Quality of Life

There has been much talk recently about our new long term City Vision and the plans that come out of that, the Transportation Master Plan ‘The Way We Move’ and our Municipal Development Plan ‘The Way We Grow’. But up until now there has been less attention on another key objective coming out of the City Vision, and that is a focus on the quality of Life in the City. That is about to change. The City is just starting on the process to develop a third key master plan around Quality of Life and the livability of our City called ‘The Way We Live’

“The Way We Live: Edmonton ’s People Plan” is a multi-pronged look at all those things that affect the people things of our city. From snow removal to parks, recreation centres to police services, libraries to arts and cultural events, it's our people services that add to our quality of life and to our national and international reputation.

Just as we did in developing the Vision and the two other plans an exciting opportunity is coming up for all who wish to share their ideas, dreams and hopes for this place in which we all live. It is a chance to make sure that your vision and priorities are embodied in the new plan. Over the next few months we will be gathering information from as many people as possible. I encourage all of you to  take the time to check in with us to give us your opinions. Several modes of communication including online, at public meetings and also in person are set up and ready to go. We all need to make room and time for this very important conversation.

I know we are all very busy people, many of us consumed are by constant emails, text messages, kids to take to soccer practice, or just de-stressing after a long day at work. But I ask you to try to take the time to make a space for this conversation with the City. Can you take a short time to take a morning off attend a public meeting?  If your children have opinions, please include them. This conversation is for Edmontonians of all ages and a plan for the future they will inherit.

Without undermining the importance of our other planning documents, this is the plan that will speak the most closely to the things that are most important to us as Citizens of this community. Creating a master plan that speaks to these issues is a brand new step for the City. I am very excited to see how it comes out and it will be even more exciting the more of you that can be part of the forming of it.

For information www.edmonton.ca/TheWayWeLive. The first public meeting on Sunday October 3 from 8:30 am to 12:30 pm , at Grant MacEwan downtown. Rsvp by September 30 to http://discussthewaywelive.ca  If not able to register on line, phone 944-0425 . You can always go to the website and find the next meeting coming up; I hope you can share your thoughts.

Ben Henderson

 Councillor, Ward 4