I love Edmonton. It’s my home and it’s been good to me. My journey toward giving back to it as an elected official began in 2004 with my first run for city council. But it was the 2007 election that saw me elected to serve the people of Ward 12.

While on city council, one of my top priorities was investing in the LRT system, and the approval of the Valley Line to southeast Edmonton, which is expected to open later this year. We also got busy revitalizing downtown, helping to build recreational facilities, libraries, a senior centre, and a multicultural centre for Edmonton Mill Woods. I also helped launch REACH Edmonton, focusing on crime prevention and intervention to build a strong, safe and healthy city.

In 2015, I made the leap to represent Edmonton on a larger scale in Ottawa. I was elected to represent Mill Woods as a federal member of parliament and was appointed to cabinet as the Minister of Infrastructure and Communities. In this role, I worked to deliver for Edmontonians, overseeing billions in infrastructure investments including the Winspear expansion and Citadel renovation project, post-secondary research infrastructure, the expansion of the Yellowhead and the building of 50th street overpass. We also delivered millions for upgrades to Fort Edmonton Park, the expansion of the Telus World of Science and the Jerry Forbes Centre. 

Then, in 2018, as Minister of Natural Resources I worked to ensure the Trans Mountain and Line 3 replacement pipeline could move forward in the right way. I also advocated for the clean-up of abandoned oil wells in order to create employment opportunities for thousands across the province, all while supporting the expansion of solar and other green energy projects in Alberta.

I am very proud that one of the first votes I cast as a member of parliament was to reduce taxes on lower income Canadians, and then to create the Canada child benefit which sends tax-free money to families that need support. Both of these put more money in the pockets of Edmontonians and helped to cut child poverty in half in Alberta. With these two measures, we were able to help support families that needed it most right here in Edmonton and across the country. 

There are so many more accomplishments that I am proud of:

• Ensured future revenue earned from TMX is invested in renewable energy and clean technologies as we transition to a low carbon economy. 
• Secured a $40-billion investment in the LNG Canada project, one of the largest private-sector investments in Canadian history.
• Secured federal support for two large petrochemical projects in the Edmonton Region worth $9 billion that are creating hundreds of jobs.
• Supported and advocated for geothermal investments in Alberta to help diversify our economy and create jobs.
• Worked to secure $1.2 billion to expand Edmonton’s LRT to West and into Blatchford development as a federal minister.  
• Secured flood mitigation projects in Mill Woods as a federal minister, which has protected more than 1,000 homes, schools and local businesses from flooding.
• Secured funds as a federal minister for the Jerry Forbes Centre, which has allowed many non-profit charities to share resources to improve services and programs.
• Advocated to secure $100 million of matching funds to Red Cross to support those affected by the Fort McMurray wildfire.
• Secured funds for the Telus World of Science to upgrade and modernize the existing theatre and gallery space with new technology, heating and cooling systems, and to improve accessibility.
• Secured $18.1 million in funding for the expansion of the Francis Winspear Centre for Music, home to the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra.
• Secured federal funding to rebuild the Roxy Theatre after it was destroyed by fire.
• Advocated for lowering the small business tax rate from 10.5% to 9% providing small business owners up to $7,500 in savings a year.

I feel like we’re just getting started! 

To me, politics is about making a difference. From driving a city bus, to serving on City Council, and representing Alberta at the federal cabinet table, my motivation has been to help improve the lives of the people I represent.

If elected mayor on October 18, my promise to you is I will continue to work hard every day to build an even better Edmonton that works for everyone.