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 Métis
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| Cori Longo |
"Cori Longo has deep roots in Edmonton. She grew up in Belmead, and today lives in Alberta Avenue with her partner Michael and their two children. Cori has worked as a postal worker and registered nurse, and now advocates for working people in Alberta with the Canadian Labour Congress. Community health and well-being drive everything Cori does. In the midst of a public health crisis, she is committed to supporting the lives and livelihoods of Edmontonians. It’s why she wants to bring her expertise and experience to representing the communities of Ward Métis (6). The time is right to elect a progressive woman who will show up every day for her constituents."
The Questions:
I♥E/ Why do you want to run for City Council?
Cori Longo/ The reason I wanted to run for City Council is really straightforward - I want to help make the lives better of regular Edmontonians. I think that often decisions are made at the city level that benefit Edmonton’s most wealthy and well connected. But I want to amplify the concerns of working families and community residents.
Additionally, I believe we need the voice of a working mom on City Council. So many decisions made by city council impact families and I think a working mom’s perspective is needed at the table, someone who will stand against more conservative style cuts.
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?
CL/ I am a community advocate, a working mom, and a passionate believer in Edmonton. I have been a frontline worker, both as a registered nurse and a postal worker, and am currently an advocate for working families with the Canadian Labour Congress. Through the course of that work, I have seen too many families struggling in our city and am ready to be a voice for those families at City Hall.
I will fight for good jobs, healthy neighbourhoods, and strong public services.
I♥E/ What do you think are the 4 or 5 biggest issues facing Edmonton right now that you want to focus on most?
CL/ - Good jobs
- Strong public services
- A real response and recovery from COVID-19
- Housing and houselessness
- Climate change
I♥E/ What do you think are some of the issues/struggles affecting your particular ward that you would like to focus on most?
CL/ Ward Métis faces threats of cuts to our recreation centres and pools year after year. Too often it seems that support for existing services is threatened because of sprawl. We also urgently need to address the housing crisis!
I♥E/ What are some of the city/community initiatives that you loved and would like to expand upon?
CL/ I love the library outreach program, where social workers are employed at our public libraries, and would like to see that expand.
I♥E/ What are some of the city/community initiatives that you are/were against, and what would you do differently?
CL/ I am strongly opposed to the Reimagine report. The city paid almost a million dollars to a high-priced consultant to look for ways to cut our services and make ordinary families pay more. We need councillors who will fight against cuts and stand up against more conservative cuts to our city.
I♥E/ Do you think elected officials, such as City Councillors, should be able to block people on social media sites like Twitter?
CL/ I do, but I think the block button should be used very sparingly. Councillors should be open and accessible, but where there are issues that involve harassment, councillors need to be able to block people.
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)?
CL/ We should not have lifted the mask mandate in June. It would have been a small thing that council could do to protect people and ensure that we never got to where we are now, with our hospitals overrun.
I♥E/ What is your favourite thing about living in Edmonton?
CL/ I love our River Valley and the opportunity to spend time in nature, right in the city, with my kids and my partner.
I♥E/ Can you describe yourself in 5 words or less?
CL/ Outgoing, mom, fighter, advocate, worker.
Thank you, Cori!
Follow along with the candidates on Twitter.
See Cori's Platform/Priorities HERE. Visit Cori's website HERE.
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