Edmonton mayor running for Liberals in Edmonton Southeast

Edmonton Mayor Amarjeet Sohi is running for the Liberal Party of Canada in Edmonton Southeast.

Sohi, who was expected to run but had not confirmed before this weekend, will take an unpaid leave of absence from his municipal duties during the campaign, according to a news release Sunday from Justin Draper, spokesperson for the mayor's office.

If Sohi is elected as an MP, he'll have to resign as mayor, the release said. If he loses, he'll return to the role and serve until this year's civic election — in which he would not seek re-election. 

"This is the most consequential election of our lifetime — we must fight to defend our sovereignty, economy, and workers against President [Donald] Trump," Sohi said in a statement posted on X, formerly Twitter, detailing his reasons for running in this election.

"I have had the immense privilege of serving Edmontonians as a councillor, member of Parliament, cabinet minister and mayor."

CBC News has requested an interview with Sohi.

Liberal Leader Mark Carney, who backed Sohi earlier this week during a housing announcement in Edmonton, announced Sunday morning the election will happen on April 28.

On Sunday, the Liberal Party issued a nomination notice stating Sohi would be running in the Edmonton Southeast constituency.

Sohi previously served as a Liberal MP for Edmonton Mill Woods from 2015 to 2019. That constituency has since been split into two new ridings: Edmonton Southeast and Edmonton Gateway.

A city spokesperson told CBC News earlier this week that a member of city council can run for federal or provincial office, without having to take a leave of absence.

The news release Draper issued Sunday confirmed Sohi would be stepping away, and said his official duties will be delegated to deputy mayor in the meantime.

The City of Edmonton has scheduled rotations during which councillors serve as deputy and acting mayor. Ward tastawiyiniwak Coun. Karen Principe is currently the deputy mayor, but Ward O-day'min Coun. Anne Stevenson will be deputy mayor when the election occurs.

The mayor position cannot stay vacant, the news release said. So if Sohi is elected as an MP, city council will have to decide how to proceed.

It noted appointing an interim mayor, or maintaining the acting mayor schedule, as possible options.