By Ken Johnston, Mayor of Red Deer

edition #7

This Month with Mayor Ken Johnston: September 2022

Oct 5, 2022 | 10:10 AM

Welcome to ‘This Month with Mayor Ken Johnston,’ a new feature on rdnewsNOW.com, as of January 2022.

Going forward, we invite you, the readers, to submit questions to us by messaging us on Facebook or by emailing news@rdnewsnow.com

-Email subject line: ‘Ask the Mayor’
-Deadline: 15th of the month
-Question must pertain to events of the last month or otherwise current events
-Submissions must include first name, and last name/initial, and your neighbourhood for publication purposes
*We reserve the right to not use questions that contain hate speech, profanity or are otherwise not well-presented. We may contact you to clarify your question.

This Month with Mayor Ken Johnston is traditionally published near the end/start of each month.

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1. In early 2020, Red Deer city council affirmed its commitment to local Indigenous partners, and reconfigured its goals in that area following the protocol signing of 2017. The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (Orange Shirt Day) was Sept. 30; so please tell citizens how the City and council are taking CONCRETE ACTION to: a) recognize the atrocities of years’ past, b) address the ongoing injustices and discrimination which impact Indigenous people, and c) how City and council are working with local Indigenous leaders, including examples of how they’ve been involved in any municipal decision-making. – rdnewsNOW

Council and I have reinvigorated, post-COVID, our relationship with the Indigenous community, by way of the protocol that was signed in 2017 and the deliberate, strategic approach to the work of our UAVS committee, which I and two other councillors sit on. We meet regularly with UAVS working together on a mutually acceptable approach to Truth and Reconciliation.

Truth and Reconciliation is a process of healing relationships, sharing truths, listening to the knowledge that is being shared, and doing our part to redress past harms. It is taking the time to build and maintain mutually respectful relationships. We are wholeheartedly committed to this.

That is the goal of council and I, to listen, to learn to grow and to work together towards a better tomorrow. Reconciliation is borne of trust and relationship, which we are building; and it is more important that our words match our actions, and that we take time to get things right than it is to rush into a statement that does not reflect and respect all of the people involved. That is all to say, we are working closely with UAVS as the voice of urban aboriginal voices in Red Deer, to ensure we are on the right track as we move forward together.

We are authentically prioritizing the creation of a welcoming and inclusive society. We know it is more than flag raisings and a Mayor’s proclamation. The City legitimately wants to consider Indigenous ways of knowing in the operations of The City of Red Deer.

One example is working with our Indigenous community on the creation of council’s Strategic Plan, and gathering feedback for what Red Deer might look like in 20 years through our public engagement project called Shape Your Red Deer. We endeavor to engage with the Indigenous population in Red Deer as much as possible, and in ways that are authentic and meaningful to them.

Another is strengthening relationships within our community, like the incredible pipe ceremony held at Red Deer’s downtown RCMP detachment recently. An event that brought police officers and local Indigenous community members together to help advance Truth and Reconciliation.

City council recognizes that for too long, Indigenous and Métis peoples’ history and cultural needs have not been understood, appreciated, or integrated into city and community life. As your city council, we are looking to change this. Indigenous voices must be heard and there is intentional inclusion of all, by all, which is honoured and practiced, recognizing that community encompasses all, and Indigenous voices must be routinely part of dialogue and consultation.

I recognize that the work of reconciliation takes time, as your Mayor I am committed to improving relations between Red Deer’s Indigenous Community and The City of Red Deer.

RELATED

Red Deer affirms commitment to Indigenous partners

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2. Following recent council meetings and news coverage, there’s been some division re. the planned strip mall, people saying Red Deer has enough of them. People are also split on the need for a gondola, last year an agreement with Remington Homes lapsed after fewer than expected condo sales, and it was recently announced that Carnival Cinemas is leaving the neighbourhood. How confident are you that The City will get Capstone “right” in the long-term, despite what some may call setbacks? – rdnewsNOW

Capstone is a master-planned community with a 20-year buildout, and redevelopment programs, similar to any other real estate programs, are subject to market cycles and conditions. We are currently preparing small updates to the land use regulations in Capstone, designed to add flexibility and help enable the vision to be realized. We will continue to invest in programming, infrastructure improvements, partner attraction, and education for citizens on the many advantages of urban living – including social, environmental, and financial benefits. We are fully committed to realizing the vision for the Capstone community.

Capstone has already attracted private investors, including the recently proposed strip mall. We have also seen the construction of the 4311 Center along Taylor Drive, and many businesses moving into Capstone. Council approved the site exception for the strip mall recently because we know it will spur future development in Capstone. The gondola project is another great example of private investment, and their proposed plans do involve public consultation. We are incredibly grateful for the ongoing private investor confidence in Capstone. Both the new commercial development I mentioned, and the gondola project represents private investment dollars in the Capstone area.

Brad Remington Homes expressed confidence in The City’s vision for Capstone but chose to pause their sales until market conditions improve. We continue to have conversations with experienced developers and investors who are interested in Capstone.

The sale of Carnival Cinemas is an intentional move by the owner and allows for a new opportunity for this land and a new investor to make their mark; one which supports the vision and future densification of Capstone. Working together, The City and the owner have built a concept plan which overviews how the Carnival Cinemas building, and surrounding land can be developed into mixed-use development at the gateway of the community.

I hope you’ve had a chance to enjoy the many events, activities and public amenities in Capstone. There are no shortage of events and amazing businesses in this area already, and we can’t wait to see what the future will bring.

RELATED

Capstone vision unchanged with Carnival Cinemas looking to relocate

Red Deer city council approves site exception for potential strip mall in Capstone

Gondola being planned to connect Capstone with Bower Ponds

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3. Are you pleased with the site selected for the city’s new purpose built homeless shelter? What are the next steps now in the process to getting it built? Any main message to the community at this time in regards to the initiative? – rdnewsNOW

A future shelter site for Red Deer continues to be a priority for the Province of Alberta and City of Red Deer following a meeting between Mayor Johnston, members of city council and Provincial Ministers in Calgary recently.

While we had hoped to be in a position to release its recommended site last week, further considerations pertaining to the recommended site are being jointly explored by the Province and City to ensure its suitability prior to publicly disclosing any information about a potential site.

We know our community has been patiently waiting for us to identify the potential future shelter site in our city; this is a big decision, and we must ensure that we are making the best decision possible for our community – and that we are making that decision in good faith and partnership with our provincial colleagues. We are continuing to move forward with our provincial partners, and we want to have a decision for our community very soon.

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City of Red Deer and province continue discussion about potential site for future shelter

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EDITOR’S NOTE: The views expressed above are those of the Mayor and do not necessarily represent those of rdnewsNOW or Pattison Media. Column suggestions and letters to the editor can be sent to news@rdnewsNOW.com.

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