bin systems.  I know firsthand the complications that come with shared services in higher-density housing. It looks like for us in ward sipiwiyiniwak, we are part of Phase 4 from 2026-2027.

Short answer is yes – I am committed to taking action to address the problems with multifamily waste collection.

If elected, I would welcome the opportunity to meet with CCI North Alberta to hear directly from members and, if feasible, even do site visits to see the challenges on the ground, preferably in Phase 1 areas on the southeast quadrant with different types of condo communities. I believe that seeing conditions firsthand would help me better advocate for practical solutions with City Administration.

Condominiums are an important part of our ward’s housing mix, from The Hamptons to Callingwood, Edgemont, Jasper Park, Sherwood, and beyond, and I recognize the unique challenges that come with shared services in these diverse buildings where individual action is harder to trace and enforce. Ensuring that residents in multifamily housing have fair, reliable, and effective waste management is essential. If I don’t get elected, I will do the same thing I did in 2021 when I first ran, I compiled all the residents’ concerns and provided a copy to the then re-elected councillor. Either way, I will do my part to bring attention to this issue. 

If you have additional details, data, or suggestions you would like to share with me, I would be glad to review them as part of my preparation for this work. I look forward to collaborating on meaningful solutions to fix what has been a difficult rollout.

Best regards,

Giselle General (pronouns:she/her)

City Councilor Candidate, Ward sipiwiyiniwak 

Hello Kathy Campbell,

Waste is a large and important issue for the city. It is expensive for all of us, It is the responsibility of all of us. As the City grows we will all need use a multitude of strategies for waste reduction and disposal. As the landfills fill up and the Waste to energy facility is still several years away, we are all going to have to find ways to reduce the garbage we produce. I will evaluate the existing processes for improvements. I will look at specific problems as they arise in our neighbourhoods, and think logically to solve those issues. I will work with City waste to implement solutions that are appropriate.  

Thank you for e-mail, I look forward to finding solutions to our waste problems.

Terrie Holgerson

Hi, Katy,

Thanks for your email. I am happy to provide my response.

I am interested in seeing this project to it’s completion. However I do believe some changes can be made to address the issues you have mentioned.

1.) Pausing this roll-out isn’t something I believe is in the best interests of Edmontonians nor the environment. The methane released from food scraps is something that this program is addressing, providing an immediate solution to some of our city’s emissions. This means healthier air for everyone, and better use of waste. The recycling program also reduces what is being sent to the landfill, allowing that land to be better utilized for items that are truly waste.

2.) To restore interim waste capacity has the potential not to encourage residents to be more mindful about where their trash goes. If waste capacity is an issue, that would be the responsibility of the property owner/manager to apply for an extra garbage cart (for a fee of $53.95) which EPCOR account holders may do at this link:

https://www.edmonton.ca/programs_services/garbage_waste/excess-garbage-cart-application

As I see that access to education and resources for members is a core value at CCI North Alberta, I believe a better course of action would be free workshops held at condominium and apartment buildings that provide more information on waste sorting for both condo owners and tenants. These workshops could include how to report illegal dumping, ways to reduce what goes in the trash, and how to properly sort items to make the most of this program.

3.) Increased pickup frequency is something I could pursue if I were to be elected. This is a change that can be done to make this program more beneficial to everyone.

4.) I am sorry to hear that the current city council has left you and your members feeling left behind while implementing this new waste management program. However well intentioned this program is, support for the people affected is essential.

I believe the current capacity reductions are, unfortunately, necessary in order to keep our city moving towards a more environmentally-conscious future. However, supports need to be implemented. If elected to city council, I will push for change that will see this support is provided. As mentioned before, this could look like free workshops provided at residential buildings in order to offer a hands-on learning experience in waste management for tenants and owners. Additionally, further review of current bin capacity not meeting residential needs when it pertains to waste sorting is something that I would put forward. Should this review find that people are properly sorting their waste and the current bin capacity is being exceeded, then I would push for these affected buildings to receive an extra disposal bin at no extra cost.

Sincerely,

Rozalia Janiszewska

Candidate for Councilor

Ward Papastew

Miss Katy, I was not aware that there were so many issues surrounding collection with condo units/complexes. It seems to mark a pattern of behaviour for the COE , decent concept but no trials to work out the bugs. Seemingly rushed to market due to errors made prior to the implementation. Based upon what you’ve told me it seems odd that costs have gone up as the density of condo complexes should make it quicker and easier and therefore more cost effective. I will definitely look into this when elected, I find it hard to believe that there are not some simple cost effective solutions. 

LaRrY

Hi Katy 

Thanks for reaching out to me.  I must be honest and admit I am not as well-informed on this issue as I need to be, but I wanted to provide you with a timely response.  I definitely agree that administration reports do not always capture the full impact of decisions like this and I can very well imagine the negative impacts that has on condo boards and buildings.  

What I can absolutely commit to is to prioritize a fulsome engagement process with condo boards in ward pihesiwin to learn first-hand the issues, the pain points that the building managers are facing, and what reasonable timelines for implementation might look like.  It makes sense to me to have 

“top-off” capacity for struggling buildings, and to implement a phased feedback process based on usage of these services and to actively work with condo boards in an objective and transparent manner.  My practical experience in this matter has been working with multi-unit supportive housing buildings (from the non-profit sector) where I had the benefit of working with onsite program operators to resolve issues like this, and at first glance I feel that a similar approach to condo boards would be a reasonable approach.  

Happy to chat more about this, and definitely committed to working on this problem.  

Cheers, 

Jackie

Good Morning Katy,

Thank you for reaching out to me and for highlighting these concerns with the City’s rollout of a three-stream waste collection program at apartments and condominiums.

I’m disappointed to hear that this program is not working as intended, and I sincerely appreciate you making me aware of these significant issues. I want to assure you that I am open to exploring this issue further should I be elected to Council, and I am hopeful that we can collaborate to find effective solutions that address the challenges faced by condominium communities. Unfortunately, at this early stage, I am not able to commit to any particular action just yet, as I am still learning about the complexities of this issue and gathering feedback from various stakeholders.

What I can commit to you is the promise that I hear and understand your concerns on this important issue. I am actively making note of your valuable feedback, which will allow me to make informed decisions about this issue if I am elected.

Thank you again for taking the time to reach out and bring these matters to my attention. Please do not hesitate to contact me again should you have any further questions or concerns you wish to discuss.

Sincerely,

Mike

Hi Katy,

I’m sorry for the late reply.

This issue hasn’t come up all that much in my ward, but I imagine it’s because the rollout hasn’t really started yet.

I would definitely want to dig into this with Administration and understand why these issues that you are mentioning are occurring. We definitely need waste diversion from our landfills, but the current implementation clearly sounds like it’s leading to unintended consequences. 

I’m absolutely committed to supporting multi-unit residential buildings with this, but until I dive into these questions with Administration, I cannot in good faith commit to your recommendations. I would ideally like to pause the rollout, but I’m not sure what the baked-in costs are and if cancelling would lead to even higher costs.  

Thanks and if you have any clarity that could change my position, I’m happy to chat, thanks,

Rupesh

September 24, 2025

Dear Ms. Campbell and Members of CCI North Alberta,

Thank you for your letter and for the work you do on behalf of more than 15,000 condominium owners and board members in Edmonton. I know from my own experience as a landlord and through years of working with property owners and residents that the way a city manages waste is not a small detail — it’s a part of daily life, and when it doesn’t work, people notice every single day.

The rollout of the multifamily waste collection program has clearly fallen short. What appears fine on paper has left condo boards and residents dealing with overflowing bins, pest problems, illegal dumping, and additional costs to hire private contractors. That gap between City Hall’s “rosy picture” and what residents are experiencing is exactly the kind of disconnect that frustrates me as well, which is why I am running to bring genuine care and accountability back into how Edmonton makes decisions.

I’ve also heard similar concerns from other organisations and residents across the city. This indicates that this isn’t just a one-off problem — it’s a systemic issue. If elected, I will ensure it gets the attention and solutions it deserves.

I support Edmonton’s environmental goals — including organics collection and long-term diversion from landfills — but these must be paired with practical solutions that actually work for people living in multifamily housing. If elected, I will commit to:

– Pausing further rollout until existing issues are addressed. Expanding a broken system benefits no one.

– Restoring interim capacity with larger roll-off bins or other practical solutions.

– Adding pickup frequency options at the request of condo boards so residents aren’t forced to pay extra to private haulers.

– Phasing changes gradually and in collaboration with condo boards, instead of implementing a one-size-fits-all approach.

Other Canadian cities have demonstrated better options — Toronto with its volume-based pricing, Vancouver with its extended producer responsibility programs. Edmonton doesn’t need to copy these blindly, but we should be open to learning and adapting.

To answer your questions directly: Yes, I am committed to taking action, and this is my plan to make waste management environmentally responsible and fair for residents in multifamily housing.

If elected, I would be happy to meet with you and your members, not just once but as part of an ongoing dialogue. I want you to feel confident that when issues like this arise, you have an ally at the Council table who listens, takes your concerns seriously, and advocates for solutions that reflect real ground-level conditions.

Thank you again for reaching out and for the trust your members have placed in you to speak up for them. I hope to earn that same trust — and your support — in this election.

Kind regards,

Ramey Demian

Dear Katy Campbell and CCI North Alberta,

Thank you for raising this issue. I want to be clear — yes, if elected, I will take action to fix the current problems with multifamily waste collection.

I share the frustration many condo boards and residents are feeling. I’ve lived in both a detached house and a condo here in our ward, so I know how different the waste challenges are. What works in a single-family home doesn’t always work for a high-density building, and the rollout of these changes has been far from smooth.

Here’s what I believe needs to happen:

1. Restore original pickup frequency
Separate bins for organics and inorganics make sense and I support that. But for multifamily housing, the city needs to restore the original pickup frequency. Overflow and missed pickups create mess, stress, and even health risks.

2. Bring back or expand roll-off bins
Many buildings relied on roll-off bins for bulky items. Taking them away has pushed costs and hassle onto condo boards and residents. We need to bring back that option, especially for struggling buildings.

3. Flexible service levels
Not every building is the same. The city should offer more pickup options for condos with higher waste volumes, including opt-in upgrades if needed.

4. A gradual approach
If the city wants to reduce capacity in the long term, it has to be gradual and paired with education, better support, and monitoring. Other cities like Montreal tried cutting service too quickly and faced backlash. Charlotte, North Carolina took a better approach, scaling waste collection by the number of units in a building. Edmonton should learn from these examples instead of forcing one solution on everyone.

5. Listen and adjust
The city needs a proper feedback loop with residents and condo boards so problems get fixed quickly. This isn’t just about waste — it’s about trust.

From my own experience working for the City of Edmonton, I know how to streamline processes. I’ve done it before to cut waste and improve results. My training in public policy, including executive studies at Harvard, has taught me how to design solutions that are both practical and fair. That’s what I want to bring into council chambers.

I also want to say this: condo boards and residents deserve better than to be left dealing with the fallout of a broken rollout. You should expect candidates who not only agree with you, but who also understand how city policy actually works and how to steer it in the right direction. Please vote for qualified candidates who can make real change, not just promises.

Thank you for your advocacy and for keeping this issue front and center. I would be glad to meet with you and work together on meaningful solutions.

Sincerely,
Fahad Mughal

Thanks Katy. Appreciated meeting you the other day and I look forward to working together with you to solve some of this.

See below for answers to your questions.

• Will you commit to taking action to address the current issues with multifamily waste collection?

Simply put, yes. My frustration with city rollout of major changes like this is that we don’t seem to think out and accommodate for the entire ramifications of the changes we make. In the case of multi-family housing, that’s pretty evident and needs to be addressed quickly. 

• What is your plan for addressing these issues and improving waste management services in Edmonton?

I am supportive of a more gradual rollout to allow for greater education for our community members while also ensuring that we’ve accommodated for the explicit challenges that are prevalent like frequency of waste pickup, bin availability and monitoring, and even building infrastructure updates. Related, we’ve seen the city push forward with multi-unit infill without properly accommodating for the waste pickup issue (among other community concerns like providing transit options). Moving to a more sustainable city with waste removal options and infill is a good thing but will not be sustainable or supported long run if we don’t answer some of the logistical and operational questions that we should have proactively seen ahead of time.

Thanks for your time and your advocacy. If there’s any further clarification required on any of these points please let me know,

Jon

Dear Katy,

Thank you for reaching out and for outlining these concerns. 

Condominium communities face unique challenges that are very different from single-family households, and it’s clear that the rollout of this program has not taken those realities into account. The reduction in waste capacity, lack of pickup frequency, overflow issues, and the resulting costs and compliance burdens are all serious concerns that deserve real solutions, not just reassurances.

I agree that programs must be implemented in a way that is workable, fair, and responsive to the day-to-day realities of residents. Pausing further rollout until issues are resolved, restoring capacity, providing flexible pickup options, and moving toward a more gradual approach are all reasonable and practical steps.

If elected, I will advocate for adjustments that ensure multifamily housing communities are not left behind. Your members’ voices matter, and I will make it a priority to work with groups like CCI North Alberta to ensure that the City responds with meaningful action.

I appreciate the opportunity to continue this conversation, and I would be glad to meet and discuss concrete ways we can implement this rollout together.

Sincerely,

Joti Buttar

Hello Katy, 

Thank you for reaching you. Your email was quite informative on the serious struggles the condominium community is facing in Edmonton. It’s disheartening to hear that little to no action has been taken on this matter by the current City Council. Personally now that I am aware of the severity of this issue, I will be advocating for the suggestions you presented and am committed to addressing the impact of the current strategy for multifamily waste collection. To answer your second question on what my plan is to improve this situation, its simply to listen to you and your boards suggestions on this matter and work collaboratively to come up with a plan that works for you and the city. Unfortunately, one of the biggest shortcomings of the current council is the lack of collaboration with communities and I aim to help change that. Ultimately, you are one of the experts in this field and are first hand experiencing the difficulties so who better to advise me as a candidate than, individuals and organizations such as yourself. My goal is to work collaboratively.

As well, on behave of all the PACE party candidates in each ward, we are available to have a meeting with you and your board to discuss your concerns in more detail and how we as candidates can further advocate for the condominium community. Let me know if this is something you all would be interested in and if a time next week works for you all. 

I look forward to hearing from you Katy.

Regards,

Hali Kaur

Hi Katy,

Thanks for reaching out. Unfortunately our team doesn’t have capacity for an in-depth response, but in brief:

• Ward Karhiio was the first ward to have 100% roll-out in the first year. It came with a lot of ups and downs. I have worked diligently with administration and residents to find solutions, which includes some of the solutions that you have recommended here (such as more frequent pick-up).
• On July 2, I made a motion to review 3-stream roll-out for multifamily units. 
  • That Administration provide a report on the rollout of the three-stream Communal Collection program, including progress and strategic methodology of the rollout, a summary of metrics, targets and outcomes to measure success and any preliminary indicators or results, and any adjustments or lessons learned being integrated into the next phase of City-wide implementation.
  • This will come back to Council in Q1 2026. When re-elected, I will reconsider options at that time.

Thank you for reaching out. I look forward to connecting after the election,

Keren

Hello Katy,

Thank you for reaching out and for sharing the concerns of CCI North Alberta and its membership. I appreciate the time and effort your organization has put into raising awareness of the very real challenges condominium communities are facing with the City’s new multifamily waste collection program.

Unfortunately, the current rollout reflects a broader trend we’ve seen from City Council—policy decisions driven more by ideology than by the day-to-day realities residents are experiencing. While the intent behind adding organics collection is positive, the way this program has been implemented has placed unnecessary strain on condo boards, property managers, and residents alike.

Your concerns about reduced waste capacity, less frequent pickups, illegal dumping, rising costs, and operational challenges are valid and deeply concerning. These are not minor inconveniences—they impact quality of life, affordability, and fairness for thousands of Edmontonians.

If elected, I will commit to being a strong voice for your concerns and will advocate for:

• Pausing further rollout until the current issues are addressed;
• Restoring interim waste capacity and re-examining the use of roll-off bins;
• Increasing pickup frequency options for high-demand buildings;
• Implementing a phased approach to capacity reduction with proper supports in place.

Our priority must be ensuring basic services like waste management are delivered effectively and responsibly. I am committed to working with groups like CCI North Alberta to ensure that solutions are practical, affordable, and responsive to the needs of multifamily communities. 

I would welcome the opportunity to meet with you and your members to discuss how we can move toward a waste management system that works for everyone in Edmonton

Steve van Diest

Dear Katy,

Thank you for your letter and for the advocacy CCI North Alberta continues to provide on behalf of thousands of condominium owners and board members. I appreciate the clarity and urgency with which you’ve outlined the challenges facing multifamily communities under the City’s new waste collection rollout.

I’ve heard similar concerns from residents and condo boards across Ward Sspomitapi, and I share your frustration. Overflowing bins, reduced capacity, and rising costs are not just logistical issues—they’re deeply tied to livability, dignity, and equity. When policies fail to reflect the lived realities of our communities, it’s our responsibility as leaders to listen, respond, and act.

If elected, I commit to:

– Advocating for a pause in further rollout until existing challenges are addressed;

– Pushing for restored interim waste capacity and exploring the reintroduction of roll-off bins where appropriate;

– Supporting increased pickup frequency options for buildings experiencing overflow;

– Calling for a more gradual and supported transition, with real-time feedback from affected communities;

– Ensuring that multifamily housing voices are included in future waste planning and policy development.

I also believe that meaningful change starts with listening. I would welcome the opportunity to meet with CCI North Alberta and your members to hear directly from those impacted and to work collaboratively on solutions that reflect the diversity and complexity of Edmonton’s housing landscape.

As someone who has spent years building inclusive spaces and advocating for community-driven solutions, I know that one-size-fits-all policies rarely work. Edmonton’s waste management strategy must be both environmentally responsible and practically workable—and that means adapting to the realities of multifamily living, not ignoring them.

I also want to acknowledge the emotional toll this issue has taken. When residents feel unheard, when boards are forced to shoulder costs and compliance burdens without support, it erodes trust in our institutions. Rebuilding that trust starts with transparency, responsiveness, and a willingness to course-correct.

Thank you again for your advocacy and for giving voice to thousands of residents. I look forward to continuing this conversation and working together toward a cleaner, fairer, and more inclusive Edmonton.

Warm regards, 

Annie Chua-Frith