Women's Advocacy Voice of Edmonton (WAVE) Committee

As New Year’s Eve approaches, many of us are considering how to make the most of 2025. We might make resolutions to eat healthier, read a lot of books, or move our bodies more frequently. You know how it goes! There can be barriers to achieving our goals, such as time constraints or financial challenges. We wanted to share some ideas for overcoming barriers, and we welcome you to send some back our way! Taking into account both time and finances, eating healthier could mean learning to batch cook with affordable but nutritious ingredients. Try some new bean-based recipes in the slow cooker, for example. To read more books on a budget, you can take advantage of the huge selection at Edmonton Public Library. Maximize your reading time by using the ebook app on your phone! Instead of opening social media, you can enjoy a few pages of your book on the go. Consider what your preferred body movement looks like. What’s fun for you? What’s accessible? Budget-friendly options might involve walking to work, running in your neighbourhood park, or online dance videos. Maybe you want to do strength training or have a more social workout. Edmonton has some great gyms for women and queer folks, such as the inclusion-focused Action Potential Fitness. They are piloting a program for queer, trans, and gender-diverse youth called Rise and Thrive, and are doing tremendous work in this space. Maybe you want to take a more active role in your community. WAVE is recruiting for a new member until Jan. 12. Get your application in today! https://lnkd.in/e-TF6anW Remember that your resolutions are for you, not anyone else! We’ve covered a few common resolutions here, but maybe yours is to skydive or visit five quirky local museums. Whatever your goals, we hope that you have fun along the way, and that 2025 treats you well!

The holidays are a time of joy, but they can also be a time of stress, isolation, and hurt. In a season celebrated for togetherness, not everyone shares that experience. For queer youth heading home for the holidays, there might be many questions: will they be accepted, will they be called by the wrong name or pronouns, will their partner be welcome? Some 2SLGBTQIA+ youth might not be able to go home at all. So, how can we support these young people this holiday season? If they’re family, ask how they plan to participate in gatherings, and respect their decisions. Clarify which name and pronouns they’d like to use at such events, because they might not be “out” to everyone. Consider preparing some responses to unwelcome questions or comments in advance of getting together. Depending on the situation, it might be appropriate to talk to extended family members about boundaries beforehand, as well as gift ideas. Take the young person’s lead. Support other queer youth in your social circle by checking into how they’re doing and acknowledging that this time of year can be challenging for anyone. Just listening can be a lifeline for someone in need. It’s also the season of giving, so you could consider donating to a local youth shelter or program. Finally, check out this resource guide for 2SLGBTQIA+ youth and share widely: therainbowpages.ca. Together, we can provide a safety net and make the holidays as happy as possible. #yegqueer #yegyouth

Allyship: What does it mean to you? “It’s about being a good friend, being a good neighbour, being a good family member,” says WAVE member, Saniya Ghalehdar. “We all have more in common than we don’t.” “We’re all community at the end of the day, so that’s what counts.” #equityyeg

Diversity isn’t just about equitable opportunities for individuals — it’s about the power of perspective. When we have diverse voices around the table, we make better decisions, because we hear from people with different experiences and viewpoints. “All of those unique experiences add value to conversations,” Stella Igweamaka, CAIP, a member of WAVE, says. “If those voices are missing at the table, policies can never truly be diverse and inclusive.” #equityyeg #yegwomen

We were thrilled to meet with Mayor @amarjeet_sohi on Friday, along with other advisory councils, to discuss how he can further support gender equity in #yeg. We had a wonderful discussion about the budget from a gender equity perspective, and the Mayor was very receptive and welcoming. We look forward to the next time! #equityyeg

Twice a year, the City’s Administration brings forward a supplemental budget adjustment, in order to remain responsive to changing circumstances in our City. We digested the 60+ page report, and distilled it into the following highlights, to make it easier for you to comment on the budgeting process. So, at a high level, these are the Fall Supplemental Budget Adjustments to the City’s Capital budget, which were brought forward yesterday. They include increased spending for neighbourhood renewal, funding for the financial stabilization reserve, and funding for the 2025 municipal election. The Edmonton Police Service (EPS) has also asked for a small budgetary increase ($8,634) to cover additional police equipment. These increased spends will result in a 1.1% tax increase, over and above the 7% that was already approved. We’ve also noted a shortfall in meeting carbon emission reductions last year, and it is unlikely we will achieve this year’s targets, due to lack of funding in this area. What do you think of this supplemental capital budget adjustment? How will these funding adjustments impact your life? Do these items align with your priorities? City Council will be deliberating on these budget adjustments until December 5. If you have thoughts, questions, or concerns about the supplemental capital budget, we encourage you to reach out to the Mayor or your City Councillor — you can find them at this link: https://lnkd.in/g6QMzyEc.

Canada is home to about 70,000 Inuit people, but you might not be aware that the global Inuit population is more than double that! It’s International Inuit Day, when we celebrate Inuit culture and heritage around the world. WAVE member, Echo, is one of more than 20,000 Inuit people living in Canada’s urban centres, and it’s not always easy. “I find myself wondering, where are we?” Echo says. “There is a severe lack of Inuit cultural spaces in Edmonton right now.” Nonetheless, Echo has been finding ways to embrace and bring attention to Inuit culture, including learning Inuktitut on their own. “I hope that other people get the chance to reconnect just like I’ve been doing.” #yegIndigenous #equityyeg

When it comes to work, do you long for something more? Well, it’s Job Action Day, so take a moment to reflect on whether you’re finding passion and purpose in your 9 to 5. First, think about the impact you’d like to make, then consider how you can get there. What small steps can you take today to start on a purposeful path? Maybe you can update your resume, learn a new skill, reach out to people in your network, or find a volunteer gig that aligns with your goals. For us, WAVE is a big source of meaning and impact. What’s your WAVE? How are you pursuing your purpose? We’d love to hear! #yegwomen #equityyeg https://lnkd.in/gDw5984

With the next municipal election less than a year away, it’s not too soon to start planning. If you’re interested in running yourself, or in helping a candidate, here are some thoughts from our Council Rep, Erin Rutherford, on what it was like to run for office. “My experience with campaigning was quite interesting. I continued to work full-time while running a campaign for a big city election, so it was hours and hours on end,” she says. Bit by bit, she made the campaign work, rallying support from more than 200 volunteers by the end. Her advice? Don’t sell yourself short, don’t be afraid to ask for donations, and be true to yourself. #yegwomen #yegcc

With the municipal election coming up in a year from now, we asked WAVE’s City Council representatives about their own experiences running for office, and what it’s like to be a Councillor. Councillor Jo-Anne Wright’s favourite parts of her role are connecting with community members to hear their diverse perspectives, and collaborating with fellow councillors to make the best decisions for Edmontonians. The most challenging part of her role? The sheer volume of reports to read. Thank you for always doing your homework, Councillor Wright! #yegcc #yegwomen