Councillor Survey
Janise Somer:
Please refer to my website for why I will be a good councillor.
Brenda Campbell:
I've taken economics courses and have worked in a bank but my time as school/youth counsellor has provided me with even more skills and perspective to help in the role as a Councillor. Specifically, and perhaps most importantly, the ability to listen to others and support their needs/where they're at and where they want to be is a skill I have that I feel would be especially valuable as a Councillor. I would listen to all Red Deerians and arrive together at solutions to situations that are brought to the forefront. I often use a solutions-focus approach to counselling and would do the same as a Councillor.
Bruce Buruma:
I have direct experience as Corporate Secretary and Director of Community Relations with Red Deer Schools working directly with the Superintendent and closely with our Board of Trustees. The Division has a $125 million budget and 1200+ students wervince 11,000 students and their families. My portfolio includes communications, strategy, advocacy, issues management and planning. I have also sat on the Board of Governors at Red Deer College, the AHS Health Advisory Council, the Board of Youth HQ and the Red Deer Community Foundation. My education includes Business Administration, Educations, Leadership, Public Relations Management and Government Relations
Kraymer Barnstable:
My background that will help me be an effective counsellor is the fact that I am a business owner. I have managed a budget and had up to 15 contractors working under me. Another very important part of my career is the many years I spent playing elite level hockey. This allowed me to learn how to work within a team system as well as being a leader when called upon. The discipline, sacrifice and dedication from being an athlete will also help me succeed if voted into office.
Victor Doerksen:
Many will remember my time as MLA for Red Deer South. During that tenure I held various roles: Chair of Alberta Research Council, Minister of Innovation and Science, Treasury Board. Other than government, significant roles for me include the Red Deer Hospice and Ten Thousand Villages Society Red Deer Boards; Executive Director of CARE; Director of Finance at Etana Supports Society; small business (insurance and retail); and banking. The only thing that proves is that I am familiar with multi-billion as well as small dollar organizations. My best qualification is that I show up, work hard, collaborate, and make decisions. Please also refer to my website for more information.
Dianne Wyntjes:
I bring experience to the Council decision table and up-to-date knowledge of the active files when the next Council will be making decisions. I’m ready to keep working and hit the ground running. I also bring experience and representation on numerous city committees along with knowledge of the community challenges and requests. I bring 30 years of labour relations experience with 17 years as regional director in Alberta. Those skills brought budget presentations, responsibility of 30+ staff at 7 offices throughout Alberta, working with elected boards and committees with governance understanding, experience and working through challenges, negotiation skills, strategic planning and listening to diverse range of opinions - throughout my former career and through my Council experience. I have experienced advocacy with provincial and federal government leaders. I have lived experience in Red Deer since 1975, seeing our city grow and change. Red Deer is my home for the many years ahead and I care about our city and community as we look to the future. I do my homework and am prepared for Council meetings and assigned committee meetings. I continue to take on-line courses and learning. One never stops learning in the Councillor role. For instance, this past year, through the Elected Officials education program, taking Regional Partnerships and Collaboration. On my own initiative: taking the University of Alberta/Native Studies - Indigenous Canada online course and Understanding Hate Crimes through Community Safety Citizen Services. I’m responsive to calls and emails and make myself available to meet with citizens, when they request. I’m active on social media but also recognize traditional methods of communicating with citizens, e.g. telephone and face-to-face. I have a few elderly citizens who do not subscribe to the Advocate nor are on line. They often call for an update of “what’s happening with City Council”. I do a lot of reading (besides the Council agendas) and I ask probing questions. I challenge my own initial thinking and always look to what’s best for the Red Deer community. Having vision and planing ahead for Red Deer is important. Council decisions are not just for the decisions during a 4 year council term; what’s decided today can impact Red Deer’s tomorrows and future e.g. ensuring Red Deer is on a future high-speed rail stop when high-speed comes to Alberta; regional waste to energy considerations through regional partnerships. I’m not afraid to admit I can be wrong and will revisit decisions, e.g. a zoning decision this past year when it bothered me and I supported reconsideration and we/Council chanted the decision. I work well with others.
Chad Krahn:
I have been actively involved in my community association and currently, serving as President of the association, working to build up our neighbourhood and advocating directly with the city. I have worked two years as the constituency manager for Red Deer-South, helping residents navigate their way around the provincial government and championing important local issues in Red Deer - like the hospital expansion, economic issues, and the development of a homeless shelter. I also bring the voice of a young father in a city loaded with young families, as well as willingness to listen and the aspiration to be a listen-first leader.
Ryan Laloge:
All of my work experience has been relevant, as a trades person my work has been closer to the services our City provides than most candidates and it includes being a self-employed tradesman with employees and making payroll to working in union environments.
Vesna Higham:
I’m a lawyer and appeal board adjudicator by profession – and what years of studying the law and serving on quasi-judicial boards have taught me is to come to decisions with an open mind amenable to persuasion. My training and analytical mind permit me to look at all angles of an issue, thoroughly exhausting all options and viewpoints, before making a decision. That weighing and balancing of competing interests/perspectives is so important, particularly when community issues are divisive and controversial. I also work hard and study diligently so that I understand what’s before Council on any issue. And I ask a lot of questions.
Cindy Jefferies:
I have years of governance experience. I have served our community as a member of council from 2004-2013. I was elected for a two year term (2010 -2012) as a mid-sized city director on the board of the Alberta Urban Municipalities Association. From 1995-2004, I served as a trustee for Red Deer Public Schools, six of those years as board chair. It is beneficial to have a clear understanding of the roles and responsibilities of council and the mayor, especially in relation to the City Manager and city staff. I understand the role of policy and process. I have volunteered for many organizations in the community. Most recently, in 2015, I co-founded the Red Deer chapter of 100+ Women Who Care. Since its inception we have raised almost $500,000 for local charities. I have also volunteered for the Canada Winter Games as chair of the Games Services Committee, and for the freestyle ski event, I was also part of the bid committee work. I was appointed for a two year term as a community based director on the board of the Red Deer Primary Care Network. I have also volunteered for the Alberta Jubilee Auditoria Society, the United Way, Safe Harbour Society, Tools for Schools Africa Foundation, Red Deer Public Schools Foundation, Central Alberta Freestyle Ski Association and Canada Freestyle Ski. My contributions as a volunteer have given me perspective and understanding of issues in our community and the community building that comes through and from volunteerism.
Janise Somer:
Please refer to my website.
Brenda Campbell:
I think safety and personal/property well-being is the biggest issue affecting Red Deer area. I would lobby higher levels of government for more stringent laws and penalties for repeat criminal offenders and to get the money they've promised us for treatment and transitional housing as well as the hospital funds supposedly alloted by the provincial government as this is another big concern.
Bruce Buruma:
Our Economy - Strong economies create strong communities. Red Deer needs to be competitive, responsive, service oriented so that businesses will want to invest here. Reputation matters and when it comes to business, we have work to do! We need to focus on recovery and long term diversification of our economy. Crime and Safety are the most common concerns. We need to have an effective plan that demonstrates results on homelessness, addictions, crime that has the confidence and support of our community
Kraymer Barnstable:
One of the biggest issues facing Red Deer is the growing concern for public safety. Within this problem is the reality of our growing homeless population. These concerns are very troubling especially for people that have lived in Red Deer for a long time. I believe our current council has only attempted bandaid solutions and in turn have made the problem worse. We need to take a hard look at possibly adding our own police force. I would need to see the costs associated before I blatantly declared this is our best option. I am afraid that costs may be too high at this point, but it needs to be tabled at the very least. We also need a shelter for our homeless. Within that I would like to see resources reallocated towards detox and counselling. This should allow some members of our homeless population to be able to get off the streets and back into society.
Victor Doerksen:
Segregation of our community over the implementation of the Restrictions Exemption Program and the mandatory vaccine policy for City staff and volunteers. Governance … why is it that Council was not part of the decision making on the above two major issues? We need a full Governance review. City involvement in land development. We need to take a hard look at the City expenditures in Timberland, Capstone, Queens Business Park, and the Econ Development park. Downtown: please refer to my blog for a more comprehensive answer.
Dianne Wyntjes:
As an elected representative you are one member of City Council; five votes for majority are needed to support a motion/matter. Citizens want and expect their elected Council to work well together. I’d like to see a quarterly or bi-annual communication piece to Red Deer citizens “what’s happening with Red Deer Council”. I would continue my approach as a Councillor by being accessible and responsive, continue my community communications on social media and continue to connect with the community. Reading additional information, in addition to the Council agenda is important for me as a community leader, conversations within the community and listening is important, along with reading Council agendas in advance and preparing for Council and committee meetings is my way of working. Biggest issues: - immediate conversations with the provincial government about their committed funding of $7 million and the location and their operational decisions for a permanent integrated shelter for Red Deer. In the meantime, ensuring appropriate temporary shelter measures are in place for the vulnerable. - mid year budget review from the two year budget of the past Council; two year 0% tax increases were determined for 2021 and 2022; how is the City of Red Deer doing financially and communicating that to the public; many asks come before a Council so knowing the financial statements is key. Council must be cognizant of the local state of the economy and specifically the challenges for individuals, families, seniors and businesses. And Council must also recognize the impact and striving not to increase fees and charges such as transit fees, recreation fees, facility rentals and development fees. - attention to community safety is never done; new Council hearing from the RCMP Superintendent at his regular update to Council, continuing to mitigate safety concerns through out the City and the downtown, including policing, bylaws and the social diversion team and continuing crime prevention education with Red Deerians. - attention to the economic development and business lens for downtown and all of Red Deer; responding to the concerns of the business community of safety, zoning and ease of doing business with the City, recognizing a healthy community brings jobs and services, economic recovery through and from the pandemic is a priority. How are we marketing Red Deer as competition among all Alberta municipalities is strong? How can we attract and anchor major new businesses such as a a large anchor business to Red Deer and/or the region? - looking to the arts and culture scene and what we can do to promote more vibrancy in Red Deer in this sector, eg. creative spaces, community ways to support local talents, City planned events and working through the Red Deer Major Events strategy to attract future events to Red Deer - looking to advancing “Community Days” where citizens, organizations, business can meet face-to-face with Council and Council can listen and hear ideas and concerns; no decisions at these meetings as Council makes them at the Council meetings - continued conversations with the provincial government to ensure Red Deer has mental health supports for Red Deerians; and we are moving on the plans for Red Deer Regional Hospital needs and expansion, including working with the local regional municipalities on this advocacy matter - attention to continued actions for a more welcoming and inclusive community, actions and initiatives to challenge racism in Red Deer, and truth and reconciliation community work with Urban Aboriginal Voices, Red Deer Native Friendship Society and the Metis Nation - connecting with Red Der’s youth with their ideas for Red Deer community - a lens to age friendliness for Red Deer seniors and connecting with what else we can do in Red Deer - followup on the motion from Code of Conduct #2 and the next Council’s attention to the issues for Council governance
Chad Krahn:
Red Deer’s current struggle is that it has not sought to define itself and has let its reputation get derailed by social issues and has been outflanked on economic development by its neighbours and larger centers.
Ryan Laloge:
The council getting City Administration on the right page and getting the priority setting process down in its own structure to allow it to make measurable progress on our downtown social and policing challenges.
Vesna Higham:
In my view, the most significant issues affecting Red Deer are: Crime and Social Disorder: Addictions & Homelessness Economic Development: Business Loss/Retention Fiscal Responsibility: Pressures on our Operating/Capital Budgets There are so many diverse issues and pressures facing our community; however, the three named above are the most pressing, difficult, and immediate challenges we need to address as a community. Addictions & Homelessness: So much of the crime and social disorder in our community is tied directly to drug addictions in particular and to the chronic homelessness that often precipitates. There's been a lot of media coverage of these issues over the past year or so. The existing shelter been before Council three times in the last 6 months with requests to extend the temporary shelter contract at Cannery Row - with the majority of Council (myself included) denying the requests due to absolutely untenable negative social disorder impacts to the surrounding neighbourhoods, businesses, and residents. I'll begin by saying that I do support the need for shelter services for the homeless, particularly given our harsh winter climate - and the City is working with the Province to construct a new permanent facility to accommodate our vulnerable population. However, what I cannot abide is the ongoing, unrelenting, totally unacceptable: garbage, smashed window/doors, personal threats, street fires, urination, feces, discarded needles, private property encampment, violence, and chaotic "war zone" that local residents and businesses describe taking place on a daily basis in the area surrounding the temporary shelter. We need a different operating model if we ever hope to make the permanent shelter work in our community. And we NEED to get the shelter and Overdose Prevention Site (OPS) out of the downtown core. The single most important thing we need to do as a city to mitigate the social disorder in our downtown is to consolidate shelter and related services into one permanent, integrated shelter program - to eliminate the ongoing migration of vulnerable people throughout the downtown. Currently, the homeless migrate from place to place daily: to obtain food, needles, rest, shelter, health care, to use the OPS (Overdose Prevention Site), and unfortunately, sometimes to commit crimes. They often leave a path of destruction and disorder in their wake, particularly if they're under the influence of drugs or alcohol. What I strongly advocate for is to work with the Province (who funds and oversees shelter and all social services) to bring related social services onto the one permanent shelter site. That means bringing as many of the following services onsite as possible: daily food services, health clinic, mental health counselling, job/skills training, leisure/recreation, and addiction recovery modalities, etc. Furthermore, I've been very vocal about my position respecting the operating model employed by the current shelter and OPS operators, which effectually requires little personal responsibility or organizational accountability for these negative activities happening in our downtown. I feel strongly that the new shelter must be required by the Province to adopt a "Good Neighbour" operating model with strict oversight and mandatory clientele intake questions/data gathering, as well as basic expectations of community service. We need to elevate our expectations (both in the short and long term) to help people break out of the cycle of these addictions and crime that are so destructive not only to their own lives, but to our community with such devastating negative impact. I would support having clients sign some form of a shelter "contract" upon entering (it's been successfully done in California) that sets out basic expectations for clientele such as: committing to a daily evening curfew (so they're not hopping in and out of the shelter to commit crimes in the middle of the night) and daily assigned chores around the shelter or neighbourhood (picking up garbage, sweeping up, dishes, etc.). The only way the new permanent shelter can successfully co-exist with its surrounding neighbourhood is to embrace and meaningfully maintain a "Good Neighbour" operating model that respects surrounding uses. The status quo cannot continue. We must fight for a more accountable "Good Neighbour" operating model. Our citizens deserve better." Business Loss/Retention: To say the pandemic has been hard on business and our economy is an understatement – with rising inflation, these hardships are ongoing and exponential. It’s critical to foster a more streamlined, business-friendly environment at City Hall as we continue to navigate residual Covid impacts to our economy. Regarding economic incentives, development approvals, tax breaks, and other regulatory levers that support business, my record reflects strong leadership on this file. Fiscal Responsibility: While the stats are down from previous years, crime and social disorder are still far too prevalent in our community – especially downtown. I support diverting more resources to our Social Diversion Team – to free up the more expensive police resources to focus on serious crime. Additionally, I support creating our own Municipal Police Force in a phased-in approach. A 2021 Parliamentary report recommends that the RCMP end municipal contract policing across the country as applicable.
Cindy Jefferies:
I believe the we need to focus on our downtown from a couple of perspectives. First and foremost, we need to use the $7 million the province allocated for a Red Deer shelter and build a permanent shelter with wrap around supports on site. We need temporary supported housing and permanent supported housing, as well as affordable housing. People experienceing homelessness and/or drug addiction need help. All of this work will help businesses too and help citizens gain a sense of safety in the downtown core. I also believe we need to work at attracting new businesses and retaining existing businesses. Encouraging more residential development in the downtown is essential. At this point, I am not certain what the best way to provide incentives is - reduction in taxes or DBA membership dues might be worth considering.
Janise Somer:
About right.
Brenda Campbell:
Well, previous to covid I would say the City did almost the right amount of things. The exception is I don't think the City lobbied the provincial and/or federal levels of government enough. This has resulted in other smaller centers having better facilities and supports than we do (eg. 50m pool in Grande Prairie). I feel the role of a municipal government is to rally for its people and ensure what needs to be done, and can be done for their area, is.
Bruce Buruma:
We could all use a quick lesson on responsibilities of municipal, provincial and federal government...too often we play in the wrong ‘sandbox’. The City should be focused on core services, programs and projects needed to make Red Deer a strong, desirable, safe and sustainable community. Having said that, having other levels of government download their responsibilities onto local government is an increasing challenge as well. With significant changes on Council, I would like a review of services to determine where we are aligned to these areas of responsibilities (too many, just right, not enough) and use this to guide future planning and ensure we are at ‘just the right amount.’
Kraymer Barnstable:
I believe we have seen all levels of government way over step their boundaries when it comes to their role. Municipal government's role should be to handle our libraries, parks, community water systems, local police, roadways and parking. Red Deer and many other municipalities have gone way overboard in the name of safety. Their intentions I'm sure were good, but we need municipal governments to remember what they were intended for.
Victor Doerksen:
The short answer is that I think our city is too involved in active development and acts too often as a “social agency”. A city should provide basic infrastructure (water and wastewater, transportation corridors, power and heating utilities, recreation infrastructure, etc.); affordability (taxes and levies); community safety; planning and provision of development opportunities.
Dianne Wyntjes:
Municipal government is the order of government closest to the people and is community focused. The role of municipal government is to respond to services that bring quality of life to individuals, families, and the business community. Municipal governments are responsible for a variety of services that citizens expect and rely upon. It’s also recognized the revenue sources to provide these many services such as utilities - electricity, water, waste water, policing, recreation, parks, transit, summer and winter roads and sidewalk maintenance, garbage pickup and landfill management, city growth and development, library, community and regional relationships, advocacy with the federal and provincial orders of government on significant issues affecting the community (e.g. Hospital needs, Shelter building and operational decisions, Justice, Policing, to name a few), other community asks that may come to Council, maintenance and buildings new community infrastructure, and other lenses for community such as the local economy, affordability, economic hardship and effects to the community, the environment - air quality, water/Red Deer River, and land use, respect, inclusion and truth and reconciliation and the list goes on. As well, there can be downloading of responsibilities from the Provincial Government that the Municipality must pick up, eg less policing funding. We are reminded that municipalities receive funding through the tax base, fees and charges, and grants from federal and provincial grants, some of which are competitive. Through the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) and the Alberta Urban Municipalities Association (AUMA), continued advocacy occurs for returned funding to municipalities based on population. Continued needs for Red Deer, a growing city, include transportation, roads and bridges - maintenance and new construction, water and wastewater systems, transit, recreation facilities and other future capital projects that Red Deer will plan and submit to the Province and the Federal government for approval. This question, to me, is about responding to the many community needs and the importance of delivering services that will bring improvements to the quality of life for Red Deerians and retain and attract future business investment that brings jobs and services to Red Deer. As an elected official, you do not measure if something is too much, not enough or just the right amount. You do the work that is before you to address the challenges, work with community and other orders of government, you have vision for Red Deer’s future and work to advance Red Deer and bring better quality of life.
Chad Krahn:
To provide a frame work for the flourishing of people involved the shared goal of build a great place. Municipal governments provide the opportunity for decision making at the lowest level of analysis possible, by people who have skin in the game. Too often, the city gets involved in trying to make decisions on areas well outside their jurisdiction with no reasonable means to accomplish or enforce.
Ryan Laloge:
The City is doing too many things and some are less effective than needed.
Vesna Higham:
The role of municipal government is to provide local services, amenities, protection, and lifestyle to our public in the most efficient, cost-effective manner possible. These services include: police, fire/ambulance/emergency services; roads (building, paving, snow-clearing, and street sweeping); electricity, water, waste & storm water; recreation and parks (including trails and green spaces as well as leisure programming); garbage, recycling, and organics pick-up, disposal, and storage; street lights & outdoor furniture, transit, and sidewalks; engineering, traffic lights, and traffic congestion control, etc. These are the sort of core services local government is responsible for; however, the Municipal Government Act further expounds on these responsibilities and powers under sections 3 and 7: The purposes of a municipality are: 3. (a) to provide good government, (a.1) to foster the well-being of the environment, (b) to provide services, facilities or other things that, in the opinion of council, are necessary or desirable for all or a part of the municipality, (c) to develop and maintain safe and viable communities, and (d) to work collaboratively with neighbouring municipalities to plan, deliver and fund intermunicipal services. … and section 7: 7. A council may pass bylaws for municipal purposes respecting the following matters: (a) the safety, health and welfare of people and the protection of people and property; (b) people, activities and things in, on or near a public place or place that is open to the public; (c) nuisances, including unsightly property; (d) transport and transportation systems; (e) businesses, business activities and persons engaged in business; (f) services provided by or on behalf of the municipality; (g) public utilities; (h) wild and domestic animals and activities in relation to them; (i) the enforcement of bylaws made under this or any other enactment; … So, the powers and responsibilities of a municipal government are varied and broad. At times, cities either voluntarily or by default of downloads from the Province or Feds, take on services (like housing vulnerable souls or other related social services) that are simply not under municipal jurisdiction – but are happening on our streets impacting our residents. These are the most challenging types of municipal government roles to define and work through. To summarize, however, the most important role of local government is to provide core municipal services, maintain an attractive city, and stay fiscally responsible taking as little as possible from the taxpayers as possible.
Cindy Jefferies:
The role of the municipal government, mayor and council, is to set policy, set the operational and capital budgets for the city, and hire and evaluate the city manager. The role of the city is very diverse. As citizens we use the services and infrastructure of the city every day. Our quality of life depends on city services. While some of us might think one service or another should/could be cut, our neighbours may depend on that service and vice versa. It is a fine balance to provide the services citizens need and want within the budget. Tough decisions are made in every budget process.
Janise Somer:
About right.
Brenda Campbell:
I would love to say too high but i'm a realist about costs/expenses. That being said, I think we could utilize taxes/monies better and get more bang for our buck(s), starting with reducing Councillors salaries. Other cost saving measures would include seeking out information and assistance without paying high consultation fees. We can be efficient and effective.
Bruce Buruma:
In the eyes of our citizens they are too high--I have heard this many times. Our taxes need to be competitive--this has been a key issue for businesses leaving Red Deer. The downturn in our economy is shrinking assessment values, particularly in industrial and commercial properties. A tough economy has made it difficult for families to make ends meet. As a Council, we need to find the right balance between revenue and expenses. The assessment I mention in question 3 is an important step for a new Council to take a fresh look at achieving the right balance.
Kraymer Barnstable:
I believe our property taxes are too high. That is evident in the amount of people leaving Red Deer to live in surrounding areas with much lower property taxes.
Victor Doerksen:
From the prospective of a taxpayer, taxes are always too high. As a councillor, I will take the time to analyze the budgets in detail to gain better objectivity. My bent is always to find ways, if possible, to lower taxes.
Dianne Wyntjes:
Council members, when reviewing and debating the City’s Operating and Capital budgets must be cognizant of the state of the local economy and specifically the challenges for individuals, families, seniors and businesses over the past 20 months. This past term, the City of Red Deer Council has now moved to a two year budget process. Council passed a 0% tax increase for 2021 and 2022 with a mid year budget review for the next Council. That was a just about right decision for the times. And the next Council will debate the two year budget process in 2022 for 2023-2024 and then again in 2024 for 2024–2025. Council must also be cognizant of the effects of increasing any fees and charges such as transit fees, recreation fees, facility rentals and development fees. Having lived in Red Deer for over 40 years, I recall when one Council had 0% tax increases during the term. The next Council following that Council was faced with difficult decisions and citizens of Red Deer faced double digit tax increases. Good municipal operations means regular review of services, looking to innovation, change and cost savings where possible and when appropriate and if it makes sense/cents for Red Deer. Compared to other Alberta municipalities, Red Deer is often in the middle of the pack for property taxes. In my campaign leaflet, I say “Respect for our tax dollars is always a priority when making Council decisions.” I will continue to live with that value and guiding principle in my decisions, if re-elected.
Chad Krahn:
Property taxes could always be lowered, but best place to focus political will in the next term will be to find ways to make the city easier to deal with for business, to make sure that the bylaws do not have unintended consequences that drive away businesses, and to not let the status quo continue at city hall while we watch the county grow.
Ryan Laloge:
The City Taxes are not the issue, the effectiveness of their use is the issue.
Vesna Higham:
For the current two year budget cycle (2021 & 2022) adopted by Council in the fall of 2020, our property tax rate was wholly appropriate and defensible at 0% for both years on the operating side and 0.5% per year on the capital side. Given the extraordinary impacts of Covid, a global recession, and low global oil prices, it was the right, responsible thing to do. Having said that, over the past 27 years that I’ve lived in Red Deer, I’ve seen years where Council’s approved 11% and 13% tax increases respectively over two consecutive years! That is absolutely unacceptable and I vowed that I would do all I can to prevent such a thing from ever happening again. So have our property taxes increased disproportionate to our economic realities? Yes, for sure they have and it’s critical that we not allow those kinds of shocking double-digit increases ever again. There’s simply no defensible rationale for it.
Cindy Jefferies:
In comparing our taxes to other municipalities, I believe Red Deer's are just about right.
Janise Somer:
Our population is not growing. We will need to adjust budgets and taxes to keep up with inflation.
Brenda Campbell:
I support increasing spending but by less than the rate of inflation and population growth. I feel we need to get on top of budgetary situations and invest for future growth and needs - ideally being able to capitalize on dividends or other investment equity.
Bruce Buruma:
We need to respect taxpayers. I would want to maintain current tax levels but if there is a clear need, I would support increasing spending but by less than the rate of inflation and population growth (or loss) as we adjust to new fiscal realities for the City. With significant uncertainty over the economy and funding from other levels of government, we will need to have a full understanding of finances. Thankfully the budget for next year is set, so the new Council will have time to fully understand and appreciate the City’s finances. No doubt some tough decisions are needed to balance our finances. That will help drive future decisions. The province has announced a 25% reduction for municipal infrastructure spending which will have a significant impact on the City. Uncertainties like these will require strong stewardship by Council
Kraymer Barnstable:
I would prefer the city spend less in absolute terms, but I would also be fine if spending increased below the rate of inflation and population growth. More spending results in higher taxes or more debt or both. Coming out of this pandemic that is the last thing we need.
Victor Doerksen:
My general approach is that people and governments should live within their means. As above, until I have a detailed review of the budget, I am not going to commit to one approach. Inflationary pressures, burgeoning deficits, and mounting debt at all levels of government are likely to “throw a wrench” into the best laid plans.
Dianne Wyntjes:
With the local state of economy, recognizing the rate of inflation and where the City and community will be in 2022 during a budget review to bring all new Council members up-to-date on operating and capital budgets, it is important to acknowledge the rate of inflation. It’s also important to recognize that Alberta has lost population growth over the last year. And while Red Deer has not completed a census in the last few years, there is also increased competition among all Alberta municipalities to retain and welcome new citizens. As stated above, effective and good municipal operations mean regular review of services and looking to innovation, change and cost savings where possible, appropriate and if it makes sense/cents for Red Deer. There are also areas through the Regional Collaboration Committee with Red Deer County where possibilities exist for shared services and cost savings for both municipalities. I have come to recognize if a City does not, at the very least, keep pace with inflation, the Council of the day will be adding to future municipal challenges and governance decisions that will need to be addressed for Red Deer and citizens.
Chad Krahn:
The City currently operates within the framework that a 2% increase every year is absolutely necessary for the proper function of the municipality. Prior to this year, every time a 0% tax increase was proposed the warning was that this would result in a much higher percentage increase in the subsequent years, which is what has happened in the past. I believe the city needs to find a way to get out of the cut services or raise taxes paradigm. We need to be finding more innovative ways to deliver services; by asking the front lines for ideas, we can find little bets that we can take to do things better. Rather than just ‘finding efficiencies’, we need to be examining the why of how and why we provide services and make sure that the city’s efforts are focused on creating wealth for the community. Ultimately, I believe it will be a big struggle for the next council just to increase spending at less than the rate of inflation (which may be significant) and population growth (which hopefully increases).
Ryan Laloge:
This is not the relevant question, it implies an academic approach to funding the City. Not all in our City get rate of inflation raises.
Vesna Higham:
This one’s easy: spend less in absolute terms. With skyrocketing Federal/Provincial debt and rising inflation, it’s critical that government everywhere (but particularly municipal governments, who have essentially only one major revenue stream: property tax) rein in spending and prioritize tax dollars on the most essential amenities and services.
Cindy Jefferies:
Spending less in absolute terms results in a cut in services. For me, that can be done for a very short period, but eventually, we pay the price. For instance, I am thinking about maintenance on infrastructure. We can defer in the short term, but if we wait too long the costs will be higher, or the asset decreases in value. I am most comfortable with increase by inflation and population growth. I am cognizant of the current state of our economy and possible inflationary pressures. We need to be mindful of this in budgeting and planning.
Janise Somer:
We need to focus on getting those without homes into housing. Rent subsidies for seniors and lower-income residents are necessary as well.
Brenda Campbell:
I don't feel the City should be subsidizing lower-income residents but since shelter is ultimately a health requirement/basic need, I think higher levels of government should sponsor building of affordable housing developments and subsidize. The City can address tax rates and if possible, focus on keeping the cost of all housing from getting out of control. Market values are often determined by interest rates and other factors beyond the City's control. I guess the City could lower land/lot costs as they've definitely skyrocketed and consider other incentives to make prices more affordable at that level.
Bruce Buruma:
Housing is a provincial responsibility that is how subsidized housing should be addressed. The City does have land use, zoning and tax strategies that should be mindful and supportive of affordable housing. The housing industry also has opportunities in this area that should be promoted.
Kraymer Barnstable:
I would like to see a combination of both. I do not have a direct response or proposed solution on how we can make that happen, but I would love to sit down and listen to proposals on how best to move forward.
Victor Doerksen:
Employment opportunities and a healthy economy are the best plan for people to find their own solutions.
Dianne Wyntjes:
Both Federal and Provincial governments resource housing needs in Red Deer. In 2019, through community round tables and discussions, the City now has the Community Housing & Homelessness Integrated Plan (CHHIP). It’s recognized, as in many growing urban cities, there is not adequate housing stock in Red Deer, that responds to the diversity of housing needs, e.g. housing for those with physical or mental disabilities, resources to keep people housed, youth housing, family housing or senior housing. Affordable housing means, to me, that one is able to access housing and that “housing costs less than 30% of a household’s before tax income”, which is the definition of affordable housing in Canada. The Province has committed $7 million for an integrated Shelter for Red Deer. While requests have been made to the Province, with inflation, if they would add to that commitment, the response has been no. I anticipate if the City and the community want to “plus” any plans for the future integrated Shelter that meets current and future needs, the next Council will be debating whether the City will add to the $7 million. The City of Red Deer’s Community Housing and Advisory Board (CHAB), has in the past years, reviewed community agency RFP’s - Requests for Proposals - to access Federal and Provincial housing dollars allocated to Red Deer. In August of 2021, Council passed a motion to look to disband the CHAB and replace it with a new community collaborative committee that comes out of the CHHIP. This matter will come to the next Council for the governance model for housing and homelessness in Red Deer. It is hoped it will also bring more community collaboration and sub-committees such as an Indigenous work group and Council decision making in emergency situations. So responding to your questions, these will be conversations for the next community committee who will focus on the resources and services related to homelessness and housing needs in Red Deer. I encourage Common Sense Red Deer to engage in future community conversations when they occur. Regarding the question about costs of all housing out of control, this is a significant concern faced by all Albertans and Canadians as we see rising resale costs and new buildings costs and higher lumber prices. Housing and affordable housing is an example of the importance of all three orders of government - federal, provincial and municipal - working together for affordability. And ensuring there is a provincial and local/municipal environment that creates jobs and opportunities for one’s affordability. Municipalities have roles through local taxation, zoning, secondary suites bylaws, working with community agencies and the development committee, development fees and charges, adequate and services land supply, economic development and investment to bring jobs and services, and ease of doing business with City Hall. The affordable housing issues are a priority and will require the continued attention and focus; by Council leadership and working together as community. I also recognize that inadequate housing or unsanitary or rundown housing conditions contribute to the health of the community - mental health, physical health, social wellbeing and overall affects Red Deer’s community well being, as we are seeing with the temporary shelter spaces in downtown Red Deer and the conversations these past few years.
Chad Krahn:
One of the current challenges with affordable housing in Red Deer is the lack of alignment between all of the housing management bodies that are provincially funded but regulated by the city. There is currently resistance to the City aligning the housing management bodies from one of the large players. If greater alignment was achieved, it would allow the funding to go further and for the system to better serve those who are in need of affordable housing. Our housing supply would also be significantly strengthened if regulations were re-exampled for secondary suites in general, and carriage homes in particular.
Ryan Laloge:
The problem is clearly supply to the need, subsidies are only needed (and they take away from other services) when the costs and terms of development climb. Affordable housing needs to be affordable housing on affordable lots.
Vesna Higham:
No, the City should not be subsidizing low-income housing, period. That is the jurisdiction of the Province, with housing support dollars from the Feds – and over the past term, there have been plenty of federal housing dollars trickling down to our community. We need to focus on keeping the cost of all housing reasonable and affordable by doing what’s in our municipal control: keep debt reasonable (so less $ spent on interest), provide good core services at a reasonable cost, and making our community attractive to ongoing economic development.
Cindy Jefferies:
Some communities, like Medicine Hat, have invested in affordable housing stock in an effort to reduce the number of people experiencing homelessness. I understand they have been quite successful. In my mind, this is a better approach from an economical perspective. Currently, in Red Deer, we pay police, EMS, emergency room staff, city bylaw officers, city peace officers, mental health workers, numerous non-profit organizations, outreach workers, and parks employees to help people experiencing homelessness. Many studies indicate this is a very expensive approach. I think we would be better to put some municipal money with federal and provincial money into affordable housing.
Janise Somer:
Improve our downtown! Every relocation decision, be it a family or a business, is made with an image of place in mind. That image is powerful and physical … a picture of buildings, streets, cafes AND the feelings and social life that are associated with those places. Whether good or bad, that image is hard to shake! And, with rare exception, that image is downtown. Every city’s reputation is largely based on the downtown. If the downtown doesn’t look good, the city doesn’t look good. People won’t want to move here and it will be that much harder for citizens to feel good about the place they have chosen to live. A beautiful and vibrant downtown can be the rising tide that lifts all ships.
Brenda Campbell:
I feel we need to retain and attract businesses in a big way. This involves establishing relationships, making things as easy and seamless as possible with regards to permits, licensing etc. and lowering tax rates for all businesses. We've lost too many businesses to the county alone and need to rectify this. It's better to have higher occupancy with lower taxes than empty lots/land and buildings not generating any revenue/tax income.
Bruce Buruma:
Red Deer needs to prove we want businesses to succeed! To do so, the City has to be competitive, responsive and service oriented so businesses are confident investing in our City. That is not our current reputation. Tax breaks and incentives are a lever, but likely not a deal breaker when businesses and individuals are putting everything on the line. Businesses will go where it makes the most sense and it provides the right return on their investment. We need to listen and respond to the needs of business--that will attract investment.
Kraymer Barnstable:
As stated earlier I believe lower tax rates for all businesses would allow us to attract business and also be able to retain current businesses from fleeing Red Deer.
Victor Doerksen:
As mentioned before, it’s the cities job to provide basic infrastructure, such as water and wastewater; transportation corridors; recreational infrastructure; predictable and competitive taxes; and a responsive regulatory system. After that get out of the way and let developers and investors do what they do best. I’m not a big fan of boutique tax incentives as they usually distort the market.
Dianne Wyntjes:
These days, there is a lot of economic competitiveness among all Alberta municipalities to attract businesses to their municipality. Red Deer is no different. That economic attractions and development work continues through the City’s Economic Development staff team, and through CAEP - the Central Alberta Economic Partnership. We need to know our competitors - what is their community saying to attract investment? Many municipalities offer incentives. The City of Red Deer has done this as well in the past few years but what else, might bring return on investment with incentives offered? Red Deer should also review all marketing initiatives to promote Red Deer as a City of choice and a preferred central Alberta location. What can we do better? Attention to retention and current Red Deer businesses. There’s a statistic that 80% of growth comes from current and local/regional businesses and 20% from new businesses that come to the city/region. Red Deer must also have serviced land supply - residential, commercial and industrial. Along with conversations with the School Districts and Red Deer Polytechnic to ensure we have available, skilled and qualified employees/workforce. And it’s important we focus on what we can do to prevent “brain drain” so Red Deer and Alberta retains youth and experienced employees in Red Deer. Ensuring the business community is aware of available Federal and Provincial grants through our City and community systems is important, and working with organizations such as the Red Deer & District Chamber of Commerce, Downtown Business Association and the Construction, Land Development and Real Estate Industry Election Questions. Aligned with the Province, the City completed red tape reductions these past few years. The City should continue to review what other regulatory hoops need to be considered for ease of doing business with the City, or what’s missing. Along with zoning and bylaws reviews. What’s working? What’s not working? Having scheduled round table discussions and evaluation with the community is a must. Hearing directly form the business and development community with ideas, concerns and feedback. What are segments or niches where we can expand in Red Deer? Ensuring we have the research and data information about gaps in industry and identifying the opportunities to fill them. Quality broadband in Red Deer; dealing with the service providers to address the areas in Red Deer where there are dropped calls and weak service. In the next Council term, I’d like to bring together Red Deer community leaders and we work together on the “Red Deer Plan” to go to Edmonton and lobby the Province for Red Deer as a future site for any suitable future major sector that is being approached to come to Alberta. Our city is on a major corridor and consideration must be given to our city/region rather than and often the two major cities. Red Deer must also be recognized with plans in place for any future stop for high speed rail between Edmonton and Calgary. Last, liveability and quality of life of a city are investment attractions when someone or a business chooses Red Deer. This includes having high quality health care, education and post secondary education, recreation, vibrant arts and culture and a welcoming community vibe for Red Deer to be a community of choice for business attraction and investment. Red Deer has and should continue to review tax rates comparable to all Alberta municipalities; Red Deer is often middle of the pack in Alberta. There must always be the continuous lens to the tax ratio between residential, multi-family and non-residential while the City continues to provide municipal services.
Chad Krahn:
The City has a significant amount of work to do in terms of economic development. There are a number of things that the City needs to work on to be easier to deal with for businesses. This includes guaranteed turnaround time for permits and automating permits where possible, having a better procurement system for city projects, looking into preferred contractors for local projects. The next council will need to political will to look through the bylaws which are currently risk averse and work to weed out anything that will have unintended consequences. This will require political will that has not been seen by the past two councils. Tax incentives should be used sparingly as they often result in unintended consequences. Some businesses can only survive with tax incentives and move on to the next tax incentive place once their current incentive ends. I would much rather the city take an economic gardening approach than a tax incentive approach.
Ryan Laloge:
Lower or competitive property taxes is a starting point and moving there over time is overdue.
Vesna Higham:
Lower tax rates for all business, for sure. When government gets out of the way in terms of regulatory red tape etc., the private sector tends to flourish.
Cindy Jefferies:
I think either approach could work. I need more information on this to see the impact of one versus the other. Maybe a combination works?
Janise Somer:
Absolutely not. No police force is perfect and the RCMP is no exception. I am not sure what ongoing injustices you are speaking of, but the justice system is responsible for the ongoing revolving door for re-offenders.
Brenda Campbell:
I think we've tried to compromise with regards to funding by incorporating peace officers to support our police force (RCMP). However, this format is also struggling and injustices are abundant. If I am elected, I will do a study across all municipalities around the size of Red Deer to determine which police presence is most effective. It's a priority that we go from one of the least safest cities in the country to one of the safest.
Bruce Buruma:
No--policing must remain a priority. We should also ensure we provide the most appropriate response to situations so police and emergency services are focused on more urgent needs. Response and intervention teams providing mental health, first aid and other supports are a wise use of resources and achieve better outcomes.
Kraymer Barnstable:
No, we should not defund the police. I believe the city has already begun to address historical injustices, but defunding the police would only add to any ongoing injustices in my opinion.
Victor Doerksen:
This is a poorly written question. Either answer implies that the police are to “blame” for something. Historical injustices and ongoing injustices (things that we are currently blinded to) are a jointly shared responsibility of the entire community. I support our police. The amount we spend on policing services is always subject to budget scrutiny like any other department.
Dianne Wyntjes:
Over the last few years since George Floyd’s and Breonna Taylor’ deaths in the USA, and recognizing many Canadians who were also shot and killed by police, Canada is included in the conversation about “defunding the police” and the importance of saving lives. It’s a conversation that, for some, is long overdue, while others see it as alarming for public safety. I don’t use the word “defund the police”. I acknowledge that through the budgeting processes, especially today with competing public dollars, resources and needs, there are regular budget reallocations of policing and community safety, or analyzing and reviewing ways to respond, along with the learnings in policing for response and restraint. For me, it doesn’t mean zero budgets for community safety and policing. It does mean questions about our policing and safety budgets. As responses, I see multi-disciplinary approaches for safety and policing. It means prevention in the first place and up-stream approaches for those needing supports in their life; before the police are called. When we need and want help, we call 9-1-1. We ask police to respond to situations that sometimes, can make things worse. I believe it’s important to recognize Incidents such as overdose, homelessness, or handling social problems that may require supports that are not police. In Red Deer, the City has a pilot program, calling 2-1-1 with the Social Diversion Team of an LPN and Mental Health/Addictions Social Work treat who have diverted calls from the RCMP and support those vulnerable or individuals in distress. This fees up the RCMP for other policing duties. Responses are about being pro-active and minimizing the challenges through prevention, response and keeping people health. It’s about the City’s current System Leadership Team which has been in place for community focus and attention to up-stream approaches for crime reduction and supports. This is a focused community group with diverse community representation such as Alberta Health Services, Justice, Children’s Services, School Districts, Urban Aboriginal Voices, the RCMP and City representation, who have ongoing attention and action to any upstream approaches for community attention and prevention. As well, the future Red Deer Drug Treatment Court may also be helpful, once its operational through Alberta Justice. And the community also looks to the provincially funded Red Deer Recovery Centre for addictions and mental health which should help move those with addictions and mental health for treatment, along with family supports. This provincially funded Centre is set to open in 2022 in north Red Deer. And the next Council’s work will be conversations with the Provincial government and landing on a location and zoning for the Provincially funded and operated integrated Shelter. It’s about the scope of police responsibilities and shifting to models that continue to keep us safe but looking to other ways/individuals who are better equipped to meet the emergency needs, e.g family mediation, addictions and mental health for individuals and families and poverty reduction actions. It can also mean training for the officers on their responses to mental health calls, anti-racism education and race bias one may hold, along with internal policing process and reforms. The role and job of a police officer is not easy. But who are we gonna call when we want that safety and protection? The police. One must also recognize the post traumatic stress disorders in their careers. For me, it’s also about investing more in housing, mental health, programs of prevention such as preventing family violence, supports for poverty, trauma in lives, supports for offenders and supports for victims. As community members, we must also educate ourselves on the matters above. And I truly believe the work of policing and a safer community never ends.
Chad Krahn:
We need to continue to fund our police and look for ways to help them do their job better and more effectively. There is a technology that can aid them significantly in their jobs that we have hesitated to provide them, like GSP tracking ankle bracelets and traffic cameras that can read license plates. The police have a difficult job and often see the worst of society, but their needs to be an element of de-escalation training worked into their protocol. The city has also funded a social diversion team and hot line (2-1-1), which is a worthwhile pilot project to send potentially the right kind of help to a situation rather than always the police.
Ryan Laloge:
The concept of defunding police in a community which has a high crime level is not an appropriate question. Far more important is the issue of how policing can be more effective in our community and what form it should take. This question is an American concept for addressing racial challenges and not a Red Deer centered issue.
Vesna Higham:
NO. We clearly need to address the historical and ongoing injustices with things like targeted/ongoing training and education, zero-tolerance discrimination polices for our officers, and the installation of body cams for video evidence of either unjust discrimination to private citizens or unfair allegations against officers, but defunding is not the answer.
Cindy Jefferies:
To me, "defund the police" means to allocate some of the money you would have allocated to enforcement efforts and invest in preventative measures or mental health services instead. There is merit in considering a model with a focus on prevention and response from someone other than police.
Janise Somer:
We have seen that the centralized system is not working well for Red Deerians and yes, we need to keep advocating to return it to Red Deer.
Brenda Campbell:
I totally believe the City is right to object and like health and safety, I would lobby the provincial government to fix this. The minimal cost measures that are supposedly occuring as the result of centralization is not worth the lives lost and other serious glitches happening.
Bruce Buruma:
I support the City’s actions on this. Local knowledge, coordination of response and ensuring fast service when time is of the essence is key when responding to emergencies. We have been well served by local dispatch
Kraymer Barnstable:
I have no issues with the city objecting the provincial government's stance on this matter, but I also do not have a proposed resolution. Once again I am open to hearing others' ideas and working together to help address this issue.
Victor Doerksen:
The city has a right and responsibility to object to any matter which affects its citizens. Whether the City has any leverage to change the current situation is not known to me at this point.
Dianne Wyntjes:
The question of centralizing EMS dispatch through Alberta Health Services has been raised many times in the last decade. Each time that occurred, Alberta municipalities were heard by the Provincial Government on the reasons why it was not a good move for our/other Alberta municipalities and Albertans who reside in those region. Back then, the Province did not move to centralization of EMS dispatch. Sadly, this Provincial government did not acknowledge the concerns raised by the municipalities and pushed ahead. The City of Red Deer and City administration continues to work with the municipalities of Lethbridge, Calgary and Wood Buffalo Region who also lost regional dispatch, along with other area municipalities who have also been affected by this Provincial decision. There is also connection with other regions from each of these municipalities regarding details about the challenges EMS are now experiencing with the dispatch change. Such as lack of details for calls and directions for the emergency calls, along with encouraging Red Deerians and Albertans to share their experiences, from what can be a difficult and traumatic time. In September of this year, the current Red Deer City Council filed a complaint with the Alberta Ombudsman, Marianne Ryan, about the Province’s decision to consolidate dispatch and our request to revisit this decision. These past few weeks, Alberta now has a new Health Minister, so the conversation is worthy to revisit. Governments make decisions of centralizing and decentralizing services; this is one decision that I hope the Province reconsiders and brings back dispatch to the Alberta municipalities. The words “seconds count” continue to resonate when we think about the emergency response for the health and safety and care provided when the ambulance arrives - for Red Deerians and Albertans.
Chad Krahn:
One of my core principles is that the best decisions are made at the lowest level of analysis possible. Ambulance dispatch is a great example of that. It is a superior service to have local ambulance dispatch. The Provincial government did what they have done with a number of files in Health and just did what they wanted anyway. The City clearly got Shandroed. I believe the Mayor and Council pulled out all the stops to make the Province stop, but they did not. Currently, there is a complaint before the ombudsman, which is essentially the last line of recourse for the decision.
Ryan Laloge:
The movement of dispatch services is a security risk that will sooner or later face a technology or financial challenge. The basic problem is the priorities of the system and Red Deer Council is not going to on its own resolve the issue. The province and the City need to resolve the basic issue of priorities first.
Vesna Higham:
Wow. I could talk about this issue for ten more pages. YES, the City is categorically right in objecting to the consolidation of EMS dispatch services in our province – which took the physical number of dispatch centres from 7 down to 3 (Calgary, Edmonton, and Grande Prairie) and precipitated a net loss of dispatchers of approximately 60 operators. That’s a massive hit to our overall provincial and local emergency dispatch capacity, and it shows in the number of addressing errors and response time deficiencies we’ve witnessed not just in our community, but across the province. It’s simply THE WRONG THING TO DO and we have to continue lobbying the Province on this issue. With a new health minister in place, we have at least some hope of prevailing upon his good judgment with the cold hard facts – which are indisputable from my perspective. The former health minister was simply ideologically bound and committed to consolidation and was unwilling to move from that ingrained position. We could easily and readily return to integrated dispatch services locally (and in the other 3 communities where it was removed: Calgary, Wood Buffalo [Fort McMurray] and Lethbridge) – since we still operate fire dispatch locally from all these communities, including Red Deer. We must keep up the fight for this critical reversal of perhaps the most ill-advised political move I’ve ever witnessed in my seven years on Council.
Cindy Jefferies:
I agree 100% with the City's stand on EMS dispatch. When this was first proposed the numbers didn't make any sense. We would be paying more for less. This move resulted in Red Deer having to hire an increased number of staff. The quality of service has declined, as predicted. We need to stand up for Red Deer. Advocady work on this file is important. Our MLAs have an important role to play in working with the Mayor and Council to represent what is best for our communtiy.
Janise Somer:
I do not think it is appropriate to ask who we will be voting for. Should a mayoralty candidate win that we did not vote for, this could potentially create animosity between the new mayor and the council members. Municipal politics should be non-partisan. I signed the AUMA Local Democracy Pledge to maintain independence and non-partisanship by rejecting any endorsements which would undermine their accountability to municipal residents or the autonomy of the municipality.
Brenda Campbell:
I am not affiliated with any provincial or federal political parties but am not happy with either one currently. I haven't chosen my mayor candidate yet and am really trying to arrive at that, hopefully soon. All candidates have definite pluses. I don't think I'll vote for James Allen, even thoughI was impressed by him, since he's only 23 years old and has a lot of time for a political post in his future.
Bruce Buruma:
I will keep that a secret I am a conservative supporter both provincially (UCP) and federally (CPC).
Kraymer Barnstable:
I have conservative principles and I am on the right side of the political spectrum. I am not affiliated with any political parties, federally or provincially.
Victor Doerksen:
I’m not endorsing any candidates in this election. Electors are smart enough to make up their own minds. Obviously, my past role as MLA was under the PC banner. I’m a small “c” conservative.
Dianne Wyntjes:
It matters not who I support as a Mayor candidate. What’s important is that the Mayor and Council work well together with City Administration for Red Deerians, and that the citizen choices for Mayor and Council are respected. I also recognize that in Canadian municipalities who have gone the route of “political alignment” in municipal elections, it can bring more divisiveness to municipal governance. One of the reasons I prefer municipal politics is that it doesn’t matter what affiliated provincial or federal party one supports, but rather the best ideas are heard from elected members around the table, Council is connected and listening to the community and citizens, and that City Council makes decisions that are best for Red Deerians and the future.
Chad Krahn:
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Ryan Laloge:
You are asking Councilors to say who they will vote for when they must work effectively as a team to make change with that leader. When we run as a slate that would be appropriate but until then the question is of little benefit to voters or taxpayers. I am not a member of a federal or provincial political party as City Council should be independent of other loyalties. Politically I am socially conscientious, fiscally conservative and individual rights aware.
Vesna Higham:
I vote conservative at all levels of government: federal CPC, provincial UCP, and local candidates who align with my fiscal and social conservative perspectives. Liberal and NDP ideologies spend and waste way too much money in my opinion and stifle the productivity and development opportunities of the private sector and families who struggle with high taxes. I’m not comfortable disclosing whom I support for Mayor, given my close working connection to at least two of the candidates.
Cindy Jefferies:
Sorry, I won't share the name of the person who I hope wins the Mayor's race. I voted for him. As for political party affiliation, I prefer to keep party politics out of municipal politics. I have memberships in the UCP party, and the NDP party provincially. Why both? I like politics.