Election 2025: Campaign Roundup - Day 16

Welcome to Day 15 of our Calgary 2025 Campaign Roundup!

With the 2025 municipal election underway, we'll be bringing you daily updates on all the policy proclamations, platform promises, and political point-scoring from the campaign trail.

As always, our work is entirely funded by donations from residents just like you, so if you appreciate the updates, please consider making a one-off donation or signing up as a supporter for just $10 a month - that's just 36 cents per email!

Campaign Roundup - Day 16:

• Advance voting began Monday, with 14,442 people casting ballots - just 1.6% of eligible voters and significantly fewer than the 23,329 who voted on the first day in 2021. The total includes votes from regular advance stations, hospitals, post-secondary institutions, and special locations like the Vote Bus.
  
  
• If you want to cast a ballot during advance voting, you can do so until October 11th. Polls are open from 10:00 am to 7:00 pm at 42 locations across the city. To find one, click here.
  
  
• Business leaders say the top priority for Mayors across the province should be addressing “social disorder,” which includes homelessness, mental health and addiction issues, crime, and public safety concerns. The Business Council of Alberta found that 94% of its members see these issues as critical for maintaining livability and economic prosperity. Business leaders stress that they want steady, competent civic leadership focused on practical solutions rather than symbolic gestures.
  
  
• Mayoral candidate Jeff Davison announced a plan to reform the City’s public hearing process and give communities a stronger voice in City Hall decisions. His proposal would grant community associations formal recognition in planning and rezoning matters while modernizing engagement through hybrid hearings, online submissions, and AI-supported summaries. Davison’s plan also includes clearer public notifications, an accessible online hub for Council records, and searchable feedback data to improve transparency.
  
  
• Mayoral candidate Jeromy Farkas touted his detailed housing policy, outlining a plan to replace blanket rezoning with a community-informed, targeted approach to growth. His proposal emphasizes restoring predictability for homeowners, renters, builders, nonprofits, and City staff by aligning development with infrastructure, protecting parks, and ensuring community input in planning. Farkas pledged measures such as a Renters’ Support Office, expedited permitting for affordable housing, pre-zoned City land for nonprofits, and a Housing Innovation Lab to modernize City processes.

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