News release: Stop the infill madness
for immediate release
Edmonton, Alta. – Aug. 20, 2025 – Edmonton’s one-sided, city council-driven blanket rezoning bylaw has left communities sidelined and neighbourhoods vulnerable to character-changing development that ignores local voices, history and livability. Residents deserve better than the one-size-fits-all infill strategy imposed through Bylaw 20001.
“Edmonton’s infill policy is failing because it leaves communities out of the conversation,” said Rahim Jaffer. “The status quo got us into this mess, and the status quo is exactly what every other campaign is offering. More committees, more meetings and more of the same. Enough is enough. Edmonton’s city council, and its failed councillors running for a promotion, have let this city down. I’m here to offer change — and to put the people of Edmonton, not bureaucrats, special interests or developers, back in the driver’s seat.”
City council’s decade of failure on infill
Blanket rezoning ignored neighbourhood character: Council’s decision in 2023 to allow up to eight units per lot disregarded community input and ignored principles such as parking, side yards, height, setbacks and sunlight protection for neighbouring yards.
Safety and access concerns: In council’s push to bulldoze Edmonton’s character, they have created conflicts with access needs for emergency services.
Ottawa’s, not Edmonton’s, priorities: The rezoning was designed to exceed CMHC requirements for the Housing Accelerator Fund, not to reflect the unique needs of Edmonton communities. It’s council’s job to represent the people of Edmonton, not to bulldoze local concerns for a cheque from Ottawa.
Communities left behind: Residents have never been given a real voice in shaping how density should be added, leading to growing frustration and division across mature neighbourhoods. It’s time to work with communities, not against them.
A new direction for Edmonton
Jaffer is committed to repealing the residential portion of Bylaw 20001 and returning to an infill policy that respects both growth and community voices:
Respect for neighbourhoods: Mandating one parking stall per unit in mature communities, ensuring sunlight protection, design consistency and available parking.
Smart growth, not blanket growth: Applying higher-density rules in new neighbourhoods such as Blatchford and the Exhibition Lands — where they fit — while protecting the character of existing communities. Single-family homes should not be sold off to developers to tear down and replace with character-changing projects.
Community-first policy: Building a new residential framework based on the original Infill Roadmap 1 and 2 recommendations, restoring public trust and meaningful input.
Your voice matters
“This election is about a choice,” said Jaffer. “Do we continue with more of the same status quo policies from former councillors Tim Cartmell, Michael Walters, Andrew Knack and Tony Caterina, who got us into this mess, or do we put communities first? My plan is simple: repeal the blanket rezoning, respect the communities that helped build this city, and make sure your voice matters in every decision that shapes Edmonton’s future. That’s how we get growth that works for all Edmontonians.”
Availability:
Mayoral candidate Rahim Jaffer will be available to answer questions on his plan to put communities first at 11 a.m. on Aug. 20, 2025, at 14134 98 Ave. NW.
