When Zohran Mamdani declared that “New York will remain a city of immigrants, a city built for immigrants, powered by immigrants, and as of tonight, led by an immigrant,” his words carried far beyond the skyscrapers of Manhattan. They reached hearts across North America — including right here in Edmonton, another city whose lifeblood is immigration, courage, and belonging.
Many people from the Commonwealth — scattered across the world — felt goosebumps. In an era where anti-immigration sentiments in the United Kingdom and across Europe run high, where white nationalism grows in unprecedented ways, Mamdani’s bold assertion reminds us of a simple, undeniable truth: immigrants have always shaped the world we live in. His words challenge us to step out of the shadows and into the light of who we really are — builders, dreamers, and contributors.
Edmonton’s story is one of arrival and rebuilding. From its earliest settlers to today’s global citizens, this city has been shaped by those who dared to begin again. Immigrants have transformed Edmonton from a quiet prairie town into a vibrant, multicultural metropolis humming with ambition, creativity, and resilience.
We have remarkable examples of immigrant leadership to prove it. Alberta’s former Deputy Premier and first Black Attorney General, Kaycee Madu, is an immigrant. Across this province, there are countless stories like his — stories of individuals who have made lasting contributions to Alberta’s social, political, and economic life.
Mr. Mamdani’s declaration struck a chord that resonates beyond November 4th. He has unleashed something powerful in a new generation of immigrants — those who are tired of the status quo, who are ready to lead, to speak, and to make their mark. These are resilient men and women whose lives may seem ordinary but whose legacies are extraordinary.
Walk through Mill Woods, stop by a downtown farmers’ market, or visit 118th Avenue, and you’ll experience Edmonton’s diversity firsthand. You’ll hear conversations in Tagalog, Yoruba, Punjabi, Somali, Spanish, and dozens of other languages. You’ll smell food that carries the memory of faraway kitchens — jollof rice, shawarma, pierogi, butter chicken. You’ll see shop owners opening doors before sunrise and newcomers navigating the bus routes with hope in their eyes.
This is what a city of immigrants looks like — busy, hopeful, imperfect, and endlessly alive.
Immigrants in Edmonton do far more than fill gaps in the labour market. They power our hospitals, teach our children, innovate in tech, and enrich the city’s cultural landscape through music, fashion, and food. They volunteer in community organizations, start businesses, and build bridges between worlds. Their contributions make Edmonton not only stronger but wiser — more compassionate, more global, more human.
Yet, the journey is not without struggle. Many newcomers face barriers that test their resolve — foreign credentials dismissed, accents mocked, resumes ignored. Still, they rise. Driven by faith, by love, and by the quiet conviction that this city is worth investing in. That perseverance is the immigrant’s superpower.
If Edmonton truly wishes to call itself a city of immigrants, it must create systems that honour that identity — by ensuring equity, opportunity, and representation. Because belonging cannot exist without inclusion.
Zohran Mamdani’s victory reminds us that being led by an immigrant is more than symbolism — it is a statement that immigrants belong at every level of decision-making. The same must be true here. Edmonton, too, deserves to be led by those who understand the courage it takes to start anew.
In the end, our strength lies not in sameness but in shared purpose. Edmonton will remain — and must remain — a city built for immigrants, powered by immigrants, and yes, one day soon, led by an immigrant.
