Grassroots activists are rallying marginalized communities ahead of the upcoming municipal election in Edmonton. The University of Alberta Students’ Union is spearheading efforts with around 150 volunteers urging fellow students to commit to voting. They have set up booths on campus, conducted classroom visits, and launched a social media initiative.
The focus of the student union is to utilize these pledges to shed light on crucial campus issues like housing, transportation, and affordability. They aim to ensure students are informed about the voting process and are even sending out reminders to stay engaged.
Pedro Almeida, the president of the students’ union, emphasized the importance of student participation in influencing elected officials. The students’ union is a key member of the Edmonton Student Alliance (ESA), representing over 110,000 students and recently hosting a mayoral forum.
Another active group is the YEG Muslim Vote, which has new leadership. Their mission is to advocate for policies that benefit Muslim and other ethnic communities through engaging social media campaigns. Discussions have touched on various topics including housing, transit, and the conflict in Gaza.
The recent ceasefire in Gaza has sparked relief among Israelis and Palestinians. Shiza Wasi, executive director of YEG Muslim Vote, highlighted the importance of candidates aligning with community sentiments on global issues. This includes addressing concerns about certain companies’ connections to controversial practices.
The group has extensively interviewed mayoral and council candidates, with a successful online forum involving aspiring school trustees. Wasi stressed the need for accountability from elected officials to fulfill promises made during campaigns.
An organization promoting leadership and community engagement held its inaugural forum, aiming to connect citizens with local experts to facilitate meaningful discussions. Scarlet Bjornson from the Bissell Centre emphasized the importance of addressing public safety collaboratively by involving law enforcement and social services.
The municipal election in Edmonton is scheduled for October 20, providing an opportunity for citizens to make their voices heard through the ballot box.
