Ward papastew: This central Edmonton district is anyone's race

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With no incumbent in the running, papastew is up for grabs.

The ward is openly contested after its current councillor, Ben Henderson, took a leave to run in the federal election as a Liberal candidate.

Formerly Ward 8, papastew – pronounced PAH-PAH-STAY-OH – includes many central neighbourhoods south of the North Saskatchewan River, and is home to the University of Alberta, Whyte Avenue and Accidental Beach.

Its namesake was a highly respected leader of the Papaschase Band #136, which resided in the Edmonton area in the late 1800s. papastew translates to large woodpecker in English.

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Only 38.2 per cent of residents in papastew own their homes and 32 per cent have lived in their home for five years or more, according to the Edmonton Public Library.

With 4.1 per cent of residents identifying themselves as French speakers, French is the second most spoken language in the ward after English.

Seven people are vying for the spot as councillor: Haruun Ali, James Cameron, Susan Field, Kirsten Goa, Michael Janz, Tarcy Schindelka, and Bryon Vass. Each weighed in on how they believe they can best represent and be a voice for the residents of papastew.

Who is running?

Haruun Ali

At 18 years old, Ali is the youngest person running for city council. One of the main issues Ali wants to help address, if elected, is climate change, and he hopes to use his age to his advantage as a living reminder of what’s to come. Ali also wants to address policing, and believes funds should be redirected so mental health professionals can attend those types of calls as opposed to officers, while police can focus on investigative work.

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James Cameron

Cameron is a long-time resident of papastew, having lived there since 1991. As a land and business owner, he stresses that taxes have only been increasing. If elected, he said he would not vote in favour of property or business tax increases. He believes the city already has enough money, it just needs to be managed better with fiscal responsibility.

Susan Field

Field has four pillars to her campaign: building business, projects with purpose, community heart, and services for all. She has experience in community leagues, business management and working with all levels of government. If elected, Field would focus on attracting business to the city and keeping young people here. She says the number one issue she’s heard is people don’t feel their money is being wisely spent.

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Kirsten Goa

A lifelong Edmontonian, Goa’s heart has always been in the community, doing volunteer and community organizing work. She says Edmonton is facing a lot of significant crises and challenges, including COVID-19, climate change, and precariously housed and homeless Edmontonians. She said residents are primarily concerned about a compassionate response to homelessness. If elected, Goa would like to build on the work of the current council, including increasing supportive housing.

Michael Janz

After 11 years as an Edmonton Public Schools trustee, Janz is taking a run at city council. He says the city needs to continue to invest in its transit system, protecting the river valley, and address climate change. Janz aims to be a progressive voice on council and the first thing he will do if elected is sit down with other councillors and the mayor to find common ground and work collaboratively.

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Tarcy Schindelka

This year’s election is the first time Schindelka is running for office. He says Edmontonians need to get more value for the tax dollars they are paying. He is running on three main issues: getting city council spending back to a reasonable level, as he says city hall doesn’t have a revenue problem, it has a spending problem. He also plans to take action on homelessness and addressing the transit system redesign.

Byron Vass

Vass has a background in economics and currently works for Alberta Recycling. He says he has always had an interest in municipal politics, but is turned off by the division of party politics. Vass says he’s heard concerns over homelessness and densification. If elected, Vass would also look at how to better connect the city’s two cores of Old Strathcona and Downtown, including the proposed High Level Line.

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Ward population: 74,200

Estimated eligible voters: 49,559

New neighbourhoods: CPR Irvine, Ritchie, Hazeldean, MillCreek Ravine South, Argyll, River Valley Whitemud, Grandview Heights, University of Alberta Farm, Lendrum Place, Parkallen, Allendale, Pleasantview, Calgary Trail North, Rosedale Industrial, Coronet Industrial, Whitemud Creek Ravine North, Lansdowne, Malmo Plains, Empire Park, Whitemud Creek Ravine South, Aspen Gardens, Royal Gardens, Rideau Park, Westbrook Estates, Greenfield, Duggan

Lost neighbourhoods: Cloverdale, Strathearn, Bonnie Doon, Idylwyde, Holyrood, Forest Heights, River Valley Riverside, Terrace Heights, Ottewell, Kenilworth, Fulton Place, Capilano, River Valley Gold Bar, Gold Bar, Eastgate Business Park, Lambton Industrial