Why I’m Running
A lot has changed since election day in October of 2013.
Back then, the Oilers were hoping to make the playoffs after a seven year drought, the price of oil was just over $109/barrel and President Obama was in his second term in the Oval Office. In that relatively short time, we’ve seen wild swings in oil prices, escalating real estate values, and our city become the fastest growing large city in Canada with one of its youngest populations.
These changes have put tremendous pressure on Edmonton, and our response will, no doubt, affect our trajectory from here.
But rather than be intimidated by the changes, I see this moment as Edmonton’s chance to innovate, to transform – and to take the best of our city and export it around the world.
We have a tremendous opportunity to reshape Edmonton’s economy by building on our reputation as a global hub for artificial intelligence, to help Edmonton companies aggressively embrace new technologies, move from start-up to scale up, and export their innovations to global markets. Fresh thinking and a modernized economic development plan that capitalizes on the disruption caused by this downturn will ensure Edmonton thrives in a world of $50 a barrel oil.
And to build a more competitive city, we must work to attract and keep the kind of people who’ll ensure Edmonton doesn’t stand still. Edmonton is one of the youngest cities in Canada with the highest percentage of millennials. Their expectations of a successful city are different from their parents which means we must not only invest in roads, but also in the quality of transit, bike and pedestrian networks. We can either change — together — or risk losing the chance to attract and retain young people, just when they’re deciding where to build a career, and a life.
We have to take further steps to densify our core neighbourhoods in order to keep our city financially sustainable and our communities vibrant. We need to build what’s been called the “missing middle” — more affordable townhouses in more locations, more family-friendly row housing, and much higher densities around our LRT stations.
As I said in my State of the City address today, Edmonton is on the verge of something extraordinary and I’m inspired by the opportunity to make change ours. This is exciting to me – and our work together is only just beginning. That’s why I’m running for a second term as your Mayor.
In 2013, I described Edmonton as the most underestimated city in North America. But something has shifted in the hearts and minds of Edmontonians.
We know that there’s something special about this city. We collaborate in ways that don’t come naturally to other cities. We celebrate the arrival of new creators and invite them to pitch in. And we know how to find opportunity in change.
This is why I love Edmonton — and I can’t wait to see what it looks like four years from now.
4 thoughts on “Why I’m Running”
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I read your platform on reasons why you are running for another term. I re-read it again and yes you did neglect to mention the Indigenous People in any way I am reminding you about your address to the TRC final report held in Edmonton at the Shaw Conference Centre at the end of March 2014. I personally heard you say the following:
“that a declaration had been made on behalf of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, had been sent to Ottawa in hopes things like housing and education could be improved for urban aboriginals along with an inquiry into the conditions of missing and murdered indigenous women in Canada. He also added he looked forward to his children being able to learn a more truthful story about the history of indigenous people including the injustices of residential schooling. He further added “… Ottawa has to fix this isn’t enough. The CALL HAS TO COME FROM ALL CANADIANS (emphasis is mine) so that it is heard by all federal leaders, regardless of the party, so that [we] can develop a national consensus to take action [and] address particularly the resource gaps that exist in terms of funding to support the health and well-being, welfare and education of indigenous people no matter where they live – on or off the reserve – [these] are TREATY OBLIGATIONS! (my emphasis)”
(Note: the Edmonton Sun reported the same on two consecutive dates: March 29th and March 30th, 2014)!
That particular declaration as well as the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples don’t amount to anything “more than a piece of paper until it gets sanctioned into law. One of the key areas of human rights concern is the lack of voice and representation of Indigenous Peoples in the decision-making spaces. Within the municipality, all urban planning should integrate indigenous people into all stages of planning as equal in expertise and interest. Reconciliation involves recognizing the very lands that we stand on and that we go about in our daily lives, while indigenous people are struggling for the basic provisions and protections, were built on traditional territory. Not inviting indigenous people to the table and continuing to grow our communities is insulting and continues to replicate structures of inequality and keeps the cycle of poverty and criminalization going. While society at large claims that we need the experts to make the right decisions and to ensure we mitigate our risks, don’t be fooled that it is only the ‘common’ man who has deep knowledge and wisdom to bring to the table.”
When we look at the rules that bind us together in society, we need to understand and acknowledge that the rules were built on a history of erasure; of identity and of land. All one needs to do is take a look at key dates in the making of Canada. For example, the amendments made to the Indian Act in 1905, 1911, and 1918 respectively the end goals of these 3 amendments accomplished the following:
(1) To remove Aboriginal people from any lands that were too close to any place near a town that had more than 8,000 people;
(2) To expropriate portions of reserves for roads, railways and other public works, as well as moving an entire reserve away from a municipality it was deemed expedient; and
(3) To lease out uncultivated reserve lands to non-Aboriginals if the new leaseholder would use it for farming or pasture.
There’s a common phrase in all treaty documents: “AS LONG AS THE SUN SHINES, THE GRASS GROWS AND THE RIVERS FLOW!” are reflective of the “TREATY OBLIGATIONS” you spoke about that day in March.
Late Harold Cardinal brings it all home as it relates to anyone’s platform:
The old pattern of thinking that suggested [Indigenous Peoples] had to give up our identity in order to acquire new skills through formal education is a myth and has no validity. In fact, those people who are seeking professional skills are the new warriors. They offer protection, growth, and development for their nations. We are not only warriors for our nations, we are exercising a right that our elders insisted on securing for us. They saw at that time, for they were the visionaries, the changes that were necessary in society. Our people had a strong sense of identity. They knew what they wanted for their communities in the future.
I am echoing that call made that day you made that day in 2014: “THE CALL HAS TO COME FROM ALL CANADIANS!” “HERE’S OUR CHANCE TO PUT RECONCILIATION INTO ACTION AND GIVE IT THE TEETH IT NEEDS TO MAKE IT HAPPEN!”
Bill 17 is getting fast tracked without any mention to the treaty peoples of Treaty 6, 7, or 8. The provinces need to be reminded that since Canada is a corporation and they are the subsidiaries of that parent organization. The fiduciary obligations are now an extension of their treaty obligations. There is no where to go on this one; where they can Cry Wolf: We (Treaty Indigenous Peoples) are not going anywhere and if there is in anyway treaty obligations continue to be ignored. The treaties were signed in good faith and including Indigenous Peoples at those decision-making tables makes good business sense! Re-visit treaty obligations … mainstream will need our help once again (history repeats itself); as the demographics show that there will more seniors than the number of children under 15. Who or what is the plan? The Economist Moffatt says it best: ‘you can’t migrate your way out of a demographic bubble’!!! The answer likes in your own back yard, Indigenous Populations have the youngest demographic and is the fastest growing population hands down. Submitted by Darlene Johnson; Contact Info: Email at darlenejohn@gmail.com or 780-298-5799
Thank you for the opportunity to clarify, Darlene: I remain committed to Reconciliation, and I am confident in my track record on that point. If you read the whole speech you will find mention of indigenous collaboration opportunities, though the economy and open and effective local government was the focus. Finally, this blog post should not be interpreted as my platform per se – that will come later through the campaign.
Honourable Mayor Iveson,
You have done a great job in being the leader of the city. Giving Oilers a platform and Rogers Place. We have called Edmonton home for more than a decade. What I would like to see is West Edmonton connected to the rest of the city and the downtown via LRT.
Making a huge great park like Callaway Park, expanding the zoo. The free Sunday for kids and families at K Days and free Sunday’s on some major Edmonton attractions.
A better transit system is a must. Building a friendly neighborhood and community is a must.
Thankyou and All the Best. We are there with you.