Always remember, optimism is better than despair

As we head into the final stretch of the 2025 municipal election in Canmore, I want to leave my community with one final message about leadership.

Because that is what you are, at the end of the day, casting your vote in favour of – leadership. Not who supports this idea or opposes it. Not who they might be connected to, or supported by. Not if they have the correct opinion or will agree with you on all the issues.

Leadership is an intangible thing. It is the sum of who we are. Our experiences, values, and skills come together to make us each individuals, and how we make decisions for our community is how we deliver on our roles as leaders.

It is key how a leader approaches problem-solving and, if they are willing to admit it, how they learn from their mistakes.

Leadership also requires consistency, objectivity, and open-mindedness. Who is in front of you should not matter when it comes to making decisions in a fair and unbiased way. We all have biases, but being aware of them and setting them aside intentionally is a skill.

Over my first term on council, I have learned many lessons. One of the greatest ones is that the best decision is guided not by feelings and emotions but by carefully considering the situation and available options. Our feelings inform our decision-making, and what Jack Layton said will always be true when it comes to what we do together as a community.

“My friends, love is better than anger. Hope is better than fear. Optimism is better than despair. So let us be loving, hopeful and optimistic. And we’ll change the world.”