Understanding City Council

Part 2: How You Can Get Involved

How Council Decisions Impact You

City Council debates and votes on issues that affect the services and infrastructure you use every day. Whether it’s fixing potholes, adjusting property taxes, or deciding on new housing projects, these decisions shape the future of Edmonton. That’s why it’s important for residents to stay informed and engaged.

How You Can Get Involved

There are many ways for you to get involved in local civic life. Council meetings are a great way to do that: you can attend them in person or online, or watch their recordings. You can also reach out directly to your councillor. And if an issue affects you, you can also register to speak at public hearings - the avenue set up for council to listen to the public about specific topics!

1. Attend or Watch Council Meetings

City Council Meetings are open to the public. They are held frequently and often last a full day. Citizens can attend Edmonton City Council meetings both in person and online.

Attending in Person:

Council and Committee meetings are typically held at City Hall (located at 1 Sir Winston Churchill Square). Public Hearings and City Council meetings usually take place in the Council Chamber on the second floor, while Standing Committee meetings are often in the River Valley Room on the main floor. 

Attending Online:

The meetings are live-streamed on the City’s website and on YouTube (here, here, and here).

Archived Meetings:

The meetings are archived after they have occurred - so you can watch them when it works for you. Along with the meeting recordings, the City makes available meeting Agendas and Minutes, so that you can read through the related documentation.

When you are on the City’s Council and Committee Meetings webpage, you’ll see a calendar of meetings, with their names and start times. If you click on one, you will see its associated documentation, and if the meeting has already occurred, a link to watch its recording.

2. Speak at Public Hearings

If there’s an issue that affects you, you can sign up to speak and share your perspective.

If you wish to speak at a meeting, you can register in advance or on the day of the meeting. Registration details and deadlines are outlined on the City's website.

Scroll down to the Request to Speak section, and click on the link. You’ll be prompted to fill out a form.

3. Reach Out to Your Councillor

Councillors are elected to represent you. Email or call them with your concerns. Some councillors even write newsletters to their constituents, and host meet and greets to get to know you.

To find your Edmonton City Councillor, you can use the City's Find Your Councillor tool. Simply enter your address, and it will display your ward and the corresponding Councillor.

Additionally, the City provides detailed ward maps to help you identify your ward boundaries. For a comprehensive list of all Councillors, including their contact information, you can visit the City Councillors page. We wrote a blog post about councillors and wards.

Engaging with your local Councillor is a great way to participate in municipal governance and have a say in the decisions affecting your community.

4. Follow the Agenda

Council publishes agenda packages in advance, so you can see what’s being discussed. If you cannot access a document, please call 780-496-8178 or email city.clerk@edmonton.ca for assistance.