On Monday, Calgary elected anti-sprawl crusader Naheed Nenshi to a second term as Mayor. And in Edmonton, 34-year-old Don Iveson, "an up-and-coming hot shot of the same vein of progressive politics", was elected to replace the city's retiring mayor.
"In a province regarded for its conservatism, both [Nenshi and Iveson] are considered to be on the progressive side of the political spectrum, with agendas focused on increasing urban density and boosting public transportation – and are likewise criticized for not being fiscally conservative enough," writes Kelly Cryderman.
"Mount Royal University political analyst David Taras said along with Alberta Premier Alison Redford, Mr. Iveson and Mr. Nenshi, 'represent the social change that has taken place in Alberta.' The province is now more urban, diverse and wealthy – with more political clout – compared with just two decades ago, he said."
In his appraisal of the election results, Gary Mason calls the two mayors, who consider themselves friends, "the most formidable, one-two team of big-city mayors anywhere in the country."
FULL STORY: Calgarians return Nenshi to city hall as Edmonton elects Don Iveson mayor
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