By Emil Tiedemann
There happens to be a Municipal Election coming up in Edmonton on Monday, 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 O-day'min
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| Adrian Bruff |
"I am a community activist and organizer. A MacEwan Alumni who works as a Social Worker and Disability Advocate within our communities. I am involved in the disability field, housing our homeless, crime and safety and working to reintegrate adults back into our community that have been involved in the Criminal Justice System. I am a homeowner, resident of Oliver and volunteer on various community boards. I am passionate about community growth and development and an advocate for working-class families. Let’s make Edmonton the best place to live, raise a family, invest, and retire. We can create safer communities, a thriving economy, and a city that is affordable for everyone. I believe we can accomplish this by investing in our neighborhoods, supporting small business, and prioritizing sustainability."
The Questions:
I♥E/ Why do you want to run for City Council?
Adrian Bruff/ I have decided to run for public office because of my background, qualifications, experience, and ties to the community, as well as my vision to make Edmonton one of the best places to live, raise a family, invest and retire. I believe we can accomplish this by revitalizing neighbourhoods, supporting small businesses and prioritizing sustainability.
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?
AB/ The number one issue affecting ward O-day’min constituents is the homelessness crisis that needs to be addressed. My experience working in the field of social work, helping our most vulnerable residents, will be key to implementing a realistic plan to tackle the problem. I also believe it is important to have a diversity of professional experience on council. We need representatives who bring a unique lens to the issues, informed by their lived experience.
I♥E/ What do you think are the 4 or 5 biggest issues facing Edmonton right now that you want to focus on most?
AB/ Homelessness - It has been a rising problem for years now, and has only been exacerbated by the pandemic. We need to be proactive in tackling this issue. From neighbourhood revitalization to crime and safety, ending homelessness is a vital component to creating a vibrant, inclusive city we can be proud of. My 2-part plan to address homelessness will accomplish these goals. You can read more about my plan at adrianbruff.ca/polcies.
The Economy - The pandemic has taken a toll on our lives and livelihoods, and recovering from it will take bold leadership and creative solutions. My plan to ensure our economic recovery focuses on Covid-19 relief grants and fostering diversification. As your councillor I will be a champion for small businesses and entrepreneurs who are the backbone of our local economy.
The Environment - As the climate crisis gets worse, major cities have a responsibility to rein in our carbon footprint, improve energy efficiency, and pursue sustainability in new developments. I plan to implement an environmental bylaw that will guide us to reaching net-zero emissions by 2050.
Public Transit - Public Transit needs to be accessible, reliable, and affordable in order to encourage and grow ridership. It is my intent to revisit the bus network redesign and advocate for the return of routes that were cut. I will also seek to double the transfer-pass time from 90 minutes to 3 hours, as well as provide free public transit on routes around the downtown core on weekends and holidays.
I♥E/ What do you think are some of the issues/struggles affecting your particular ward that you would like to focus on most?
AB/ Ward O-day’min has the highest concentration of seniors residences in the city, and ensuring our seniors are taken care of is an important responsibility. The recent transit network redesign has cut vital bus routes, leaving our seniors unable to go grocery shopping, or make it to doctors appointments. As councillor I will seek to reinstate these bus routes, and also pursue programs to help low-income seniors so they can enjoy their retirement in dignity.
Densification is a main component of the city’s plan for 2 million people, which will have a significant impact on the Edmonton core. Over the last year I’ve been doorknocking, resident’s have been sharing with me their concerns around issues like infills, multi-story housing, and the preservation of historic neighbourhoods.
I♥E/ What are some of the city/community initiatives that you loved and would like to expand upon?
AB/ The 15-minute commute is an important initiative that I believe could transform how people live and start families in Edmonton. Designing our urban landscape to allow for minimal transportation won’t just reduce our carbon footprint, it will improve our lives by freeing up time spent traveling.
I♥E/ What are some of the city/community initiatives that you are/were against, and what would you do differently?
AB/ Initiatives to reduce noise disturbance in the Downtown and Oliver area like project Tensor are not meeting the needs of residents. This problem has only gotten worse over the last few years, and I will seek to increase penalties, ramp up enforcement, and explore alternative mitigation strategies.
I♥E/ Do you think elected officials, such as City Councillors, should be able to block people on social media sites like Twitter?
AB/ I believe elected officials have a responsibility to be available and accessible to constituents, including via digital platforms. However, I also believe elected officials should be entitled to block users sending harassing, hateful and threatening messages.
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)?
AB/ Protecting the health and welfare of residents is the top priority for any elected official, and I will always support initiatives that will ensure our safety and the well-being of Edmontonians.
The province removing mask mandates and quarantine procedures before vaccination rates were high enough to prevent the spread of infection was premature.
I♥E/ What is your favourite thing about living in Edmonton?
AB/ I am a big fan of Edmonton’s festivals and the celebration of art, culture and community on vibrant display. From Edmonton’s inclusive diversity and multiculturalism, to its river-valley and greenspaces, make it one of the best place to live and raise a family.
I♥E/ Can you describe yourself in 5 words or less?
AB/ Empathy, Determination, Resilience, Compassion, Fun.
Thank you, Adrian!
Follow along with the candidates on Twitter.
See Adrian's Platform/Priorities HERE. Visit Adrian's website HERE.
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