Edmonton's mayor is taking a leave of absence to run federally. What happens next?

Edmonton city council granted Mayor Amarjeet Sohi's request Monday afternoon for an unpaid leave of absence while he runs for the Liberals in the federal election.

Sohi announced on Sunday he is running in Edmonton Southeast, a new riding that covers part of the area he used to represent as the MP for Edmonton Mill Woods. 

Sohi's leave will be in effect until the day the official results of the election are released. Canadians go to the polls on April 28. 

"I think this is being respectful of the taxpayer dollar, that the leave without pay is part of the motion," said Coun. Jo Anne Wright during Monday's special council meeting. 

She said this course of action will also help make it clear to voters that over the coming weeks, Sohi will be acting as a candidate and not on behalf of the City of Edmonton.

Sohi has said that he will come back to the mayor's chair and serve the rest of his term if he loses the federal race but he will not run for re-election municipally in the fall.

In the meantime, city councillors will take turns filling in as deputy mayor. Ward tastawiyiniwak Coun. Karen Principe has the position until April 21 and Ward O-day'min Coun. Anne Stevenson takes over after that.

If Sohi wins the federal seat, he will resign as mayor and city council will discuss filling his role, potentially with an interim mayor or continuing with the deputy rotation.

Coun. Tim Cartmell, who recused himself from Monday's meeting because he is running for mayor, told CBC News an interim mayor would better serve the city. 

He says Sohi's leave puts city council in limbo and the mayor should have instead resigned.

"Part of the role of mayor is chair at a lot of the meetings, and you know, most of my colleagues can chair a meeting — it's who responds to other levels of government," he said. 

He also said Sohi aligning himself with the Liberal Party is a "gamble" that could pay off if Edmonton has a direct path of communication with the federal government but could also end up hurting the city.

Sohi told CBC News he is following an established process by going on leave and he is confident city council will carry on work well without him.

"This council is one of the strongest councils that I have ever worked with," he said.

He also said he'll continue to play a role to build a better Edmonton whether he is in politics or not.

Sohi's departure from municipal politics means the mayor's race won't have an incumbent.

Cartmell said he is continuing to recruit candidates for his political party, with announcements to come later in the spring, once the federal election is done.

Ward Nakota Isga Coun. Andrew Knack, who has announced he will not run as a city councillor again, said he is going to seriously consider running for mayor. 

He said he has been getting calls, emails and texts from people asking if he's thinking about running. 

"A week ago, I had no thought that this could even be something that could be on the table," he said.