Jyn San Miguel - Canmore Council candidate interview

ROB MURRAY: I’m speaking today with Canmore Council candidate Jyn San Miguel. Why did you decide to run for election?

JYN SAN MIGUEL: My motivation to run for Council is to bring more multiculturalism and promote diversity to our Council. Multiculturalism has been underrepresented for a while and it’s time we broaden our Council’s perspective. Also, after connecting and discussing with the elders of our Indigenous neighbours, I learned my Filipino heritage has common values, and of course with other multicultural communities in Canmore. Last time at artsPlace we discussed an Indigenous phrase called “Wazin Ichinabi.” That means “We are all one. I am one with you.” And I’d like to bring that spirit of kindness to Council.

RM: What is your background? What brought you to the Bow Valley?

JSM: I moved to Canada in Vancouver back in 2009. I’ve been living in the Bow Valley for six years because I fell in love with the mountains, just like everyone else.

RM: Since that time, what are some things that you’ve done here or you’ve been involved with that might give you some assets as far as being on Council?

JSM: I started in very humble beginnings. I work in the hotels. I’ve seen how people start here working in hotels, sleeping in staff accommodation. Eventually I get a job for the Town of Canmore where I’ve seen the operations and how things work. I’ve been involved with different events in the community, helping empower our Filipino community and other multicultural communities. Also, I want to advocate for keeping kindness in our community and being an advocate for anti-discrimination. I think it’s a very important time now that we get our multicultural communities more involved in our civic activities here in Canmore.

RM: What’s one of the top issues that you’re really passionate about, and do you have any ideas or solutions initially around that?

JSM: Based on my recent discussions with many community members, the common theme that I hear is affordability. It’s unfortunate because we have high turnover of residents here. Many people have left Canmore because of affordability issues. I think we don’t need to put any more tax on residents. We just have to find ways to lessen their tax burden so renters and dwellers have more reasons to stay here. It’s about time that we seek approval from the province to impose a tourism tax dedicated to tourist towns like Canmore. We currently have no tourism status here despite of the amount of tourists we get here. We need this dedicated tourism levy to operate the town. We love our tourists here in Canmore, but our town can’t afford to pay for all the services we provide them such as garbage disposal, water supply, and energy consumption. Another thing – we need to work with environment and climate action. The Town of Canmore did the excellent job putting a solar panels on civic buildings such as Elevation Place, the Canmore Recreation Centre, and the Civic Centre. On top of that, many people may not know, but the Canmore Recreation Centre has a dedicated solar panel to heat the water in the building. We can do a feasibility study. We can implement this model of renewable energy for our homes, apartments, commercial areas, and that would be ideal for the environment, which can result in more affordable housing. In the long run that could lessen the tax burden of residents and commercial, which can mean landlords and homeowners have fewer utilities expenses while complying with the climate action. Also, I believe that we need to work with small businesses and help them by promoting supporting local. I’d like to improve ways so that developers are hiring more local firms and contractors instead of importing them from Calgary. I’d like our local entrepreneurs to be given more tools and support to achieve their goals.

RM: Where can people find out more information about you?

JSM: I have a website. You can also find my Facebook page.

RM: Why should people vote for you on October 18^th?

JSM: First of all, I want to invite all eligible voters in town to participate in the October 18^th election at the Coast Hotel. There’s advance voting available at the Recreation Centre from the 7^th to the 13^th of October. There’s more details on the Town of Canmore website. I wanted to invite everyone because last time, in the 2017 election, we had 11,000 eligible voters and only 4,500 voted, and, just my personal survey, the multicultural community who are eligible to vote has never voted that because they didn’t feel involved. It’s time we participate in our civic duty. I also want to thank Mountain FM for giving me this chance to be heard. I also want to thank Canmore for being welcoming and nurturing me with kindness during my years of living here. Our visitors comment not only on our beautiful landscape, but they notice our world-class sense of kindness which they tell their friends and family after their vacation. In Canmore, we smile at each other. We value every member of our community. Let me be your humble servant on Council whose decisions are based on the spirit of kindness and respect. May I be a community servant who would remind us of the purpose of our community, and remind us of the values of kindness to ourselves, to our family, our friends, our neighbors, our visitors, our wildlife, and our environment. May we always stay humble and always be grateful.