Why I'm Stepping Up

Hello there

My name is Jackie Liu, and I am running to be your independent Edmonton City Councilor representing ward pihêsiwin. This is my first time ever in politics, and I want to share with you my reasons for running, why I am the best candidate to represent you at city council, and what you can expect from me throughout this campaign, and hopefully, as your city councilor for the next four years.

My family and I moved to Edmonton in 2019 - we moved here for my wife to begin her career at the UofA, for myself to take on a leadership role in the social service sector, and we brought along our three elementary-aged daughters. As a family, we very quickly grew to love the city. We picked up mountain biking in the river valley, immersed ourselves in farmer’s markets all over the city, attended varied and vibrant festivals, and marveled at the culture and diversity of Edmonton’s local business scene. There is an energy to the city, and we’re grateful to have been welcomed by community, and we’ve made a wonderful home for ourselves in the Riverbend area in this short time.

Despite all the wonderful things about this city, there are things we could do better. You likely feel the pinch of inflation and the rising costs of almost everything. You likely know that this city is experiencing an increase in homelessness, and that we are very much in a housing crisis. You are probably stuck in traffic at frustratingly predictable times and places. And like me, you may also be frustrated at watching different levels of government, and opposing politicians and political parties, pass responsibility and accountability around. I do love this city, and I want us to continue supporting things that make Edmonton a spectacular home and destination, but we also need to take care of basics, ensure we are getting maximum value for our investments, and we continue to believe in the potential of our city and its people. This is why I am choosing for City Council.

I have the skillset and expertise to make a difference. I’ve spent my career serving the public, and this experience stretches from being a community pharmacist, serving in hospitals and nursing homes, and operating Community Health Centres serving vulnerable populations in both Edmonton and Calgary. Recently, I’ve been part of the leadership team at Homeward Trust, the homeless system planner in Edmonton, and have been part of the work that currently houses over 1500 people annually, and has seen 20,000 people housed since 2010. I have tangible experience dealing with complex systemic issues, and I’m excited to bring that expertise to Council. I’m also heavily invested in our local community, serving on the Board of Directors for the Chinatown Transformation Collaborative, and sitting on the City of Edmonton’s Anti-Racism Advisory Board. My colleagues there know me as a critical thinker who pushes for practical and decisive action, and I look forward to bringing that governance approach to City Council.

I am proudly campaigning as an independent councilor, and should I have the honour of being elected, my accountabilities will be to the residents of pihêsiwin and not to a political party with an agenda directed by their own priorities and causes. Local municipal politics should be about the experiences of people - it is about getting things done to improve the day-to-day lives of our friends and neighbours, and the only way to do that is to listen, reflect those learnings to council and administration, and push hard to better the lives of Edmontonians.

I look forward to getting to know you, and as the campaign team and I start to make our rounds around beautiful ward pihêsiwin, I hope we’ll have many great conversations, gain insights and perspectives about this neighborhood, and ultimately, collectively ensure that ward pihesiwin is represented by a values-driven, principled, and community-led independent Edmonton City Councilor.

My very best,

Jackie Liu