Staying Connected: How I Will Keep in Touch as Your Councillor

While in Cameron Heights this past Sunday, someone asked me a simple but powerful question:

"Here’s my very very important question to you. If you become city councillor, will you respond to me? I messaged our current representative many times and never heard back!”

Before I even answered, my friend who is volunteering with me and with whom I collaborated on a filmmaking project, jumped in to say: "Yes she definitely will! And she's prompt, organized and thoughtful in her replies."

That’s exactly why I emphasized to the resident that staying in touch with constituents is one of my core commitments. It was a platform promise I made in 2021 and it remains central to my campaign today.

Why Being Responsive Matters

I understand why people feel skeptical. Many believe their concerns are simply ignored. While some issues are best handled by city departments, such as using 311, emailing the right department, or calling the police non-emergency line, I want to make sure residents know that if your concern is not resolved through those channels, you can come to me.

When you do, here is what I promise:

• A clear statement of how I manage inquiries

• An automated acknowledgement listing key resources

• A personalized response within a set timeframe, such as one week or sooner depending on the issue

This approach already works well for some councillors across the city. It is practical, accountable and respectful of your time and needs.

Regular Updates and Conversations

Being responsive is not only about replying quickly. It is also about keeping you informed and involved. I plan to establish the following:

• A weekly summary of city hall updates and decisions in a few sentences

• A monthly newsletter with deeper updates, upcoming issues, and resources

• A mix of in-person and virtual community conversations, ideally planned six months ahead so people know when the next one is

• A way to be available on social media that is reliable, respectful, and safe

These are more than items on a communication plan. They are part of a commitment I made in my campaign speech and mean every word of it: I will be available to you all year, every year.

How You Can Connect with Me

If you are not sure where to start, here are ways constituents currently connect with Edmonton city councillors:

1. 311 for general city services: for issues related to garbage, water, bylaw, snow clearing, encampment, parking, broken city amenities and structures, and more.

2. Department-specific emails or forms: For example, for any multiple-year infrastructure construction plans like the Terwillegar Drive expansion, you'll see in the page edmonton.ca/projects-plans the section on the specific project and the contact information.

3. The police non-emergency line at 780‑423‑4567: for incidents that are not emergencies

4. Contacting your councillor directly: through email or website contact forms located at edmonton.ca/city_government/mayor-city-councillors

   
   

If none of these channels resolve your issue, you should be able to escalate to me. I believe we all deserve a political representative who listens and acts. That table stakes require ongoing connection, not just every four years.

Your Voice Will Be Respected

You deserve a city councillor who takes the time to listen. That means acknowledging your concerns, understanding the context, and making sure they are considered in decision-making. But being heard is not the same as always getting what you want, especially when decisions affect many people across different communities.

As your councillor, I will do my best to weigh the short- and long-term impacts of every issue, with the goal of making choices that support fairness, sustainability, and the public good. That means I may not always agree, and not every decision will go your way. But you will never be ignored, brushed aside, or left without an explanation.

I will be transparent about how I make decisions and what options are available. I believe respectful dialogue and honest engagement are how trust is built. That is what I commit to, not just during election season, but throughout every year I serve.