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Edmonton successfully blocked Beaumont’s plan to develop new neighbourhoods and businesses on its disputed northern lands Thursday.

The vote was a foregone conclusion since Edmonton holds a population-based veto at the Capital Region Board. Mayor Don Iveson successfully drew five other municipalities to his side and really ticked off many others.

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“What stops Edmonton from doing the exact same thing to Bremner?” said Warburg Mayor Ralph van Assen, referring to a contentious new community in Strathcona County.

“I have a real concern with Edmonton having a veto vote on this one,” said Fort Saskatchewan Mayor Gale Katchur. “It’s a very slippery slope here today. If this is not approved … it will set this board back years.”

Iveson argued approving Beaumont’s growth plan would reinforce an old approach. The plan was not developed in a collaborative way and will waste money in higher servicing costs for the region.