Action Oriented Leadership
Ashley is a doer and has never sat on the sidelines. As a non-profit founder with a masters degree in urban planning and over a decade of municipal experience, she has led work on economic development, affordable housing, infrastructure renewal, and more.
Prior to being elected, Ashley worked with Alberta Municipal Affairs, the University of Alberta’s Office of Sustainability, the City of Waterloo & World Health Organization's Age Friendly Cities Initiative, and Abundant Community Edmonton. She is the founder of the non-profit organization, YEGarden Suites, which has supported over 8,000 Edmontonians, and helped pave the way for tens of millions of dollars in annual community investment.
Ashley has worked in public, private, and non-profit sectors, and served on the Board of Directors at the Edmonton Social Planning Council, Old Strathcona Business Association, and on the Street Speeds Committee with the Edmonton Federation of Community Leagues.
She was elected to Edmonton City Council in 2021 and has championed work on affordable housing, climate policy, sustainable urban growth, and public transit. She spearheaded the creation and implementation of a new Dedicated Renewal Fund to address Edmonton's $470M annual infrastructure gap with sustainable, long-term planning, and has supported the introduction of a sweeping set of tools to address vacant and derelict problem properties.
She served as a Council Advisor on the Energy Transition Climate Resilience Committee of Council, Edmonton Arts Council, and City of Edmonton Youth Council, as well as a Council representative on Alberta Municipalities Environment Committee, and the River Valley Alliance.
Early Life
Growing up, Ashley split her time between Edmonton, where she attended school, and her family farm near Elk Island National Park. She developed a profound appreciation for nature, while learning that the City is a place where connections are made & friendships are formed.
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Her upbringing sparked a passion for community building & environmental conservation. This shaped her commitment to creating human habitats (cities) where everyone has an opportunity to thrive & experience a sense of belonging.
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Hard Work & Dedication
From a young age, whether it was on the soccer pitch or in the classroom, Ashley worked hard to achieve success.
This work ethic and drive eventually earned her a scholarship to Dalhousie University where she graduated an Academic All-Canadian and top of her class achieving a BA Honours in Environment, Sustainability & Society, & Sociology.
Her interdisciplinary degree instilled a sense of urgency and obligation to serve our communities in this period of social, economic, and environmental disruption.
Ashley also completed a Masters Degree in Urban Planning from the University of Waterloo. She has worked in the public, private & non-profit sectors on age-friendly cities, seniors issues, multiculturalism & inclusion, affordable housing, and economic development.
Meet Ashley Salvador
Ashley has been working for Edmontonians, with Edmontonians for years.
Solutions Oriented
Upon completion of her degree, Ashley founded YEGarden Suites as a direct response to community need. YEGarden Suites is Canada's only independent non-profit devoted to helping homeowners build garden suites (backyard homes).
YEGarden Suites was started off of a $15 booking at the Highland's Library and has since driven over $100 million dollars of investment into our mature neighbourhoods, opened the door to more affordable, family-friendly housing, and eliminated barriers to help create healthy, walkable, complete communities.
While Ashley stepped down following her election in 2021, YEGarden Suites continues to help seniors age in place, young families afford homeownership and our city grow in more efficient, sustainable, and cost effective ways.
Committed to Community
Prior to being elected, Ashley served on a number of boards & committees, including: Edmonton Social Planning Council, Edmonton Federation of Community Leagues Street Speeds Committee, Old Strathcona Business Association as an Honorary Board Member, and Age-Friendly Cities Waterloo.
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She has worked for Alberta Municipal Affairs, the University of Alberta's Office of Sustainability, and as a Neighbourhood Connector with Abundant Community Edmonton.
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As a Councillor, Ashley served as an Advisor on the Energy Transition Climate Resilience Committee of Council, Edmonton Arts Council, and City of Edmonton Youth Council, as well as a Council representative on Alberta Municipalities Environment Committee, and the River Valley Alliance.
Inclusive, Healthy Cities
Ashley lives in Ward Métis with her fiancé, Travis and dog, Riley. She values living near her family and her closeness to both nature and the city centre.
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In her mid-20's Ashley was diagnosed with a rare condition which affects her mobility, but she still enjoys biking, hiking, and cross-country skiing in Edmonton's River Valley.
Living with this condition informs the way Ashley views City building & community development. She's committed to building an inclusive and accessible Edmonton where everyone has an opportunity to thrive & contribute.
City Councillor for Ward Métis
Ashley, with the support of thousands of residents in Ward Métis, was elected to Edmonton City Council on October 18, 2021. She has been honoured to serve the residents of Ward Métis, and the rest of Edmonton.
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Ashley ran on a bold, forward-thinking platform, centred around taking action on climate change, revitalizing mature neighbourhoods to foster walkable, 15-minute communities, and building an inclusive and compassionate city where all Edmontonians feel welcome and like they belong.
You deserve to see the work behind the words.
Transparency and accountability matters. Stay tuned for a comprehensive breakdown of policies passed, projects advanced, and investments made during my term on Council.
When I first ran for City Council, I laid out a clear platform based on the values and priorities we share.
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Stayed tuned for real examples of policies passed, projects advanced, investments made, and commitments kept. Not every challenge has been solved, and there’s still work ahead, but I believe you deserve to see the progress we’ve made clearly, honestly, and directly so you can make the most informed decision possible.
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This is the record you can hold me to, and the foundation we can keep building on.
