Building Strong, Connected Neighbourhoods in Ward sipiwiyiniwak

Edmonton’s strength has always come from its neighbourhoods. The city thrives when residents feel connected, empowered, and proud of where they live. By combining grassroots leadership, strategic city support, and thoughtful planning, we can build a vibrant city together.  

Our community league system is one of the best examples of grassroots democracy in Canada. But as Edmonton grows and changes, we need to do more than preserve it, we need to expand it, modernize it, and ensure all residents see themselves in community life. 

Each ward is unique, shaped by the needs of its residents. My plan for Ward sipiwiyiniwak includes consultation in new development and density, a focus on affordability, support for cultural inclusion, and finding new ways to combat isolation.

My Plan to Support Communities & Build Stronger Neighbourhoods

• Strengthen Support & Sustainable Funding

  What I will fight for:

  • Expanded partnerships with seniors’ groups, youth programs, cultural associations, and Indigenous-led initiatives, ensuring every voice is part of our community story.

  • Stable, long-term, predictable funding for community leagues and the Edmonton Federation of Community Leagues.

  • Ensuring leagues have a stronger role in shaping municipal priorities.

  • Better use of tax dollars by reducing duplication between leagues and City programming.

• Build Infrastructure to Meet Growth

  Edmonton has welcomed more than 140,000 new residents in the past two years, but our neighbourhood amenities aren’t keeping up. I will champion a cost-neutral plan, developed with sports associations, developers, leagues and non-profits to expand access to local facilities. This includes:

  • A cost-neutral plan to build more local amenities like:

    • Soccer fields, hockey rinks, basketball and tennis courts, pickleball spaces, and playgrounds.

    • Community gardens, walking trails, and gathering spaces that help reduce isolation and bring neighbours together.

    • Safer, more accessible public areas, especially for children, seniors, and families.

  Growth should also strengthen, not weaken, our neighbourhoods. I will ensure residents are consulted on redevelopment and infill, so that planning reflects the character and needs of the communities we live in.

• Ward Names That Invite Participation

  Many residents tell me the new ward names are difficult to remember as they are used to numbers. This creates barriers to civic engagement. I support discussion of a blended system—“Ward # – [Indigenous Name]”—that:

  • Respects Reconciliation efforts and honours Indigenous culture.

  • Improves clarity and accessibility for residents.

  • Encourages clarity, broader participation in civic life, and local democracy.

• Build Belonging and Connection

  Safe and connected neighbourhoods don’t happen by accident, they’re built on relationships. I will:

  • Support neighbourhood events, youth clubs, seniors’ programs, and cultural festivals that bring people together.

  • Advocate for inclusive housing strategies that keep our communities affordable and welcoming, while considering the history of neighbourhoods. I’ll codify deeper consultation and require accountability when policies change neighbourhoods.

  • Partner with grassroots organizations to counter hate and racism, ensuring Edmonton’s diversity continues to be one of its greatest strengths.

• Encourage Local Hubs & Shared Spaces

  Item descriptionaI will:

  • Support community-led needs assessments to understand local infrastructure priorities.

  • Facilitate peer-to-peer collaboration between organizations to help better plan and deliver projects using existing funding channels.

  • Promote shared-use models for public spaces, making it easier to activate parks, community halls, and open areas.