Fondo RG-15 - City of Edmonton. Office of the Councillors

Since Edmonton was established as a Town in 1892 municipal affairs have been governed by an elected Mayor and Council. Between 1892 and 1903, while Edmonton was a town in the Northwest Territories, Council was composed of a mayor and six aldermen. This was expanded to a mayor and eight aldermen in 1904. In 1912 the number of aldermen increased to 10, evenly divided between north and south of the river. This system continued, until 1924 when all aldermen were elected at large. By 1933 Council makeup was once again divided between north and south of the river (though no longer evenly), with the south side numbers increasing over time. In 1964 the number of aldermen was increased yet again to 12.

In 1971 a ward system was introduced, whereby Edmonton was divided into four wards, each represented by three aldermen. In 1980 this was changed to six wards, each with two aldermen. In 1995 the term aldermen was changed to councillors. In 2010 the system changed again, with the City now being divided into 12 wards, each represented by a single councillor.