Friends,

Happy fall! I’m a big fan of summer, and I’ve done my best to take advantage of the warm weather and the sunny days that we’ve had over the past few months. I was so happy to connect with many of you at community events this summer, including the McCauley Community League carnival, events with Boyle Street Community Services and Bissell Centre, the EDLC Labour Day BBQ, Mary Burlie Day, and so many Chinatown events: the Chinatown Summer and Mid-Autumn Festivals, Chinatown clean-ups, and the 102nd Avenue LRT Plaque unveiling - to name just a few!

Anytime I’m in our Boyle Street and McCauley neighbourhoods (which is a lot!), I’m proud to say that I’m most struck by the great work that I see you all doing together to take care of each other. While there was a lot to enjoy about this past summer, I know that it came with its challenges, too. July 2024 was the hottest July on record for Edmonton, and of course we contended with some very intense wildfire smoke as well. I know that this hit many of our community members, especially our unhoused neighbours, so hard. I appreciate the care and support shown by Boyle Street and McCauley residents. So many of you set beautiful examples of what it means to be in community together. 

And while I may be wearing a few more layers of flannel as we move into fall, you can still expect to see me out and about—and I’m looking forward to seeing you, too. I’m already excited about many upcoming community events, but I am always happy to hear about more, so please keep me updated about any that you have planned!

My colleagues and I are headed back to the Legislature at the end of October, and I’m ready to keep fighting for our communities throughout Edmonton-Highlands-Norwood. Please know that I’ve been listening to your concerns. You’re telling me that you want to see action on a number of issues: affordable housing, mental health, the drug poisoning crisis, health care chaos, education funding, and more. I couldn’t agree more. I’ll keep pushing for this action, and I’ll keep amplifying your voices at every opportunity. Please keep in touch to share your priorities and concerns so that I can keep doing my best to represent you, and all of us, in the Legislature.

In the meantime, I’m looking forward to continuing to connect with you, and to celebrating all the ways in which our community comes together. As always, I want to hear from you. Please reach out anytime.

Take good care of yourselves and each other.

Janis Irwin, MLA for Edmonton-Highlands-Norwood
Email: Edmonton.HighlandsNorwood@assembly.ab.ca
Phone: 780-414-0682