Let’s build a bright future for Edmonton’s Southeast

Photo credit: W. Lau

Submitted to the Mill Woods Mosaic and reposted as a blog.

The stakes are incredibly high for this upcoming 2021 municipal election. In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic I am meeting more and more residents in Mill Woods (and across Edmonton) who are facing economic hardships — some for the first time in their lives. As a result of the pandemic, many community members have lost their jobs, and single parents and sole breadwinners are worried about putting food on the table. Many people are coping with social isolation and loneliness. 

Whoever is elected to City Council this October will be tasked with getting this City through the remainder of the pandemic, and providing resources, guidance, and support for Edmontonians rebuilding their communities and livelihoods. I am ready to take on this work, and I want to co-create this roadmap with you.

When I first ran for City Council in Mill Woods back in 2017, I believed that I could help build a better bridge between community members and City Hall. I felt strongly that having Edmontonians’ voices represented at the highest level of municipal government mattered, and that our leaders needed to reflect the diverse and changing demographic of our city.

Today, my convictions have only grown stronger. 

My 2021 campaign has taken a people-centred approach to identify priorities. To get to know the people who live, work, and play in Ward Karhiio, I have taken every opportunity I can to have conversations with community members, to hear their stories, and to uplift their voices. 

From talking to people at their doors and meeting with business owners, to attending local events, I have been very lucky to connect with and hear from thousands of Edmontonians. And it is through these conversations that I developed the three planks for my platform that I will commit to if elected to council:

COMMUNITY.  I will build community based on local expertise, so we can all live in vibrant and inclusive neighbourhoods.

ECONOMY. I will enable a strong and diverse local economy so we can easily start and grow our businesses in Edmonton.

CLIMATE. I will bring forward local solutions to climate change so we can all benefit from a healthy and resilient environment for generations to come.

I am someone who gets things done. I work with communities to help them bring their plans and dreams to reality. I don’t just plan, I see plans through. I have dedicated my career to city building and have run dozens of successful projects including urban wellness with the City of Edmonton, Participatory Canada with the national McConnell Foundation, and land-based health promotion with the Dene First Nation.

In all my experiences, the one common ingredient that leads to successful outcomes is trust. And that is something I would like to focus on rebuilding; between council members, with other levels of government, and with Edmontonians. 

I believe what is needed is a new kind of conversation — one that is centred on healing rather than blame, and unites all of us in our roles in promoting community wellbeing and economic recovery. We all have a role to play and I have a track record of building trust among unlikely allies.  

I know that there is a wealth of opportunity and untapped potential in Southeast Edmonton. The neighbourhoods of Ward Karhiio are often overlooked by government leadership. I will ensure this no longer happens. 

I have a detailed vision for our ward based on thoughtful engagement with community members. In my platform I detail my ideas to create a prosperous ward, and I would encourage you to visit kerentang.ca/platform to fully understand how I plan to represent you on the City Council.

There are so many possibilities for us to build our future together. I hope you cast your vote on October 18, and support a candidate who you feel will prioritize Ward Karhiio, and uplift your voice. I would be honoured to be that candidate. I look forward to representing you.

If you have questions or would simply like to connect about what you want to see in Ward Karhiio, please email me at keren@kerentang.ca or call 587-773-2245.