Calgary Minute: Media Access, Uber Complaint, and Mian Not Running
Calgary Minute: Media Access, Uber Complaint, and Mian Not Running
Calgary Minute - Your weekly one-minute summary of Calgary politics
This Week In Calgary:
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There will be a Public Hearing Meeting of Council on Tuesday at 9:30 am. There are many land use amendment proposals on the agenda. On Wednesday, at 9:30 am, the Intergovernmental Affairs Committee will meet. Two updates are on the agenda - one from the Federation of Canadian Municipalities and another from Alberta Municipalities.
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The Calgary Police Service says its partnership with the Bridgeland-Riverside Community Association (BRCA) has helped reduce crime and social disorder in the area, with a 28% drop in related calls in 2024. The Community Engagement Link, a pop-up CPS office located at the BRCA building, allowed residents to engage directly with officers to address concerns. The success of the program has led to an agreement to extend it for another year, with plans to expand hours to accommodate working residents.
- Calgary is set to offer day spaces for its homeless population through a collaboration between the Calgary Homeless Foundation, the City of Calgary, United Way of Calgary & Area, and Calgary police. These spaces will provide refuge, meals, and connections to resources for 70 to 100 individuals at a time. The goal is to create a welcoming, safe environment that also addresses the growing homelessness issue in the city. The day spaces will be part of a larger network of organizations and will offer amenities like washrooms, showers, and laundry facilities. These spaces are expected to open in July, with details on locations and providers to be announced in March.
Last Week In Calgary:
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Uber has filed a complaint with Alberta’s privacy commissioner over Calgary’s new ride-booking bylaw, arguing that the rules violate user privacy. The bylaw requires Uber and other companies to provide precise geolocation data for every trip, even those starting or ending outside the city. Uber spokesperson Keerthana Rang called the move an overreach, stating that enforcement does not require such detailed information. City officials argue the changes are necessary to create consistency between taxis and ride-sharing services while improving public safety. The bylaw also mandates that complaints be filed through 311 instead of Uber’s app, a move the company opposes. Calgary plans to conduct a privacy review this year to ensure compliance with provincial regulations.
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Ward 3 Councillor Jasmine Mian has announced she will not seek re-election due to growing frustration with what she calls provincial interference in the Green Line project and increasing partisan politics on City Council. Mian believes the provincial government has undermined City control over the project, leading to potential compromises on its quality and scope. She also expressed concern that the rise of partisan politics is eroding effective governance, with many Councillors prioritizing political agendas over collaboration. As the municipal election approaches, Ward 3 will elect a new representative for the third consecutive time.
- The Calgary Police Service said it will end media access to its radio communications, citing privacy concerns and compliance with provincial legislation. Critics argue this change could limit transparency and make it harder for journalists to report on crime and police actions. While CPS plans to implement an alternative system for informing news outlets, similar measures in other cities have reduced media oversight. Journalists and legal experts worry that without scanner access, the police will control the flow of information, potentially leading to gaps in public awareness. Some privacy advocates support the move, emphasizing the risk of sensitive information being misused. The change will occur on February 23rd.
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