Objectives

When I think about Calgary, when I experience Ward 11, I think about all that makes it great. I see the opportunities we have embraced with our entrepreneurial mindset, I want us to choose to build from these successes to continue our shared vibrancy.

​A thriving city is the sum of our parts; the co-creation between citizens, government, non-profit, and the private sector. We don't experience our city in silos. Understanding that departments, financial decisions, and policy needs to involve a broad view of the impact on Calgarians where decisions consider the long term implications socially and economically.

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As your Ward 11 Candidate, I'm committed to building a caring and considerate platform which explores the issues in depth. Starting August 31st, the platform will be rolled out in relevant blog posts. Additional posts will talk more about me, my skills and experience, and how this lends to my leadership style. Related posts to topics are maroon and bolded - this is your invitation to read the blog - click on the words to follow the link. I have also posted all platform blog content visually/verbally to YouTube if you prefer that medium.

A number of organizations have asked questions to candidates, you can find my responses using the link:
Links to media appearances and interviews can be found here.

If you need a yes/no answer on key issues scroll to the bottom for my hard line.

Healthy Communities

The commitment to maintaining healthy communities in Ward 11 are the combination of various factors, including:
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• Neighbourhoods which have well-kept amenities which support active community living and a sense of safety.
• Accessibility to recreation, both programmed and for leisure, in spring, summer, fall, and winter.
• Communities that embrace all people across ages, incomes, abilities, and diverse backgrounds and experiences.

Transportation Options

The needs of Ward 11 residents vary based on stage of life, income, and destination. With people using a variety of transportation options,  having robust frameworks for all options must exist by:
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• Supporting our transit skeleton with appropriate service levels to bus routes while bringing needed investment to LRT stations for safety and cleanliness. 
• Ensuring the maintenance of our extensive pathways, sidewalks, and pedestrian crossings.
• Exploring the extension of the cycle network to create safer commutes for cyclists of all ages.
• Maintaining our excellent network of roads while addressing safety concerns around residential speeds.

Sustainable Growth

Our city faces pressures of declining peak populations in many communities, including Ward 11, while balancing the need to house overall population growth. For me, sustainable growth means:
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• Contributing to the development of Local Area Plans in established communities where citizens get to actively participate in planning.
• Limiting outward sprawl which strains our budget, especially for emergency services, roads, and recreation/parks.
• Addressing climate resiliency through ​naturalization of green spaces, transit adoption, and efficient/green building upgrades.

Innovation Mindset

Innovation is more than technology, it's embracing new models of thinking and doing while taking calculated risks. This will look like:

• Continuing the administrative reorganization to create efficiencies across the city as different departments become aligned in their objectives.
• Reviewing the fiscal framework between operating and capital budgets to determine how the city is financed.
• Exploring social enterprise and local procurement.

Economic Prosperity

Calgarians are resilient, entrepreneurial, and have strengths across sectors. The success of all industries is vital to creating a city where we support each other. Here's what I will champion:

• ​A downtown strategy which includes the needs of new and established businesses, the food scene, arts & culture, retail, recreation, and tourism coupled with residential needs.
• Ensuring the best services for our tax dollars when compared to similar cities while keeping residential tax rates one of the lowest in the country.
• Exploring incentives to  support local business growth  and creation within Ward 11 communities in smaller centres for improved community vibrancy.

Co-Creation & Collaboration

We have been through many years of politics, characterized by scenarios where we are left feeling more divided than connected. We all want the best for Calgary. Coming together, we can nurture trust by: 

• Intentionally practicing curiosity and questioning to understand. Making room for two (or more) things to be true at the same time.
• Continuing to create opportunities for citizens to engage in the decisions of our city through meaningful conversations, embracing technology, and seeking voices of who is not at the table.
• Seeing each other as neighbours first.

I bring experience as a trusted leader in Ward 11. Rooted in values and vision, I want you to vote for me because you respect my openness to conversation, my commitment to action and working with others, and my ability to both be fiercely determined but know when to compromise. 

Here are some short answers to some key issues in front of Calgarians in the upcoming election.

Yes

• The Green Line - We need to fund the extension of our LRT network.
• Fluoridation - This is a low cost public health measure with proven benefits.
• Social Services AND Police Funding - We must make room to support vulnerable populations and our first responders.
• Fighting racism and inequity across Calgary - We must create a safe and accessible city for all Calgarians.
• Residential speed limit reductions - Driven by data and evidence, lower speed limits save lives.
• Climate resilience strategies - To compete globally economically and socially.

No

• Overbuilding the edges of our city without investment into established neighbourhoods.
• Ignoring data to make decisions.
• Avoiding decisions for the fear of being wrong.

Read this FAQ page for commonly asked questions usually sent via email.

#co11​aborate