Stephen Mandel

Stephen Mandel AOE (born July 18, 1945) is a Canadian businessman and politician who served as the 34th Mayor of Edmonton from 2004 to 2013. Born in Windsor, Ontario, he relocated to Edmonton in 1972 and established a prosperous career as an entrepreneur before transitioning to public service. During his mayoralty, Mandel prioritized infrastructure expansion, including the resumption of LRT development after decades of stagnation, enhancements to roadways, and the addition of libraries and community recreation centers. He also advanced initiatives on homelessness, public safety, and relations with Indigenous communities, while fostering cultural growth through the establishment of the Poet Laureate Program and the annual Mayor's Celebration of the Arts. Post-municipal service, Mandel engaged in provincial politics as Alberta's Minister of Health under Premier Jim Prentice and subsequently led the Alberta Party from 2018 to 2019. His civic contributions earned him the Alberta Order of Excellence.