Meet Giselle
Accessible. Accountable. Always There for You.
Back again, because the work isn't finished.
In 2021, I ran for Edmonton City Council with a deep commitment to make our city services better, more accessible, and more equitable.
Over 5,000 people cast their vote for me, and I placed second behind the incumbent. That result—without party backing, without a big budget, and during a pandemic—meant something. It told me our communities are hungry for change, and for representation that reflects their real, lived experiences.
Now, with an open seat and even more on the line, I’m back—not just with experience, but with renewed determination.
This campaign is about building something better for all of us, together.
Early Life & Career
Giselle General’s story began in a small mining village in Benguet, Philippines. After a tragic jeepney crash took the lives of her parents and sister, she and her younger brother were sponsored to Canada by their aunts.
Settling in Edmonton as a teenager, Giselle earned a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Alberta.
She built a career in nonprofits - including over a decade helping low-income Edmontonians navigate complex systems, in government, and in the arts and literary scene.
Her journey from trauma to tenacity shapes the way she leads today: with heart, integrity, and focus.
Giselle's remarkable story is documented in several publications across in Canada, by CBC, Edmonton Heritage Council, several immigration anthologies, and local documentaties.
Community Involvement
For over 15 years, Giselle has been a force in Edmonton’s civic and community life. She’s served at the Edmonton Transit Advisory Board and was chair for two years, led neighbourhood community leagues, and was a board member of the Edmonton Multicultural Coalition and The Resilient Immigrant Foundation. She supports arts and heritage initiatives, and regularly contributes to both multicultural and mainstream media.
Her work spans policy, public education, municipal issues and frontline volunteering — whether it’s writing columns, sewing reusable bags, donating blood, or mentoring youth.
Her ability to connect across cultures, sectors, and lived experiences makes her a trusted bridge-builder in a diverse city.
Committed to Ward Sipiwiyniwak and Edmonton West
Giselle lived in several neighbourhoods in the Ward sipiwiyiniwak — a ward named after the Cree word for “River Cree” and currently lives in West Meadowlark.
As a long-time resident who walks and takes transit across the west end, she knows what’s working — and what needs fixing. She’s running because city decisions should reflect the people they impact, and because she believes leadership isn’t about titles — it’s about showing up.
Giselle combines professional expertise with lived experience to deliver the practical, people-first leadership this ward deserves.
In The Media
CBC First Person: Immigrant Mementoes Story