Reflections from Reddit: Meaningful Conversations in a Digital Space

As many of you know, I’m currently juggling a full-time job, family responsibilities, and managing my second run for Edmonton City Council. While I’m eager to get out and start door-knocking, which we know is one of the best ways to connect face-to-face, my schedule hasn’t allowed for that just yet. But accessibility is a promise I’ve made, and I’m committed to reaching people in every way I can.

That is why last Sunday (May 25) I hosted an live Q and A on Reddit’s r/Edmonton, a wide-reaching, open online forum where people share all things Edmonton, and have been space for people to discuss politics as well.

In 2021, I did this closer to election day as an Ask Me Anything type of forum, asking for feedback on the my finalized platform and about my qualifications. It was one of the most engaging and enlightening experiences of that campaign on the digital space. I figured, why not do it earlier, as a way to collect input just like door-knocking or hosting events or having in-person conversations in neighbourhoods?

Throughout the afternoon, Edmontonians brought forward dozens of thoughtful, direct, and emotionally charged questions and comments. Some themes that came up again and again included:

• Transit safety and the state of our LRT system

• The balance between policing and social supports

• Affordability, housing, and access to basic city services

• Frustrations with cleanliness, snow clearing, and civic responsiveness

• Campaign finance, city council transparency, and corporate influence

• Indigenous ward names and how we learn as a city

  
  

What struck me most was the honesty, even when people disagreed with me or were expressing frustration about city issues, they were engaging in good faith. They were showing up to be heard.

That’s what good public dialogue should look like.

I want to thank the Edmonton Reddit community for continuing to make space for civic conversation. Not everyone follows city council agendas or tunes into press conferences — but that doesn’t mean they don’t care. We need more channels where people can speak plainly, ask tough questions, and expect real answers.

If you want to read the thread, it’s still live and open for browsing here.

I definitely wanted to also repeat this in early October just like how I did in 2021.

And if you ever want to reach out directly, I’ll always do my best to respond.

Thank you again, and stay tuned for more, in-person and online.