A motion by Ward tastawiyiniwak Councillor Karen Principe to have candidates pay for criminal record checks conducted by the Edmonton Police Service was voted down 11-2 with Councillor Jennifer Rice being the other support vote. Principe thought the checks would provide public peace of mind and didn’t anticipate the backlash her motion received. Candidates for Provincial MLAs and/or Federal MPs aren't required to automatically hand over such information.
Councillors Aaron Paquette and Erin Rutherford voiced their concerns with the motion and Mayor Sohi said political parties backing candidates in future elections will probably be vetting those candidates.
Criminal checks have become common for many positions so its understandable why the motion was brought forward.