If Edmonton were a person, it would be about average. Maybe around 5 foot 8, 170 pounds, definitely male. He might drive a truck, probably with rims, but hopefully he doesn’t have any truck balls hanging off of it (we are in Alberta, after all). He votes for the Conservative party, if he votes at all, because he quite enjoys the status quo. Change scares him. He may rant and rave online about city politics, but he really just likes to pretend that he knows what he is talking about, and would never attend a mayoral forum. He is content with his life, his job, and his city. He likes driving to work, skiing on the weekends, and watching the hockey game with a pint of Keiths. He tells everyone he hates his brother, Calgary, but he really doesn’t give two shits and just says it because everyone else does. Edmonton doesn’t go to City Hall to look at the City Centre Redevelopment Proposals, because Edmonton just doesn’t care.
Edmonton’s issue is that a virus is slowly invading him. Let’s call her Change. Change sees potential in Edmonton, and like a girl who has never had a boyfriend before, thinks that she can transform him. Change values education, sustainability, and community living. Change wants Edmonton to exchange his truck in for a Prius, but for reasons she does not understand cannot get him to do so. Change frequents the Art Gallery of Alberta, supports local musicians, and values education. Change visits City Hall and ponders long and hard over which conceptual design is best for her city, which she sees so much potential in. Change could go a long way, but Edmonton is holding her back. The struggle between the two will likely end in Change finding another city that is better suited for her needs, and Edmonton staying the same. There is a glimpse of hope for Edmonton to give in to Change, and to slowly accept her ideas and values, but it doesn’t seem likely.
