Former conservative MP Rahim Jaffer running for mayor, after years out of the public eye

A former conservative MP who left public life nearly 15 years ago says he wants to be Edmonton's next mayor.

Rahim Jaffer — who represented Edmonton-Strathcona in Parliament for more than 11 years — says a private life of parenthood, running a small business, and sitting on school councils has put him in touch with community needs.

Jaffer made headlines during his days in politics and in years to follow after a flurry of controversies, including a traffic violation, a finding that he broke the Lobbyists' Code of Conduct and a phoney interview on a Vancouver radio show. 

Why is he running for mayor?

"The amount of challenges and lack of focus that I find in creating an environment for Edmontonians to really succeed, whether it's in business or any other area that they are focused on," he said in an interview Wednesday with CBC News.

"Our city can do so much better, and I hope to offer that change."

Five other contenders have also signalled their intent to run for mayor in Edmonton's Oct. 20 municipal election. They are:

Jaffer says feedback from customers at his Whyte Avenue restaurant, The Rooster, and the struggles of small business owners are among the frustrations prompting his council run.

He says business owners are facing insurmountable costs and lengthy delays when trying to get permits to improve commercial properties.

Jaffer said sitting on the sidelines is no longer an option for him.

"Over the last decade, I've just seen a decline of the city," he said. "What I've continuously heard from people, over and over, is we really need some change. So today I'm going to offer that change."

He said what differentiates him from other candidates who share his ideology is that he hasn't spent years in council chambers.

Jaffer has a colourful history from his time as an MP, and in the years immediately following elected life. He says he won't try to run from those controversies — that at least his skeletons are all out in the open.

"I was given a pink card, and it gave me a chance to take some steps back and think about things," said Jaffer, 53. "I was very fortunate to be able to have a son soon after. I had all that excitement when I left Ottawa, so I really focused on that."