A controversial right-wing media personality with a huge online following will soon be entering the election fray.
Toronto psychologist Jordan Peterson is making three speaking tour stops in the Alberta next week and will almost certainly provide fodder for local conservative media columnists to chew on.
Read the rest on the Daveberta Substack. Sign up for a paid subscription to get access to the Daveberta Podcast and special election extras.
One of the fun things about writing about politics is that every few years I have a chance to say nice things about friends and people I know who are running as candidates for election.
As the advance voting stations have opened this week and Edmontonians are beginning to mark their municipal election ballots, there are a few people who I want to write some nice things about.
The first is my friend Cori Longo, who is running in my City Council ward of Ward Métis.
I first met Cori ten years ago through our involvement in the labour movement and have had the privilege of co-facilitating an annual Communications for Union Activists course with her for many years since then. I learned first hand during these classes that she is probably one of the best facilitators I’ve ever worked with.
Cori’s enthusiasm and positivity is contagious and she is incredibly down to earth. She is without pretence and doesn’t carry any hint of elitism with her.
And as the mother of young kids, I think she will bring an important voice to City Council that isn’t always represented under the glass pyramids.
These traits, along with her progressive values, I believe will serve Cori well as a City Councillor.
The second person I want to write some nice things about is my friend Michael Janz, who is running for City Council in Ward Papastew.
I’ve been friends with Michael since we were students many years ago at the University of Alberta. I actually first met him when he volunteered for my campaign for Students’ Union Vice President External (I won) and we’ve been good friends ever since.
One of the things I like most about Michael is his addiction to learning. He reads more books and listens to more podcasts than anyone else I know. It’s remarkable.
Michael has also proven himself to be an enthusiastic and relentless advocate for better public education during his eleven years as a trustee on the Edmonton Public School Board. I have no doubt he will bring that same tireless work ethic to City Council if he is elected on Oct. 18.
For the Edmonton Public School Board, I am happy to support Trisha Estabrooks in her bid for re-election in Ward D. Trisha has been a strong advocate for public education and the safety of children during the COVID-19 pandemic.
And, for Mayor, it’s Amarjeet Sohi.
Amarjeet is one of the most sincere, humble, genuine and hardest working politicians I have ever met. He brings a wealth of real world experience with him with a resume that ranges from cab driver to bus driver to city councillor to federal cabinet minister. I think he would be an exceptional Mayor of Edmonton.
I also want to give a shout-out to Jenn Prosser, who is running for City Council in Lethbridge and DJ Kelly who is running for City Council in Calgary. If you live in their communities please consider supporting them on Election Day.
Don’t forget to vote in the advance polls or on Election Day on Oct. 18. If you’re confused about what might show up on your ballot, check out my guide to Alberta’s municipal elections, Senate Nominee election and referenda on Equalization and Daylight Saving Time.
Winds of Change?
By Jenn Prosser
Municipal elections wrap up Monday the 18th, and for a moment I would like to request your attention down south.
The 2010 Lethbridge municipal election has proven one thing above all else: people are demanding progress in local government. People are starting to feel the widening space between themselves and locally elected representatives, and finding it is difficult to connect to people when they don’t have a relationship. This has come out loudly from forum attendees and comments from citizens, online and elsewhere. People are more actively engaged in this election than they have been in council proceedings in the years leading to this election. Already advance voting has seen 2 565 people come out, a doubling of advance voters from last year.
There are 30 aldermanic candidates, and 6 mayoral candidates to vote for. The mayoralty race is not contested by an incumbent, while there are 6 of the 8 previous aldermen running again.
While Lethbridge traditionally re-elects its incumbents, this election looks like it might be an upset. There are a number of people running who have ran in the past couple elections unsuccessfully, and there are three candidates who had sat on council previously that are looking to be elected again. It is also entirely possible that Lethbridge will elect its first female mayor this year. Public perception points to Cheryl Meheden as being the front runner, though her two main competitors are not too far behind. In the Aldermanic race, it is doubtful gender parity will be reached on council as the number of men running far outweigh the number of women, and the front runners for the 8 spots are predominately male.
The “sexy” issue in the 2010 Lethbridge election is communication. Incumbent aldermen are being painted as out of touch with the changing needs of the city, and their defensive positions and responses are doing little to prove their good intentions. The government made a bad investment (Asset Backed Commercial Paper – a stock invested in by many municipalities) and the answer has been better communication.
Communication is a sticking point in all local elections. Successful city council candidates require strong and broad social circles. There is a cross section of people who support you, and their demands are too often conflicting and specific. Without good communication channels, it is easy to remove yourself from the community at large while expending efforts to satisfy responsibilities, at the obvious expense of electoral viability.
Why would Lethbridge any different? The small city of Lethbridge offers a unique example of why communication is so critical. In many ways, it is small town-like in its municipal affairs, mixed with city-learned expectations. Public opinion of taxation; and a diversity of social issues are found to be in line with the national median, despite the reputation of being disengaged and conservative. However, social circles can be narrow, and socially defined.
Despite the high level of community engagement and advancement within post-secondary driven institutions, and non-profit organizations; council has not capitalized on new communication methods, or technology to increase their transparency. Lethbridge city council has yet to even start broadcasting council meetings, nor do they use any type of media effectively.
There is a problem geographically as an overwhelming number of the 8 alderman are from one area in the city. Lethbridge is dived into three general areas: Westside, Southside, and Northside. In the 2010 municipal election, there are 10 aldermanic candidates who reside on the Southside, 15 who reside on the Westside, and 5 who call Northside home.
The Westside is a fairly new, but is the largest growing in population size. It also tends to be heavily populated by students, easily 6%-7% of the total student population in Lethbridge. It is also important to know that the west side is physically removed from the rest of the city, and connected through two bridges.
The Southside has the majority of businesses, and services. It also has significant high density housing, has a mix of high and low income housing, with lots of home ownership.
The Northside is 30% industrial but also has high density neighborhoods, more diversity in housing needs and styles, and a significant though small business core.
The distance and the divergent needs of Lethbridge’s geographic area are creating different demands for Lethbridge’s city council, demands that many are saying current council hasn’t met. This election process has seen a manifestation of those demands through citizen feedback and interest generated forums and surveys.
Communication isn’t the only issue, but it is an active one. Other issues encompass taxation, tax assessment process, relationship with administration, physical infrastructure, and a ward system.
Citizen interest has been made visible by forum attendance, candidates running, volunteers campaign, and on line engagement. Lethbridgeaccountability.ca has seen a consistent high level of access and has received positive feedback from viewers. This will make for interesting Election Day, as public opinion is divided among so many candidates, and re-election is far from certain for incumbents.
Lethbridge low down:
Population: 86,659
Post-secondary institutions: Lethbridge College, University of Lethbridge
Council: 8 seats, at-large-elected, considered part time, expected to fulfill 30 hours weekly
Mayor: Full time
Large administration
Founded through coal mining, and whiskey trading
Rising technology and neuroscience research centers
Windiest city in western Canada (source: primarily anecdotal personal experience)
Jenn Prosser is a political junkie who has worked with the Alberta and Lethbridge municipal governments for a number of causes including women’s issues, post-secondary education and low-income housing. Currently, she is the content editor for a local community paper, The Journal. She authors the blog electlethbridge.wordpress.com and co-runs lethbridgeaccountability.ca. When not compiling survey information, or following candidates around with a camera and note pad, she knits and watches West Wing.
