Working Together, Governing Better

Good Governance and Collaboration

Dr. Aberle will work with council, administration, and residents to investigate opportunities that:

A. Support diverse perspectives at the council table for well-rounded decision making

I will continue to support diverse voices on council by fostering respectful collaboration, valuing lived experience, and ensuring every perspective helps shape stronger, more inclusive decisions.

Examples may include:

1. Mentorship & Peer Learning

• Pairing new councillors—especially those from underrepresented backgrounds—with experienced members to help navigate municipal processes.

2. Equity in Council Processes

• Ensuring meeting times, formats, and rules of procedure continue to allow all voices to be heard.

3. Training & Professional Development

• Recommending workshops for council members on cultural awareness, gender equity, Indigenous relations, and inclusive leadership so all perspectives are valued equally.

4. Access to Community Networks

• Encouraging councilors to engage with their own networks (cultural, professional, social) and bring those insights back to council discussions.

5. Collaborative Decision-Making Models

• Promoting consensus-building or roundtable approaches during council meetings instead of adversarial debates, giving equal weight to diverse viewpoints.

6. Recognition of Diverse Lived Experience

• Valuing councilors’ different life paths—whether as business owners, parents, Indigenous leaders, or newcomers—as assets that enrich decision-making.

B. Ask clarifying questions of administration and other members of council to seek full understanding before voting and decision making.

I will ask clear, informed questions of council and administration to ensure decisions are fully understood and in the community’s best interest.

Examples may include:

1. Budget & Finance

• Asking administration: “Can you break down how this cost increase will affect the average household tax bill?”
• Asking council: “Do we all agree on what services would be reduced if this amendment passes?”

2. Land Use & Development

• Asking administration: “How will this rezoning impact traffic flow and nearby schools?”
• Asking council: “Can someone clarify how this aligns with our long-term growth plan?”

3. Community Safety

• Asking administration: “What evidence shows this program reduces crime in similar municipalities?”
• Asking council: “Are we prioritizing prevention or enforcement with this proposal?”

4. Social Programs & Housing

• Asking administration: “What partnerships are in place to support vulnerable residents if we move forward?”
• Asking council: “Do we share an understanding of how this aligns with our strategic direction?”

5. Environmental Initiatives

• Asking administration: “What long-term cost savings can we expect from this investment?”
• Asking council: “Are we all clear on how this contributes to our strategic plans goals?”

C. Encourage respectful dialogue and open sharing of information and concerns.

I will continue to foster respectful dialogue and open sharing of information, ensuring every voice is heard and decisions are made with transparency and collaboration.

Examples may include:

1. Council Meeting Practices

• Upholding the Council Code of Conduct for respectful discussion and ensuring councilors listen without interruption.

2. Facilitated Discussions

• Bringing in neutral facilitators for complex or divisive issues to keep dialogue constructive.

3. Transparent Communication

• Ensuring background reports and data continue to be shared with council and the public ahead of meetings.
• Posting plain-language summaries of agenda items online so residents can follow the discussion.

4. Public Engagement Opportunities

• Encouraging residents to share concerns and responding respectfully.

5. Conflict Resolution Tools

• Providing training in mediation, active listening, and collaborative problem-solving for councillors.
• Implementing a “cooling-off” process to pause debate when discussions get heated, then resuming with focus on solutions.

6. Modeling Respect

• Councillors leading by example—acknowledging others’ perspectives even when they disagree.
• Thanking a colleague for their input before presenting a different view.

D. Make council decisions easily accessible, respond promptly to residents’ concerns, and improve understanding of the Municipal Government Act (MGA) for everyone.

I will continue to work to make council decisions easy to access, respond quickly to residents’ concerns, and improve public understanding of the Municipal Government Act so everyone can engage with local government.

Examples may include:

1. Making Council Decisions Accessible

• Ensuring plain-language summaries of council decisions are posted on the City’s website and my own social media.
• Encouraging the use infographics to explain how decisions affect taxes, services, and daily life.

2. Responding Promptly to Residents’ Concerns

• Promoting the Citizen Reporting Tool – Wetaskiwin’s online portal where residents can report non-emergency issues like potholes, cracked sidewalks, fallen tree branches, and more and track progress – and working with administration to ensure it is functioning properly (to access this tool, please click here).
• Setting service standards for council, not just administration, e.g. responding to emails within 48 hours.
• Continuing to hold regular “coffee chats” and other opportunities where council goes to where the public already is.

3. Improving Understanding of the Municipal Government Act (MGA)

• Hosting public workshops or info sessions and creating easy-to-read guides or short videos explaining how the MGA impacts council decisions.
• Ensuring council members receive regular training on the MGA updates to better explain them to residents.