Why I’m Running as an Independent Candidate in 2025

When I first ran in 2021, I made a clear commitment. I would focus on municipal services, civic education, and the everyday issues that impact our lives here in Edmonton. That commitment has not changed. For the 2025 election, I am once again running as an independent candidate because I believe that is the best way to serve our community.

How We Got Here

In 2020, the provincial government passed Bill 29 (the Local Authorities Election Amendment Act), which opened the door for municipal political parties in Edmonton and Calgary. This year’s election will be the first where these parties can officially participate. The goal was to help voters understand candidates’ ideologies more easily.

Why I’m Staying Independent

My experience observing politics at other levels, both provincial and federal, makes me cautious. Too often, the party system rewards confrontation instead of collaboration, and values scoring political points over solving problems.

This is evident anytime you attend or watch video clips during Oral Question Period at the Alberta Legislature or the House of Commons, and even more so on social media. I eventually learned the term "political theater" as a way to describe the harsh language, desk pounding and passive-aggressive questions and responses thrown by the politicians at each other. I have attended many community events where politicians of different parties are both invited and have seen firsthand how these politicians activity ignore each other. That is not okay. That’s not the kind of politics I want to bring to City Hall.

Municipal government is about making sure the garbage gets picked up, the snow gets cleared, the buses arrive on time, neighbourhoods are safe for everyone, and the city grows to keep up with our fast-changing demographics. These decisions should be grounded in facts, community needs, and practical solutions and not party ideology.

What Residents Are Saying

At the doors and online, most people I’ve spoken with are glad that I’m running as an independent, just like in 2021. Some have said they hoped parties could help clarify candidate ideology. But I’ll never forget a community leader who told me:

“Conservatives and liberals won’t argue about the ideology of garbage collection—they just want it done.”

That simple truth captures why independence matters in municipal politics.

Collaboration, Not Confrontation

Being independent doesn’t mean being isolated. If elected, I will work collaboratively with whoever wins a seat on council, whether they’re affiliated with a municipal party or not. My job will be to listen, problem-solve, and bring forward the best ideas for Ward sipiwiyiniwak and for Edmonton as a whole.

It is why even now, I have welcomed opportunities to meet and present alongside candidates from other wards that may be perceived as different from me ideologically. It's during actual conversations where we find common ground and desire to make things better for the city.

Just like all candidates, I have been asked to complete candidate surveys so organizations and advocacy groups understand how my views align with them. Some can be viewed as progressive or conservative based on their stance on the topic. I diligently completed these and answered their questions. If you see endorsements or opposition about me by these groups, remember that I have treated their questions with equal regard and left the choice to them.

Accountability to Residents, Not Parties

At the end of the day, I believe independence means accountability to the residents, not to a party line. It means accessibility: showing up, listening, and being available. And it means putting Edmonton first, every single time.