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Jennifer Porritt

Jennifer Porritt

Candidate for councillor in tastawiyiniwak



Mixed

Which would you prioritize in your role during the budget process?

Porritt

I don't have a position on this issue

Mixed

Which of the following comes closest to your view of the most important function of a councillor?

Porritt

Visionary leader.

Candidate comments: “Community representative was a close second choice. Personally, I would do the job of councillor based on my values, which includes doing extensive research before making decisions while guided by compassion and care for our environment. The city should do a better job of educating citizens about the reasons behind its decisions.”
Mixed

Which would you prioritize regarding property taxes?

Porritt

Increase taxes to improve quality of life.

Candidate comments: “The options are misleading in my opinion. I would prefer to choose an answer that is "Increase taxes if the cost of living for citizens will decrease, as a result." If expanded transit requires a tax increase but results in more citizens being able to travel for only $100 each month, then it is a worthwhile cost.”


Mixed

Which of the following comes closest to your view on 15-minute districts?

Porritt

Intervene to incentivize more mixed-use development and local services.

Candidate comments: “Whatever tools the city has to encourage businesses to be located within proximity to more citizens should be used. Quality of life improves as local gathering spots and grocery stores are within walking distance.”
Mixed

Which of the following comes closest to your approach to development outside Anthony Henday Drive?

Porritt

Set a firm growth boundary.

Candidate comments: “Farm land and natural habitats should be preserved, as much as possible. Commute times and fuel costs affect the quality of life for citizens. The city has a plan for incorporating more citizens within the Henday and that should be followed.”
Mixed

Which of the following comes closest to how you would guide infill development?

Porritt

Proceed as allowed under existing rules.

Candidate comments: “Although, attention should be given to developers who are building in bad faith and possible sanctions created for companies who continue with poor quality builds, we must prepare now to continue being the welcoming city that we currently are.”


Mixed

Which of the following comes closest to how you would incorporate climate change into decision-making?

Porritt

The climate crisis must be a consideration in every single decision.

Candidate comments: “Every decision is a climate decision whether we acknowledge it or not. It's our moral duty, especially as those who benefit from fossil fuels, to use our privilege to lead on climate initiatives.”
Mixed

Which of the following comes closest to how you would approach parking in commercial areas?

Porritt

Reduce parking and reallocate land to other uses.

Candidate comments: “Edmonton currently has an over supply of parking. Parking should be prioritized for those with higher needs like those with mobility aids or young families.”
Mixed

Which would you prioritize for downtown revitalization funds?

Porritt

Grow the residential population.

Candidate comments: “Office workers shouldn't be forced back into downtown offices. Office spaces have largely not had improved filtration and ventilation in order to protect workers from viral illness. Housing is more of a need. We are moving away from a central work location towards the vision of The City Plan.”


Mixed

Which of the following comes closest to your position on public funding for the arts?

Porritt

Essential to quality of life and in need of stable funding.

Candidate comments: “I prefer the term citizen over taxpayer because it confers responsibility and privileges. We are more than the money we spend and save and a good quality of life is a better goal, which the arts help us achieve.”
Mixed

Which of the following comes closest to your approach to economic development?

Porritt

Invest in attracting new businesses to the city.

Candidate comments: “As we continue to build a city for citizens, we will be an attractive place for employers, as well.”
Mixed

Which of the following comes closest to your approach to development in the river valley?

Porritt

Increase accessibility and public amenities.

Candidate comments: “All citizens should be able to access the river valley, regardless of physical ability. Amenities like washroom and city-owned canteens, make the river valley more accessible while keeping nature intact.”


Mixed

Which would you prioritize regarding aging recreation amenities?

Porritt

Extend the life of existing facilities and avoid closures.

Candidate comments: “Recreation centres should be smaller and more widespread in order to be convenient community gathering places, rather than large destination facilities.”
Mixed

Which action would you be most likely to advocate for on homelessness?

Porritt

Build and operate more permanent supportive housing.

Candidate comments: “Preferably the province would build and operate supportive housing, as it is within their scope but Housing First is a worthy goal, which will benefit all citizens.”
Mixed

Which action would you be most likely to advance to alleviate the housing crisis?

Porritt

Lower costs and remove barriers for private and non-profit builders.

Candidate comments: “Levers to lower costs for builders should be used, as much as possible. Energy efficiency shouldn't be sacrificed, though, as lower energy costs will be an ongoing need for low income families and housing providers.”


Mixed

Which of the following comes closest to your view on political parties at the municipal level?

Porritt

Members of council should be free from party affiliation.

Candidate comments: “City council is the only level of government where decisions have to be made by deliberation and compromise. The polarization and partisanship of the provincial and federal levels of government should not be brought to the municipal level.”
Mixed

If the provincial government intervenes in a municipal matter, which would you prioritize?

Porritt

Stand up for Edmonton's autonomy.

Candidate comments: “I would stand up for Edmonton's autonomy. Just as rural communities would not like Edmonton to make decisions for them, Edmontonians should be free to decide their future.”
Mixed

If the City of Edmonton faces public pressure to fund services under provincial jurisdiction, which would you prioritize?

Porritt

Fund the services to ensure quality of life.

Candidate comments: “The right thing to do, is still the right thing to do, even when it's difficult.”


Mixed

Which of the following comes closest to your view of the City of Edmonton's responsibilities regarding Indigenous relations?

Porritt

Be guided by the Indigenous Framework in all decisions.

Candidate comments: “Until there is marked improvement in the welfare of Indigenous communities, then it is incumbent on us all to work towards real reconciliation. We benefit greatly from the land and the benefit should extend to our Indigenous brothers and sisters.”
Mixed

Which of the following comes closest to your guiding principle for council's relationship with the Edmonton Police Commission?

Porritt

Scrutinize commission decisions and demand greater transparency.

Candidate comments: “As we are facing difficult financial decisions, the police budget should not be simply guaranteed with predetermined increases while other departments are told to cut spending.”
Mixed

Which of the following comes closest to your approach to Edmonton's role in the metropolitan region?

Porritt

Pursue collaboration on specific projects.

Candidate comments: “Collaboration and cost savings should be pursued whenever possible.”


Mixed

Which of the following comes closest to your view on how major projects have been delivered?

Porritt

Performance is satisfactory, but communication and transparency could be improved.

Mixed

Which of the following comes closest to your approach to building new capital projects?

Porritt

Build even if it means taking on more debt.

Candidate comments: “People need city amenities near where they live. If we allow new neighbourhoods outside the Henday, then we are also committing to new capital projects. As we focus on densifying, the need for new amenities will eventually decrease, as the tax base also increases.”
Mixed

Which of the following comes closest to your position on roadway expansion?

Porritt

Investing in transit would be a better use of funds than expansion.

Candidate comments: “Well designed transit is a more time, space, cost and fuel efficient way to move a lot of people. As we move towards 2 million citizens, our capacity to make equivalent roads is constrained by space but improved transit is a realistic option, while being better for the climate crisis.”


Mixed

Which of the following comes closest to your approach to strengthening council accountability?

Porritt

Implement transparency tools other than a lobbyist registry.

Candidate comments: “Whatever tools are needed in order for citizens to be confident in their elected representatives should be explored.”
Mixed

Which action would you be most likely to advocate for to improve community safety?

Porritt

Invest in addressing root causes to reduce disorder.

Candidate comments: “Housing First and wraparound supports should still be the goal in order to provide dignity to unhoused neighbours and feelings of security for all citizens.”
Mixed

Which action would you be most likely to advocate for to improve street safety?

Porritt

Reduce vehicle traffic by incentivizing other modes of transportation.

Candidate comments: “There is a place for all three options, providing alternatives to driving, increasing traffic calming measures and enforcing bylaws are all good measures. I am fully behind Vision Zero.”


Mixed

Which action would you be most likely to advocate for on bike lanes?

Porritt

Build more than is planned.

Candidate comments: “Every citizen should be free to travel in the way that they choose and within their means. Biking offers mobility to those who are unable to drive for medical or financial reasons. Biking should be safe, convenient and legal wherever there are citizens.”
Mixed

Which would you prioritize for snow clearing?

Porritt

Spend more to improve clearing of sidewalks and pathways.

Candidate comments: “I hope that as we densify, our tax base increases to the point that we can offer more reliable and timely snow clearing for all modes of transportation.”
Mixed

Which would you prioritize for high-capacity transit?

Porritt

Prioritize bus rapid transit (BRT).

Candidate comments: “Bus rapid transit is a quick and more affordable way to scale up our transit system, than new LRT tracks and cars. I am not against new LRT lines, though, but would make an evidence-based decision based on finances and service.”