We need to build an economy that has the capacity to offer opportunities to a wide range of industries. From tech start-ups to hemp production, breweries and distilleries, renewable energy and beyond have huge potential to establish and expand here.

I plan to work with the provincial and federal governments to offer skills upgrade training to Edmontonians so they take advantage of these opportunities that are currently available.  As well, I plan to work with industry stakeholders to encourage them to make Edmonton the headquarters of their business ventures.

Being respectful stewards of tax-payer dollars is a sacrosanct responsibility that too many Edmontonians feel has been neglected. Edmonton currently spends more on consultants than Toronto, despite having only a third of their population.

Council has a mandate to reduce wasteful spending and reinvest that money in public services. I am dedicated to ensuring that goal is met by reducing spending on consulting firms, as well as extend the freeze on council salaries.

I want to ensure safety in our neighbourhoods by empowering social service initiatives and implementing community-oriented solutions. By investing in programs like the Beats Officers, Safer McCauley, 211, Crisis Diversion teams, and the EPS Help unit we will alleviate the burden on our criminal justice system and police resources.

We can also improve street and alleyway lighting, provide Edmontonians with more opportunities for naloxone training, as well as maintain our landscaping.

Homelessness is the number one issue I have been hearing from residents on the doors. Thankfully, I have the background and the experience to address it. Having spent over ten years in the field of social work, I know my two-part plan has the potential to cut homelessness by up to 80% in the next five years. 

The first part of my plan is to convert the Old Remand Center on 97st and multiple abandoned hotels and buildings on Stony Plain Road into Wellness Centers. The main floors in these centers will have all the wrap-around services individuals will need: Mental Health, Addictions, Trauma, 24hr access to food, as well as skills training. We will then build one-bedroom and two-bedroom permanent housing above.

Unfortunately, not everyone will fit into this model. The second part of my plan is to have the city work with organizations in our communities that are already doing good work to house our houseless, and convert dilapidated houses across our city into supportive living. This will allow those individuals or families experiencing homelessness to have an ongoing 24-hour support system provided by those agencies.

Properties that are abandoned or neglected have negative impacts on our communities. These impacts affect neighbouring houses, tax revenue, public health and our safety. Over the years, these properties have increased within our urban core communities, and there is a high percentage in neighbourhoods that have aging infrastructures. 

I want the City to be a partner in the redeveloping of these properties along with the private sector.  

My Vacant and Abandoned Property Initiative will see the City partnering with other stakeholders, including homeowners to remove dilapidated homes in our communities. We will work with the property owner and provide incentives such as a property tax reduction or exemption that is transferable from one owner to the next, for up to ten years, access to the city’s Community Sustainable Grants and other community incentives. 

The goal is to then work with communities that are affected by these homes to redevelop those “empty lots” into community assets, such as a community garden, affordable homes, temporary green space, etc.  

Properties that have been abandoned over 5+ years will fall under my Initiative.

After listening to stakeholders who are advocating for the preservation of our River Valley, I know that protecting our River Valley is one of the top priorities for residents in ward O-day’min. They have expressed valid concerns regarding the solar farm location that was approved, and the impact it will have on the local ecology. These concerns I also share. I am a proponent of keeping our River Valley green and accessible, and ensuring we are limiting the impact of development on our flora and fauna.

My approach to infrastructure will be one with an equity-based placemaking lens. Any transportation corridor, public space, neighbourhood, or community resource and amenity should be accessible and safe for anyone regardless of income, gender, race or age.

I will ensure that funding is available to upgrade and maintain our infrastructure in a timely manner, which includes maintaining our parks, committing to neighbourhood renewal programs, the backalley renewal program, as well as roads and bridges.

As we build a city for two million people I am committed to making the investment to see our city grow, which includes building 15-minute commutes, retrofitting empty office building space to living spaces, and amending zoning bylaws to accommodate multi-use buildings.

I will also be advocating for free wifi in public parks in the downtown core, encouraging people to spend time in our parks and business districts.

From parks and playgrounds to libraries and recreational centres, our local amenities are essential to getting the best experience from our City. I believe amenities need to be affordable and accessible to everyone and will work to ensure they are maintained and have the resources that meet the expectations of Edmontonians.

We know that quality amenities aren’t just convenient, they’re vital to meeting the goal of 15-minute commutes. These are what make Edmonton so attractive for especially young families, to settle down and establish roots in our communities.

Having spent time speaking with seniors in our community, I know the removal of seniors bus routes and the current on-demand system is not meeting their needs. When you consider the slip-and-fall danger of having to walk on sidewalks in the winter, you can understand that effective buses and walkable sidewalks aren’t just a transportation issue, it’s a health issue that needs to be addressed immediately.

Also important is the need to combat seniors’ isolation. A plethora of health issues are exacerbated by the harm of isolation and a loss of connecting to people and the community. I plan to partner with organizations already doing the important work positively impacting seniors and commit to expanding their capacity and resources.

Equally important is ensuring our seniors can enjoy their retirement in dignity and financial security. I will be an advocate to provide supports for our low-income seniors.

My values and upbringing have been centered around advocating for vulnerable communities, which include our LGBTQ+, Indigenous, BIPOC, seniors, people with disabilities and other marginalized groups. I will continue to play a leadership role in protecting our rights and work with community stakeholders to implement strategies that will address the rise of hate-crimes in our communities.