ROB MURRAY: Stephanie Ferracuti is running for council in Banff in the upcoming election. Tell us a little bit about yourself – your background and related experience for the job.

STEPHANIE FERRACUTI: I’ve been a resident of Banff for nine years now. I’m employed by Parks Canada in a variety of different roles, and I live here raising my young son. I have that experience as a young mother in this town and getting to interact with the community from that side of things.

RM: What made you decide to run in this election?

SF: I’m pretty passionate about public service in general, and I wanted to shift my focus into contributing to the greater good of the community. I also want to be a voice for those who feel unheard.

RM: What would be your top or one of the top issues you really passionate about, and maybe some ideas you have around it?

SF: A huge issue for me is the environment. I have some concerns about our daily interactions, as residents as well as visitors and the responsibilities that we should make sure they know they have when they are visiting a town within a National Park. We have some great programs set up around wildlife education, waste management, and recycling, however visitors and the residents of Banff need to buy in in order for those to be successful. I want to be a part of initiatives that can further educate people on what their responsibilities are, and the impacts of climate change. Watching what happened this summer around BC, even close in Lac des Arcs and the fire that took place by the highway…I have concerns with how educated our residents are about the plan for an emergency evacuation. I think our success on the whole is based not so much on how our first responders are going to do, but how we as residents actually are aware of what we need to do in a situation that is more and more likely to come our way.

RM: Looking back on the last four years, what’s something you feel that this past council in Banff did a really good job tackling?

SF: I thought they did a really good job with COVID. I think Alberta put a lot more responsibility on the municipalities, and our council did a great job of stepping up. I know it was quite divisive in our community with what they should have done at times. I thought they did what they could, following the science, following the experts that were giving them guidance, and doing the best they could to protect our community.

RM: What’s something you feel Council maybe could have done a better job on?

SF: Communication in general. I’m not sure if that is directly from council, but I do feel like there’s quite a bit that was done in camera. I just think that a lot of people wanted real time information about what was happening and why we were doing things, from projects to the pandemic. That’s something I felt could have been improved upon and hopefully will going forward.

RM: If you’re elected, how would you stay engaged with the people, the community?

SF: I make it a habit of trying to go to as many community events that we have. COVID-19 has definitely made it a challenge, but luckily social media has made it possible. We have a pretty engaged community and our average age is moving up. They’re more engaged in general. They want to have conversations when you chat on the streets that are more about what’s going on in town and the issues at hand. I think that speaks the age and their interests, and what they’re looking for in the town that they live in. I’m quite approachable and I always am open for a good conversation. I love to know more about the history of this town and what people see in the future of it. Also, having a young child, I’m naturally engaged in the school system with other families and parents, just because that is where I spend my time.

RM: What’s another issue that’s part of your platform you’d like to discuss that we haven’t really touched on yet?

SF: I really feel strongly about working class representation that has to be considered in all of our decisions. I hear a lot of talk about our economic recovery plan, and I feel like the working class needs to be considered at all levels of that plan. We are going to be relying on them as our frontline workers in our tourist economy. I think we have to understand that burnout was a big issue pre-COVID and it has not gone away. People are really struggling with the basics of affordability in their life. We have to make sure we recognize their needs and their challenges, even though they may not participate as often in speaking up…it’s because they’re working. I’m included in that. We don’t often have the time to voice how challenging it is, but I want to make sure that there’s representation at the decision-making table that understands this large group that lives here.

RM: Where can people find out more information?

SF: Facebook or Instagram, or send me an email. If you see me out and aboat on the street, feel free to stop and chat as well.

RM: Why should people vote for you in the upcoming election?

SF: I offer a fresh perspective. I’m passionate, I’m knowledgeable, I’m collaborative, and this is my home. I care deeply about where we go in our future and that as many people as possible have access to a lifestyle that I think we all believe Banff is capable of providing the basis for while we provide a visitor centre for people around the world. I would be honoured to serve. I am excited about the possibility and I hope for your vote on October 18th.

Filed under: Banff, Municipal Election