Mo Fahad Shaukat has confirmed he is withdrawing from the 2025 Airdrie municipal election in his bid for a council seat
In a LinkedIn post on Friday, Shaukat said he would not be able to balance council duties with his current job.
“Over the past two months, I’ve been navigating a perceived conflict of interest raised by my employer. That part? Resolved. But today I received a final decision: I won’t be granted the flexibility needed to serve on Council while keeping my job,” Shaukat wrote.
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Discover Airdrie has independently confirmed with Shaukat that he is stepping aside from the race.
Shaukat wrote the campaign had connected him to “incredible people” and reaffirmed “just how much heart this community has.”
He added he would continue work on first responder and military mental health, and youth partnerships that had “energized” his campaign.
“To everyone who supported me—thank you. Every donation has been or will be returned today,” he wrote.
In a previous interview with DiscoverAirdrie, outlining his vision for council and the city, Shaukat said rapid growth must not outpace basic services: “We are well on our way to become one of the largest cities, maybe even the third largest city in Alberta. That kind of growth isn’t just fast. It’s transformative.”
Shaukat also urged other candidates to “run with integrity, lead with heart, and never forget who you’re doing it for.”
He said he plans to run again in four years: “Same fire, fewer roadblocks. See you around, Airdrie.”
As of Friday evening, the City of Airdrie’s public register of candidates still listed Shaukat among those nominated for councillor. The website states:
“A person who has submitted nomination papers will have their name appear on a ballot. An individual nominated as a candidate may, at any time during the nomination period or within 24 hours after the close of the nomination period (September 22, 2025 at 12 noon), withdraw as a candidate for the office for which the candidate was nominated by filing a withdrawal in writing with the returning officer.”
The register also shows four others who withdrew: David Dempsey, Geoffry Lee, Nikaela Lutzer and Justin Cooper.
The current list of nominated councillor candidates includes: Simisola Obasan, Tomisin (Tomi) Adenipekun, Chad Stewart, Darrell Belyk, Chris Glass, Rekha Mehay, Jay Raymundo, Mo Fahad Shaukat, Maulik Shah, Anthony Morvillo, Kristen Shima, Ron Chapman, Al Jones, Shaganpreet Singh Sooch, Karen Whittenbury, Tammy Yantz and Christopher Bakke.
Mayoral candidates listed are Dave Douglass, Tina Petrow and Heather Spearman.
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