Julia Kiniski


Julia Kiniski, served seven years on the Edmonton City Council, from 1963 until her death in 1969. Prior to her election in 1963, she ran as an independent or as a candidate for grassroots or reform-minded parties unsuccessfully in 14 city elections between 1945 and 1962.
Julia, born Warshawski, emigrated with the family to Chipman, Alberta in 1912. At the age of sixteen she married her husband, Nicholas, with whom she raised six children, including wrestler Gene Kiniski. In 1936, Kiniski and her husband moved to Edmonton. He worked as a barber, making $5 a week, while she sold cosmetics and managed a café. Having dropped out of school after Grade 7, in later life Kiniski "nrolled in University of Alberta Extension courses, studying psychology, philosophy and world affairs".
She campaigned as a candidate for election to Edmonton city council numerous times starting in 1945. Kiniski "became an accomplished, albeit unconventional, speaker". As a politician, she was "nown and loved as supporter of the common people". Her persistence and eventual success spurred renewed civic involvement:
As a member of the city council, "ne of her pet projects... was her fight to support tenants in basement suites". That is, to allow basement rental suites, which was a way for empty-nesters to cover the cost of housing.
She died of a heart attack at the age of 70 in 1969. She was succeeded in office by her son, Julian Kinisky. He won his mother's old seat in a 1970 by-election.
An elementary school in Edmonton is named for her, as is the neighbourhood of Kiniski Gardens in Mill Woods.

Table of election results

Elections won are in bold. From 1899 to 1963, Edmonton held annual municipal elections, replacing half of the alderman each year. Kiniski stood for election in 14 of 18 elections from 1945 to 1962, winning in her 15th attempt in 1963. Beginning in 1964, all seats were up for election every two years.
YearPartyVotesResult
1945Independent1,305last place
1946Independent2,635last place
1947Independent2,133second to last
1948Independent1,783third to last
1949Independent6,370last place
1951Independent5,045last place
1953Independent3,471last place
1954Independent1,758third to last
1956Independent3,999last place
1957Independent7,44410th out of 19
1958Edmonton Voters Association4,2839th out of 14
1959Edmonton Voters Association9,70311th out of 17
1961Independent12,4518th out of 18
1962Civic Rights Protective
Association		12,6438th out of 13
1963United Voters Association36,8615th out of 14
1964Civil Rights Association54,6372nd out of a large field
1966Civil Rights Association53,9693rd out of a large field
1968no affiliation35,7609th out of a large field