From student advocate to Edmonton city council trailblazer
By: Raya Soltani | Estimated reading time: 2:30
Edmonton City Councilor Ashley Salvador (MA'20)
Ashley Salvador (MA ‘20), is an Edmontonian, making waves as one of the youngest city councilors in the city’s history. With a BA in sustainability and sociology from Dalhousie University and an MA in planning from the University of Waterloo, she has transformed her love for civic engagement and urban planning into impactful change.
Motivated by her desire to be part of an innovative university community, Ashley chose the University of Waterloo’s Faculty of Environment for its leading work on climate change, urban planning, and housing policy. Under the guidance of Dr. Markus Moos, her master's thesis connected theory with community practice, deepening her understanding of policy impacts.
During her studies, a pivotal internship with the City of Waterloo solidified her passion for community building and local governance. She also co-founded YEGarden Suites; a non-profit focused on civic engagement and land-use advocacy which led to regulatory reforms and over $15 million in investment for housing in mature communities. Ashley has continued working hard to educate the public on garden suite development and advocated against exclusionary zoning.
Long before Ashley put her name forward as a city council candidate, she was attending committee meetings and public hearings at city hall, advocating for better land use and transportation policies. Ashley’s advice for students and young professionals is to become involved at the local level. "Find organizations that you can support and connect with, and if they don’t exist, start them. Don't be afraid to plant a flag and advocate for important changes in your community."
Ashley’s peers praise her for her competence and effectiveness. Her knowledge of energy transitions and social inequality has helped advance Edmonton’s inclusive and climate-focused plans. Her story inspires us all to become active participants in shaping the future of our cities. For these reasons she was awarded the Recent Alumni Inspiration Award.
