“Ultimately, on all fronts, our most outstanding advantage is our people — that we’re young, educated and we’re growing,”
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Standing alone on the stage of an empty conference centre ballroom, Mayor Don Iveson praised the drive of Edmontonians to work together toward building a better city.
In his final State of the City address presented virtually Wednesday afternoon, Iveson said it is the people of Edmonton who have pushed the city forward through innovation and collaboration since he was elected mayor in 2013. Decisions made at city hall, such as LRT expansion and green energy initiatives, have helped lay the foundation for these ideas to thrive, he said.
“We’re building something extraordinary here on the banks of the North Saskatchewan,” Iveson said during his afternoon address hosted by the Edmonton Chamber of Commerce. “But when I say we are building something extraordinary here, I’m talking about the great people of this city. The spirit and achievements of Edmontonians. Because, as I’ve said many times, you are the real city builders.”
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Recognizing individual entrepreneurs who rooted their businesses in Edmonton, Iveson said the city has become a place to launch ideas and pursue big dreams. Like Connie Stacey who founded Growing Green Innovations with a mission to end energy poverty in the world, said Iveson, noting that the company is now getting attention across North America and support for its battery technology. Or Bitcoin Well which started in 2013 and then brought some of the first bitcoin ATMs to Alberta and Saskatchewan. The company is now in the process of moving its operations to a 35,000-square-foot headquarters in Edmonton’s Downtown.
“Ultimately, on all fronts, our most outstanding advantage is our people — that we’re young, educated and we’re growing,” Iveson said. “Together, that’s a recipe for enduring success. For brashness, one could say. For being willing to buck trends, or start new ones. And for tackling problems and pursuing ideas with a why-the-hell-not kind of attitude.”
But the work is far from over, Iveson said, pointing to ending homelessness and systemic racism as key challenges ahead to tackle. Iveson said inclusion is in the DNA of the city as he called on Edmontonians to lift up each other and offer supports where needed as residents continue to fight through the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We have not ended chronic homelessness — yet. But we can. It’s happening every day, one life at a time. Because we are here to uplift everyone. But not everyone is included yet,” Iveson said. “If we look after each other better, everybody wins.”
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Reflecting on his first State of the City address seven years ago, Iveson said a declaration he made that Edmonton will be one of the best places to take risks and launch new ideas is well underway. Now, seven years later, his final message is to “keep on building.”
“Edmonton’s success is tied to so much more than the price of oil,” he said. “Edmonton has found its voice. We’re carving out our niche. It has endured and it will endure. We’re going to rise out of this pandemic, assuming a clever, captivating and confident place in Canada.”
More to come.
