City looking to dissolve 7 committees in restructuring, modernizing of organization

A number of Edmonton city committees that provide expert advice on topics like racism and climate change are being shut down.

City council will consider repealing several bylaws next week that would dissolve seven of its 12 council committees at the end of their terms.

If the bylaws pass, the Anti-Racism Advisory Committee, Edmonton Historical Board, Edmonton Salutes Committee, Edmonton Transit Service Advisory Board, Energy Transition Climate Resilience Committee and the Women’s Advisory Voice of Edmonton Committee will conclude on April 30.

The City of Edmonton Youth Council will conclude on Aug. 31 if passed.

Mayor Andrew Knack said conversations with committee members will be ongoing, but will be restructured.

“Council set our strategic priorities earlier this year, and with that, we’re going through the entire organization, setting up different ways of doing things,” Knack told reporters Thursday afternoon. “The committees, those are all incredibly important voices. We’re going to continue to hear from those voices, but it’s just about doing it in a different way.”

Knack said those conversations with community members will differ from group to group depending on their needs.

“A lot of these systems have been in place for decades, and it is time we look at modernizing all of our systems, reimagine how we’re doing this work,” he said.

For example, said Knack, the Edmonton Youth Council has existed for decades, but it might be wise to also work with groups like the Edmonton Student Alliance and the Student Senate.

“We’re going to continue to hear from those voices again … It is very much about how you hear from all of those voices, instead of whether or not you want to hear from those voices.”

The bylaws will be considered by council on April 28.