St. Albert resident and community volunteer Rick Dory has announced his candidacy for mayor in the upcoming municipal election, set for Oct. 20.
“This campaign isn’t about me, it’s about all of us and beyond. It’s about families, about community, about our future,” said Dory. “Together, we can build a city where accountability isn’t optional, where growth is sustainable, and there is opportunity for everyone.”
Dory has lived in the city for decades, first moving to St. Albert in 1994 before returning permanently in 2002. He said his career in construction and infrastructure shaped the approach he hopes to bring to public office.
“Over the years, I went from labourer to operator to foreman to site superintendent to contracting on my own projects.”
Dory said he has worked on large-scale projects, including the University of Alberta’s LRT, a multi-neighbourhood rehabilitation in Sherwood Park and the St. Albert Trail bridge widening along Yellowhead Trail.
Alongside his career, Dory has spent decades contributing to community life through volunteering. He has coached youth hockey, served on the board of the St. Albert Merchants for nine years, and has been the president of Rock’n August for four years.
He said the event has grown steadily under the leadership team, with 960 cars registered this year. “I learned very quickly that trying to organize that many cars, as well as the community cruises, can feel a lot like trying to herd cats into a swimming pool,” he said.
Dory said his experiences in both business and volunteer work inform the priorities he hopes to bring to city hall. Those priorities include strengthening community engagement, improving infrastructure planning, keeping spending under control and protecting St. Albert’s natural spaces.
He said his decision to run comes from a desire to increase accountability and involve residents more directly in shaping the city’s future.
“The key priority is community engagement,” he said. “Have councillors meet with communities and engage them in what is going on… make them part of the decision-making process.”
Dory said he also wants to ensure that infrastructure keeps pace with growth and that projects are planned with long-term sustainability in mind. Drawing on his background in construction, he said proactive planning is essential to avoid falling behind.
Keeping city spending under control is another focus. Dory has emphasized the importance of accountability in managing tax dollars while maintaining the services that residents rely on.
Protecting St. Albert’s natural spaces is also part of his platform. He said parks, trails and the Sturgeon River valley are defining features of the community that should be preserved as the city grows.
Dory said that he has thought about running for mayor for a while and decided it was time to run. He wants to see increased accountability and involve residents more directly in shaping the city’s future.
“I believe it’s time for a change in the community. Get some fresh ideas happening,” he said, explaining that he thinks it's time for a change of council. “I think we can do the same thing for the city now.”
The municipal election will take place on Oct. 20, 2025.
