Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

This ward was gifted the name Anirniq (ᐊᓂᕐᓂᖅ) which means ‘Breath of Life,’ or spirit. The name was recommended by Inuit Elders because tuberculosis took the breath and spirit of many Indigenous people.

The Inuit - Inuktitut (ᐃᓄᒃᑎᑐᑦ) for "the people" - are the northernmost Indigenous people in Canada. Their traditional homeland is known as Inuit Nunangat.

In the 1950s and 60s, about one-third of Inuit people were infected with tuberculosis. Most were flown south for treatment in sanitariums like the Charles Camsell Indian Hospital in Edmonton, where they stayed for an average of two and a half years.

Those who survived returned home, but many Inuit passed away, often without their families being notified, and were buried in cemeteries in Edmonton, far from their homeland.

(Content Credit: City of Edmonton)

Indigenous Elders and urban Indigenous community members approached City Council to consider renaming Edmonton’s newly amended wards with Indigenous names. On June 16, 2020, Council directed City Administration and the Naming Committee of Council to explore new Indigenous names and return in the fall.

Edmonton has been a gathering place for Indigenous Peoples for thousands of years. iyiniw iskwewak wihtwawin (the committee of Indigenous matriarchs) have gifted traditional names to the City’s naming committee to honour these sacred places in Edmonton and to preserve the history for future generations.

(Content Credit: City of Edmonton)

Ward Anirniq spans a large part of the North-West area of Edmonton. A map of Ward Anirniq, including a list of residential and industrial areas, can be found here. 

Our office proudly serves over 92,000 residents who call Ward Anirniq home.

Erin currently serves on the following Standing Committees of Council:

• Urban Planning Committee (Member)
• Audit Committee (Member)
• Infrastructure Committee (Member)
• Executive Committee (Member)
• Community and Public Service Committee (Member)

External Boards:

• Edmonton Public Library External Board (Member)
• Edmonton Arts Council (Member)

311 is the City’s non-emergency phone line for information and services and is the best point of contact for the fastest resolution to your concern on any city issues such as: 

• snow/ice concerns

• waste services

• problem properties 

• potholes, streetlights, graffiti

• recreation 

• bylaw

• transit

• And more! 

Ways to connect: 

• Dial 311 locally (780-442-5311 outside Edmonton). 

• Online 

• 311 App

  • iOS

  • Android

As your City Councillor, Erin is here to listen to everyone in Ward Anirniq. Council makes decisions at the governance level for our city, and your perspectives help Erin advocate for a strong, thriving Edmonton—now and for future generations.

For day-to-day operational issues (such as traffic safety concerns, snow and grass maintenance, or property tax questions), 311 is the fastest and most effective way to get support. If you’ve already contacted 311 and haven’t received a timely resolution, please reach out to Erin’s office. Having your contact information and 311 reference number ready helps us follow up quickly.

You can also contact Erin to:

• Invite her to community events
  
• Request congratulatory messages for milestones
  
• Ask for a letter of support for grant applications
  

Erin is committed to being accessible and responsive. She personally receives all messages, and her team—Susan and Natasha—works hard to reply to emails and voicemails as quickly as possible, in the order they’re received.

• For criminal matters, contact the Edmonton Police Service. 

  • The Edmonton Police Commission is responsible for overseeing the actions of the Edmonton Police Service and monitoring the conduct of police officers. 

• For provincial matters (eg; healthcare, mental health, addiction, shelters, education, etc.) contact your local MLA. 

• For federal matters (eg; CN rail, immigration, international affairs, etc.) contact your local MP.

211 is a free, confidential service run through the Canadian Mental Health Association that provides information and referral to a wide range of community, social, health and government services.

Their certified community resource specialists are trained to help navigate the social services best for your situation.

• basic needs (food, clothing, shelter and financial support)

• employment resources

• parenting support

• counselling/support groups

• health care

• legal services

• 24/7 Crisis Diversion

• and MUCH more!

To Access 211 (Available 24/7 in over 170 languages)

• Dial 211 for telephone service

• Text 211 and type INFO for texting service

• Visit the online interactive map for the status of your road 

• For information on level of service and priority snow removal, visit the Winter Roads FAQ

• Sign up to receive notifications for Road Maintenance (including parking bans due to snow removal and street sweeping)

The City has different service levels for mowing depending on the type of green space. Most open space areas such as multi-use pathways and roadway boulevards, along with standard, district-level parks and sports fields are mowed every 10-18 days. Weed whacking around fence lines, objects, and trees is done in 2 cycles per year. 

Premier sports fields and high profile parks are mowed every 8 days with weed whacking around fence lines, objects, and trees done in 2 cycles per year.

More information about the City’s mowing service levels and green space care can be found here. 

If you see an area that requires attention, report it to 311 so that City crews can be dispatched to address it.

Details on the City’s budgets (capital, operating, utilities, carbon) can be found here. Additionally, Erin has written multiple blogs on city budgeting, which can be found in the blogs section.

Information about property taxes, including a video, can be found here. Questions about property taxes can be submitted here by filling out this form.

The City of Edmonton has an interactive map of all current projects throughout the city with information on projects, budget, and timelines.

For residential permit applications, check out this interactive map.

Any member of the public can register to speak to an item that is listed on the agenda at a Council Committee meeting or Public Hearing. Agendas and meeting minutes can be found here.

Ways to Register to Speak: 

Online

• Complete this Request to Speak Form.

Phone

• Call 780-496-8178 from 8am – 4:30pm, Monday through Friday, excluding statutory holidays.

In person

• Visit the Office of the City Clerk, 3rd Floor, City Hall.

• You may also register at the meeting itself. To ensure that your request to speak is considered by Council or Committee, please arrive before the start of the meeting. For Statutory Public Hearings (land-use), you must register before the meeting begins.

Absolutely! City Council meetings, committee meetings, and public hearings are all in public. You are welcome to attend in person at Edmonton City Hall. 

You can also view live and recorded meetings online on the City Council's YouTube Channel.

• Sign up for Erin’s e-newsletter (don’t worry we won’t spam your inbox) 

• Follow Erin on social media 

  • Facebook: Erin Rutherford - YEG Councillor Ward Anirniq

  • Instagram: @erinforanirniq

  • ‘X’: @erinforanirniq

  • TikTok: @erinrutherfordyeg