Tag: leslie bedard

Cats, Chopsticks, and Rainbows: Ward 4 Interview with Leslie Bedard

Leslie Bedard was born in Saskatchewan and moved to Alberta when she was twelve. Later on, she worked for the Edmonton John Howard Society after attending Grant MacEwan College. She moved to Calgary in 1997 and pursued a B.A. in English and a B.Ed at the University of Calgary. She has taught in several high schools in the city, and is now pursuing a Masters in Counseling Psychology.

Why are running for alderman in Ward 4?
Bedard cited her main reason for running in Ward 4 because she lives in the ward. She believes that she is a strong candidate because she “can work together and bring something to the discussion.”
“I just think there’s a lot of people in this because people are angry,” says Bedard. “It’s not a job we should be doing out of anger.”
What does the city look like 100 years from now?
“I hope that Calgary maintains its small town feeling,” Bedard said.
Bedard believes that the sense of community and friendliness is important to Calgary while trying to maintaining and growing itself as a business hub. 
Beyond that, Bedard hopes that people will start to carry Calgary through all sorts of growth regardless of whether or not the oil industry will continue to define Calgary’s economy. 
Is social media an important driving force, or is it still the voting demographic and the hot issues that dictate the election?
Bedard does not think social media is crucial in an election campaign, but it will aid a candidate. She believes that the Obama campaign was a different franchise and is not comparable to a civic setting. 
She does that social media can provide conversation that you would normally miss, but it is not enough to shift who the regular voting demographics. 
“We will see younger voters more engaged,” Bedard says. 
What was one thing the city did right this term?
One of the highlights that Bedard thought city council did right was “stepping up and willing to help get Calgary festival friendly.”
She felt that during a time when festivals were feeling threatened by various factors, the city made the right call to intervene and help out.
She also noted that moving forward with events like the Bow River Flow was important for the city. Festivals like these are free and help families enjoy their weekend. It also adds to Calgary’s identity and encourages people to come and visit the city. 
Should municipalities be granted constitutional powers?
While Bedard has given it some thought on the constitutional question, her first instinct is in favour of such a move. However, she adds that it is something that she will look into further since she does not have a lot of information on the issue. 
Almost all candidates have preached the importance of transportation. Would you take the bus to work at least once a week if elected? If not, why would you not take it if you are recommending Calgarians should take it?
Bedard believes that taking the bus is important, and acknowledges that she is lucky to live only two blocks away from a transit stop.
“I would take the bus at least once a week. Once a week is cheating, I would take it everyday,” Bedard asserted. “If you can take it one day a week, you can take it everyday of the week.”
What does your platform include in terms of Aboriginal issues?
“It’s implied in my platform that we need to be wiling to work with family and individuals left on the fringes,” Bedard said when asked about whether or not Aboriginal issues were in her platform.
While there were no specifics about Aboriginal issues, Bedard said she would try to include anyone in ways that they are not included in the city. 
With CCTVs and the public behavior bylaw, do you believe the city has a place for dictating and monitoring the conduct of its citizens?
Bedard believes that CCTVs and the public behavior bylaw are reactionary measures. However, Bedard suggests that cameras might make it easier to catch people and has helped in solving crime.
“Most crimes are not stopped by the fear of being filmed,” Bedard warned. 
She suggests that while bylaws might help, it is a sign that people need to “get back to the basics” and “remember manners,” something that city council cannot change in people. 

This is cross-posted with CalgaryPoliitcs.com

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