Edmonton Mayor Amarjeet Sohi Confirms Run for Federal Liberals, Steps Aside from Mayoral Duties for 30 Days

EDMONTON — Amarjeet Sohi, the mayor of Edmonton and former federal cabinet minister, confirmed late yesterday that he will be running for the federal Liberal Party in the upcoming general election, marking a surprising but not entirely unforeseen return to federal politics.

Sohi announced that he will be stepping away from his duties as mayor for the next 30 days to focus on his campaign. While Edmonton does not require a sitting mayor to resign in order to seek federal office, Sohi’s leave of absence immediately triggered backlash among citizens who feel abandoned by a leader now seen as hedging his bets.

Sohi previously served as the Member of Parliament for Edmonton Mill Woods from 2015 to 2019 and held cabinet portfolios under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, including Minister of Infrastructure and Communities. However, by most firsthand accounts, his federal tenure was defined more by his loyalty than effectiveness. He was neither a high-profile player in cabinet nor a standout on the national stage, often criticized for his soft-spoken approach and an office that was slow to respond to constituents and stakeholders.

His time as mayor since 2021 has been similarly polarizing. While he’s avoided scandal, critics say his leadership lacks assertiveness during a period when Edmonton has faced growing challenges in homelessness, public safety, and economic recovery. His decision to now leap back into federal politics—potentially abandoning the city mid-mandate—has left many questioning his commitment to municipal governance.

Notably, Sohi has confirmed that if he is not elected federally, he plans to return and complete his term as mayor. That is legally permitted under Edmonton’s municipal rules, unlike other jurisdictions where seeking a new office requires resigning from the current one. If he does win his federal seat, Edmonton will then have to decide whether to hold a by-election or leave the position vacant until the next scheduled civic election, set for October 20, 2025. In the interim, Deputy Mayor Jennifer Rice is expected to step in and take over mayoral responsibilities.

Reactions have been mixed. Some residents understand the pull of federal politics and believe Sohi could advocate more effectively for Edmonton from Ottawa. But others view this move as political opportunism, pointing out that this is not the first time Sohi has shifted gears when the political winds changed direction. “Once again, he’s chasing greener pastures instead of delivering on the promises he made to this city,” one city resident told reporters on Monday morning. “We elected a mayor, not a federal candidate-in-waiting.”

The federal election, called just yesterday, is still taking shape. Many ridings across the country are yet to be filled with official candidates, with parties expected to rely heavily on paper candidates and parachuted names to round out full slates. Sohi’s early declaration gives the Liberals a recognizable, if unremarkable, name on the ballot in a province where the party has historically struggled to gain traction.

His candidacy raises broader questions about the intersection of municipal and federal politics, especially in cities like Edmonton where mayors are not legally barred from keeping one foot in each camp. For now, Amarjeet Sohi is walking a narrow line—campaigning for a seat in Ottawa while technically remaining Edmonton’s mayor. Whether voters see that as ambition or abandonment may very well decide his future in either office.