I will say that Sandhu was outstanding in his role working for Chahal. Totally on the ball, would make a good Councillor, I think. I don't know anything about Dhaliwal.
Was Sandhu also stealing other candidates pamphlets?
Can I ask how you decided between Heather McRae and Erin Waite?
I'm also leaning towards McRae but find there's not a huge difference to them. The small differences for me are that:
a) iI feels like McRae understands "the system" a bit better (which makes sense, she worked for Druh for awhile, and her husband is a political strategist).
b) Erin loves to describe Calgary as "mid-sized" as in "Calgary can be a top tier mid-sized city" which on one hand feels realistic, but on the other makes me question whether she is thinking too small -- would she have voted for the library, the peace bridge, or the green line or are those big city projects?
c) McRae might be more along the Druh lines of "I have a vision" rather than "tell me what you want" which can be good or bad depending on your perspective.
Would love to hear what you think on the above and how you decided.
It was a tough decision - I liked Waite and North-Peigan as well - I think all 3 would make a good councillor. It was a gut decision, so I suppose I went with relative experience!
Carra appears to be in a dog fight with Naomi Withers who according to lawns signs has the support of Inglewood and Bridgeland. I like Carra and think he'll probably get my vote again but I'm interested to know why Withers is gaining such traction in neighborhoods where Carra lives...
Carra appears to be in a dog fight with Naomi Withers who according to lawns signs has the support of Inglewood and Bridgeland. I like Carra and think he'll probably get my vote again but I'm interested to know why Withers is gaining such traction in neighborhoods where Carra lives...
Simplification, but Inglewood is mad at Carra about the new tower and the general "I know better than the neighbourhood" attitude. I think there's a feeling that he's more focused on city issues than local issues.
Is Withers truly gaining enough traction to unseat him though? I figured Carra was a shoe-in.
Last edited by Flames0910; 10-05-2021 at 10:23 AM.
I'm pretty sure I'll be voting for Dana Downey...but definitely not voting for Dossa. Whenever I read something like that, they're obviously putting parents and their feelings first, not what's best for the kids.
As a Ward 1 resident, my votes right now are going for:
Mayor - Gondek
Councillor - Sharp, probably (there's a large collection of people with the exact same platform/platitudes, but she has good experience working at the City)
Fluoride - Yes
Time Change - nah
Equalization - nah
Senate - Either Thunder or Kinney to piss off the UCP
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Ward 7 resident here. Don't want another Druh, which I get the same vibes from McRae & Wong. Thinking I'll give my vote to Lalonde. What are other Ward 7 folks thinking?
I went Marilyn North Peigan
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Simplification, but Inglewood is mad at Carra about the new tower and the general "I know better than the neighbourhood" attitude. I think there's a feeling that he's more focused on city issues than local issues.
Is Withers truly gaining enough traction to unseat him though? I figured Carra was a shoe-in.
For sure, and there is a lot of that when it comes to GCC. I know him and ICA do not get along.
Hard to say for sure but if lawn signs mean anything then Withers is running circles around him.
I'm pretty sure I'll be voting for Dana Downey...but definitely not voting for Dossa. Whenever I read something like that, they're obviously putting parents and their feelings first, not what's best for the kids.
As a Ward 1 resident, my votes right now are going for:
Mayor - Gondek
Councillor - Sharp, probably (there's a large collection of people with the exact same platform/platitudes, but she has good experience working at the City)
Fluoride - Yes
Time Change - nah
Equalization - nah
Senate - Either Thunder or Kinney to piss off the UCP
My list is the same for Ward 1. Downey, Gondek, Sharp and the rest.
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Mayor: Gondek
Councilor: Wyness
Silly Senate: Thunder and Kinney
Yes to Flouride
No to changing DST
No to the nonsense equalization question
Abstain on school trustee
Mayor: Gondek
Councilor: Wyness
Silly Senate: Thunder and Kinney
Yes to Flouride
No to changing DST
No to the nonsense equalization question
Abstain on school trustee
Ward 11
Mayor: Gondek
Councilor: Herschel
Yes to Flouride
No to changing DST
No to Equalization
School Trustee - Nancy Close
Abstain on Senate
Ward 11
Mayor: Gondek
Councilor: Herschel
Yes to Flouride
No to changing DST
No to Equalization
School Trustee - Nancy Close
Abstain on Senate
Ward 11
Mayor: Gondek (like Davison but strategically voting)
Councilor: Vandenberg
Yes to Flouride
No to changing DST
No to Equalization
School Trustee - Abstain
Abstain on Senate
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Part of the “take back the CBE” slate of candidates
Does not have a website, only a Facebook page with a lot of his pictures having “end the lockdown” written on them
No clear policy stance
Dana Downey
Opposes the proposed curriculum
10 years teaching experience, 7 with the CBE as a resource teacher
Allan To
Is a CPA
Does not capitalize the word “Indigenous” on his website
No claims about the draft curriculum
Melanie Wen
“Shares concerns with regard to the draft K-6 curriculum”
Will advocate for half day public pre-K and full day Kindergarten “in Alberta” (not sure how this will translate to the entire province?)
Works as a Business Analyst, holds degrees in Computer Engineering and Finance
Wards 3 and 4
Althea Adams
Incumbent
Believes there are some challenges with the draft curriculum but does not claim to be a curriculum expert herself
Najeeb Butt
Little to no policy on his website
“My goal is to get back parents, families and teachers voice in school loudly and clearly” - I’m not sure what this means
Claudia Fuentes
Part of the “take back the CBE” slate of candidates
Laura Hack
Has a BEd and permanent teaching certification
Prioritizes smaller class sizes and making sure “the way curriculum is taught is through a lens free from racial, gender and other bias”
On the draft curriculum: “We cannot let this draft curriculum see the classroom, and I am willing to fight against it. I am disappointed how Eurocentric, neurotypical, and heteronormative this entire draft is. In my opinion, the whole thing needs to be thrown out. Fixing pieces of it as is being done online does not fix these underlying issues. As an educator and parent myself, I do not want to teach this or have my children taught it.”
Oun Saegh
Has no website or social media
Wards 5 and 10
Malik Ashraf
Has a background in “Computer Science, Real Estate, Petroleum Land Administration, Business Operations, Management and Banking”
Supports greater focus on student mental health
No mention of draft curriculum on his website
Jay Chowdhury
His 5 concerns to bring to the table are Funding, Curriculum, Classroom, Reconciliation, Diversity (no idea what exactly those mean, no further information on website)
Marilyn Dennis
Incumbent
Does not give a personal opinion on draft curriculum but acknowledges “concerns regarding the content” and advocated for a delay in implementation until it can be revisited
Harseerat Dhami
No website or social media
Humaira Falak
Will “advocate for a new curriculum that is developmentally appropriate, informed by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action, is reflective of today’s realities and developments, and prepares students for critical thinking and future success”
Will “stand against budget cuts and erosion of public education system, against over-crowded classrooms, against increased school and transportation fees”
Christa Harris
“We advocate for parental consent and oppose any policy or law that interferes with the parent/child bond.”
“That means proper funding allocations, parental involvement, and standardized testing to ensure the needs of our children come first.”
Stephen John
Will work to “advance equity, anti-racism and honour the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's calls to action”
“I will advocate that no curriculum changes hit Calgary classrooms until concerns raised by parents, teachers, and curriculum experts are fully addressed.”
Michael Siapno Juarez
Says the student to teacher ratio is too high, especially in NE Calgary
Very little policy information
Baldev Tamber
“I SHALL ENGAGE PARENTS, STUDENTS AND COMMUNITY IN PROBLEMS CONCERNING
TRANSPORTATION
EDUCATION & CURRICULUM
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY TO ALL STUDENTS
BUILDING RELATIONSHIP OF TRUST AND ACCOUNTABILITY”
Not much policy information on website
Vikas Verma
No website or social media
Wards 6 and 7
Olga Barceló
Has an instagram page linked and I found a facebook page but doesn’t seem to have a website
“As a candidate for this municipal election, I want EVERYONE to know that I am absolutely, 100% against this draft curriculum from the Alberta government. We need better for the children and future generations of Alberta.
We need to be supporting our Indigenous students in the CBE as well. There is a lot of work to be done, I am up to the task for advocating, listening and most importantly, learning with my fellow colleagues to make this province support all students.
Public education must be protected.”
Patricia Bolger
Holds a BEd and an MEd and has over a decade teaching experience, currently working at the U of C’s Werklund School of Education
Is against the draft curriculum
Priorities are: standards of excellence, common sense, curriculum, and assessment
Ran in 2017, lost by a narrow margin, then the trustee resigned
Barbara La Pointe
Empowered teachers empower students, financial literacy in the curriculum, Indigenous inspiration and education, critical thinking and 21st century learning
Is proudly Métis and is an art education and conflict resolution coach
Does not state opinion on draft curriculum but says it’s the number one concern she’s hearing
Cheryl Munson
Believes the draft curriculum needs to be thrown out
“I will never, in any way, be in favour of policies that divide, discriminate, or segregate our population. I will never, ever be in favour of a policy that demands we hand over private medical information against our will. I will never be in favour of policies that say the government knows better than parents what is best for their child”
Carter Thomson
“Education is at an important crossroads. Children must learn their basic skills. They must learn that to question everything will further their life skills. Having a dissenting opinion should not lead to sanctions. Not agreeing with group thinking should not lead to being cancelled. The Alberta government's plan to adopt the 2021 Draft Curriculum appears to me to have a shaky foundation. In my opinion much of it is not age appropriate. I feel it may set both our students and educators on a path to failure.”
Wards 8 and 9
David Barrett
5 core pillars: advocating for proper funding, long-term sustainability, responsive, anti-racism and reconciliation, expert created curriculums
“The CBE should not be piloting updated curriculums that have been overwhelmingly identified as flawed. The CBE should not be supporting the implementation of any curriculum that is not a product of deep and meaningful engagement with curriculum development and teaching professionals, community members, and parents.”
Slobodab Mladenov
Has a facebook group linked but has not responded to any questions in it
Stacey Selley
“I reject the current Draft Curriculum and I support a more balanced curriculum with a larger focus on: Calgary, Alberta, Canada, Current Events, Math & Sciences, Critical Thinking, Tech, Literature, Taxes, Personal Finance, and Business Education, and Youth Mental Health.”
“Addressing systematic racism and S2LGBTQ+ concerns and anti-bullying are of the utmost importance and I will do whatever I need to do to make sure that safety is priority.”
Monica Truong
Had one child attend a charter school but now homeschools her children
“The “new” Alberta curriculum is a relic of the past and I will fight its implementation tooth and nail. Our children do not need a standardized set of knowledge when all information is instantaneously available. Our children need open, inclusive, resource-rich, and loving environments that support their innate curiosity and desire to learn. We need less top-down, not more.”
Lives in ward 4, not wards 8 or 9
Believes masking and vaccination are medical interventions and claims she is not a doctor, she advocates for parental choice
Susan Vukadinovic
5 platform priorities: pushing back against overcrowded classrooms, stronger partnership with AHS to improve access to mental health supports for students, restore early intervention supports, advocate for new curriculum, call for schools to be places of equity, diversity, and inclusion
Has the most comprehensive platform of any candidate in any ward
Wards 11 and 13
Shirley Anderson
ABCs for advocacy, betterment of our community schools, and open communication
No comment on the draft curriculum
Nancy Close
Served as a CBE trustee from 1999-2007
“Our students need a modern and inclusive curriculum. The provincial draft curriculum is unacceptable and must be withdrawn in favour of one that is collaborative and prepares our students for the future. Our students deserve a curriculum development process that everyone can trust and support.”
Hilary Sellen
Part of the “take back the CBE” slate of candidates
Wards 12 and 14
Jim Govenlock
Is a retired educator
“It is the mandate of Alberta Education to develop curriculum. It is the mandate of local school authorities to implement the mandated curriculum. That being said, I am aware that there are some issues in the public domain with some of the changes that appear in recently revised curricula. Having reviewed the proposed curriculum, I can say that I share those concerns.”
Shawn Hubbard
No website or social media
Maxx Lapthorne
Former CBE teacher with a MEd in pedagogy and curriculum
Does not support the draft curriculum and penned a letter to the government in April detailing her view
Charlene May
“The draft curriculum was created without adequate consultation with educators, specialists, and curriculum experts. The created document is partisan, age inappropriate, blurs the line between curriculum and pedagogy, and dismisses Action items from the Truth and Reconciliation recommendations. I want our teachers to be supported in the classroom. This means having the resources, materials, support, and additional courses to implement any new curriculum.”
Community, accountability, and public education
Darvin Zuch
Part of the “take back the CBE” slate of candidates
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This is likely me, but Jett Thunder and Duncan Kinney for Senate.
I'm looking into Vanderburg a little more before making my final decision.
I was shying away from Vanderburg as I thought he wouldn't have enough mass appeal, but I'm wondering if I'm wrong on that. I was between him and Branagan, so maybe I go Vanderburg instead.
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