Calgary Minute: Issue 331

Calgary Minute - Your weekly one-minute summary of Calgary politics

📅 This Week In Calgary: 📅

• Council held its final meeting before the upcoming municipal election, marking the end of an era for several long-serving and first-term Councillors. At least five members have confirmed they will not seek re-election, while two others are running against each other for Mayor, ensuring significant turnover in the next term. Among those departing are Peter Demong, who has served since 2010, and Gian-Carlo Carra, both stepping down after four terms, along with first-term Councillors Jasmine Mian, Courtney Walcott, and Evan Spencer. Demong reflected on his 15 years in office, noting the growing fiscal challenges facing municipalities, while Mian described her exit as “bittersweet,” saying she valued the debates and collaboration despite the marathon meetings. Walcott acknowledged the perception of a quarrelsome Council but pointed to achievements such as the 2023 housing strategy and a $15-million transit safety plan as meaningful accomplishments. Public opinion of this Council has been low, with surveys showing record dissatisfaction. The next time Council meets, it will be after the October 20th municipal election.
  
  
• The Calgary Chamber of Commerce has released its municipal election platform outlining 50 policy recommendations for Council and Mayoral candidates, focusing on competitiveness, safety, vibrancy and connectivity. The Chamber says businesses are facing rising costs, safety concerns, and pressure on core services and housing, partly driven by rapid population growth. It is calling for measures such as rebalancing property taxes to reduce the burden on non-residential properties, adopting business-friendly construction policies, and offering financial support to businesses disrupted by major projects. The platform also urges keeping the Green Line’s downtown segment underground to protect property values and tax revenues. Safety ranked as the top concern, with proposals to address open-air drug use through bylaw enforcement and support services. The Chamber says these priorities aim to ensure Calgary can manage growth, support businesses, and maintain livability.
  
  
• Council voted 10-4 against a motion from Ward 1 Councillor Sonya Sharp to rescind its 2021 climate emergency declaration, keeping the proclamation in place. The motion, which also proposed auditing climate-related spending and seeking cost-saving measures, was supported by Councillors Andre Chabot, Dan McLean, and Sean Chu but ultimately failed. Sharp argued the declaration was symbolic, created open-ended spending, and lacked evidence of measurable outcomes, while opponents said removing it would damage Calgary’s reputation and undermine efforts to address climate challenges. City officials said that the declaration has helped secure $287 million in external funding and supports programs like the Clean Energy Improvement Program. Sharp’s motion has been criticized as "politically motivated" ahead of the upcoming municipal election. Some councillors suggested any review of climate spending should be left to the next Council, while others warned rescinding it could harm the City’s appeal to clean technology investment.
  
  
• Council has approved a plan to explore a pilot project that would ban open drug use in public spaces. The proposal, introduced by Mayor Jyoti Gondek as an amendment to a motion on public safety, would give peace and transit officers authority to seize and dispose of unknown substances and refer individuals using drugs in public to the Community Court diversion program. The amendment directs city administration to return in early 2026 with the legal and budget requirements for implementing the ban. It also calls for comparing Calgary’s approach with other cities. The motion passed 10-4 but drew criticism from some councillors, who accused Gondek of electioneering. Provincial officials and some former government staff praised the move, while health experts warned it may not curb public drug use and could push people to use in unsafe settings, instead suggesting the expansion of supervised consumption sites.
  
  
• Nearly 19% of Calgary Police Service officers are currently on leave or in modified roles, many due to physical or mental health issues, according to a memo from the Calgary Police Commission. 6% are fully off duty, while 13% are on accommodation. Commission Chair Amtul Siddiqui said the number is higher than in past years and reflects national trends, noting that traumatic incidents and demanding work contribute to injuries. Police Chief Katie McLellan said supports are in place to help officers recover while maintaining public safety. Calgary Police Association president John Orr said long-term understaffing has fuelled burnout and that even if all absent officers returned, CPS would still need about 500 more members to meet national staffing ratios. Siddiqui said CPS lacks capacity to train additional recruits beyond the 135 planned for 2026, which includes 21 new positions. She has asked Council for more funding to expand training and back-to-work supports. The proposed 2026 CPS budget is $613 million, with responsibility for approval or amendment falling to the newly elected Council.

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