April 22, 2026
Local Government Is Where It Starts
With Allan and Corri Hunsperger · Guest: Lisa Vanderkwaak
Lisa Vanderkwaak—speaker, author, and Mayor of Beaumont—breaks down what it really takes to step into leadership at the municipal level. She shares what led her to run, the pressure that comes with leading one of Alberta’s fastest-growing cities, and how local decisions shape everyday life more than most people realize. From navigating public criticism to addressing growing division, Vanderkwaak makes a clear case: if people want change, they can’t sit on the sidelines—local government is where it starts.
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In this episode
Tap a time to jump to that part of the conversation.
- 00:00 – Introduction
- 02:32 – Guest introduction: Lisa Vanderkwaak, mayor of Beaumont
- 05:06 – Discussing civic engagement and encouraging people to get involved
- 06:38 – Lisa Vanderkwaak shares her path to running for mayor
- 08:10 – Beaumont’s growth and bilingual status
- 09:27 – Decision process: why run for mayor instead of council
- 12:13 – Family and community support for running
- 13:56 – Facing opposition during the campaign
- 15:59 – Balancing public opinion as mayor
- 17:17 – Importance of listening and community feedback
- 19:13 – Practical ways citizens can engage with local government
- 20:09 – The value of public input in decision-making
- 22:09 – Navigating political divisions and striving for unity
- 24:09 – End
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