Just transition won’t sell in Alberta

GENERAL POINT OF VIEW

Giselle General

gqgeneral@gmail.com

Giselle General came from the cold, mountainous region of the Benguet province, and immigrated to Canada as a teenager in 2007. She completed a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Alberta, and has a career in the nonprofit sector. She works at the Edmonton Community Legal Centre, which provides free legal help to low-income Edmontonians. She channels her creativity by writing in her personal blog, FilipinaYEG, and self-published a book called The Humanity of Me, and is active in numerous volunteerbased initiatives.

Here in Canada as far as politics goes, there are two things that only citizens can do – vote and run for political office. These hold a lot of power and impact, and for those of us who migrated here, it can take years for us to reach the point that we become citizens. The problem is that more often than not, when we attain our citizenship, we haven’t been involved in any political activity and discourse. It’s tough to integrate this in the routine we’ve lived for many years.

I’m here to let you know that while waiting for your Canadian citizenship, there are several meaningful ways to make an impact in politics. Here are some of the ways you can do this.

Engage or interrogate candidates

and political parties: Government policies, whether municipal, provincial, school boards, and federal, impact everyone regardless of citizenship status. Just as a few examples, you use public transit and roads, go to hospitals, send your children (or you yourself can go to) publicly funded schools. Your voice and involvement can encourage policies and programs that help your life. Simply due to where you live, you absolutely have the permission to ask important and difficult questions to political parties and candidates when they knock on your door, publish media content, and in candidates’ forums.

Support a candidate or political

party: In some ways, politics is the same regardless of country. In order for a candidate to win, the most people need to vote for them. And lots of resources are needed for voters to be aware of the candidates who are running. You do not need to be a citizen to support a campaign ran by a candidate or a political party. You can join a team delivering flyers and doorknocking. You can help in their headquarters office to feed volunteers or stock up lawn signs and flyers. Many candidates, especially those that are not backed by big money, rely on the help of everyday people to be successful. You can do this anytime. Campaign teams will

Political Impact of Non-Citizens

provide you the tools, training, and support if you haven’t done it before.

Make an impact with your wallet, front lawn, and platforms:

Did you know that you do not need to be a citizen to donate to a campaign? This is absolutely true! Many people don’t realize how much of an impact $10 of $25 can make. A case of bottled water or a box of cookies can fuel a volunteer team for a whole day. Also, the more people telling a candidate that a certain issue is important to them, the more likely it gets integrated into the campaign platform. Finally, you don’t have to be a citizen or even the homeowner to have a sign supporting a candidate or even a political cause – although it is prudent to also check your condo or home association bylaws to make sure you comply with those too.

Instill the importance and impact of voting to younger family

members: In my first six years in Canada, I lived in a house where all my Filipino elders were not yet citizens. When I got my citizenship in 2012, I had to figure out everything about voting on my own and through outside resources. Youth and young adults rely on their elders and the people they know who had lived in Canada longer than they have. The encouragement and support with voter registration and discussing politics will make a tremendous impact.

In my humble opinion, if we want to make the most of the opportunity to build our lives in Canada, it’s just as important to play a role in making our community better. With privilege comes responsibility and your actions plant seeds of awareness that can grow exponentially more than you realize. And yes, once you have finally gained citizenship, voting makes a tremendous impact. Running for politics even more so. I hope that this is something people consider in this new year especially with a provincial election coming in the near horizon.

CANADIANS: GETTING POORER EVERYDAY

MARCH 2022 • Volume 15, Number 03

ELECTION IN QUESTION: Does BBM now deserve a Congratulations?

MAY 2022 • Volume 15, Number 05

RECAPTURING 2022

MIGRANTS TOWNHALL MEETING: Calling on MPs to address the migrant crisis

FEBRUARY 2022 • Volume 15, Number 02

Alberta Filipino Journal’s year-end review

APRIL 2022 • Volume 15, Number 04

Philippine Ambassador Robles visits Alberta

JUNE 2022 • Volume 15, Number 06

“New” Immigration Program Coming Soon

SEPTEMBER 2022 • Volume 15 Number 09

MP RECHIE VALDEZ MEETS THE FILIPINO COMMUNITY IN EDMONTON

JULY 2022 • Volume 15 Number 07

AUGUST 2022 • Volume 15 Number 08 Papal Visit: Walking Together Through a Photojournalist’s Lens AGREEMENT AIMS TO BRING MORE NURSES TO ALBERTA

OCTOBER 2022 • Volume 15 Number 10

Benito and Son Sentenced to House Arrest for Immigration Fraud

6 Things you might not know about the Municipal Budget

On December 16, City Council passed a budget that sets the direction of our city for the next four years. My main goals for this budget were to protect public services, create safer streets, improve transportation options, take action on climate change, invest in affordable housing, and fund the core services that make life better and more affordable. We know that Edmontonians are facing high cost of living pressures. That’s why this 4-year budget focuses on affordability, not austerity.

6 Things You Need to Know About the 2023–2026 Budget: 1. This Council cut spending on lower priorities and funded the projects Edmontonians asked for:

Between the Operating and Capital budgets, Council approved over $170M worth of spending reductions. This includes $60M in spending reductions from an organization-wide review over the next four years. We also directed Administration to identify $240M in funds that can be reallocated to priority needs in the City, like core public service

2. This budget invests in our core services and infrastructure.

We’ve increased the necessary funding for Snow and Ice Control, Public Transit, Encampment Clean Ups, Facility and Asset Renewals, and more. A third of our Capital Budget will go to renew what we already have so that Edmontonians can continue to enjoy their city for decades.

Mayor Amarjeet Sohi

From Mayor Sohi’s Desk

By Mayor Amarjeet Sohi

3. We invested over $700M in Housing, Transportation, Climate Action, and Economic Development giving more stable funding now and for budgets to come.

By baking-in funding to the base budget, Council has made a transformational change to how the City funds these priorities. This ensures Council will not need to search for money every year to fund necessary services and programs like Affordable Housing and On-Demand Transit.

4. The 4.96% tax increases for 2023 will cost the average single-family homeowner ($402K house value) about $136 more this year. This increase starts to fill the gap left in funding from the past five years of low or frozen tax increases that did not keep up with inflation and population growth. 5. This tax increase is comparable to many other municipalities around the province. Edmonton’s tax increases are in line with many increases approved in surrounding municipalities which range from three to seven percent for 2023.

6. There are more chances for the City to fine-tune our budget over the next four years.

Council debates budget changes in the Spring and Fall, and makes annual adjustments at the end of each year through 2026. Edmontonians will have several more chances to advocate for funding or reductions as the City carries out the direction set in this budget.

Although this budget process was complex and at times emotional, I am proud of it. We truly built a budget for all Edmontonians by making investments in every corner of this city. By investing in these areas today, we are saving you money for tomorrow.

I support this budget and I am thankful for everyone involved in this process. This is how we build an Edmonton for all of us.

A celebration of friendship and accomplishment

The Divina Family hosted a dinner party and invited few friends including AFJ, after the completion of their house’s construction by Alfie Alipio, contractor and owner of RAR Property Developments. Thankful hearts are blessed.

L-R: Romy Nacilla, Ghie Nacilla, Cora Velasco, Jhet Divina, Patricia Divina, Roel Divina, Alfie Alipio, Abel Cereno (Photo by Lito Velasco)

CABINET VOTES ON REGULARIZATION SOON. TELL THEM TO SUPPORT #STATUSFORALL

Federal Cabinet will receive a proposal on regularization – permanent resident status for all undocumented people – soon. Tell them to leave no one behind. Life-changing rules that will open the door to citizenship for all migrants including undocumented people are on the horizon. We are close to winning, we need you to join us. Send a message to all Cabinet Ministers by entering your contact information on this page.

Birthdays are everyone’s most cherished moment as this is when we celebrate the covenant between life and its Giver. Nobody is born alone. There are two causes of life that we have to acknowledge, appreciate, and recognize. The first is the Ultimate Cause or Giver, our God and the second are the proximate causes, our parents. Now, He who doesn’t acknowledge, appreciate, and recognize his or her life is also rejecting its Causes. Lucky are these individuals who truly celebrate life with significant people around them. May you all continue to share the gift of life with others. Active co-existence follows essence.

Leohood Roales unfolds another year in his life Best Wishes!

A well-known Triskelion Vlogger in Toronto, friend of Philippine Senator Robinhood Padilla, celebrated his birthday in the company of his faithful friends and fellow Triskelion last January 4, 2023.

Mayet Angeles - groom’s mom, bride Annalyn Salazar Salva and the groom Julius Angeles Salva, and Gilbert Angeles Salva Jeremelle Votary’s 19th birthday - January 2023

Lexmilla Serrano’s 60th birthday - January 2023