New mayors on the way for Calgary, Edmonton

Alberta’s two major cities were voting for new mayors during municipal elections Monday after being led by Naheed Nenshi in Calgary and Don Iveson in Edmonton for multiple terms.

Political scientists said the results will show whether the two cities continue the progressive legacies of the outgoing mayors or move ahead with a more conservative vision.

“Thank you for these last 11 years. Thank you for taking a risk on me. Thank you for taking a risk on a different and better future,” Nenshi said on social media.

“While my political story is ending, the story of Calgary is still continuing ... so make sure you go and vote. Make sure you cast your ballot for a great vision of the future of this city.”

Three city councillors — Jeff Davison, Jeromy Farkas and Jyoti Gondek — were among more than two dozen candidates in the running for Calgary mayor.

In the capital, former federal Liberal cabinet minister Amarjeet Sohi and Mike Nickel, a conservative-leaning city councillor, were two of 11 candidates.

Both cities reported recordhigh turnouts for early voting.

Provincial referendum questions on the federal equalization program and daylight time were also on the ballot.

Voters in Calgary were being asked in a plebiscite about whether to return fluoride to the city’s drinking water.

More than 141,000 people cast advanced ballots in Calgary.

More than half of the city’s 188 voting stations continued to record wait times under five minutes but longer lineups were seen throughout Monday evening.

Almost 64,000 people cast their ballot ahead of election day in Edmonton.