The next city council could be asked to return fluoride to the city’s water supply. What is your position on this?

I do think fluoride is important. I believe we need a way of getting fluoride to those who need it most, in the most effective way. I would work with administration to understand if this is the best solution to the issue and move forward accordingly. I think it’s also important to listen to what Ward 11 residents want too.

Occupation: Director of communications and engagement

Political/volunteer experience: Board of directors — Heritage Calgary, Canadian Transplant Association, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Kidney Foundation

What is your motivation for seeking a seat on city council?

I’ve lived in Calgary for 15 years. I was transferred here from Ontario by my then-employer and originally only had plans to stay two years. But I fell in love with this city and all that it offers — great people, opportunity, and of course the beautiful landscape. I bought a house, put down roots (as they say) and I can’t imagine ever living anywhere else. Calgary is such a wonderful place to be, and I would like to lend my skills and experience to help others love this city as much as I do.

Describe your leadership style:

I believe everyone brings something to the table. I am a leader who makes sure others are included and are given opportunities to learn and grow. I recognize I don’t know everything and that two ideas generally bring a better outcome than one. I am results-driven and also a very empathetic person. I like to problem solve with others.

What do you consider the single most important issue facing Calgarians, and what should be done about it?

Economic health. We need to focus on not only taking steps to strengthen our economic health, but continue to look for ways to innovate, and run the City’s operations more efficiently. We need to ensure we have policies and processes in place that allow our city’s businesses to grow, while also attracting new, outside investment. Calgary must be competitive. We need to be a city that companies want to do business in, and with. We should be nimble and adapt quickly to market changes, and we need to be able to give businesses and organizations of all sizes as much predictability as possible. While we cannot control global economic impacts, we can ensure that we as a City and a council are not creating obstacles to success and growth.

Describe your leadership style:

I believe everyone brings something to the table. I am a leader who makes sure others are included and are given opportunities to learn and grow. I recognize I don’t know everything and that two ideas generally bring a better outcome than one. I am results-driven and also a very empathetic person. I like to problem solve with others.

What do you consider the single most important issue facing Calgarians, and what should be done about it?

Economic health. We need to focus on not only taking steps to strengthen our economic health, but continue to look for ways to innovate, and run the City’s operations more efficiently. We need to ensure we have policies and processes in place that allow our city’s businesses to grow, while also attracting new, outside investment. Calgary must be competitive. We need to be a city that companies want to do business in, and with. We should be nimble and adapt quickly to market changes, and we need to be able to give businesses and organizations of all sizes as much predictability as possible. While we cannot control global economic impacts, we can ensure that we as a City and a council are not creating obstacles to success and growth.

What are the three most important issues in your ward, and how would you address them?

Aging infrastructure, safety and determining what future growth looks like for our communities. I think all of these issues have a number of solutions and needs, but the core of each is engaging with residents to find out what is working and what isn’t, and how they believe things should be addressed. I think these and other issues can be solved working with the community and other stakeholders.

Do you support the city’s downtown revitalization strategy? Where should funding and programs be focused?

Yes. I think the program needs to be actively stewarded and measured. I’d like to see the focus be on updating infrastructure that will drive revenue and bring people downtown (BMO expansion, Arts Commons). That said it is a multi-faceted program that will need to look at multiple areas of focus to be successful. We also need to make sure we measure success as we go, so that the strategy can be altered as needed.

What innovative project or job creation measure can you propose to aid Calgary’s post-COVID economic recovery?

Calgary is well positioned from a location and talent perspective to be one of the best places in North America to start a business, relocate a business to and/or grow a business. Calgary has one of the highest educated workforces and an entrepreneurial spirit. It is important that Calgary is seen locally, provincially, nationally, and globally as a competitive city, and a great place to do business. One thing I have heard from businesses that is a barrier to expansion or investment is our planning processes. We need to review commercial land use requirements to ensure they are not over-prescriptive. Evaluate success of any land-use reform pilots and implement change to policies quickly if pilots show a process improvement.

What should city council do to keep young adults from leaving Calgary?

I think we need to make sure we are a balanced, inclusive, sustainable city where people feel safe and like they belong. There needs to be opportunity to work here in a competitive job market, in a variety of industries. I believe we also need to make sure we have amenities (arts, multi modes of transportation, transit, entertainment) as well as housing affordability — we need to be a “cool” city where people want to move to, and also stay in.

* All candidate Q&As have been edited for clarity and brevity. 

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*Original article online at https://calgaryherald.com/news/local-news/lauren-herschel-ward-11-calgary-council-candidate-questionnaire