By Emil Tiedemann
There happens to be a Municipal Election coming up in Edmonton on October 18, 2021, and I think it's important for locals to get to know the City Council candidates running for their particular ward (as well as their Mayoral candidates, of course). I chose to get more involved in the election this year and so wanted to give each candidate a chance to tell us a little about themselves, their vision, and why you should vote for them. I have sent a 10-question questionnaire to each of the 2021 Edmonton Municipal Election candidates and will post their responses (100% as written) here as they come in. With that said, let's get to know...
Ward Sspomitapi
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| Harman Singh Kandola |
"Sspomitapi wants a fighter to stand up for them in City Hall. Someone that understands what is happening at the grassroots and will strongly articulate that in the halls of power. They want a Councillor that can understand and stand up for the citizens here This is why I am running to be your city councilor for Sspomitapi. To walk into City Hall every day and speak for the ignored and forgotten. To champion a proud people, that succeeds against all odds. To be your fighter and representative."
The Questions:
I♥E/ Why do you want to run for City Council?
Harman Singh Kandola/ This ward is tired of being forgotten at city hall. We want to raise our children in neighborhoods where they can grow and play in nice parks, have their identity celebrated, have a robust inclusive economy with a good job waiting for them. We want them to have a better future than ours. They deserve better. We want to see our local front-line heroes being respected- not waiting in the rain or snow for the next bus. They deserve better.
We want to see our seniors having the chance to age in the community, stay part of our families. They deserve better.
Politicians love to talk about our neighborhoods as some distant world. They love to pit stop through these parts and “consult” us, tell us their solutions, but are we being heard? Are they actually taking the time to learn about us?
It’s easy to understand then why the residents of Sspomitapi want a fighter to stand up for them in City Hall.
I♥E/ Can you tell us about your past or current experiences that you think could possibly benefit/ translate to your position as a member of City Council?
HSK/ I currently serve as Vice President Alberta for the World Sikh Organization of Canada, which is the national advocacy body for Canadian Sikhs.
I sit as a board member on the Anti Racism Advisory Committee for the City of Edmonton, and as a Board Secretary with the Edmonton Mennonite Centre for Newcomers.
I♥E/ What do you think are the 4 or 5 biggest issues facing Edmonton right now that you want to focus on most?
HSK/ - Economic contraction
- Houselessness and high cost of living
- Climate change
- Public safety
- Opioid crisis
I♥E/ What do you think are some of the issues/struggles affecting your particular ward that you would like to focus on most?
HSK/ Underserviced public spaces is a big issue in the ward. Simple things like lack of park benches is an issue. The biggest problem is that our current representation is not responsive
I♥E/ What are some of the city/community initiatives that you loved and would like to expand upon?
HSK/ I have been involved with the anti-racism advisory committee, and would like to expand on that work.
I♥E/ What are some of the city/community initiatives that you are/were against, and what would you do differently?
HSK/ I disagree with transit cutbacks that affected seniors in particular. I disagree with the approach to the community of Maple, whose citizens were ignored when they pointed out that their only route out of their community was intersected by railway tracks, and this has interfered with emergency services.
I♥E/ Do you think elected officials, such as City Councillors, should be able to block people on social media sites like Twitter?
HSK/ Only in cases of extreme abusive behaviour.
I♥E/ When it comes to COVID-19 restrictions, what do you think we got wrong (if anything) as a city or province, and is there anything you would want to do differently (municipally OR provincially)?
HSK/ We should have followed the science from the beginning rather than ideology. Public communications have been poor, and rules have been convoluted.
I♥E/ What is your favourite thing about living in Edmonton?
HSK/ The people.
I♥E/ Can you describe yourself in 5 words or less?
HSK/ Hard working, compassionate, energetic, motivated.
Thank you, Harman!
Follow along with the candidates on Twitter
See Harman's Platform/Priorities HERE. Visit Harman's website HERE.
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