Introductions to the CERT Campaign and Jeromy Farkas

Jenny (00:07):

Welcome to the Calgary Environmental Roundtable Municipal Election campaign led by the Gravity Well Podcast with me Jenny Yeremiy. The Calgary Environmental Roundtable, or CERT for short, is a non-partisan coalition of environmental and climate organizations working together to ensure that water, nature, and climate are front of mind, and that our members have an ongoing opportunity to shape the future of our city Through our candidate questionnaire, Mayoral and Ward podcast panels and voter engagement tool, CERT is connecting residents with candidates elevating environmental priorities, and empowering Calgarians to make informed choices of the ballot box. Municipal decisions directly affect the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the communities we live in. As Calgary continues to grow, we must prioritize clean water biodiversity and bold climate action to ensure a safe and thriving city for generations to come, our list of supporters is growing. Reach out to add your organization, send your candidates and network the circ questionnaire. Encourage their participation and ongoing relationship building with their representatives. Remember to follow, like, subscribe, and share the Gravity Well podcast. Together we can build a resilient, healthy, and sustainable city for all Calgarians.

Alright, good afternoon everyone. Welcome back to the Calgary Environmental Roundtable Municipal election podcast series that I'm hosting so that you can learn more about your ward and mayoral candidates. Today I'm hosting our first official interview for the Calgary Municipal Election 2025, building a Greener Future for Calgary Podcast miniseries. We're having an exclusive interview with Mayor candidate Jeromy Farkas. As the introduction suggests, CERT is a climate, environmental, and common good group of organizations focused on ensuring that water, nature and biodiversity are front of mind and that our members have ongoing opportunities to shape the future of our city. Municipal decisions directly affect the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the communities we live in. The goal of this campaign is to connect you with your candidates elevating environmental and common good priorities and empowering you to make informed choices at the ballot box.

Candidates are coming on here, they're sharing their vision of a green future. Thank you again to Bob Hawksworth, who is a 23-year city counsellor for the City of Calgary. He had two stints between serving our city as MLA as well. Bob offered a shining example to other ward candidates, thank you for that, Bob. We're grateful for the opportunity to highlight mayoral candidates and exclusive one-on-one interviews, and we're excited to hear from Jeromy today. But first, this campaign to identify priorities and inform voters we'll be most successful because of you and your support. Please use the QR code that is included in this screen for us today or go through the link in the chat that I will add later to get your candidate questions out or to encourage your candidates to answer our questions. Your impact is amplifying this with your community and your network so that we can build these ongoing relationship with the municipal candidates and government representatives.

We're continuing to see receive growing, excuse me, responses, and we were sharing this with over 20,000 voters. You can view their responses on my website. I'll put that link in the chat too and it will be updated as we get new responses. I just received Jeromy's responses, they’re on the mayoral forum page and I'll add that to the link to the chat. A special thanks to those of you who have responded so far. I look forward to speaking with candidates over the coming few weeks and you can see the YouTube schedule. I'll include that in the chat as well of all of those scheduled opportunities. Before we begin, I just want to note that candidates hold a range of environmental positions, priorities, and objectives, positions taken by the participants either individually or collectively, don't necessarily represent the Calgary Environmental Roundtable. Again, CERT is a non endorsing recommending candidates or political parties in this campaign. Lastly, if there isn't anything more to say or do, please like and subscribe to The Gravity Well together we can build a resilient, healthy, and sustainable city for Arians. Okay, now we get to the fun. I'm going to add Jeromy to the stage here. Hi Jeromy. Thank you so much for joining us.

Jeromy:

Hey, thank you so much for having me. I'm so excited for the conversation.

Jenny:

Yeah, really appreciate this. I'm very fortunate. Full disclosure, one of your campaign helpers is a member of our organization just by happenstance, obviously. It's wonderful to know that you have made this a priority. Thank you very much, Jeromy.

Jeromy:

Yeah, we have an amazing team, really across the broad political spectrum, and it's so cool seeing the talents of all the folks involved with it, seeing their ideas, hopes, dreams for the city reflected in our platform and policy. And especially as a candidate, it really challenges me to do better and be better too.

Jenny:

Yeah, wonderful. Strong team is a really good indication of a strong candidate I would suggest. Okay, I'm going to attempt to do your background, but obviously welcome you to help fill in anything I leave out. Jeromy, welcome to the studio again, thank you for engaging in our campaign. Jeromy is one of your candidates for Mayor of Calgary. He was born and raised here in East Calgary. He holds a degree in political science from the University of Calgary. He was an executive administrator for the Israel Studies Program and a research team lead in the Faculty of Medicine. In 2017, Jeromy was elected as Calgary's youngest city counsellor. During his term he championed public transparency, financial responsibility, and community safety. He also served as Calgary Police Commissioner and director of Calgary Housing Company for four years.

Four years later he ran as mayor and he came in second place. Congratulations. That's quite an accomplishment. He has since served as a nonprofit director, community volunteer, and CEO of Glenville Ranch Park Foundation. That's where I have had the opportunity for me to Jeromy at an event there. And he has held that until earlier this year and of course to step up and run as our mayor. Jeromy credits his inspiration from his grandmother Liz, and he uses her expression, which is Calgary means being part of something bigger as his guiding light. How How'd I do? Okay. I hope.

Jeromy:

Well, I still appreciate that I'm not much for bios, I'm more for action. What are the results? What have you done for people for the world? And I'm so grateful to have had a lot of opportunities and every step of the way Calgary has invested in it and how amazing is that?

Jenny:

Yeah, wonderful. Okay, great. Here we go. We're going to do the same thing that we did with, like I said, Bob Hawkesworth. I hope I said Hawkesworth earlier anyway, I will walk through the seven questions that we've given candidates. I'll give some time for reflection as well. Here we go. The first question is around Calgary's climate strategy. Calgary has a five-year set of goals to reduce energy, poverty and utility costs, creating clean economy jobs and improving public health and building more equitable climate resilient communities. If elected Jeromy, how will you work to achieve these outcomes for Calgarians? Thank you.

Question 1: Achieving Calgary’s Climate Strategy

Jeromy (08:15):

We'll have the opportunity to go into a lot of more granular detail over all of these questions, but kind of taking a step back, I'm so glad that we have this platform to have this conversation. When we're thinking about climate, the environment more generally, I think the first piece is we can't afford not to have this conversation. When we think about what it takes to bring Calgarians along to help build the business case, to help demonstrate why we need to do all these things, I think that that's really the central job of the mayor. In terms of financial responsibility, we talk about how if we don't act on climate, that actually ends up costing taxpayers more in long run through things like floods, fires, heat waves, infrastructure damage. The case for actually having this conversation and caring about this means that the dollars that we invest in resilience now, it really means avoiding billion dollar disasters later.

For example, things like stronger flood protection that saves us from repeat 2013 style damages. Then the other piece as well is just public safety and quality of life. We think about how extreme weather really directly threatens this is a worldwide issue, but here locally directly threatening Calgarians from things like say vulnerable seniors and heat waves, families facing smoky summers from wildfires. It's municipal action here at home that helps us really ensure that everyone has a safe neighbourhood, that we all have reliable drinking water and cleaner air. There's a lot of reasons kind of on the big picture level, why we should care about this stuff, especially how municipalities are in the front lines. We think about things like say, roads, bridges, stormwater systems, transit, all of these things are really at extreme risk to extreme weather. Actually thinking more broadly about this, there's a huge tangible benefit for Calgarians that I think really needs to emphasized as we're walking through some of the questions about what I think the first answer is more so of the why and the how for Calgarians . Regardless of how you've arrived to this conversation, how I've personally got my journey to here is that we can't afford not to in terms of the costs that come from that.

Jenny:

Yeah, it's wonderful. We were chatting before I thanked you for participating and you were saying, how can you not participate? This is our natural services. We need to make sure that we are thinking of them first and foremost. It's really

Jeromy:

Non-negotiable, right? If you are running for mayor in a city of, we are going to be 2 million people in this next council term. Our next mayor will be here to welcome Calgary number 2 million. We're a large major urban centers, very vulnerable to a lot of the elements that we're going to be discussing today. It's really essential responsibility to be having these conversations and thinking about this stuff.

Jenny:

And I'll just add thank you for mentioning the things that are coming our way. As somebody who is an elected official in our city, there is extreme weather events that we need to be, we need to understand or coming and that we need to look at things from that perspective and understand the scale and importance of being resilient in new ways to help address that. Yeah, thank you very much. I also just wanted to, because I did have the opportunity to look at your questions a little bit before we joined Jeromy, I just wanted to mention you were talking about heat limits in, because this is one of the things that comes with making sure that we're thinking about public health and safety. I was to see that you mentioned heat limits for renters. This is a policy that's really important to you. Is that right?

Jeromy:

Yeah, that's right. And really taking a step back, we have a lot of policy pieces that we put out on, and it's just that Jeromy SA slash platform, but it speaks to things like mobility, things like housing safety and affordability and financial responsibility, a lot of different policy pieces. But through all of these, we decided to weave climate action throughout all of those. It wasn't one policy that was going to live on a shelf kind of on its own section. We were really thinking about good stewardship through everything that we're doing. Yeah, it came out through the course of the conversation we're having on housing. That came to be as a result of the commitment in their states to establish a renter's advisory council. They would help ensure that tenant voices shape the municipal housing policy, for example, we're seeing another municipalities that looks like the exploration of a maximum heat bylaw. A lot of the ideas that we have are reflected and really woven through everything else that we put.

Question 2: Protecting the Watershed, Wildlife, and Urban Biodiversity

Jenny (12:59):

Perfect. Thank you. Exactly. And I'll just mention a few more that I saw the solar ready bylaw fit buildings and transit oriented development in that space as well, and I know we'll get into it in some of these other questions too. Okay, next question. How will you ensure that new community development and redevelopment in Calgary protects our watersheds rivers and creeks, valleys wetlands, and the wildlife and urban biodiversity? That depends on these ecosystems, please.

Jeromy:

Yeah, and that's actually how I think you and I last saw each other in person, at least if I was trying to rack my brain, I was at a meeting that we're doing in my role as a environmental NGO leader. We were advocating to the provincial government for a smarter, more holistic watershed management protocol. The idea that water is not just something that's solved with concrete and steel, you actually have to have a much more holistic watershed view here in Calgary. We're a big city that sits on two very small rivers, but that's that our problem with water is sometimes far too much and far too little. Having the conversation just be about, say flood mitigation or drought management, I think misses the point. In the Calgary's Climate Strategy Review, they do note that things like say habitat restoration is off track.

There's a lot more that we can be doing for certain environmental protections, especially in planning and land use decisions. Throughout my platform, we have a number of proposals as somebody who is a CEO at a provincial park. Of course, one of our platform items is parks and public spaces. We talk about implementing public feedback into the Calgary Parks plan and other really straightforward things like collaborating with the federal government's 2 billion trees program to help plant about million new trees that we're going to know that we're going to need for the next 10 years. That also helps segue into a bit of the equity component of discussion on climate action. We've talked about we can't afford not to have this conversation, and it's also in other ways that we can help build a fair and more just city. Throughout all of that, it's really baked in there a lot of commitments.

Others straightforward things like even just banning the sale of public parks. There's a lot of pressure right now on green spaces and environmentally sensitive areas that have been going out the door for development and connected to the conversation is how do we continue to build the needed housing but not do it in a way that is actually reducing the amount of amenities and green spaces that cow grants have access to. A lot of ideas in there, and one of the more exciting parts, at least from my experience working out at Colombo Ranch was the co-creation and co-design with the indigenous communities. When we think about the stewardship of public places, that also involves recognizing the land in the history. It is such an exciting area that has so much intersectionality there that it's hard to begin. But what I love about running for municipal office is that it's ground level, it's tactical. It's where the rubber really hits the road, and you can actually build the relationships to get things done.

Jenny:

Wow, that was tremendous. I'm going to back up and start with, you spoke about thinking more holistically, not just about, I've actually never heard somebody say it that way, not just about droughts and floods, but about the two of them and what that means together. That's really interesting. It's not enough to just think about infrastructure. We need to think about restoring, which is what you talked about. Habitat restoration is near and dear to my heart, so thank you so much for acknowledging that.

Jeromy:

I'll add too, Jenny. It's about funding that natural infrastructure with the same seriousness as roads and pipes, and the whole point there is to be able to protect lives and livelihoods. We think about the pipes and roads is important, which is absolutely essential, but when we also think about funding that restoration, it actually helps save us money in the long run. There's such a strong business case to have that seriousness to the natural infrastructure.

Jenny:

And it goes back to your last comments around the extreme weather because it helps mitigate all of that. I heard an expert say, if you want to fish, plant a tree, and that's that extent of what you need to get the cycle going through. Its complete effort. That's how you get more water and how you get more fish. Anyway, I thought that was interesting to include. You spoke about the importance of equity in this. There's such a massive opportunity with all of this to make equity value of our city. Thank you for bringing that in. I love the banning of public lands to a park, thank you. Yes, it is really important to preserve this and increase it as you're suggesting. And then lastly, the co-creation, co-design. That's wonderful. That is the opportunity we have. Like you said, it's exciting to be a part of something really meaningful like this to get us back to a place of shared objectives overall. Beautiful.

Jeromy:

The political support is more, obviously we look to our mayor and council to be those visionary leaders, and we talk about where we're going generally as a city, but we're the rubber hits the road as those amazing organizations out there, the community associations, nonprofit organizations that really just need the political will and the support to get the work done. We do look to the politicians or the mayor to drive the bus, but my view is really, there's so much tremendous work being done, done out there. It's more partnership, it's more investing what works and supporting those people who are doing more.

Jenny:

Yeah, thank you. I'm just going to highlight that at your event that I did attend at the ranch there, you had done an excellent job of having those representatives there. That pays off in the long run when, and I have to say that was a really effective meeting for that reason because it was meaningful. Thanks. Okay, next question. Will you commit to dedicating budget dollars towards protecting Calgary's biodiversity and improving wildlife safety in urban environments, including through measurements such as enforcing, bird friendly building standards, retrofitting existing structures, and supporting safe wildlife corridors?

Question 3: Dedicating Budget Dollars to Protecting Biodiversity and Wildlife

Jeromy (19:28):

Thank you. Well, absolutely, and I think it's been a mistake that this mayor and council has actually reduced capital funding for parks. We used to have the N max Legacy Parks Fund, which actually helped get across the line major regional parks like the brand new Haskey Legacy park up in Northwest Calgary and others. And it's really important too, that having a beautiful park means a park that looks good today, but also looks 10 years from now. Actually maintaining that infrastructure is really important. And it also manifests in a couple of different ways, like ensuring that we have multifunctional parks, ensuring that there's different types of uses so that those spaces stay busy and that busyiness means that we get a hell of a good return on investment out of it. I think there's a lot more ways that we can be creative around this, especially in the work that's being done out there. I want to give a shout out to Andrew Yule and the Nose Creek Preservation Society. They've done some fantastic work in terms of being pro-development, but also talking about the need for the amenities for the folks who live specifically in North central Calgary. If we're talking about equity, like every single Calgarian, no matter your postal code or which core of the city you come from, you deserve access to great parks, and that's solidly in the commitment and the platform that we've performed.

Jenny:

Yeah, wonderful. In fact, you have a specific campaign asking for that in advance of the election, or you had, is that correct, Jeromy?

Jeromy:

Yeah, and it is all about ensuring everyone has that same access to opportunity and environment and green space and parks. It's one element of the quality of life. Of course, there's a lot of what a municipality does. Picking up garbage, making sure the buses run on time, the swimming pool hours and all the rest. But great public spaces is really essential to municipal government and funding that work and supporting that work, especially how Park space connects with say conversations around, say calories, ecological network, natural areas, riparian zones, wildlife corridors. There's a lot of win-wins that we can pursue where the environmental outcome is achieved by just good governance.

Jenny:

I think I looked at your campaign and I recall you creating a corridor through Calgary. Is that right? Is that the intent of it?

Jeromy:

Yeah, hidden in a lot of Easter eggs and a lot of the policy briefs we've put out is these big, hairy audacious goals. This is me obviously having some experience on the file, but the idea of creating the world's largest urban park, the idea of a contiguous all the way from the Tsuut’ina Nation, Tsuut’ina development in southwest Calgary through to Fish Creek Park up along the Bull River to say Inglewood in the bird sanctuary through Eau Claire to Beaumont and Baker Park into Haskin Park, Glenbow Ranch, and beyond the idea of a single uninterrupted over pathway connection, serving a lot of different functions, tourism, wildlife corridors and all the rest, but we have what it takes to do really amazing stuff right here in Calgary. It's a really super exciting time.

Jenny:

Right. Great. Good. I'm glad I'm paying attention. Thank you very much. You're probably glad somebody's paying attention. Okay.

Jeromy:

Well, everyone asked me when will that pathway connection between Calgary and Cochrane be open and now that we've saved the park from being flooded soon.

Jenny:

Yeah. Yeah. Okay. Awesome. Okay, next question. What steps will you take to ensure housing, rent and transit in Calgary are affordable and accessible so that more Calgarians can access services with dignity and live and work in a healthy city? Thanks.

Question 4: Housing, Rent, and Transportation Affordability and Accessibility

Jeromy (23:14):

Yeah, we know here in Calgary that building operation and transportation are those two largest source of community missions, and our housing plan has a bunch of points related and adjacent to that, it's a 25 point plan, and it calls for bringing housing certainty and responding to the housing crisis in a number of ways. Primarily, I think one of the greatest ways that we can incentivize is through prioritising transit oriented development. So think about, say, adding new where it makes the most sense near transit stations, education jobs, and this also helps reduce the pressure on established neighbourhoods while supporting walkability, cutting commute times, and so on. We've talked about protecting public parks and green space from development. Another key piece is also future communities. Say tying the development to various structure plans to infrastructure and servicing commitments so that those communities grow with the necessary support in place and that they are complete communities to begin with so that people don't feel or people aren't required to travel so far from home to be able to access essential services, things like schools or grocery stores and so on. It's obviously a very broad topic in terms of that, but there's also other elements in terms of ensuring that we have adequate offsite levies on say, sewer, water and so on. So planning and development is probably 90% of what a municipal government does. It probably does not get the focus of Calgarians, but I think a lot of people have been paying a lot more attention now with some of the recent debates over zoning and so on.

Jenny:

Yeah. Well, and you caught somebody who cares a lot about offset levies, thank you very much for offsite levies. Excuse me. Yeah, appreciating that certain projects do cost more and that needs to be taken into account before a project is executed, and I love mean switching from ensuring that infrastructure and services are available before a community is moved in is a very big step in the right direction for ensuring that, like you were saying, these natural services are in place as well. And then transit oriented development is such a key thing to help make sure that Calgarians have access and better city moves smoothly. As you said, as population gets bigger even, it's more convenient to make sure that more people have access to public transit for everyone. Yeah, thank you Jeromy. Really appreciate those. Anything more on that or,

Jeromy:

Yeah, if I can, there's a lot of attention on governments. There's a lot of attention on industry, there's a lot of attention on end user, but in our plan as well, we really leaning in with city staff and trying to cultivate the city of Calgary corporate culture for innovation. And for me, having served four years on the Calgary Housing Company, a tremendous amount of respect for the staff who work every day to be able to address that really acute and essential need for Calgary ends. And our policies include things like, well, our youth policy is not officially announced, but one is the commitment to a youth fellowship role within the mayor's office to be able to help bring in some of the most recent learnings and cutting edge research. Another one is being able to expand, say interdepartmental secondments. Think about allowing for say, temporary staff placements between departments so that staff better understand another one, another's pressures, and then the launch of, say, a city housing innovation lab. How do we test new solutions right here in Calgary, whether it's a prefab builds to adaptive reuse, there's a lot of great international best practices like say mass timber, courtyard blocks, modular construction, even balcony solar that I think we could really be on the forefront of really piloting and demonstrating that the use case here in Calgary.

Jenny:

Wonderful. Yeah, I love to hear that the city staff is going to be empowered in a potentially city led by you, Jeromy, because I think that's a key opportunity and that giving people an opportunity to see the other areas of the city at work is also so key to helping that innovation come from within and help things move through the organization more smoothly perhaps. Yeah. Excellent. Great. Okay, next question is around ENMAX. ENMAX is wholly owned by the City of Calgary. What role do you see ENMAX playing in helping the city achieve its 2035 cleaning electricity goals, please?

Question 5: ENMAX and Clean Affordable Energy

Jeromy (28:13):

Yeah, I remember when I was on Calgary city council, there was quite a controversial issue we dealt with in terms of how to deploy ENMAX to the maximum amount of good locally here. What is ENMAX’s role? Is it a purely utility to a extracted dividend for Calgarians? Is it the means by which we go out and make a difference in the world? Is it a social enterprise? All of those debates were happening, and I was the only member of council at the time who voted against the acquisition of AmeriMain, which became known as First Power, it's not well known, but Calgarians by virtue of owning n max now own about a 2 billion enterprise in the United States. And I thought that that was a big mistake because we had the opportunity to be able to direct ENMAX's energy generation more towards renewables, more towards things like community generation, solar projects.

I thought that if we were going to continue to invest in having ENMAX, is that privately owned? Well, it's privately owned, but it's publicly owned in the sense that Calgarians own it. There are other ways to deploy that capital. I have a difference of opinion with some of the other candidates who are running for mayor and that they really see it as that corporate enterprise. Whereas I would really like to see a lot of the governance as well as the deployment of capital be repatriated here at home to be able to help provide some of the incentives to be able to deliver on a lot of these goals.

Jenny:

Wonderful. Yeah, that is definitely something I was not aware of, Jeromy. Thank you for helping me understand that there is now a US investment through ENMAX that is Calgary owned. Yes, I love the thought of repatriating that money locally. I'm curious, just because Bob Hawkesworth offered such a great, or this into my thoughts as well, is do you see there being a benefit of having a ward member on the ENMAX board? What was done in the past he was mentioning, I don't know if that's just something I can plug with you as a thought,

Jeromy:

And I do think it was a mistake to take the city counsellors off of that role. For me as a city counsellor being the appointee, for example, to the Calgary Housing Company, I felt that it was really important for me being there not to be the politician micromanaging, but to actually have line of sight in terms of what some of the frontline issues were. If anything, I was there to be able to hold the staff at CHC accountable, but I was also there to get a sense of what were the challenges, what were the constraints that they were experiencing so that as elected official, I could go on and actually be an effective advocate vis-a-vis the provincial government, for example, for funding and maintenance and so on. I think that that council representation is important, but I'd also like to see much broader community representation. We have a lot of great folks who've put up their hands board and not knocking their skills and competence, but I'd like to see broader community representation.

Question 6: Sustainable Water Use and Watershed Protection

Jenny (31:19):

Right. Wonderful. Thank you. Okay, how will you advance sustainable water use and watershed protection and Calgary's growth and development decisions? Easy question.

Jeromy:

I had an interview this morning and we're talking about what does it mean to be a city of 2 million people? Our next mayor will be here to welcome Calgary number 2 million, and potentially by the end of the next decade it could be 3 million, right? Do we talk about the services, the infrastructure that's required? We think about roads, we think about rec centers, but the major, major constraint we live with right now is water. We are a big, big city on two very small rivers. That water security and ecological resilience question that has to be really first and foremost in Calgary's planning and advocacy efforts. Right now, not a lot of people know this, but it's upwards of a quarter of Calgary's water is lost, our treated water is lost due to leaks. We still have wooden pipes, we still have lead pipes, we still have asbestos pipes, and addressing that infrastructure through proper maintenance and fixing the pipes that makes so much sense on a number of different levels.

We can reduce our per capita usage, we can reduce our in absolute numbers usage. Is it better to try to take 25% more water from the river or is it just better to use the 25% you're already collecting? It's much better to use that, and it's not to make this too political, although I'm a politician, it really just comes down to the priorities. How has Calgary city council and mayor been making those investments? When you have things like a billion dollars of taxpayer money, easily going out the door for a brand new arena for the vast majority of the proceeds to benefit the flames, when you have a billion dollars for that, but you don't have a billion dollars for what is fundamental to local governments and good governance, clean drinking water. It is really about setting the right priorities as mayor and council to ensure that we're stewarding those resources we need as a city, we can continue to grow that 2 million number, that 3 million number. It's probably scary to a lot of folks, but it's only scary if you don't have a plan. If you're proactive and you have a plan around it, you can turn that challenge into an opportunity. And that's really central to my vision of where I'd like to see the city go.

Jenny:

Wonderful. Yeah, I think you were alluding to at the early on in your answer there is the need to think of water first and foremost in our decision making to think of, is the water available? We're in a basin that is fully licenced, if you will. It is something that needs to be understood by, like you said, a representative in our city to know that those limits are there and we need to think about that first and foremost. Thank you for appreciating that and that

Jeromy:

And individual responsibility too. When we think about the portion of the water we produce, that's going to non-residential customers versus residential proximate numbers. But we know per capita, the Calgary ands per capita are water requirements about 25% greater per capita than say Edmontonians. There's a lot of work to do, not just in the absolute number of water that's lost, but individual efficiencies. And this is not water for the sake of water. I was always raised to honour the environment. Don't take more than you need, but there's a financial component to this. We can no longer afford to ignore losing a quarter or a third of our water. There is no fiscal responsibility angle to continuing the way we are. We have to take action on these issues, and that's really central. We cannot afford not to take action.

Jenny:

There are concerns about peak water use numbers in the future beyond 2030 or something like this for the City of Calgary. These are the real life decisions that need to be baked into the plans for the city. Thank you very much for

Jeromy:

Not to belabour this point, Jenny, but that's based on even what we know about today's current state. We haven't even discussed Eastern Slopes. We haven't talked about what the policy, or rather the real world impacts might be of policy that's being currently debated. We're precarious in the current state, let alone some other policy decisions that might be down the pipe that could be even worse in the current state. Again, I'm not one here to be fear mongering, but I do think that Calgarians like we're owed a really serious conversation about how we address this because we can address it if we have the plan, if we're proactive, if we're informed, but we can't afford to continue to ignore it.

Question 7: Civic Engagement in City of Calgary Decision Making

Jenny (36:12):

Right. Yeah. Thank you. It's so critical, and thank you because you brought in, we have to think of what's upstream from us that's happening, and we need to think about what we're passing on downstream as well. We serve two other provinces after us as well, we have a big responsibility in this province. Thank you for understanding that. Okay, we're down to the last of the seven questions. This has gone very well. How will you ensure recommendations from Calgarians are including residents, frontline communities, environmental groups, and city staff are meaningfully considered in council decisions? Thanks.

Jeromy:

Oh man, that is a big question, and I would say from every corner of the city as I'm knocking on doors, there's a lot of folks who don't feel listened to, but it's a bit deeper than that. There's a lot of work and a lot of great organizations out there who were not actually tapping into their expertise. Even it's not solely a matter of not feeling like Calgarians are listened to through consultation, through engagement, but we're also robbing ourselves of the amazing expertise that's out there. It's not just people coming to the table with an opinion. That opinion is to make things better. That opinion is to improve practices, it's to save money. The listening is really key, but we're also robbing ourselves of better outcomes by virtue of not seeing more or as many Calgarians as possible reflected in the decision making process.

My policy platforms dive into just broadly that question of representation and a number of different angles. I think the mayor really has to champion that active representation on city boards, commissions. There's ways that we can expand participatory budgeting pilots. Even old school, when I was a city counsellor, every month I would host a 10 hall meeting where my entire ward could come and meet with me, share 'em with their thoughts, ideas, suggestions. That was really good for me, getting out of that city hall bubble and out into the community and actually listening to people, but also being able to probe a little bit in terms of what the fears or concerns that Cal gars have. Because a lot of it is also misinformation where you have to make sure that you're actually having a decision based on evidence and facts. There's other ways as well that we can better bringing in the voluntary sector.

I was just yesterday at Vibrant Community Calgary's big celebration, and then we're talking about ways that we could better establish that partnership with the nonprofit chamber establishing kind of formal channels for consultation, joint planning. But it's pretty old school. You listen to people, you pick up the phone, you'd be available, and my team doesn't like me saying this, but as the politician, you never want to be the smartest person in the room. You kind of want to have those folks on speed dial, but we're in trouble if you're the smartest person in the room. Because no matter the challenge or opportunity you have in front of you at City Hall, there's got to be somebody out there in the community who's working on this and has the proven ability to address the need or solve the problem. It's really about transparency, it's about meaningful engagements, it's making congregants part of the decision-making process, and that's really how we make those smart investments, not just in the infrastructure, but also the people who are powering our social sector, our neighbourhood organizations, and even in the private sector ways that we can make it easier for entrepreneurs.

There's a number of different ways tactically, but the big picture issue is mayor council haven't really genuinely been including Calgarians in the decisions and whether that's on issues of zoning or other files like that, tension has played out. But the fundamental thing is how do we ensure that every single Cal sees themselves reflected in the stuff that our local government does, because at the end of the day, it belongs to us.

Jenny:

Yeah, thank you so much. I'm just going to reflect some of the things you offered in your answers for the engagement survey, transparency and accessible engagement. I've heard from what your answers here, formal integration of public input, elevating frontline and equity seeking voices, empowering city staff, which you touched on earlier in our conversation here. And those that accountability and feedback loops, which you just offered can be mostly those real life encounters and continued engagement with the people of the city that care enough to be there and talk about these issues. I know that the intent of this effort for us is to make sure that we are in those conversations, that we're putting ourselves in the decision making as much as we can, and appreciate that there is an expectation on the other side that you want to see that as well. Thank you so much, Jeromy, for your time today. This has been a wonderful conversation. The CRC organizations. Thank you for your efforts here and hopefully have an opportunity to speak with you again with the other candidates for mayor. Anything you wanted to add that I missed in this conversation, Jeromy, or

Jeromy:

A topic that I think is so important right now is that this is the first municipal election where we're being asked to endorse or not this view of municipal political parties. And if your audience can just bear with me for a moment, I think that the introduction of these political parties is just so countered to a lot of the stuff that we've discussed in terms of practicality, pragmatic, and one of the reasons I've chosen to run as an independent is so that I can help build that team. Our next mayor is going to have to deal with probably three different municipal political parties, and the vast majority of Albertans and Calgarians told the UCP that we do not want this, but here we are, at least two or three different political parties are going to be represented on this council. None of them with an outright majority.

And the issue for the political parties is it's so numerous, the one obvious one is that it just robs Calgarians from having that effective representation. What I always enjoyed about being a city counsellor was somebody could call me. I would pick up the phone and I could get to work whether it was fixing the sidewalk or the localized issue. The idea of moving the decision-making to an unelected party membership, I think is anathema to the type of city that we want to have. But on a practical level, the loyalty to party politics means that you have, it puts people in a position where they feel they're compelled to either vote for a bad idea or vote against a good idea because it's their party colour at the end of the day, but really fundamental to an effective city council, effective city administration and local action on all of these issues at pragmatism.

The one just final comment I'd make for the audience is make sure you challenge the candidates in terms of not just the lip service. Ask them about their plans, ask them about their vision for the city. And I'll just close off on saying we've talked about a lot of challenges. We've talked a lot about what it could be to be a city of 2 million people or 3 million people. But my central message really is that with a plan, this is the greatest opportunity that we have as a city. We can solve these problems. I know this because we've done harder things than this. It is an encouragement to vote. We have, unfortunately, it could be 25, 40% of people only vote and turn out. That's a sad number. But what it also means is that if only one in four people show up, your vote counts for quadruple, right?

You matter. The work that your round table is doing matters, the members, the organizations, all of you matter, and us as a candidate, us as a campaign, we take you very seriously. The work that you do, the advocacy that you do, your fingerprints is probably going to be on all of the campaigns if they know what's good for them. Again, thank you for the great work that you do. Thank you for believing in the city, and thank you for stepping up on such a big file and a big issue that really needs so much more attention than it has had.

Jenny:

Wow. Thank you so much, Jeromy. That means a lot. Yes, this is not easy work, but it's the most important work as you've outlined today. I really appreciate you acknowledging that. And yes, you can expect that from me. I'm going to definitely be in your ear as much as possible with these organizations. I work expect. Yeah, these are the people that care about the city and want to make sure that it is resilient for a long time going forward. Thank you so much for appreciating that and taking your time with us. Okay, I'm going to close that out for you, and I'm just going to close up with some, again, more housekeeping. Have a great afternoon, Jeromy, and we'll take care for now. Thank you.

Jeromy:

Thank you.

Key Takeaways

Jenny (45:10):

Okay, just a little bit of reminders for you guys. Please use the QR code that is in the corner of this screen. Ask your candidates to participate just like Jeromy just did. This QR code will help you send a letter to encourage your ward and mayoral candidates automatically, and your impact is amplifying our efforts and it will help your community get involved. As Jeromy just highlighted, it's up to us to get involved in our city and see the results that we want to see in the future. The results will be on my website. Again, I'm going to put these links in the chat for everyone. Please see the YouTube podcast schedule starting next week. Hopefully we'll be having one every day for the next few weeks, pay attention. And by October 12th, I hope to have everything finalized and posted from everyone who participated or otherwise. We'll make sure you're aware of that level of participation. Lastly, just a reminder, please follow and share The Gravity Wall Podcast, help people understand that we are doing work for your city and work for your province. That is important to all of us. Okay, have a great rest of your day. Take care.

The Calgary Environmental Roundtable (CERT) created a candidate questionnaire and podcast series dedicated to climate, the environment, and nature for the 2025 municipal election. Learn all about it here!

Your Ward 14 Candidates’ Survey Answers

1️⃣Calgary’s Climate Strategy outlines 5-year goals to reduce energy poverty and utility costs, create clean economy jobs, improve public health, and build more equitable, climate-resilient communities. If elected, how will you work to achieve these outcomes for Calgarians?

Chima Akuchie

Calgary families are already feeling the impact of rising costs. My focus is on practical steps that balance affordability with environmental responsibility. I will support actions that reduce utility costs, expand clean energy where it makes economic sense, and protect taxpayers from unnecessary spending.

That means upgrading aging infrastructure like water pipes, improving energy efficiency in city buildings to cut costs long-term, and working with local businesses to grow clean economy jobs. On mobility, we should prioritize safe and reliable transit options while making sure existing roads are maintained for drivers.

I will not support measures that add more financial burden to residents without clear results. My commitment is measurable, cost-effective climate action that improves daily life for Calgarians while respecting taxpayers’ dollars.

Erin Averbukh

Calgary’s Climate Strategy must be practical, affordable, and results-driven. I’ll focus on efficient infrastructure and rapid transit, completing the Green Line to Seton and planning for future routes like an airport-to-core connection, to reduce congestion, emissions and costs. I’ll push for smarter energy management within City operations, upgrades that cut utility costs and sensible land use that uses existing infrastructure instead of blanket upzoning. Partnering with industry and the Province, we can advance clean energy solutions that create local jobs without burdening taxpayers. Calgary’s path to 2050 should be responsible, community-led and sensible - not political.

Ryan Stutt | The Calgary Party

We will ensure Calgary’s Climate Strategy moves from aspirational to actionable. That means better accountability on existing climate targets and ties back to KPIs in infrastructure, land use and transit decisions.
Link housing and infrastructure planning to ensure greater efficiency of use in new communities
Accelerate retrofits of City-owned buildings and work with the federal and provincial governments to fund this
Expand rapid transit and active mobility networks to cut emissions while giving Calgarians better, more affordable ways to move around.
Support clean economy job creation by tying procurement to local low-carbon industries.

2️⃣ How will you ensure that new community development and redevelopment in Calgary protects our watersheds, river and creek valleys, wetlands, and the wildlife and urban biodiversity that depend on these ecosystems?

Chima Akuchie

Protecting Calgary’s natural assets our rivers, wetlands, and biodiversity must be part of responsible growth. I support clear development rules that balance new housing needs with long-term environmental safeguards.

My focus will be on strict enforcement of setbacks along river and creek valleys, better stormwater management in new communities, and requiring developers to cover the costs of environmental mitigation not taxpayers. I will also push for stronger partnerships with community associations to monitor local impacts and hold the City accountable.

We can grow responsibly without sacrificing the watersheds and green spaces that make Calgary livable.

Erin Averbukh

Protecting Calgary’s rivers, creeks, wetlands and wildlife corridors must be part of how we plan our city, not an afterthought. I’ll support sensible, evidence-based land use that requires proper environmental review and ensures stormwater systems protect our watersheds. New growth should focus on already serviced areas before expanding outward. I’ll push for conservation buffers around places like Fish Creek Park and the Bow and Elbow rivers. We also need to take better care of what we already have by maintaining storm ponds, pathways and naturalized spaces. With practical planning and strong partnerships, Calgary can grow responsibly while protecting the natural beauty and balance that make our city one of the best places to live.

Ryan Stutt | The Calgary Party

We will make protection of rivers, wetlands, and natural corridors a non-negotiable part of Calgary’s growth. Our commitments include:
Strengthening watershed and riparian protection in development processes
Encouraging all redevelopment projects include stormwater management, tree cover, and habitat protection.
encourage development inside Calgary’s existing footprint to limit Calgary’s impact on the surrounding habitat and biodiversity.

3️⃣ Will you commit to dedicating budget dollars toward protecting Calgary’s biodiversity and improving wildlife safety in our urban environment, including through measures such as enforcing bird-friendly building standards, retrofitting existing structures, and supporting safe wildlife corridors?

Chima Akuchie

I support protecting Calgary’s biodiversity, but we must do it in a way that respects taxpayers and delivers real results. My commitment is to fund projects that directly improve safety and protect our green spaces without creating new layers of red tape.

That means prioritizing wildlife corridors where they intersect with major roads, using proven building standards for new developments that reduce risks to birds, and upgrading older infrastructure only when it is cost-effective and tied to measurable outcomes. Developers should also share responsibility for these costs—not just residents.

Calgary can protect its natural environment while still being mindful of how we spend public dollars.

Erin Averbukh

Calgary’s natural spaces are worth protecting, but we need to do it with fiscal discipline and common sense. I will support targeted, results-driven investments that protect biodiversity and improve wildlife safety without adding unnecessary costs or bureaucracy. That means maintaining existing wildlife corridors, focusing development in already serviced areas and applying bird-friendly standards where they make practical sense, such as high-risk glass structures near key habitats. I’ll also consider retrofitting public buildings only when there’s a clear cost-benefit and proven environmental value. Protecting Calgary’s biodiversity shouldn’t be about adding new layers of policy, but about managing what we have better, maintaining it responsibly and making decisions that balance environmental stewardship with fiscal responsibility. This approach keeps Calgary safe, sustainable and affordable, for both residents and the natural environment we share.

Ryan Stutt | The Calgary Party

We commit to investing in biodiversity and wildlife safety, through ensuring a portion of retrofit funds can go to meeting standards where appropriate. We will work to prioritize wildlife corridors in community design, with safe crossings and connected park systems.

4️⃣ What steps will you take to ensure housing, rent, and transit in Calgary are affordable and accessible so that more Calgarians can access services with dignity, and live and work in a healthy city?

Chima Akuchie

Affordable housing and reliable transit are important, but the city must approach them with balance and accountability.

For housing, I support streamlining approvals for builders in areas where infrastructure is ready, so homes can be built faster without overburdening taxpayers. I oppose blanket rezoning that ignores existing community needs, but I will work to expand affordable and seniors’ housing where it fits.

For rent, the city should partner with nonprofits and private builders to increase supply, while ensuring property taxes stay stable so costs aren’t simply passed on to renters.

On transit, my priority is safety and reliability. We need clean, secure stations and buses that people trust to use daily and on time. Investment should focus on routes with the highest ridership and ensure taxpayer dollars are used wisely not on projects that don’t serve communities effectively.

Erin Averbukh

Affordability starts with smart planning and responsible budgeting. I’ll support housing growth in areas that already have infrastructure in place like schools, roads and transit, rather than blanket upzoning that strains city services, upsets residents and raises costs. My focus is on efficient, well-managed investment that keeps Calgary livable and affordable without unnecessary spending.

On transit, I’ll push to complete the Green Line to Seton and plan for future rapid routes that connect Calgarians to jobs, schools and services safely and efficiently. I’ll also work to improve transit safety, frequency and reliability, ensuring it’s a practical, safe and affordable choice for more residents.

I’ll back cost-effective energy retrofits and maintenance programs that lower utility bills and reduce emissions while keeping housing attainable. Calgary can grow responsibly by maintaining affordability, protecting the environment and delivering the efficient, well-run services residents expect and deserve. Being environmental stewards and fiscally responsible aren’t mutually exclusive, we can be both - but we need to be balanced and sensible.

Ryan Stutt | The Calgary Party

Housing and transit are climate policies as much as social policies. We will:
Ensure zoning decisions unlock more housing supply, especially near transit corridors.
Deliver a reliable, frequent transit system, expanding MAX Rapid Bus and getting the Green Line back on track.

5️⃣ENMAX is wholly owned by the City of Calgary. What role do you see for ENMAX in helping the city achieve its 2035 clean electricity goals?

Chima Akuchie

ENMAX should focus first on keeping power affordable and reliable for Calgarians. Families and businesses cannot shoulder higher bills while chasing targets.

That said, ENMAX can play a role by gradually increasing investment in renewables where it makes sense, modernizing the grid, and expanding partnerships with private industry. The transition should be paced, practical, and cost-conscious protecting ratepayers while moving toward cleaner energy.

I will hold ENMAX accountable as a city-owned utility to prioritize both affordability and responsible innovation.

Erin Averbukh

ENMAX should lead by example, not by ideology. As a City-owned utility, it plays a key role in Calgary’s clean electricity transition, but its first responsibility is to deliver reliable, affordable power to residents and businesses. I will support measured, data-driven investments in renewable generation and grid modernization that make financial and operational sense.

ENMAX can help the City meet its 2035 goals by improving energy efficiency, reducing system losses and supporting clean, local generation where it’s cost-effective. I’ll also ensure public accountability and transparency in how ENMAX funds and prioritizes projects, keeping rates stable while advancing innovation.

This transition must be managed responsibly by balancing environmental goals with economic realities. Calgarians deserve clean, dependable and affordable power, and ENMAX should continue to deliver exactly that: practical progress without unnecessary risk or added cost to ratepayers.

Ryan Stutt | The Calgary Party

ENMAX should be a cornerstone of Calgary’s clean energy transition. We will:
Push ENMAX to adopt a transparent 2035 decarbonization roadmap with clear milestones regarding supply and procurement of clean electricity
Ensure ENMAX supports low-income Calgarians through expanded energy efficiency programs and equitable rate structures.
Treat ENMAX not just as a revenue source, but as a public asset accountable for delivering affordable, clean power.

6️⃣How will you advance sustainable water use and watershed protection in Calgary’s growth and development decisions?

Chima Akuchie

Water security is a serious issue for Calgary, especially as our city grows. New developments must be tied to clear water capacity planning so we don’t worsen scarcity. I will support stricter reviews before approving large projects to make sure supply and infrastructure can handle them.

One overlooked issue is Calgary’s aging asbestos cement pipes. Many communities including Ward 14 still rely on them, and they are at risk of breaking down. The City must start testing and replacing these pipes to ensure safe, reliable water delivery.

Regionally, I will push for stronger partnerships with surrounding municipalities to manage watershed protection, including Bow and Elbow river systems. Calgary should lead by example in water stewardship, balancing growth with long-term security.

Erin Averbukh

Water security starts with responsible planning and disciplined growth management. I’ll support development that aligns with existing infrastructure and water capacity, not projects that overextend our systems or threaten watershed health. Every new community must demonstrate long-term sustainability, including efficient stormwater design, low-impact landscaping and water reuse where practical.

I’ll advocate for regional collaboration with surrounding municipalities and the Province to secure fair, transparent water-sharing agreements that protect Calgary’s long-term access and supply. I’ll also press for better maintenance and modernization of water infrastructure to prevent leaks, waste and costly emergency repairs.

Protecting our rivers, creeks and wetlands isn’t just environmental — it’s economic. Strong watershed management supports growth, reduces flood risk and safeguards Calgary’s future. My approach will always balance sound environmental stewardship with fiscal responsibility, ensuring our water resources are protected for generations to come.

Ryan Stutt | The Calgary Party

We know Calgary’s water system is already under strain. Last year’s Bearspaw South Feeder Main failure was a wake-up call — and with over 22% of our treated water lost to leakage (compared to less than 5% in Edmonton), the status quo is unsustainable
That’s why we are calling for the creation of a modern, publicly owned water utility — independent, accountable, and run by experts. This model, proven in cities like Edmonton (EPCOR) and even with ENMAX here in Calgary, would:
Protect long-term water security: Invest in preventative maintenance and monitor risks to avoid catastrophic failures.

Advance sustainable growth: Integrate water infrastructure planning with housing, transit, and community development to avoid overloading our rivers and aquifers.
Reduce hidden costs: Replace today’s site levies — a $12,000+ “hidden water tax” on each new home — with fair, utility-based financing that spreads costs across decades
Ensure transparency and accountability: Require the utility to publish clear performance benchmarks and capital plans, overseen by regulators and open to the public.

As Calgary adds more than 100,000 new residents each year, collaboration with regional partners will be critical. We will lead joint watershed protection, risk-mapping, and investment planning across the Bow and Elbow Rivers, ensuring Calgary’s growth never undermines our shared water resources.

7️⃣How will you ensure recommendations from Calgarians including residents, frontline communities, environmental groups, and city staff are meaningfully considered in Council decisions?

Chima Akuchie

Council decisions must reflect the voices of Calgarians, not just bureaucracy. I will ensure meaningful engagement by keeping communication direct and simple town halls, surveys, and clear reporting back to residents on how their input shaped decisions.

Frontline communities, environmental groups, and city staff should be heard, but final choices must balance their recommendations with fiscal responsibility and the priorities of taxpayers.

I will push for accountability by requiring council and administration to publicly track how community feedback is considered in major decisions. That way, residents can see if their concerns were acted on or ignored.

Erin Averbukh

Meaningful engagement starts with listening before deciding and keeping residents informed at every step. I’ll ensure Calgarians, residents, frontline communities, environmental groups and City staff, are included early in decision-making, not after the fact.

I will implement a transparent, resident-driven voting platform where verified Ward 14 residents can directly influence my votes on Council matters affecting our Ward and Calgary as a whole. I’ll communicate using clear, accessible language, provide timely updates, and maintain a public voting record to ensure accountability.

I believe in a consistent approach: I won’t pretend to know everything, but I promise to listen, learn, and make sensible decisions rooted in facts and fairness. Communication from me will weigh the risks and the rewards so we make decisions that serve all of us, restoring trust, transparency and true representation in City Hall.

Ryan Stutt | The Calgary Party

We will rebuild trust in City Hall by ensuring engagement is real and transparent. That means:

• Expanding proactive engagement with residents, frontline groups, and experts at the start of planning processes.

• Requiring Council to publicly report on how community recommendations were incorporated (or why they weren’t).

• Strengthening two-way communication with community associations and advisory panels so input shapes decisions, not just checkboxes.
  

The Calgary Environmental Roundtable (CERT) municipal election podcast series is hosted by The Gravity Well. CERT is a nonpartisan coalition focused on elevating environmental priorities in the municipal election and beyond. This campaign connects you with your Calgary municipal election candidates through an automatic email requesting them to emphasizing the importance of clean water, biodiversity, and climate action for a sustainable future. The final episode of the CERT 2025 Municipal Election campaign features Ward 13 candidate Elliot Weinstein, who discusses his commitment to public service, community vibrancy, and sustainable development. Key topics include Calgary’s climate strategy, housing and transit affordability, biodiversity protection, and sustainable water use. Weinstein advocates for forward-thinking housing policies, transit-oriented development, and fiscal responsibility in environmental initiatives. His campaign encourages community engagement and dialogue to ensure that environmental and fiscal benefits are realized, aiming to build a resilient and healthy city for all Calgarians. Learn more about CERT here.

Your Ward 13 Candidates’ Answers

1️⃣Calgary’s Climate Strategy outlines 5-year goals to reduce energy poverty and utility costs, create clean economy jobs, improve public health, and build more equitable, climate-resilient communities. If elected, how will you work to achieve these outcomes for Calgarians?

Elliot Weinstein | The Calgary Party

We will ensure Calgary’s Climate Strategy moves from aspirational to actionable. That means better accountability on existing climate targets and ties back to KPIs in infrastructure, land use and transit decisions.

• Link housing and infrastructure planning to ensure greater efficiency of use in new communities.

• Accelerate retrofits of City-owned buildings and work with the federal and provincial governments to fund this

• Expand rapid transit and active mobility networks to cut emissions while giving Calgarians better, more affordable ways to move around.

• Support clean economy job creation by tying procurement to local low-carbon industries.

2️⃣ How will you ensure that new community development and redevelopment in Calgary protects our watersheds, river and creek valleys, wetlands, and the wildlife and urban biodiversity that depend on these ecosystems?

Elliot Weinstein | The Calgary Party

We will ensure Calgary’s Climate Strategy moves from aspirational to actionable. That means better accountability on existing climate targets and ties back to KPIs in infrastructure, land use and transit decisions.

• Link housing and infrastructure planning to ensure greater efficiency of use in new communities.

• Accelerate retrofits of City-owned buildings and work with the federal and provincial governments to fund this

• Expand rapid transit and active mobility networks to cut emissions while giving Calgarians better, more affordable ways to move around.

• Support clean economy job creation by tying procurement to local low-carbon industries.

3️⃣ Will you commit to dedicating budget dollars toward protecting Calgary’s biodiversity and improving wildlife safety in our urban environment, including through measures such as enforcing bird-friendly building standards, retrofitting existing structures, and supporting safe wildlife corridors?

Elliot Weinstein | The Calgary Party

We commit to investing in biodiversity and wildlife safety, through ensuring a portion of retrofit funds can go to meeting standards where appropriate. We will work to prioritize wildlife corridors in community design, with safe crossings and connected park systems.

4️⃣ What steps will you take to ensure housing, rent, and transit in Calgary are affordable and accessible so that more Calgarians can access services with dignity, and live and work in a healthy city?

Elliot Weinstein | The Calgary Party

Housing and transit are climate policies as much as social policies. We will:
Ensure zoning decisions unlock more housing supply, especially near transit corridors.
Deliver a reliable, frequent transit system, expanding MAX Rapid Bus and getting the Green Line back on track.

5️⃣ENMAX is wholly owned by the City of Calgary. What role do you see for ENMAX in helping the city achieve its 2035 clean electricity goals?

Elliot Weinstein | The Calgary Party

ENMAX should be a cornerstone of Calgary’s clean energy transition. We will:

• Push ENMAX to adopt a transparent 2035 decarbonization roadmap with clear milestones regarding supply and procurement of clean electricity.

• Ensure ENMAX supports low-income Calgarians through expanded energy efficiency programs and equitable rate structures.

• Treat ENMAX not just as a revenue source, but as a public asset accountable for delivering affordable, clean power.

6️⃣How will you advance sustainable water use and watershed protection in Calgary’s growth and development decisions?

Elliot Weinstein | The Calgary Party

We know Calgary’s water system is already under strain. Last year’s Bearspaw South Feeder Main failure was a wake-up call — and with over 22% of our treated water lost to leakage (compared to less than 5% in Edmonton), the status quo is unsustainable
That’s why we are calling for the creation of a modern, publicly owned water utility — independent, accountable, and run by experts. This model, proven in cities like Edmonton (EPCOR) and even with ENMAX here in Calgary, would:

• Protect long-term water security: Invest in preventative maintenance and monitor risks to avoid catastrophic failures.

• Advance sustainable growth: Integrate water infrastructure planning with housing, transit, and community development to avoid overloading our rivers and aquifers.

• Reduce hidden costs: Replace today’s site levies — a $12,000+ “hidden water tax” on each new home — with fair, utility-based financing that spreads costs across decades.

• Ensure transparency and accountability: Require the utility to publish clear performance benchmarks and capital plans, overseen by regulators and open to the public.

• As Calgary adds more than 100,000 new residents each year, collaboration with regional partners will be critical. We will lead joint watershed protection, risk-mapping, and investment planning across the Bow and Elbow Rivers, ensuring Calgary’s growth never undermines our shared water resources.

7️⃣How will you ensure recommendations from Calgarians including residents, frontline communities, environmental groups, and city staff are meaningfully considered in Council decisions?

Elliot Weinstein | The Calgary Party

We will rebuild trust in City Hall by ensuring engagement is real and transparent. That means:

• Expanding proactive engagement with residents, frontline groups, and experts at the start of planning processes.

• Requiring Council to publicly report on how community recommendations were incorporated (or why they weren’t).

• Strengthening two-way communication with community associations and advisory panels so input shapes decisions, not just checkboxes.

The Calgary Environmental Roundtable (CERT) municipal election podcast series is hosted by The Gravity Well. CERT is a nonpartisan coalition focused on elevating environmental priorities in the municipal election and beyond. This campaign connects you with your Calgary municipal election candidates through an automatic email requesting them to emphasizing the importance of clean water, biodiversity, and climate action for a sustainable future.

This episode features a discussion with your candidates for Ward 12, Sarah Ferguson, highlighting their visions and strategies for addressing environmental challenges. Key topics include the implementation of Calgary’s climate strategy, community development that protects natural ecosystems, budget allocation for biodiversity, and the role of ENMAX in achieving the city’s clean electricity goals. The discussions also cover sustainable water use, affordable housing, and the importance of engaging with community groups and residents to shape council decisions. The roundtable encourages ongoing participation and relationship-building to foster a resilient and healthy city for all Calgarians. Learn all about this campaign and CERT here!

Your Ward 12 Candidates’ Answers

1️⃣Calgary’s Climate Strategy outlines 5-year goals to reduce energy poverty and utility costs, create clean economy jobs, improve public health, and build more equitable, climate-resilient communities. If elected, how will you work to achieve these outcomes for Calgarians?

Sarah Ferguson | The Calgary Party

We will ensure Calgary’s Climate Strategy moves from aspirational to actionable. That means better accountability on existing climate targets and ties back to KPIs in infrastructure, land use and transit decisions.

• Link housing and infrastructure planning to ensure greater efficiency of use in new communities.

• Accelerate retrofits of City-owned buildings and work with the federal and provincial governments to fund this

• Expand rapid transit and active mobility networks to cut emissions while giving Calgarians better, more affordable ways to move around.

• Support clean economy job creation by tying procurement to local low-carbon industries.

We need to be more efficient with our resources and focus on how the current climate affects our standard of living, such as colder winters and smokier, hotter summers.

2️⃣ How will you ensure that new community development and redevelopment in Calgary protects our watersheds, river and creek valleys, wetlands, and the wildlife and urban biodiversity that depend on these ecosystems?

Sarah Ferguson | The Calgary Party

We will make protection of rivers, wetlands, and natural corridors a non-negotiable part of Calgary’s growth. Our commitments include:

• Strengthening watershed and riparian protection in development processes
  Encouraging all redevelopment projects include stormwater management, tree cover, and habitat protection.

• Encourage development inside Calgary’s existing footprint to limit Calgary’s impact on the surrounding habitat and biodiversity.

Calgarians love their green spaces! Recognizing our affordability issues, these free spaces are more crucial to protect right now more than ever.

3️⃣ Will you commit to dedicating budget dollars toward protecting Calgary’s biodiversity and improving wildlife safety in our urban environment, including through measures such as enforcing bird-friendly building standards, retrofitting existing structures, and supporting safe wildlife corridors?

Sarah Ferguson | The Calgary Party

We commit to investing in biodiversity and wildlife safety, through ensuring a portion of retrofit funds can go to meeting standards where appropriate. We will work to prioritize wildlife corridors in community design, with safe crossings and connected park systems.

I will focus efforts in supporting local groups that are already doing this work and engaging with them to lift their voices.

4️⃣ What steps will you take to ensure housing, rent, and transit in Calgary are affordable and accessible so that more Calgarians can access services with dignity, and live and work in a healthy city?

Sarah Ferguson | The Calgary Party

We commit to investing in biodiversity and wildlife safety, through ensuring a portion of retrofit funds can go to meeting standards where appropriate. We will work to prioritize wildlife corridors in community design, with safe crossings and connected park systems.

Ward 12 in particular has terrible transit access, increasing the need for vehicles. We need to enhance the availability for folks to take transit as an option to help alleviate the traffic congestion for folks who don’t.

5️⃣ENMAX is wholly owned by the City of Calgary. What role do you see for ENMAX in helping the city achieve its 2035 clean electricity goals?

Sarah Ferguson | The Calgary Party

ENMAX should be a cornerstone of Calgary’s clean energy transition. We will:

• Push ENMAX to adopt a transparent 2035 decarbonization roadmap with clear milestones regarding supply and procurement of clean electricity.

• Ensure ENMAX supports low-income Calgarians through expanded energy efficiency programs and equitable rate structures.

• Treat ENMAX not just as a revenue source, but as a public asset accountable for delivering affordable, clean power.

I’m excited to learn more about this possibility and how council can support ENMAX in this endeavour.

6️⃣How will you advance sustainable water use and watershed protection in Calgary’s growth and development decisions?

Sarah Ferguson | The Calgary Party

We know Calgary’s water system is already under strain. Last year’s Bearspaw South Feeder Main failure was a wake-up call — and with over 22% of our treated water lost to leakage (compared to less than 5% in Edmonton), the status quo is unsustainable
That’s why we are calling for the creation of a modern, publicly owned water utility — independent, accountable, and run by experts. This model, proven in cities like Edmonton (EPCOR) and even with ENMAX here in Calgary, would:

• Protect long-term water security: Invest in preventative maintenance and monitor risks to avoid catastrophic failures.

• Advance sustainable growth: Integrate water infrastructure planning with housing, transit, and community development to avoid overloading our rivers and aquifers.

• Reduce hidden costs: Replace today’s site levies — a $12,000+ “hidden water tax” on each new home — with fair, utility-based financing that spreads costs across decades.

• Ensure transparency and accountability: Require the utility to publish clear performance benchmarks and capital plans, overseen by regulators and open to the public.

• As Calgary adds more than 100,000 new residents each year, collaboration with regional partners will be critical. We will lead joint watershed protection, risk-mapping, and investment planning across the Bow and Elbow Rivers, ensuring Calgary’s growth never undermines our shared water resources.

We will need to work with experts and partners to find ways to continue this advocacy.

7️⃣How will you ensure recommendations from Calgarians including residents, frontline communities, environmental groups, and city staff are meaningfully considered in Council decisions?

Sarah Ferguson | The Calgary Party

We will rebuild trust in City Hall by ensuring engagement is real and transparent. That means:

• Expanding proactive engagement with residents, frontline groups, and experts at the start of planning processes.

• Requiring Council to publicly report on how community recommendations were incorporated (or why they weren’t).

• Strengthening two-way communication with community associations and advisory panels so input shapes decisions, not just checkboxes.

I commit to meeting with groups and lifting the voices of folks doing this work.

The Calgary Environmental Roundtable (CERT) municipal election podcast series is hosted by The Gravity Well. CERT is a nonpartisan coalition focused on elevating environmental priorities in the municipal election and beyond. This campaign connects you with your Calgary municipal election candidates through an automatic email requesting them to emphasizing the importance of clean water, biodiversity, and climate action for a sustainable future. This episode features discussions with Ward 11 candidates Alex Williams and Courtney Penner, who share their visions for addressing climate strategy, affordable housing, and sustainable water use. Both candidates highlight the need for budget allocations towards biodiversity, active mobility, and the role of ENMAX in achieving clean electricity goals. They stress the importance of community engagement and the integration of environmental considerations in city planning. The conversation underscores the interconnectedness of environmental health, urban development, and community well-being, advocating for informed decision-making to build a resilient Calgary.

1️⃣Calgary’s Climate Strategy outlines 5-year goals to reduce energy poverty and utility costs, create clean economy jobs, improve public health, and build more equitable, climate-resilient communities. If elected, how will you work to achieve these outcomes for Calgarians?

Alex Williams

On the municipal level we have the opportunity (and the responsibility) to put our words into action when it comes to caring for our planet, building climate resilient communities and ensuring we build a city future generations can call home. Some of the near-term steps we can take are making active modes (walking, biking, etc.) easier choices for navigating the city, supporting our public transit networks, and reducing sprawl into natural landscapes and farms by supporting more sustainable growth within existing city boundaries.

2️⃣ How will you ensure that new community development and redevelopment in Calgary protects our watersheds, river and creek valleys, wetlands, and the wildlife and urban biodiversity that depend on these ecosystems?

Alex Williams

In Ward 11 we have a lot of under-utilized land, especially along Macleod Trail, where we could be building housing for Calgarians while also reducing our impact on wetlands, rivers, and wildlife. As for the development that is already happening on the edges of the city, we must ensure said development is considerate of the ecosystems surrounding us and work to preserve critical corridors and biodiversity.

3️⃣ Will you commit to dedicating budget dollars toward protecting Calgary’s biodiversity and improving wildlife safety in our urban environment, including through measures such as enforcing bird-friendly building standards, retrofitting existing structures, and supporting safe wildlife corridors?

Alex Williams

I would very much like to do this and will have to learn more about how I can.

4️⃣ What steps will you take to ensure housing, rent, and transit in Calgary are affordable and accessible so that more Calgarians can access services with dignity, and live and work in a healthy city?

Alex Williams

As someone who rents and lives car-free, supporting a variety of housing and transportation options is something that’s core to my campaign. Again, Macleod Trail (and other areas across the city) present us with opportunities to build interdemographic housing options near transit. This would allow us to create new amenities in our communities, more affordable housing options, and create a healthier city through reduced emissions and more community. I will be an active voice on City Council in support of transit and housing across the city.

5️⃣ENMAX is wholly owned by the City of Calgary. What role do you see for ENMAX in helping the city achieve its 2035 clean electricity goals?

Alex Williams

Calgary is an incredibly sunny city, presenting solar power as a great opportunity to achieve our climate commitments. As I’m not an energy expert, I would be looking to learn more before I speak out of turn. I see great potential for us to do more and would love to be sent homework on this subject.

6️⃣How will you advance sustainable water use and watershed protection in Calgary’s growth and development decisions?

Alex Williams

We need to start by taking better care of our infrastructure so we reduce water loss. Education, support, and opportunity for more sustainable gardens would also be a great step in the right direction. Working to ensure our buildings are built with efficient washrooms and more would be similarly critical to ensure sustainable water use and watershed protection.

7️⃣How will you ensure recommendations from Calgarians including residents, frontline communities, environmental groups, and city staff are meaningfully considered in Council decisions?

Alex Williams

I've shared my phone number widely, in every single one of brochures. People across Ward 11 will have easy access to scheduling calls with me - as opposed to back and forth. Of course, advocates will have the same access. Beyond this, after the election, I will continue door knocking as this is the best way to ensure people have their voice heard - reaching out and asking.

The Calgary Environmental Roundtable (CERT) has created a candidate questionnaire and podcast series dedicated to climate, the environment, and nature for the 2025 municipal election. Learn all about it here!

Your Ward 10 Candidates’ Answers

1️⃣Calgary’s Climate Strategy outlines 5-year goals to reduce energy poverty and utility costs, create clean economy jobs, improve public health, and build more equitable, climate-resilient communities. If elected, how will you work to achieve these outcomes for Calgarians?

Nickie Brockhoff | The Calgary Party

We will ensure Calgary’s Climate Strategy moves from aspirational to actionable. That means better accountability on existing climate targets and ties back to KPIs in infrastructure, land use and transit decisions.

• Link housing and infrastructure planning to ensure greater efficiency of use in new communities.

• Accelerate retrofits of City-owned buildings and work with the federal and provincial governments to fund this

• Expand rapid transit and active mobility networks to cut emissions while giving Calgarians better, more affordable ways to move around.

• Support clean economy job creation by tying procurement to local low-carbon industries.

2️⃣ How will you ensure that new community development and redevelopment in Calgary protects our watersheds, river and creek valleys, wetlands, and the wildlife and urban biodiversity that depend on these ecosystems?

Nickie Brockhoff

We will make protection of rivers, wetlands, and natural corridors a non-negotiable part of Calgary’s growth. Our commitments include:

• Strengthening watershed and riparian protection in development processes
  Encouraging all redevelopment projects include stormwater management, tree cover, and habitat protection.

• Encourage development inside Calgary’s existing footprint to limit Calgary’s impact on the surrounding habitat and biodiversity.

3️⃣ Will you commit to dedicating budget dollars toward protecting Calgary’s biodiversity and improving wildlife safety in our urban environment, including through measures such as enforcing bird-friendly building standards, retrofitting existing structures, and supporting safe wildlife corridors?

Nickie Brockhoff

We commit to investing in biodiversity and wildlife safety, through ensuring a portion of retrofit funds can go to meeting standards where appropriate. We will work to prioritize wildlife corridors in community design, with safe crossings and connected park systems.

4️⃣ What steps will you take to ensure housing, rent, and transit in Calgary are affordable and accessible so that more Calgarians can access services with dignity, and live and work in a healthy city?

Nickie Brockhoff

Housing and transit are climate policies as much as social policies. We will:
Ensure zoning decisions unlock more housing supply, especially near transit corridors.
Deliver a reliable, frequent transit system, expanding MAX Rapid Bus and getting the Green Line back on track.

5️⃣ENMAX is wholly owned by the City of Calgary. What role do you see for ENMAX in helping the city achieve its 2035 clean electricity goals?

Nickie Brockhoff

ENMAX should be a cornerstone of Calgary’s clean energy transition. We will:

• Push ENMAX to adopt a transparent 2035 decarbonization roadmap with clear milestones regarding supply and procurement of clean electricity.

• Ensure ENMAX supports low-income Calgarians through expanded energy efficiency programs and equitable rate structures.

• Treat ENMAX not just as a revenue source, but as a public asset accountable for delivering affordable, clean power.

6️⃣How will you advance sustainable water use and watershed protection in Calgary’s growth and development decisions?

Nickie Brockhoff

We know Calgary’s water system is already under strain. Last year’s Bearspaw South Feeder Main failure was a wake-up call — and with over 22% of our treated water lost to leakage (compared to less than 5% in Edmonton), the status quo is unsustainable
That’s why we are calling for the creation of a modern, publicly owned water utility — independent, accountable, and run by experts. This model, proven in cities like Edmonton (EPCOR) and even with ENMAX here in Calgary, would:

• Protect long-term water security: Invest in preventative maintenance and monitor risks to avoid catastrophic failures.

• Advance sustainable growth: Integrate water infrastructure planning with housing, transit, and community development to avoid overloading our rivers and aquifers.

• Reduce hidden costs: Replace today’s site levies — a $12,000+ “hidden water tax” on each new home — with fair, utility-based financing that spreads costs across decades.

• Ensure transparency and accountability: Require the utility to publish clear performance benchmarks and capital plans, overseen by regulators and open to the public.

• As Calgary adds more than 100,000 new residents each year, collaboration with regional partners will be critical. We will lead joint watershed protection, risk-mapping, and investment planning across the Bow and Elbow Rivers, ensuring Calgary’s growth never undermines our shared water resources.

7️⃣How will you ensure recommendations from Calgarians including residents, frontline communities, environmental groups, and city staff are meaningfully considered in Council decisions?

Nickie Brockhoff

We will rebuild trust in City Hall by ensuring engagement is real and transparent. That means:

• Expanding proactive engagement with residents, frontline groups, and experts at the start of planning processes.

• Requiring Council to publicly report on how community recommendations were incorporated (or why they weren’t).

• Strengthening two-way communication with community associations and advisory panels so input shapes decisions, not just checkboxes.

This episode includes three candidates for Ward 9:

• Harrison Clark owns a business in Inglewood and is running as an independent. He emphasized the importance of ensuring equitable investment in communities, protecting natural areas and watersheds, and engaging the community in the decision-making process.

• Marina Ortman is a community advocate who has fought to protect public spaces like the Inglewood pool. She advocated for protecting watersheds and wildlife, building in trade-offs with developers to ensure they give back to the community, and increasing transparency and accountability in council decisions.

• Shirley Parungao Do is the director of operations at a multi-sport services company. She highlighted the importance of affordable and accessible housing, transportation, and utilities, and committed to protecting the environment and involving the community in decision-making.

Overall, the guests emphasized the need for equitable, community-driven decision-making that prioritizes the environment, climate action, and improving quality of life for all Calgarians. They spoke about specific steps they would take to achieve these goals, such as investing in public transit, protecting natural areas, and ensuring affordable housing and services.

The Calgary Environmental Roundtable (CERT) has created a candidate questionnaire and podcast series dedicated to climate, the environment, and nature for the 2025 municipal election. Learn all about it here!

Your Ward 9 Candidates’ Answers

1️⃣Calgary’s Climate Strategy outlines 5-year goals to reduce energy poverty and utility costs, create clean economy jobs, improve public health, and build more equitable, climate-resilient communities. If elected, how will you work to achieve these outcomes for Calgarians?

Alison Karim-McSwiney

The first step is to determine where and how resources and money are being allocated and spent. Currently, there is a significant budget that has been allocated to address the climate emergency but no plan has been provided to elected officials. To make progress a clear plan needs to be created. I will endeavor to ensure that objectives are met and tracked.

Ariana Kippers | The Calgary Party

We will ensure Calgary’s Climate Strategy moves from aspirational to actionable. That means better accountability on existing climate targets and ties back to KPIs in infrastructure, land use and transit decisions.

• Link housing and infrastructure planning to ensure greater efficiency of use in new communities

• Accelerate retrofits of City-owned buildings and work with the federal and provincial governments to fund this

• Expand rapid transit and active mobility networks to cut emissions while giving Calgarians better, more affordable ways to move around.

• Support clean economy job creation by tying procurement to local low-carbon industries.

Marina Ortman

1. Reduce energy poverty & costs: I will work in close partnership with ENMAX to create better options for retrofitting older homes — from insulation upgrades to renewable energy add-ons like rooftop solar. We should also study best practices from other municipalities to learn what works and bring proven solutions here.

2. Clean economy jobs: Calgary can be a hub for clean economy jobs. We need to expand training programs for trades like retrofits, solar installation, and green infrastructure maintenance, while supporting clean-tech businesses that want to invest in our city.

3. Public health through natural infrastructure: Our tree canopy is only 8.65%, when experts recommend closer to 30%. Expanding canopy coverage will reduce urban heat, improve air quality, and provide better stormwater management — real benefits to residents.
   Protect green space: We must stop selling off existing green spaces. They are essential community infrastructure and vital to resilience.

4. Balanced development with trade-offs: Developers should not only be allowed to build but also required to give back — through parks, stormwater upgrades, or tree planting. Development should add resilience, not strip it away.
   When elected, I will ensure City decisions on land use, infrastructure, and mobility consider both their climate and affordability impact. That’s what it means to get ‘back to basics’ in a climate-resilient way: protecting our environment while protecting household budgets.

Shirley Brun Parungao Do

I support Calgary’s Climate Strategy because protecting our environment is protecting our future. I avoid using harmful campaign materials like styrofoam or excess paper, and I will bring this same commitment to Council by supporting actions that reduce waste, lower energy costs, and build a cleaner, healthier Calgary.

2️⃣ How will you ensure that new community development and redevelopment in Calgary protects our watersheds, river and creek valleys, wetlands, and the wildlife and urban biodiversity that depend on these ecosystems?

Alison Karim-McSwiney

These are extremely important issues to me and I will make a priority of working with new developments and planners to incorporate effective strategies that could include grey water recycling, xenoscaping while prioritizing the protection of trees, native flora, water sources and natural habitat.

Ariana Kippers | The Calgary Party

We will make protection of rivers, wetlands, and natural corridors a non-negotiable part of Calgary’s growth. Our commitments include:

• Strengthening watershed and riparian protection in development processes
  Encouraging all redevelopment projects include stormwater management, tree cover, and habitat protection.

• Encourage development inside Calgary’s existing footprint to limit Calgary’s impact on the surrounding habitat and biodiversity.

Marina Ortman

Protecting our watersheds, river valleys, wetlands, and urban biodiversity must be at the core of responsible city planning. Once these ecosystems are damaged, they are nearly impossible to restore. My approach would focus on three concrete commitments:

1. No development at the expense of critical natural areas: I will oppose rezoning or redevelopment that threatens wetlands, riparian zones, or wildlife corridors. These areas are essential to flood mitigation, water quality, and biodiversity. For example, the land next to our Bird Sanctuary in Inglewood is about to set off for a redevelopment. When elected, I will work on getting that project scraped. The Bird Sanctuary should expend and assume that land.

2. Build trade-offs into development approvals: When negotiating with developers, I will ensure that if development is approved, it comes with strong environmental conditions — such as stormwater management upgrades, wetland restoration, or investments in urban biodiversity like tree planting and pollinator habitats.

3. Strengthen and enforce environmental impact standards: I will push for stricter environmental reviews in planning decisions and better monitoring to ensure compliance. Too often, approvals go through with minimal conditions, leaving residents to deal with flooding, erosion, or habitat loss later. For example, again in Inglewood, land attached to Pearse Estate Park is planned to be covered in concrete to provide more parking. Residents are highly upset as there is a habitat formed on that small parcel, and it will be lost if turned into concrete covered parking.

Calgary’s rivers, creeks, wetlands, and green spaces are not just natural features — they are essential infrastructure that protect us from flooding, improve air and water quality, and support healthy communities. Protecting them is part of getting back to basics in responsible urban planning.

Shirley Brun Parungao Do

I will support development that respects our natural ecosystems by protecting watersheds, river valleys, wetlands, and wildlife habitats. My commitment is to push for stronger environmental reviews in land-use decisions and ensure new communities include green spaces, natural buffers, and sustainable designs that safeguard Calgary’s biodiversity.

3️⃣ Will you commit to dedicating budget dollars toward protecting Calgary’s biodiversity and improving wildlife safety in our urban environment, including through measures such as enforcing bird-friendly building standards, retrofitting existing structures, and supporting safe wildlife corridors?

Alison Karim-McSwiney

I would be in favor and working with other levels of government if necessary to protect wildlife. As stated in the White Paper I would also work to explore or continue partnerships with with organizations such as the Canada Infrastructure Bank, the Climate Innovation Fund, and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities who might support investments into corporate and community climate projects and help leverage private investment.

I would also consider lending initiatives that could include financing programs such as the Clean Energy Improvement Program and credit enhancement programs (e.g., loan guarantees or loan loss reserves) that could facilitate public and private investments into the community.

Ariana Kippers | The Calgary Party

We commit to investing in biodiversity and wildlife safety, through ensuring a portion of retrofit funds can go to meeting standards where appropriate. We will work to prioritize wildlife corridors in community design, with safe crossings and connected park systems.

Marina Ortman

I will commit to dedicating budget dollars toward protecting Calgary’s biodiversity and improving wildlife safety in our urban environment. Biodiversity isn’t an ‘extra’; it is part of the essential infrastructure that keeps our city resilient, healthy, and livable.

1. Bird-friendly standards: I support enforcing bird-friendly building standards in new developments, especially near rivers, wetlands, and parks. Please see my response regarding bird sanctuary.

2. Retrofitting existing structures: I will push for targeted retrofit programs that help property owners adapt existing buildings — with cost-sharing options or incentives — to reduce risks to birds and wildlife. Because these upgrades cost money the City can offer incentives or cost-sharing — for example, a grant to help condo boards or businesses install bird-safe glass.

3. Wildlife corridors and safe crossings: I will advocate for funding and planning of safe wildlife corridors, especially where development pressures intersect with known migration routes or urban green spaces. These corridors reduce collisions and preserve urban biodiversity.

I believe biodiversity protection should be integrated into Calgary’s core planning, not treated as an afterthought. Protecting wildlife and natural systems means healthier communities and stronger ecosystems.

Shirley Brun Parungao Do

Yes, I will commit budget dollars to protect Calgary’s biodiversity and improve wildlife safety. This includes supporting bird-friendly building standards, retrofitting existing structures, and ensuring safe wildlife corridors so that our urban environment can coexist with nature.

4️⃣ What steps will you take to ensure housing, rent, and transit in Calgary are affordable and accessible so that more Calgarians can access services with dignity, and live and work in a healthy city?

Alison Karim-McSwiney

People who have worked with me know my passion in this area. I’m an approved practitioner of Just Communities. Poverty is toxic and if we can increase affordability I would be delighted if it falls within the municipal responsibility. If it is outside of this I would advocate for Ward 9 residents to other levels of government as per residents requests.

Ariana Kippers | The Calgary Party

Housing and transit are climate policies as much as social policies. We will:
Ensure zoning decisions unlock more housing supply, especially near transit corridors.
Deliver a reliable, frequent transit system, expanding MAX Rapid Bus and getting the Green Line back on track.

Marina Ortman

Affordability is an ability to live, work, and access services without being pushed to the margins. Housing, rent, and transit are at the core of that. My commitments focus on practical, balanced steps that make Calgary more affordable while also building climate resilience.

1. Affordable housing: I will support more affordable rental inventory by streamlining approvals for non-profit and co-op housing providers, and by requiring developers to include affordable options in new projects. At the same time, we need retrofit programs to improve older housing stock so that residents aren’t paying higher utility bills because of outdated systems.

2. The City must also advocate with the Province for tenant protections, since affordability and housing security go hand-in-hand. But affordability and tenant protections are tied to Provincial law, and I will be a strong advocate to the Province on behalf of Ward 9 residents.

3. Accessible transit: Affordable transit is essential for both equity and climate. I will push to protect and expand frequent bus service in established communities, not just new train lines that serve the few. A reliable transit network reduces car dependence, cuts emissions, and ensures people can get to work and services with dignity.

Calgary must grow responsibly — which means development and budget decisions that reduce emissions while keeping life affordable. In inclusive city, housing, rent, and transit should be the foundation not be barriers.

Shirley Brun Parungao Do

I will support policies that make housing, rent, and transit more affordable and accessible for Calgarians. This means pushing for more mixed-use and inclusive zoning, investing in reliable public transit, and encouraging energy-efficient housing that lowers utility costs. Everyone deserves the dignity of safe housing and affordable mobility while building a healthier, climate-resilient city.

5️⃣ENMAX is wholly owned by the City of Calgary. What role do you see for ENMAX in helping the city achieve its 2035 clean electricity goals?

Alison Karim-McSwiney

While Enmax does have district energy, solar and wind power. It would certainly be advantageous for the corporation to continue working toward increasing climate friendly energy practices whenever possible and pivoting away from coal generated power.

Ariana Kippers | The Calgary Party

ENMAX should be a cornerstone of Calgary’s clean energy transition. We will:

• Push ENMAX to adopt a transparent 2035 decarbonization roadmap with clear milestones regarding supply and procurement of clean electricity.

• Ensure ENMAX supports low-income Calgarians through expanded energy efficiency programs and equitable rate structures.

• Treat ENMAX not just as a revenue source, but as a public asset accountable for delivering affordable, clean power.

Marina Ortman

ENMAX, as a utility wholly owned by the City, must be a central partner in achieving Calgary’s 2035 clean electricity goals. This role goes beyond climate action — it directly impacts affordability and reliability for Calgarians.

1. ENMAX should accelerate grid decarbonization by investing in renewable generation and storage. Clear accountability targets from Council will ensure this transition stays on schedule.

2. ENMAX can play a bigger role in home retrofits. Many residents live in older housing stock with high energy costs. By expanding programs for insulation, efficient heating, rooftop solar, and battery storage — with cost-sharing options — we can cut household bills while reducing emissions.

3. ENMAX should commit to full public accountability. As a city-owned utility, it should publish regular, transparent reports on climate progress so residents can clearly track how close we are to 100% clean electricity.

4. Affordability must stay at the heart of this transition. No Calgarian should have to choose between heating their home and paying for groceries. ENMAX can and should be a partner in reducing energy poverty, building a clean, affordable energy future for all residents.

Shirley Brun Parungao Do

ENMAX must lead the way in Calgary’s transition to 100% clean electricity by 2035. I see its role in expanding renewable energy projects, modernizing the grid, and ensuring affordable access to power for all Calgarians. As a city-owned utility, ENMAX should be fully accountable to the public while driving innovation toward a clean, reliable energy future.

6️⃣How will you advance sustainable water use and watershed protection in Calgary’s growth and development decisions?

Alison Karim-McSwiney

Water is a precious resource and necessary for all life forms. We require further research into state of the art approaches. Grey water recycling for example would lessen water wastage.

Ariana Kippers | The Calgary Party

We know Calgary’s water system is already under strain. Last year’s Bearspaw South Feeder Main failure was a wake-up call — and with over 22% of our treated water lost to leakage (compared to less than 5% in Edmonton), the status quo is unsustainable
That’s why we are calling for the creation of a modern, publicly owned water utility — independent, accountable, and run by experts. This model, proven in cities like Edmonton (EPCOR) and even with ENMAX here in Calgary, would:

• Protect long-term water security: Invest in preventative maintenance and monitor risks to avoid catastrophic failures.

• Advance sustainable growth: Integrate water infrastructure planning with housing, transit, and community development to avoid overloading our rivers and aquifers.

• Reduce hidden costs: Replace today’s site levies — a $12,000+ “hidden water tax” on each new home — with fair, utility-based financing that spreads costs across decades.

• Ensure transparency and accountability: Require the utility to publish clear performance benchmarks and capital plans, overseen by regulators and open to the public.

• As Calgary adds more than 100,000 new residents each year, collaboration with regional partners will be critical. We will lead joint watershed protection, risk-mapping, and investment planning across the Bow and Elbow Rivers, ensuring Calgary’s growth never undermines our shared water resources.

Marina Ortman

Water is Calgary’s most valuable resource, and it must be central to every growth and development decision. Long-term water security and ecological resilience depend on how we grow and how we manage our watersheds.

1. I will ensure that no new community development is approved without a clear assessment of its water impacts. Growth must not worsen Calgary’s water scarcity. Developers should be required to integrate water efficiency measures such as low-flow fixtures, stormwater reuse, and water-wise landscaping into all new projects.

2. I will work to protect and restore our natural infrastructure. Rivers, creeks, wetlands, and green spaces provide flood protection, water filtration, and habitat for biodiversity. I will oppose development that threatens these areas and instead support expansion of our tree canopy and wetland restoration to increase resilience.

3. I will push for infrastructure upgrades in older neighbourhoods to reduce stormwater runoff and prevent untreated water from entering our rivers and creeks.

4. Water stewardship requires collaboration. I will work with regional partners, Indigenous communities, and the Province to strengthen water-sharing agreements.
   

Shirley Brun Parungao Do

I will prioritize sustainable water use by ensuring all new developments include water-efficient designs and protections for our rivers, creeks, and wetlands. I will also work with regional partners to safeguard long-term water security and support stronger watershed management so Calgary can grow without worsening water scarcity.

7️⃣How will you ensure recommendations from Calgarians including residents, frontline communities, environmental groups, and city staff are meaningfully considered in Council decisions?

Alison Karim-McSwiney

In many ways, this is the primary reasons that I’m running. In my extensive work with Ward 9 communities over the last three decades I watched as all-too-often community leaders concerns were ignored. Impactful decisions were made without any meaningful community engagement. Anyone who has worked with me over the last three decades knows that I’m a team player. I listen, I engage with the community and then I work to collaboratively lead impactful change. The kind of leadership that brought the transit-friendly mainstreet design to 17th Avenue SE, that helped to create Journey to Freedom Park and community events like Global Fest and East Town Get Down. As an elected representative I promise to take the same approach. I will listen and work for community.

Ariana Kippers | The Calgary Party

We will rebuild trust in City Hall by ensuring engagement is real and transparent. That means:

• Expanding proactive engagement with residents, frontline groups, and experts at the start of planning processes.

• Requiring Council to publicly report on how community recommendations were incorporated (or why they weren’t).

• Strengthening two-way communication with community associations and advisory panels so input shapes decisions, not just checkboxes.

Marina Ortman

Yes residents feel engagement with the City is a checkbox exercise — they share feedback, but it doesn’t meaningfully shape the final decision. Rebuilding trust means making engagement transparent, accessible, and respected at every stage.

1. I will push for clear reporting that shows how resident, frontline community, environmental group, and staff recommendations are reflected in Council decisions. If feedback is not adopted, the City must explain why.

2. I will work to strengthen engagement pathways so they are accessible to all. That means offering online and in-person options, providing translated and culturally appropriate formats, and lowering barriers for frontline communities who are often excluded from consultation.

3. I will hold myself accountable through open office hours, regular community updates, and follow-up with residents and groups who take the time to share their feedback.

Listening to Calgarians should not be a campaign promise — it should be the foundation of local government.

Shirley Brun Parungao Do

I will ensure recommendations from residents, frontline communities, environmental groups, and city staff are meaningfully considered by creating open, transparent consultation processes and making sure feedback is reflected in Council decisions. Listening to those most affected builds stronger policies and a more inclusive Calgary.

The Calgary Environmental Roundtable (CERT) is a nonpartisan coalition focused on integrating environmental priorities into the municipal decision making, currently focused on the election. The initiative aims to connect residents with candidates, emphasizing the importance of water, nature, and climate in shaping Calgary’s future. The campaign encourages organizations to join, candidates to participate, and residents to engage with their representatives. Learn all about it here! The conversation, co-hosted by Stephanie Westlund of Solar Alberta, featured Ward 7 candidates, Miguel Cortinez, who emphasized the integration of energy and environment, the importance of planning in community development, and the role of technology and innovation in achieving sustainability goals. The conversation also highlighted the need for affordable housing, efficient transportation, and the strategic role of ENMAX in meeting clean electricity targets. The roundtable underscores the importance of collaboration among developers, planners, communities, and environmental groups to ensure a resilient and thriving Calgary.

Independent candidate, Nathaniel Schmidt, has committed to participating but was hit with a family emergency. Please check out Nathaniel’s thoughtful answers below. Also, check out upcoming Solar Alberta events, like the Solar Show in January, and their podcasts on YouTube.

Your Ward 8 Candidates’ Answers

1️⃣Calgary’s Climate Strategy outlines 5-year goals to reduce energy poverty and utility costs, create clean economy jobs, improve public health, and build more equitable, climate-resilient communities. If elected, how will you work to achieve these outcomes for Calgarians?

Miguel Cortines

My Commitments to Advance Calgary’s Climate Strategy will include:

• Cut energy costs & poverty: Expand home energy retrofit rebate programs and ensure all new affordable housing meets high energy-efficiency standards.

• Green transit: Accelerate electrification of Calgary Transit, pilot hydrogen buses on key routes, and support full funding and completion of the Green Line as a backbone of sustainable mobility.

• Smarter communities: Advance zoning reforms that promote compact, mixed-use neighbourhoods so Calgarians can live closer to work, shops, and transit.

• Waste & circular economy: Expand composting and recycling to multi-family and commercial buildings, reducing landfill emissions.

• Natural infrastructure: Invest in tree planting, riverbank restoration, and natural flood protection to cool neighbourhoods and improve resilience to extreme weather.

Nathaniel Schmidt

Calgary’s Climate Strategy is about more than targets – it’s about improving daily life for Calgarians while making our city more resilient. Extreme weather is now a yearly reality, and our response has to be practical and long-term. I support using the Climate Strategy as our guide to shape decisions that keep Calgarians safe, save families money, and create new opportunities to create a healthier environment.

That means investing in infrastructure and services that also prepare us for extreme weather – like cooling and warming centres that double as community hubs, and stronger building standards that reduce damage from hail and flooding. It means limiting the sprawl that drains our budget and using those funds to instead push forward with climate-friendly city-building that encourages active transportation for healthier communities and healthier environment.

We must focus growth in established communities like Ward 8 where transit and services already exist while supporting home retrofits that make housing more efficient, reduce utility bills, and ease pressure on our power grid. These are pragmatic steps that deliver both climate action and direct benefits to Calgarians.

2️⃣ How will you ensure that new community development and redevelopment in Calgary protects our watersheds, river and creek valleys, wetlands, and the wildlife and urban biodiversity that depend on these ecosystems?

Miguel Cortines

My Commitments to Protect Watersheds and Biodiversity in Calgary:

• Riparian setbacks: Strengthen rules to prevent development too close to rivers and creek valleys.

• Wetland conservation: Require protection of wetlands and natural corridors before approving new developments.

• Green infrastructure: Promote natural stormwater systems, permeable surfaces, and tree canopies in all new communities.

• Habitat restoration: Support redevelopment projects that restore habitats, use native landscaping, and create wildlife crossings.

• Partnerships: Work with conservation groups and Indigenous communities to integrate ecological knowledge into planning.

Nathaniel Schmidt

We cannot build Calgary’s future by ignoring the health of our rivers, wetlands, and natural areas. Protecting these ecosystems isn’t just good for wildlife – it’s essential for clean water, flood prevention, and human health.

I believe development should be limited in areas at high risk of flooding, erosion, or fire. Protecting the Bow and Elbow river valleys must start now, allowing only the most cautious and limited development in sensitive areas.

Changing policies to increase setbacks for development in wetlands, waterways, and natural areas creates a buffer that protects sensitive areas from disturbance. This approach can be made even stronger by integrating the “conservation reserve” tool from the Municipal Government Act into applicable development projects. We have not used this tool nearly enough, and rely primarily on “environmental reserve,” which is limited in its scope to land that is unsafe for building. Conservation reserve is much more broad, and allows us to protect land based on its ecological value. I believe setting attainable targets for this tool will result in the preservation of more land that protects nature and benefits our communities.

As Calgary grows, our planning decisions must recognize that healthy watersheds and natural systems are fundamental infrastructure. It’s time for us to protect and restore the valuable ecosystems Calgarians value.

3️⃣ Will you commit to dedicating budget dollars toward protecting Calgary’s biodiversity and improving wildlife safety in our urban environment, including through measures such as enforcing bird-friendly building standards, retrofitting existing structures, and supporting safe wildlife corridors?

Miguel Cortines

Yes, I will commit to dedicating budget dollars to protect Calgary’s biodiversity and improve wildlife safety. If elected, I will support full enforcement of Calgary’s bird-friendly building standards and advocate for retrofitting high-risk buildings with window treatments and lighting modifications to reduce bird collisions. I will prioritize funding for safe wildlife corridors—such as crossings, culverts, and connected green spaces—that allow animals to move safely through our city. I will also champion investments in habitat restoration and tree planting programs that strengthen urban biodiversity, improve air quality, and make our neighbourhoods more resilient. These are practical, cost-effective measures that deliver measurable benefits for both people and wildlife, ensuring Calgary grows as a city that respects and protects its natural environment. I attended an event at Contemporary Calgary and they explain how are using technologies so the birds don’t crash in their windows.

Nathaniel Schmidt

Yes – I support dedicating resources to protect biodiversity and improve wildlife safety in our city. Calgary benefits when our built environment respects the natural environment we share.

That includes enforcing standards like bird-friendly building design, expanding naturalization projects on boulevards and parks, and prioritizing native plants and trees in City landscaping. It also means identifying and preserving wildlife corridors at the early stages of the planning process. Too often, biodiversity comes as an afterthought. I experienced this myself in my advocacy to protect Ricardo Ranch from development that encroached on healthy wetlands and a heron nesting site. By the time these concerns were raised, it was too late as the planning process had started many years prior to the approval of the new community. Increasing scrutiny on wildlife corridors and sensitive ecosystems at the beginning of the planning process ensures it comes to the attention of planners and the public at the early stages before it’s too late to make the best decisions.

These steps protect biodiversity, reduce long-term maintenance costs, and strengthen the natural systems that protect our city.

4️⃣ What steps will you take to ensure housing, rent, and transit in Calgary are affordable and accessible so that more Calgarians can access services with dignity, and live and work in a healthy city?

Miguel Cortines

Affordable housing, fair rents, and reliable transit are critical for Calgarians to live with dignity, and they are also central to our climate and equity goals. If elected, I will take the following steps:

• Affordable Housing & Rent: I will partner with non-profit housing providers such as Partners for Affordable Housing to expand purpose-built affordable housing. I will push for programs that encourage landlords to maintain fair rents, and I will support retrofits for existing housing to cut energy costs, reducing both emissions and energy poverty.

• Inclusive Zoning & Development: I will advocate for repealing the blanket rezoning policy so we can find better, more collaborative mechanisms to build integrated communities. This means working with developers, city planners, and community members to deliver housing diversity that respects neighbourhood character while addressing affordability and sustainability.

• Accessible Transit: I will fight for reliable, frequent, and affordable transit by ensuring stable funding for Calgary Transit, supporting the full build-out of the Green Line, and expanding bus rapid transit (BRT) service to underserved areas. I will also push for transitioning our fleet to electric and hydrogen buses, lowering operating costs and emissions.

• Healthy, Equitable City: I will prioritize inclusive budgeting that invests in core services—housing, rents, and transit—so Calgarians of all incomes can thrive. These measures not only address affordability but also reduce emissions from buildings and transportation, making Calgary a more climate-resilient and equitable city.

Nathaniel Schmidt

Housing and transit are two of the biggest affordability challenges facing Calgarians. The average income needed to rent or buy in Calgary is beyond reach for many families, and our transit network is stretched thin. We need to make both housing and transit more accessible so that people can live and move with dignity.

I support continuing to implement Calgary’s Housing Strategy, which calls for more affordable housing options across the city, including partnerships with non-profits and private developers. In established communities, I believe in building “complete communities” where housing is close to services like recreation centres, parks, and schools. We must be strategic in finding the best opportunities, which is why I’ve identified Westbrook C-Train station as the starting point to show how we can build non-market and market housing close to transit and amenities while also creating an accessible public space for all the surrounding communities.

On transit, our focus should be on frequency where the need is greatest. The Primary Transit Network, with buses every 15 minutes or better, must be prioritized. Improving transit in Calgary also requires some creative solutions such as expanding the use of smaller shuttle buses within neighbourhoods close to transit hubs to shuttle people to and from major transit hubs. This opens up effective transit to more people by using existing resources more effectively.

We also need to get shovels in the ground on the Green Line to provide a reliable north-south connection and ensure the Beltline station strengthens rather than divides our communities.

When housing and transit are reliable and affordable, we not only reduce emissions – we create a healthier, more inclusive city.

5️⃣ENMAX is wholly owned by the City of Calgary. What role do you see for ENMAX in helping the city achieve its 2035 clean electricity goals?

Miguel Cortines

ENMAX, as a city-owned utility, must play a central role in meeting Calgary’s 2035 clean electricity goals, and it must do so in a way that benefits all Calgarians. If elected, I will advocate for ENMAX to accelerate investment in renewable energy generation—particularly solar, wind, and battery storage—to decarbonize the grid while maintaining reliability.

ENMAX should expand programs that lower bills for everyone, including on-bill financing for home retrofits, rooftop solar incentives, and community solar projects so renters and low-income families can also access clean energy. I will push for annual public reporting on ENMAX’s climate progress to ensure accountability and transparency. Above all, I will ensure ENMAX delivers clean, reliable, and affordable electricity for every Calgarian—whether is a homeowner, renter, or business owner—because our transition to clean energy must be equitable and inclusive.

Nathaniel Schmidt | The Calgary Party

ENMAX is a powerful tool for Calgary. As a city-owned utility, it has a critical role to play in helping us reach our 2035 clean electricity goals while keeping power affordable for Calgarians.

I believe ENMAX should continue to lead on grid decarbonization and innovation while staying focused on affordability. That includes supporting programs that help Calgarians retrofit their homes with more efficient heating, cooling, and insulation – because lower utility bills are one of the best ways to address energy poverty. ENMAX can also act as a key partner in incentivizing the use of solar on existing homes and integrating it into new developments.

As councillor, I would support ENMAX operating with strong public accountability so that its priorities stay aligned with both our climate commitments and the day-to-day needs of Calgarians.

6️⃣How will you advance sustainable water use and watershed protection in Calgary’s growth and development decisions?

Miguel Cortines

My Commitments on Sustainable Water Use & Watershed Protection:

• Smart growth standards: Require new developments to use stormwater reuse, permeable surfaces, and water-efficient landscaping.

• Riparian & wetland protection: Enforce strong safeguards for rivers, creeks, and wetlands to protect water quality and ecosystems.

• Water conservation programs: Expand rebates and incentives for water-efficient fixtures, rainwater harvesting, and drought-resilient practices.

• Regional collaboration: Work with neighbouring municipalities and Indigenous communities to align watershed planning and ensure long-term water security.

Nathaniel Schmidt

Water is Calgary’s most precious resource, and protecting it means planning responsibly. That starts with limiting development in flood fringes and other high-risk areas, and ensuring that new growth doesn’t worsen Calgary’s long-term water scarcity.

I would support a stronger regional approach to development, limiting approvals of new communities far from the core – because every new subdivision requires costly infrastructure and increases water demands. Instead, we should prioritize reinvestment in established areas like Ward 8, where services already exist. Protecting river valleys, wetlands, and natural areas also ensures healthy watersheds, cleaner water, and reduced risk of major flooding events.

Calgary also loses a significant amount of water through our municipal water network, including leaky pipes and deteriorating infrastructure. Repairing this infrastructure would result in huge savings - both in water use and costs. This represents another consequence of an expanding city. By continuing to build new infrastructure further from our core services, we stretch our budget to the breaking point, leaving little money left over to fix what we’ve already built.

7️⃣How will you ensure recommendations from Calgarians including residents, frontline communities, environmental groups, and city staff are meaningfully considered in Council decisions?

Miguel Cortines

If elected, I will ensure Calgarians’ voices are at the center of Council decisions. I will push for engagement processes by creating spaces for residents, frontline communities, environmental groups, and city staff to shape decisions. This means holding regular town halls in Ward 8, establishing advisory panels with community representation, and requiring public reporting on how resident input influenced Council outcomes. I will also strengthen two-way communication—making City processes more transparent and accessible, and ensuring Calgarians know their voices are not only heard but acted upon. True engagement builds trust, and I am committed to making City Hall more accountable and responsive to Calgarians.

I believe in Calgary. We are living a great momentum and I am certain that together, City Council and organizations like yours, we can build the infrastructure needed to have a more vibrant, safe, prosperous, and cosmopolitan city that is an example of environmental responsibility.

Nathaniel Schmidt

Good decisions at City Hall depend on listening to Calgarians. That includes residents, community associations, environmental groups, frontline communities, and city staff. Too often, people feel like their voices are sought but not heard.

I believe in engagement that is meaningful and measurable. That means being transparent about how input shapes decisions, creating clear pathways for communities to raise concerns, and maintaining ongoing dialogue rather than one-off consultations. Councillors must have constructive relationships with administration, industry, and the public, and then be accountable for how those voices are reflected in policy. Building credibility with all communities and stakeholders results in better policy, because it creates trust and makes room for respectful disagreement, leading to consensus and better outcomes for everyone.

In my view, engagement should not just be a box to check – it should be a process that builds trust and produces results people can see in their communities.

The Calgary Environmental Roundtable Municipal Election campaign is a nonpartisan coalition of environmental and climate organizations. Learn all about it here! In this conversation, Jenny met with the three Ward 7 candidates: Anthony Askew, running with the Better Calgary Party (conservative-leaning); David Barrett a climate and water researcher and teacher, running as an independent; and Mike Atkinson, a collaborative, community leader, also running as an independent.

The candidates discussed: how they would work to achieve the goals of Calgary’s climate strategy around reducing energy poverty, creating clean jobs, improving public health, and building resilient communities; ways to protect Calgary’s watersheds, rivers, wetlands, and urban biodiversity through development decisions; ensuring housing, rent, and transit are affordable and accessible for all Calgarians; and how they would ensure recommendations from citizens, frontline communities, environmental groups, and city staff are meaningfully considered in council decisions.

Overall, the candidates highlighted the need for a holistic, intersectional approach to addressing environmental, social, and economic challenges in Calgary. They emphasized the importance of meaningful community engagement, supporting local businesses, investing in green infrastructure and transit, and protecting natural ecosystems.

Your Ward 7 Candidates’ Answers

1️⃣Calgary’s Climate Strategy outlines 5-year goals to reduce energy poverty and utility costs, create clean economy jobs, improve public health, and build more equitable, climate-resilient communities. If elected, how will you work to achieve these outcomes for Calgarians?

David Barrett

If elected, I will champion a proactive and integrated approach to actually achieving our Climate Strategy goals. To get there, I will focus on on four key areas:

1. Tackling energy poverty & utility costs: I will advocate for a city-wide energy retrofit program, leveraging federal and provincial green funding to help homeowners and landlords, particularly in low-income and older communities, improve insulation, windows, and heating systems. This will help to reduce emissions and cut household utility bills. Additionally, I will advocate for an expansion of the Alberta Municipalities Residential Clean Energy Improvement Program which helps to finance renewable energy upgrades

2. Creating Clean Economy Jobs: I will work to attract and retain clean tech firms and renewable energy service companies by streamlining permitting processes and promoting Calgary’s skilled workforce. I will push for a "local-first" procurement policy for city projects, prioritizing Alberta-based companies that provide sustainable goods and services, creating local jobs in the process. We have an incredible wealth of experience and knowledge in renewable energy infrastructure in Calgary - we should be leveraging it to its fullest potential

3. Improving Public Health: The climate strategy is a public health strategy. I will prioritize active transportation and transit, which reduces air pollution and promotes physical activity. This means implementing my policy for accelerating the construction of protected bike lanes through consistent funding and ensuring transit routes serve Calgarians' needs, connecting them to jobs, services, and recreation safely and efficiently.

4. Building Resilient & Equitable Communities: Climate action cannot leave anyone behind. I will ensure that all climate adaptation projects, from flood mitigation in Sunnyside to heat-reducing urban forests in communities with less tree canopy such as the Downtown West and the East Village, are developed with direct input from the residents who live there. Equity must be a core metric in our decision-making. Tools that prioritize an analysis of equity, such as the tree equity index, should be utilized wherever possible.

Core to accomplishing all of this is using and updating reporting metrics. Holding each and every business unit in the City of Calgary organization to their climate targets using reporting will be critical.

Heather McRae | The Calgary Party

We will ensure Calgary’s Climate Strategy moves from aspirational to actionable. That means better accountability on existing climate targets and ties back to KPIs in infrastructure, land use and transit decisions.

• Link housing and infrastructure planning to ensure greater efficiency of use in new communities.

• Accelerate retrofits of City-owned buildings and work with the federal and provincial governments to fund this

• Expand rapid transit and active mobility networks to cut emissions while giving Calgarians better, more affordable ways to move around.

• Support clean economy job creation by tying procurement to local low-carbon industries.

Myke Atkinson

For me, climate action is not separate from affordability and livability — it’s about ensuring Calgarians can live in warm homes, pay fair utility bills, and breathe clean air. If elected, I will:

• Expand energy retrofits in older homes, cutting emissions while lowering monthly costs for residents.

• Support clean economy job creation by investing in renewable energy, retrofits, and climate-resilient infrastructure that put Calgarians to work.

• Make climate planning part of every decision at City Hall, so housing, land use, and mobility reflect Calgary’s climate commitments.

• Strengthen reliable, affordable transit options so Calgarians have real alternatives to driving, which helps families save money while cutting emissions.

Climate action is an opportunity to build a healthier, more affordable, and more resilient city.

2️⃣ How will you ensure that new community development and redevelopment in Calgary protects our watersheds, river and creek valleys, wetlands, and the wildlife and urban biodiversity that depend on these ecosystems?

David Barrett

As a watershed scientist, this question is particularly close to my heart. Our natural ecosystems are not just amenities, they are also critical infrastructure for flood mitigation, water purification, wildlife habitat, and our quality of life. My approach will be:

1. Defend and Strengthen the role of watershed protection in the planning and development process: I will advocate the inclusion of watershed protection metrics in land use planning, and development applications for greenfield developments.

2. Enforce a "No Net Loss" Policy for Wetlands and Natural Areas: For any new greenfield development, the loss of natural wetland or forest must be compensated for by restoring or creating a comparable natural space within the same watershed. This should be a mandatory condition of approval.

3. Prioritize Green Infrastructure: I will push for developments that use natural landscapes (bioswales, naturalized stormwater ponds, permeable surfaces) to manage water. I will also push for an increased use of natural rain gardens. This protects our rivers from pollution, reduces runoff, and enhances urban biodiversity.

4. Protect our river valleys and corridors: I will oppose development that infringes upon or fragments our major environmental reserves and will work with the administration to protect these critical habitat areas, while also pushing back against endless urban sprawl

Heather McRae | The Calgary Party

We will make protection of rivers, wetlands, and natural corridors a non-negotiable part of Calgary’s growth. Our commitments include:

• Strengthening watershed and riparian protection in development processes
  Encouraging all redevelopment projects include stormwater management, tree cover, and habitat protection.

• Encourage development inside Calgary's existing footprint to limit Calgary's impact on the surrounding habitat and biodiversity

Myke Atkinson

We cannot afford short-sighted development that sacrifices Calgary’s natural systems. I will:

• Require all new developments to respect and protect watersheds, river valleys, wetlands, and key habitat areas.

• Expand the use of natural infrastructure solutions like wetland restoration and tree canopy growth to manage stormwater and protect biodiversity.

• Hold developers accountable with up-front environmental impact assessments before approvals are granted.

• Protect wildlife corridors and green networks as essential public assets, not “nice to haves.”

Protecting biodiversity protects residents too, since it improves flood resilience, air quality, and public health.

3️⃣ Will you commit to dedicating budget dollars toward protecting Calgary’s biodiversity and improving wildlife safety in our urban environment, including through measures such as enforcing bird-friendly building standards, retrofitting existing structures, and supporting safe wildlife corridors?

David Barrett

Yes, unequivocally. Protecting our natural heritage is a core municipal responsibility.

1. I will push administration to require bird-friendly glass (etched or patterned) and responsible lighting strategies for all new commercial and multi-family developments. The City of Calgary can be a leader and include bird-friendly modifications in building retrofits.

2. I will support strategic investments in infrastructure that keeps wildlife and people safe, such as wildlife-friendly fencing along key transportation corridors and dedicated animal underpasses/overpasses in areas.

Heather McRae | The Calgary Party

We commit to investing in biodiversity and wildlife safety, through ensuring a portion of retrofit funds can go to meeting standards where appropriate. We will work to prioritize wildlife corridors in community design, with safe crossings and connected park systems.

Myke Atkinson

Yes, I will support dedicated budget dollars for biodiversity, including priorities like supporting wildlife corridors and crossings to improve urban safety for animals and residents and expanding Calgary’s tree canopy with native and climate-resilient species to cool neighbourhoods, improve air quality, and absorb carbon. These investments improve livability for all Calgarians and ensure growth happens with ecological responsibility.

4️⃣ What steps will you take to ensure housing, rent, and transit in Calgary are affordable and accessible so that more Calgarians can access services with dignity, and live and work in a healthy city?

David Barrett

Housing and transit are the bedrock of a healthy, equitable, and climate-resilient city. I have a number of additional strategies. My strategy involves some core pillars of my policy platform:

1. Housing: Champion "missing middle" housing by incentivizing and fast-tracking approvals for townhomes, duplexes, and gentle density in established communities near transit hubs. I will support the full implementation of Calgary’s Housing Affordability Strategy, including the development of non-market and affordable housing on city-owned land.

2. Rent: Strengthen tenant support services and advocate for provincial partnerships to enhance rent supplements and protections for vulnerable Calgarians.

3. Transit: Work to make transit more affordable, reliable, and extensive. This includes:

4. Advocating for sustained funding for low-income transit passes and exploring fare-capping models.

5. Prioritizing transit-oriented development (TOD) to ensure more Calgarians can live near high-frequency service. This means along all core transit routes, such as BRT’s and LRT’s.

6. Investing in dedicated bus lanes and traffic signal priority to make bus service faster and more reliable, making it a more attractive option for everyone.

Heather McRae | The Calgary Party

Housing and transit are climate policies as much as social policies. We will:
Ensure zoning decisions unlock more housing supply, especially near transit corridors.
Deliver a reliable, frequent transit system, expanding MAX Rapid Bus and getting the Green Line back on track.

Myke Atkinson

I believe housing and transit are central to both affordability and climate resilience. If elected, I will:

• Support policies that increase housing supply across the city while pushing for affordability measures so new builds serve Calgarians, not just developers.

• Partner with non-profits, cooperatives, and affordable housing providers to deliver housing that people can actually afford.

• Keep accessibility at the forefront — housing and transit must work for seniors, people with disabilities, and caregivers.

• Expand reliable, affordable, frequent transit so Calgarians can get to work, school, and services without relying on a car.

5️⃣ENMAX is wholly owned by the City of Calgary. What role do you see for ENMAX in helping the city achieve its 2035 clean electricity goals?

David Barrett

Working with ENMAX to achieve Calgary’s 2035 clean electricity goals to:

1. Accelerate Local Renewable Generation: ENMAX should aggressively invest in and build new local renewable energy projects. We should not have an energy company that is investing in carbon-intensive energy systems in other jurisdictions, rather we need to use ENMAX to expand local green energy production.

2. I have proposed a funding model for solar farm generations that could be led by ENMAX and administered by the Federation of Calgary Communities (or comparable non-profit). It would see an initial up-front capital investment in a few key solar generation projects on/at community or civic buildings. Partial revenue from this generation would then be pushed into a green energy fund where other community projects could apply for and receive funds to conduct feasibility surveys and initial background work. Once built, these new projects would then also feed into the fund, helping build new projects.

3. Work with ENMAX to advocate for exploring new and emerging battery technologies to help improve green energy storage in the grid.

4. Direct ENMAX dividends to be used for supporting residential green energy investments and rebate systems on items such as heat pumps, hot water tanks, etc.

Heather McRae | The Calgary Party

ENMAX should be a cornerstone of Calgary’s clean energy transition. We will:

• Push ENMAX to adopt a transparent 2035 decarbonization roadmap with clear milestones regarding supply and procurement of clean electricity.

• Ensure ENMAX supports low-income Calgarians through expanded energy efficiency programs and equitable rate structures.

• Treat ENMAX not just as a revenue source, but as a public asset accountable for delivering affordable, clean power.

Myke Atkinson

As a City-owned utility, ENMAX must lead Calgary’s transition to clean and affordable electricity. I will:

• Push ENMAX to expand renewable energy generation and storage, moving us toward the 2035 target of 100% renewable electricity for city operations.

• Ensure ENMAX supports Calgarians through energy efficiency programs that cut monthly bills, especially for those struggling with energy poverty.

• Strengthen ENMAX’s public accountability so residents can track progress and trust that affordability and sustainability are guiding decisions.

6️⃣How will you advance sustainable water use and watershed protection in Calgary’s growth and development decisions?

David Barrett

I will:

1. Advocate strongly for continued collaboration with the Province and upstream municipalities to ensure the health of the Bow and Elbow River watersheds. Our growth cannot come at the expense of our water quality.

2. Continue to support the incredible work being done by the water education and efficiency teams within the city to help reduce waste.

3. Support strategic investments in repairing and modernizing our water and wastewater systems to reduce loss and increase efficiency, ensuring we can handle growth without waste or strain on the system. Also explore the use of novel technologies to identify locations of potential leakage and priortize repair. This can only occur if we begin to address the sprawling nature of our infrastructure.

4. Work with the province to continue to advance water reuse legislation allowing for a broader use of stormwater, greywater, etc.

Heather McRae | The Calgary Party

We know Calgary’s water system is already under strain. Last year’s Bearspaw South Feeder Main failure was a wake-up call — and with over 22% of our treated water lost to leakage (compared to less than 5% in Edmonton), the status quo is unsustainable
That’s why we are calling for the creation of a modern, publicly owned water utility — independent, accountable, and run by experts. This model, proven in cities like Edmonton (EPCOR) and even with ENMAX here in Calgary, would:

• Protect long-term water security: Invest in preventative maintenance and monitor risks to avoid catastrophic failures.

• Advance sustainable growth: Integrate water infrastructure planning with housing, transit, and community development to avoid overloading our rivers and aquifers.

• Reduce hidden costs: Replace today’s site levies — a $12,000+ “hidden water tax” on each new home — with fair, utility-based financing that spreads costs across decades.

• Ensure transparency and accountability: Require the utility to publish clear performance benchmarks and capital plans, overseen by regulators and open to the public.

• As Calgary adds more than 100,000 new residents each year, collaboration with regional partners will be critical. We will lead joint watershed protection, risk-mapping, and investment planning across the Bow and Elbow Rivers, ensuring Calgary’s growth never undermines our shared water resources.

Myke Atkinson

Water scarcity is one of Calgary’s most pressing long-term risks. I will:

• Require strong water efficiency and stormwater management standards in all new development.

• Protect and restore wetlands, which provide natural filtration and flood protection.

• Work with regional partners to coordinate water stewardship, recognizing that Calgary shares its watersheds.

• Ensure every planning decision reflects the long-term reality of water scarcity under climate change.

7️⃣How will you ensure recommendations from Calgarians including residents, frontline communities, environmental groups, and city staff are meaningfully considered in Council decisions?

David Barrett

1. As someone who has been volunteering and working hard in these areas, I understand the wealth of knowledge that residents, non-profits, and advocates bring to the table. I commit to working closely and continuously with these people and organizations alongside experts within and external to the City of Calgary organization.

2. Empower city appointed committees such as the climate advisory committee to provide more input directly to council members, with frequent opportunities to take part in policy development, refinement, and advocacy. I believe that by leveraging collective expertise and knowledge, we can get the City meaningfully moving towards its climate targets.

Heather McRae | The Calgary Party

We will rebuild trust in City Hall by ensuring engagement is real and transparent. That means:

• Expanding proactive engagement with residents, frontline groups, and experts at the start of planning processes.

• Requiring Council to publicly report on how community recommendations were incorporated (or why they weren’t).

• Strengthening two-way communication with community associations and advisory panels so input shapes decisions, not just checkboxes.

Myke Atkinson

I have heard many stories at the doors that too often residents feel decisions are made without their input. If elected, I will:

• Strengthen early and ongoing community engagement, so residents help shape policy instead of being consulted at the end.

• Continue to make engagement more accessible, with multiple ways for people to participate: in person, online, and through partnerships with community groups.

• Commit to transparency by showing how resident input influenced final Council decisions.

• Ensure City staff have the resources they need to run effective, inclusive engagement processes.

In the absence of a Ward 6 candidate’s participation, this discussion with Executive Director Heather MacKenzie highlights the role of Solar Alberta in promoting solar energy, addressing misinformation, and advocating for solar-friendly policies. Despite challenges such as regulatory barriers and misinformation, Alberta leads in rooftop solar adoption, with significant potential for solar farms on brownfields and non-arable land. The conversation underscores the need for municipal support, such as solar-ready bylaws and low-interest loan programs, to enhance solar accessibility and contribute to a net-zero grid.

The Calgary Environmental Roundtable (CERT) campaign encourages Calgarians to engage with candidates and support initiatives for a resilient and sustainable city. CERT is a nonpartisan coalition focused on elevating environmental priorities in Calgary. The CERT municipal election campaign connects residents with candidates through questionnaires, podcast panels, and voter engagement tools, emphasizing the importance of clean water, biodiversity, and climate action for a sustainable future. Learn more here!

Your Ward 6 Candidates’ Answers

1️⃣Calgary’s Climate Strategy outlines 5-year goals to reduce energy poverty and utility costs, create clean economy jobs, improve public health, and build more equitable, climate-resilient communities. If elected, how will you work to achieve these outcomes for Calgarians?

Joanne Birce

Where the City Should Lead

• Energy-Efficient Infrastructure: Ensure all City-owned and supported facilities (e.g., recreation centres, water/wastewater plants, roads, bridges, pathways, transit, etc.) are built or retrofitted to be as energy efficient as possible.

• Waste & Recycling: Landfill management, waste diversion, and recycling are core responsibilities. Residents rely on these services, yet costs have gone up while service quality has declined. I will explore how we can get better value for taxpayers by:

  • Encouraging waste reduction through education and incentives (e.g., rebates for composting and waste-saving practices).

  • Partnering with private recyclers and community groups to expand services without expanding City costs.

• Transportation & Mobility: Keeping roads in good repair and transit safe, reliable, and affordable are also key responsibilities. I will support:

  • Prompt road repairs (e.g. potholes, repaving etc.).

  • Making sidewalks and stations barrier-free for seniors, families, and people with disabilities.

  • Projects like the 17 Ave/Sirocco pedestrian overpass and Blue Line extension to 85 St.

  • Improved traffic flow with synchronized lights, smart sensors, and reduced delays at C-Train crossings.

  • The use of permeable pavement, where possible, to reduce runoff and sewer overflows.

• Business-Friendly City: Focus on making Calgary the most business-friendly administration in Canada. If the City creates the right environment, businesses, including clean economy employers, will invest and grow here. Calgary Economic Development already has a mandate to attract these jobs; let them lead.

Where the City Should Support

• Voluntary Retrofits: Promote voluntary programs for residents and businesses to improve efficiency (e.g., insulation, energy-efficient windows, low-flow fixtures) through education campaigns and incentives. Utilize simple tools such as promotions during Environment Week or inserts in ENMAX or City property tax bills.

• Innovation & Pilots: Partner with local companies to test and showcase new green technologies.

• Risk Mitigation: Work with insurance companies and research institutes like the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety (IBHS) to share resources that help residents and businesses protect against various environmental risks.

• Partnerships with Other Governments: Advocate for and promote provincial and federal retrofit programs, like the federal Greener Homes Loan (interest-free loans up to $40,000). Encourage the Province of Alberta to adopt a rebate program like CleanBC for homeowners.

• Balanced Industry Solutions: Collaborate with industry on practical, common-sense approaches that balance environmental responsibility with economic realities.

Inam Teja | The Calgary Party

We will ensure Calgary’s Climate Strategy moves from aspirational to actionable. That means better accountability on existing climate targets and ties back to KPIs in infrastructure, land use and transit decisions.

• Link housing and infrastructure planning to ensure greater efficiency of use in new communities.

• Accelerate retrofits of City-owned buildings and work with the federal and provincial governments to fund this

• Expand rapid transit and active mobility networks to cut emissions while giving Calgarians better, more affordable ways to move around.

• Support clean economy job creation by tying procurement to local low-carbon industries.

2️⃣ How will you ensure that new community development and redevelopment in Calgary protects our watersheds, river and creek valleys, wetlands, and the wildlife and urban biodiversity that depend on these ecosystems?

Joanne Birce

Where the City Should Lead

Natural infrastructure is both a cost-effective risk mitigation tool and a way to improve quality of life. The City should:

• Continue to stabilize riverbanks with vegetation to reduce erosion.

• Promote restoration of wetlands to help manage water and support biodiversity.

• Incorporate green roofs and rain gardens where possible on City facilities to slow stormwater runoff.

• Naturalize roadsides to reduce ongoing maintenance.

• Expand tree planting on public lands to reduce urban heat and improve air quality.

Where the City Should Support

Residents, developers, and community groups can play an important role. The City should:

• Encourage community gardens that provide food security and improve soil health.

• Promote xeriscaping in private yards to conserve water.

• Encourage tree planting by developers in new communities and encourage homeowners in established areas to do the same.

Inam Teja | The Calgary Party

We will make protection of rivers, wetlands, and natural corridors a non-negotiable part of Calgary’s growth. Our commitments include:

• Strengthening watershed and riparian protection in development processes
  Encouraging all redevelopment projects include stormwater management, tree cover, and habitat protection.

• Encourage development inside Calgary's existing footprint to limit Calgary's impact on the surrounding habitat and biodiversity.

3️⃣ Will you commit to dedicating budget dollars toward protecting Calgary’s biodiversity and improving wildlife safety in our urban environment, including through measures such as enforcing bird-friendly building standards, retrofitting existing structures, and supporting safe wildlife corridors?

Joanne Birce

Where the City Should Lead

• Protect Parks & Green Spaces: Safeguard Calgary’s parks, pathways, and natural areas.

• Integrate Ecology into Development: Link wetlands and wildlife migration routes where feasible through the utilization of overpasses and underpasses in new developments.

• Smarter Infrastructure: Retrofit existing structures where feasible to reduce environmental impacts.

• Water-Wise Landscaping: Use drought-resistant vegetation in parks to conserve water.

• Pollinator Corridors: Plant native wildflowers along roadsides and in parks to support bees and butterflies.

• Wildlife Management: Revisit the City’s approach to coyote management. Educate residents on ways to reduce wildlife interaction (e.g., minimizing garbage and pet food attractants).

Where the City Should Support

• Partner with nonprofits, schools, and businesses to expand environmental stewardship programs, ensuring shared responsibility without the City carrying all the costs. Calgary Environmental Round Table can play a role here.

Inam Teja | The Calgary Party

We commit to investing in biodiversity and wildlife safety, through ensuring a portion of retrofit funds can go to meeting standards where appropriate. We will work to prioritize wildlife corridors in community design, with safe crossings and connected park systems.

4️⃣ What steps will you take to ensure housing, rent, and transit in Calgary are affordable and accessible so that more Calgarians can access services with dignity, and live and work in a healthy city?

Joanne Birce

Where the City Should Lead

• Smart Land Use & Resilience: Land use is one of the City’s most powerful tools to reduce risk. Around the world, developments in floodplains, on slopes, or near industrial sites have put residents in harm’s way. Calgary must avoid repeating these mistakes. Council should ensure new developments mitigate risks rather than create them. For example, approving housing near the Bow or Elbow Rivers or on unstable slopes could leave taxpayers responsible for future damage long after developers are gone. Smart zoning and responsible approvals are essential.

• Build Smart:

  • Encourage transit-oriented, mixed-use, and mixed-income developments that create vibrant, inclusive communities, including downtown conversions.

  • Support new housing that reflects community input and long-term sustainability, not blanket rezoning. Build more homes while protecting the unique character of existing neighbourhoods.

  • Faster Approvals & Partnerships: Streamline approvals and partner with nonprofits, faith groups, and developers to increase supply.

  • Advocate for Investment: Push for stronger provincial and federal commitments to housing.

  • Support Transit options: On-demand micro transit and ride-hailing links to main transit routes.

Where the City Should Support

• The City should not be acting as a builder or developer. They should set the rules, approve and regulate, provide infrastructure, and protect the public interest. However, they should let the builders/developers design and build, deliver and supply the product, invest and innovate, meet standards set out by City bylaws, safety codes and environmental standards, and contribute to the community.

Inam Teja | The Calgary Party

Housing and transit are climate policies as much as social policies. We will:
Ensure zoning decisions unlock more housing supply, especially near transit corridors.
Deliver a reliable, frequent transit system, expanding MAX Rapid Bus and getting the Green Line back on track.

5️⃣ENMAX is wholly owned by the City of Calgary. What role do you see for ENMAX in helping the city achieve its 2035 clean electricity goals?

Joanne Birce

ENMAX is a separate corporation. While it is City-owned and Council appoints members to the board, Council must stay in its lane. Not all Calgarians are ENMAX customers, and the City administration is not the expert on utility operations, nor can it afford to be. The right approach is to support and collaborate with utility providers, ensuring alignment with broader City goals, without overstepping or micromanaging.

• Lead: The City should focus on its core responsibilities and avoid duplicating what utilities already do.

• Influence / Advocate: Use the City’s role as shareholder and board participant to advocate for strong risk mitigation, customer service, and sustainability practices.

• Defer: Leave execution to the experts. ENMAX and other providers already have detailed plans in place. The City does not need to allocate additional resources here.

Inam Teja | The Calgary Party

ENMAX should be a cornerstone of Calgary’s clean energy transition. We will:

• Push ENMAX to adopt a transparent 2035 decarbonization roadmap with clear milestones regarding supply and procurement of clean electricity.

• Ensure ENMAX supports low-income Calgarians through expanded energy efficiency programs and equitable rate structures.

• Treat ENMAX not just as a revenue source, but as a public asset accountable for delivering affordable, clean power.

6️⃣How will you advance sustainable water use and watershed protection in Calgary’s growth and development decisions?

Joanne Birce

Where the City Should Lead

• Infrastructure First: This past term, the major water feeder main break in 2024 highlighted what happens when essential infrastructure is neglected. Council cannot be all things to all people; it must focus on delivering critical services and avoid scope creep. Prioritize core responsibilities that directly affect public safety. Maintaining water treatment plants, feeder mains, distribution pipes, and both residential and commercial water should be a priority.

• Flood Preparedness: Work with upstream and downstream partners to mitigate flood risks and ensure flood maps are regularly updated.

• Water Efficiency in City Operations: Ensure all City-owned facilities are managing water responsibly and setting an example for residents and businesses. Measure progress.

Where the City Should Support

• Educate homeowners and businesses on water conservation and flood mitigation (e.g., proper drainage, low-flow fixtures, rain barrels, efficient lawn watering, etc.).

• Partner with communities and organizations to expand awareness programs without adding unnecessary City costs.

Inam Teja | The Calgary Party

We know Calgary’s water system is already under strain. Last year’s Bearspaw South Feeder Main failure was a wake-up call — and with over 22% of our treated water lost to leakage (compared to less than 5% in Edmonton), the status quo is unsustainable
That’s why we are calling for the creation of a modern, publicly owned water utility — independent, accountable, and run by experts. This model, proven in cities like Edmonton (EPCOR) and even with ENMAX here in Calgary, would:

• Protect long-term water security: Invest in preventative maintenance and monitor risks to avoid catastrophic failures.

• Advance sustainable growth: Integrate water infrastructure planning with housing, transit, and community development to avoid overloading our rivers and aquifers.

• Reduce hidden costs: Replace today’s site levies — a $12,000+ “hidden water tax” on each new home — with fair, utility-based financing that spreads costs across decades.

• Ensure transparency and accountability: Require the utility to publish clear performance benchmarks and capital plans, overseen by regulators and open to the public.

• As Calgary adds more than 100,000 new residents each year, collaboration with regional partners will be critical. We will lead joint watershed protection, risk-mapping, and investment planning across the Bow and Elbow Rivers, ensuring Calgary’s growth never undermines our shared water resources.

7️⃣How will you ensure recommendations from Calgarians including residents, frontline communities, environmental groups, and city staff are meaningfully considered in Council decisions?

Joanne Birce

• Diverse Voices at the Table

  • Whether by design or not, business stakeholders were overlooked in your question. They are an important voice to engage in Calgary’s future. They have solutions and should be encouraged to partner. I will make sure they are at the table.

  • Use a variety of channels to gain input from a broad cross-section of Calgarians (e.g., online citizen engagement tools, town halls, surveys, workshops, and community association input).

• Structured Engagement and Transparency

  • Too often, “engagement” is treated as checking a box. Council should set clear processes where citizen recommendations are gathered, documented, and publicly tracked, not lost in the shuffle.

  • When residents provide input, they deserve to see how it influenced the final decision. Council should publish “What We Heard / What We Did” reports to show where input shaped policy and explain openly when it could not.

  • Citizen recommendations should be assessed against the City’s core mandate, available resources, and long-term impact. This avoids scope creep while showing residents how their ideas are weighed fairly against other priorities.

  • Council should commit to reporting annually on how many citizen-driven recommendations were implemented, adapted, or declined and why.

The current Council’s Resilient Calgary Strategic Direction identified economic, social, and climate resilience. While this is a good start, a new Council must exercise greater discipline, sharper focus, and accountability for results.

Calgarians are being taxed and regulated to death. I will ensure Council sets a clear Strategic Direction that focuses on essentials, eliminates scope creep, and tracks results with real outcomes and KPIs. I believe it’s time to stop managing City Hall through ideology, and replace it with common-sense, practical solutions that work, and that Calgarians can afford.

The definition of community resilience is the ability to bounce back better from natural disasters, economic downturns, public health crises, and social challenges. Building a resilient community means addressing a wide range of factors in a systematic, comprehensive, and efficient manner, including:

• Emergency management and preparedness

• Infrastructure and housing systems

• A strong, adaptable local economy

• Natural and cultural resources

• Health and social services

This process takes discipline. The City must know when to lead, and when to support.

For over 30 years, I’ve had the privilege of serving in leadership roles across business, government, and community service. Along the way, I’ve listened to families, seniors, small business owners, and young people who all want the same thing: a city that is safe, affordable, and full of opportunity.

I’m running for City Council because I believe Calgary’s best days are ahead. With proven leadership, a clear vision, and the courage to make tough decisions, I will work every day to build a city where every Calgarian feels secure, supported, and proud to call home.

My vision is simple: a safer, stronger, more affordable Calgary that delivers on the basics, plans for the future, and always puts people first.

1. Focus on Essentials – Core Services First

Back to basics: safer streets, better roads, stronger first responders.

• Fix roads and improve transit with more reliable, accessible service.

• Support police, fire, and emergency responders with the tools they need.

• Make streets, public spaces, and businesses safer through smart design and partnerships.

• Keep parking fair and affordable for families and businesses.

2. True Affordability – Responsible Spending

Cut waste, lower costs, and build a city that families can afford.

• Cut red tape and find efficiencies at City Hall.

• Lower taxes where possible while protecting core services.

• Speed up approvals and partnerships to expand affordable housing.

• Protect green spaces while promoting cost-saving, environmentally responsible solutions.

3. Economic Growth – Prosperity Planning

Jobs, investment, and opportunity for every Calgarian.

• Streamline permits and approvals to help small businesses grow.

• Encourage local procurement, partnerships, and private investment.

• Revitalize vacant spaces into hubs for startups, culture, and housing.

• Expand Calgary’s global reach through trade, logistics, and innovation.

4. Engage and Advocate – A Strong Voice for You

Your voice at City Hall. Listening, advocating, and delivering.

• Champion balanced, sustainable growth guided by community input.

• Expand seniors’ housing, health, and recreation options.

• Support community centres, programs, and spaces that bring people together.

• Celebrate Calgary’s diversity and strengthen civic pride.

Inam Teja | The Calgary Party

We will rebuild trust in City Hall by ensuring engagement is real and transparent. That means:

• Expanding proactive engagement with residents, frontline groups, and experts at the start of planning processes.

• Requiring Council to publicly report on how community recommendations were incorporated (or why they weren’t).

• Strengthening two-way communication with community associations and advisory panels so input shapes decisions, not just checkboxes.

The Calgary Environmental Roundtable (CERT) has created a candidate questionnaire and podcast series dedicated to climate, the environment, and nature for the 2025 municipal election. Learn all about it here!

Your Ward 5 Candidates’ Answers

1️⃣Calgary’s Climate Strategy outlines 5-year goals to reduce energy poverty and utility costs, create clean economy jobs, improve public health, and build more equitable, climate-resilient communities. If elected, how will you work to achieve these outcomes for Calgarians?

2️⃣ How will you ensure that new community development and redevelopment in Calgary protects our watersheds, river and creek valleys, wetlands, and the wildlife and urban biodiversity that depend on these ecosystems?

3️⃣ Will you commit to dedicating budget dollars toward protecting Calgary’s biodiversity and improving wildlife safety in our urban environment, including through measures such as enforcing bird-friendly building standards, retrofitting existing structures, and supporting safe wildlife corridors?

4️⃣ What steps will you take to ensure housing, rent, and transit in Calgary are affordable and accessible so that more Calgarians can access services with dignity, and live and work in a healthy city?

5️⃣ENMAX is wholly owned by the City of Calgary. What role do you see for ENMAX in helping the city achieve its 2035 clean electricity goals?

6️⃣How will you advance sustainable water use and watershed protection in Calgary’s growth and development decisions?

7️⃣How will you ensure recommendations from Calgarians including residents, frontline communities, environmental groups, and city staff are meaningfully considered in Council decisions?

The Calgary Environmental Roundtable (CERT) is a nonpartisan coalition of environmental and climate organizations focused on prioritizing water, nature, and climate in municipal decisions. The campaign aims to connect Calgary residents with candidates through various engagement tools, including candidate questionnaires, mayoral and ward podcast panels, and voter engagement tools. The initiative emphasizes the importance of clean water, biodiversity, and bold climate action to ensure a sustainable future for Calgary. This discussion with Ward 4 candidate DJ Kelly highlighted his experience with the city and his commitment to improving transit, protecting biodiversity, and ensuring sustainable growth. Kelly emphasized the need for proactive community engagement, transparent decision-making, and collaboration with regional partners to achieve Calgary’s climate and social goals. The conversation also touched on the role of ENMAX in supporting the city’s clean energy transition and the importance of affordable housing and transit in creating a livable city. Learn more about the campaign here!

1️⃣Calgary’s Climate Strategy outlines 5-year goals to reduce energy poverty and utility costs, create clean economy jobs, improve public health, and build more equitable, climate-resilient communities. If elected, how will you work to achieve these outcomes for Calgarians?

DJ Kelly

We will ensure Calgary’s Climate Strategy moves from aspirational to actionable. That means better accountability on existing climate targets and ties back to KPIs in infrastructure, land use and transit decisions.

• Link housing and infrastructure planning to ensure greater efficiency of use in new communities.

• Accelerate retrofits of City-owned buildings and work with the federal and provincial governments to fund this

• Expand rapid transit and active mobility networks to cut emissions while giving Calgarians better, more affordable ways to move around.

• Support clean economy job creation by tying procurement to local low-carbon industries.

2️⃣ How will you ensure that new community development and redevelopment in Calgary protects our watersheds, river and creek valleys, wetlands, and the wildlife and urban biodiversity that depend on these ecosystems?

DJ Kelly

We will make protection of rivers, wetlands, and natural corridors a non-negotiable part of Calgary’s growth. Our commitments include:

• Strengthening watershed and riparian protection in development processes
  Encouraging all redevelopment projects include stormwater management, tree cover, and habitat protection.

• Encourage development inside Calgary's existing footprint to limit Calgary's impact on the surrounding habitat and biodiversity.

3️⃣ Will you commit to dedicating budget dollars toward protecting Calgary’s biodiversity and improving wildlife safety in our urban environment, including through measures such as enforcing bird-friendly building standards, retrofitting existing structures, and supporting safe wildlife corridors?

DJ Kelly

We commit to investing in biodiversity and wildlife safety, through ensuring a portion of retrofit funds can go to meeting standards where appropriate. We will work to prioritize wildlife corridors in community design, with safe crossings and connected park systems.

4️⃣ What steps will you take to ensure housing, rent, and transit in Calgary are affordable and accessible so that more Calgarians can access services with dignity, and live and work in a healthy city?

DJ Kelly

Housing and transit are climate policies as much as social policies. We will:
Ensure zoning decisions unlock more housing supply, especially near transit corridors.
Deliver a reliable, frequent transit system, expanding MAX Rapid Bus and getting the Green Line back on track.

5️⃣ENMAX is wholly owned by the City of Calgary. What role do you see for ENMAX in helping the city achieve its 2035 clean electricity goals?

DJ Kelly

ENMAX should be a cornerstone of Calgary’s clean energy transition. We will:

• Push ENMAX to adopt a transparent 2035 decarbonization roadmap with clear milestones regarding supply and procurement of clean electricity.

• Ensure ENMAX supports low-income Calgarians through expanded energy efficiency programs and equitable rate structures.

• Treat ENMAX not just as a revenue source, but as a public asset accountable for delivering affordable, clean power.

6️⃣How will you advance sustainable water use and watershed protection in Calgary’s growth and development decisions?

DJ Kelly

We know Calgary’s water system is already under strain. Last year’s Bearspaw South Feeder Main failure was a wake-up call — and with over 22% of our treated water lost to leakage (compared to less than 5% in Edmonton), the status quo is unsustainable
That’s why we are calling for the creation of a modern, publicly owned water utility — independent, accountable, and run by experts. This model, proven in cities like Edmonton (EPCOR) and even with ENMAX here in Calgary, would:

• Protect long-term water security: Invest in preventative maintenance and monitor risks to avoid catastrophic failures.

• Advance sustainable growth: Integrate water infrastructure planning with housing, transit, and community development to avoid overloading our rivers and aquifers.

• Reduce hidden costs: Replace today’s site levies — a $12,000+ “hidden water tax” on each new home — with fair, utility-based financing that spreads costs across decades.

• Ensure transparency and accountability: Require the utility to publish clear performance benchmarks and capital plans, overseen by regulators and open to the public.

• As Calgary adds more than 100,000 new residents each year, collaboration with regional partners will be critical. We will lead joint watershed protection, risk-mapping, and investment planning across the Bow and Elbow Rivers, ensuring Calgary’s growth never undermines our shared water resources.

7️⃣How will you ensure recommendations from Calgarians including residents, frontline communities, environmental groups, and city staff are meaningfully considered in Council decisions?

DJ Kelly

We will rebuild trust in City Hall by ensuring engagement is real and transparent. That means:

• Expanding proactive engagement with residents, frontline groups, and experts at the start of planning processes.

• Requiring Council to publicly report on how community recommendations were incorporated (or why they weren’t).

• Strengthening two-way communication with community associations and advisory panels so input shapes decisions, not just checkboxes.

The Calgary Environmental Round Table (CERT) podcast, hosted by Jenny Yeremiy, is a platform for discussing environmental and climate priorities in Calgary. CERT is a nonpartisan coalition of organizations focused on water, nature, and climate issues, aiming to empower Calgarians to make informed choices at the ballot box. The podcast features candidate panels and voter engagement tools to connect residents with candidates and elevate environmental priorities. In a recent episode, candidates Andrew Yule and Jaspriya Johal discussed their visions for a sustainable Calgary. Both emphasized the need for improved transit and park spaces in Ward 3, highlighting the importance of connectivity and accessibility. They also addressed the protection of watersheds and urban biodiversity, advocating for smarter planning and community involvement in decision-making. The candidates stressed the significance of ENMAX in achieving Calgary’s clean electricity goals and the need for clear, accessible programs for residents. The discussion underscored the importance of equitable access to green spaces and services across all Calgary communities, with a focus on preserving natural habitats and ensuring sustainable growth. Learn all about it here!

Your Ward 3 Candidates’ Answers

Answers and video transcripts collected from Ward 3 candidates will be fully updated by end of day, October 12th.

1️⃣Calgary’s Climate Strategy outlines 5-year goals to reduce energy poverty and utility costs, create clean economy jobs, improve public health, and build more equitable, climate-resilient communities. If elected, how will you work to achieve these outcomes for Calgarians?

Andrew Yule

As a long time Transit and Park Space advocate in North Central Calgary my focus will be on these areas of the Climate Strategy for Ward 3.

Atul Chauhan | The Calgary Party

We will ensure Calgary’s Climate Strategy moves from aspirational to actionable. That means better accountability on existing climate targets and ties back to KPIs in infrastructure, land use and transit decisions.

• Link housing and infrastructure planning to ensure greater efficiency of use in new communities.

• Accelerate retrofits of City-owned buildings and work with the federal and provincial governments to fund this

• Expand rapid transit and active mobility networks to cut emissions while giving Calgarians better, more affordable ways to move around.

• Support clean economy job creation by tying procurement to local low-carbon industries.

Jaspriya Johal

Climate change is no longer an abstract debate, it directly affects our cost of living, our health, and our children’s future. Calgary’s role in addressing the climate emergency cannot be cosmetic or about lofty promises; it must be actionable and accessible.

I see climate action as something that must make life better for families right now, not just check boxes for the future. Calgary’s goals like cutting energy poverty, lowering bills, and building healthier, more resilient communities.

My priority will be to make home retrofit and clean-energy programs easy to access so all Calgarians, not just those with time to fight through red tape, can save on their utility bills. I also pledge to boost Ward 3’s tree canopy so our community becomes a key contributor to Calgary’s goal of doubling its cover. Shade and trees aren’t luxuries; they’re essential for a good quality of life. By planting native, climate-suitable species, we can provide shade, improve health, and protect families from extreme weather. For me, tackling the climate emergency is about practical steps that lower costs, keep families safe, and build a stronger city for our kids.

2️⃣ How will you ensure that new community development and redevelopment in Calgary protects our watersheds, river and creek valleys, wetlands, and the wildlife and urban biodiversity that depend on these ecosystems?

Andrew Yule

I am a big proponent of using the flood fringe as the setback for development. As someone who has been advocating for greater setbacks along Nose Creek, it is important that we go above and beyond what is required when it comes to our vital watersheds.

Atul Chauhan | The Calgary Party

We will make protection of rivers, wetlands, and natural corridors a non-negotiable part of Calgary’s growth. Our commitments include:

• Strengthening watershed and riparian protection in development processes
  Encouraging all redevelopment projects include stormwater management, tree cover, and habitat protection.

• Encourage development inside Calgary’s existing footprint to limit Calgary’s impact on the surrounding habitat and biodiversity.

Jaspriya Johal

I have seen how city hall can ignore the voices of the very people it’s supposed to serve. Take Nose Creek, one of the last natural spaces families could enjoy close to home. Seventy-eight percent of residents said they were against development there, but the city went ahead anyway. How is that democratic?

In communities like Livingston and Carrington, the lack of tree cover compared to the city average shows the same problem - families here are not treated with the same fairness or dignity. Everyone deserves shaded parks, healthy creeks, and natural spaces to enjoy, not just in some parts of the city. In my view, protecting watersheds and green cover isn’t a luxury; it’s about respecting community voices, giving families equal access to nature, and building resilience against extreme weather events.

3️⃣ Will you commit to dedicating budget dollars toward protecting Calgary’s biodiversity and improving wildlife safety in our urban environment, including through measures such as enforcing bird-friendly building standards, retrofitting existing structures, and supporting safe wildlife corridors?

Andrew Yule

I would definitely be a proponent of bird friendly development. Especially for development near our naturalized areas and watersheds. I would definitely be open to collaborate with Calgary Urban Species Response Team to find achievable policy on bird friendly guidelines. We are a "Bird Friendly City" we need to back that up with some action.

Atul Chauhan | The Calgary Party

We commit to investing in biodiversity and wildlife safety, through ensuring a portion of retrofit funds can go to meeting standards where appropriate. We will work to prioritize wildlife corridors in community design, with safe crossings and connected park systems.

Jaspriya Johal

As a mother raising two kids, I want them and every young Calgarian to grow up in a city where we still see birds, wildlife, and healthy green spaces around us. I don’t believe protecting nature is only about throwing dollars at it. It’s about making smarter choices in how we build and how we live.

City Hall should make sure new buildings are bird-friendly, that communities have safe spaces for wildlife to move, and that we plant trees where shade is missing. But this is also about shared responsibility: residents, schools, community groups, and city hall all doing their part, so nature stays part of our daily lives.

4️⃣ What steps will you take to ensure housing, rent, and transit in Calgary are affordable and accessible so that more Calgarians can access services with dignity, and live and work in a healthy city?

Andrew Yule

What I am seeing in Ward 3 is rapid growth and density. However, affordable housing becomes less affordable when there is insufficient transit to service that housing. North Central Calgary is not getting the transit infrastructure to support the rapid growth we are seeing. I will be championing proper transit infrastructure for the MAX Green and 144 Ave BRT System. We need these projects ASAP so that we can have proper connections throughout our City.

Atul Chauhan | The Calgary Party

Housing and transit are climate policies as much as social policies. We will:
Ensure zoning decisions unlock more housing supply, especially near transit corridors.
Deliver a reliable, frequent transit system, expanding MAX Rapid Bus and getting the Green Line back on track.

Jaspriya Johal

I know how much families struggle when housing and transit don’t meet their needs. When my family moved to Livingston, we spent six years without a single bus route through the neighbourhood. Between me and my husband, it was a daily battle just to get our kids to and from school. Only this September (2025), we finally got our first bus route, and it’s still just one. That’s not what families in a city like Calgary should have to go through.

Affordable housing and fair rents matter, but without safe, reliable, and frequent transit year-round, families are left stranded. Transit isn’t just a city provided service, it’s what open doors to better jobs, better education, and give seniors the independence to live their lives with dignity. Ward 3 needs a representative who will be a fighter for frequent, reliable transit that connects our neighbourhoods quickly and effectively. For too long, Ward 3 has been denied this basic service.

I believe planning for public service systems must reflect the real character of each neighbourhood, some are more residential, some are built around businesses or schools. That’s why I do not support blanket rezoning, where one stroke of a pen decides everything without considering how unevaluated new projects for their fit in the community, alter the rhythm of life for the residents and families. We need equitable, thoughtful planning and inclusive budgeting, where every community gets the services that match its needs and where every family feels their city is working for them.

5️⃣ENMAX is wholly owned by the City of Calgary. What role do you see for ENMAX in helping the city achieve its 2035 clean electricity goals?

Andrew Yule

Something I am hearing at the doors is Solar guidelines and regulations need revisited. We have a lot of Solar installation companies going door to door, but we need proper standards for these installations to ensure that residents get the benefit of this type of electricity production.

Atul Chauhan | The Calgary Party

ENMAX should be a cornerstone of Calgary’s clean energy transition. We will:

• Push ENMAX to adopt a transparent 2035 decarbonization roadmap with clear milestones regarding supply and procurement of clean electricity.

• Ensure ENMAX supports low-income Calgarians through expanded energy efficiency programs and equitable rate structures.

• Treat ENMAX not just as a revenue source, but as a public asset accountable for delivering affordable, clean power.

Jaspriya Johal

I hear this often when talking to families at the door. People want to do the right thing, they want cleaner energy, they want to lower their bills, but when they try to apply for government programs to upgrade their homes or put in solar, the process is just too hard. The rules and requirements are so confusing that most families just give up.

That’s not fair. ENMAX must be central in meeting our clean electricity goals. We need simple, clear programs that everyday people can use, not red tape that leaves families out. If we do this right, ENMAX can be more than just a power company, it can be the reason Calgarians save money on their bills while doing their part for a cleaner future.

6️⃣How will you advance sustainable water use and watershed protection in Calgary’s growth and development decisions?

Andrew Yule

Based on my work with Nose Creek, we need to clean up our waterways. If Nose Creek were healthier, through better stormwater systems, we could be using it for non-drinkable needs. I hope to work closely with the Nose Creek Watershed Partnership and the Nose Creek Preservation Society to make sure that we are increasing the quality of our Nose Creek Watershed in Ward 3, Calgary and Surrounding Municipalities.

Atul Chauhan | The Calgary Party

We know Calgary’s water system is already under strain. Last year’s Bearspaw South Feeder Main failure was a wake-up call — and with over 22% of our treated water lost to leakage (compared to less than 5% in Edmonton), the status quo is unsustainable
That’s why we are calling for the creation of a modern, publicly owned water utility — independent, accountable, and run by experts. This model, proven in cities like Edmonton (EPCOR) and even with ENMAX here in Calgary, would:

• Protect long-term water security: Invest in preventative maintenance and monitor risks to avoid catastrophic failures.

• Advance sustainable growth: Integrate water infrastructure planning with housing, transit, and community development to avoid overloading our rivers and aquifers.

• Reduce hidden costs: Replace today’s site levies — a $12,000+ “hidden water tax” on each new home — with fair, utility-based financing that spreads costs across decades.

• Ensure transparency and accountability: Require the utility to publish clear performance benchmarks and capital plans, overseen by regulators and open to the public.

• As Calgary adds more than 100,000 new residents each year, collaboration with regional partners will be critical. We will lead joint watershed protection, risk-mapping, and investment planning across the Bow and Elbow Rivers, ensuring Calgary’s growth never undermines our shared water resources.

Jaspriya Johal

Last year’s water main break was a wake-up call for all of us. Families were worried about whether there would be enough water for daily life, and it showed us how much strain our aging infrastructure is under. To me, water stewardship also includes building redundancy into our systems so that one break doesn’t bring the whole city to a standstill.

But we can’t forget, water pipes and treatment plants don’t exist in a vacuum. Even though I’m not a technical expert, I know one thing for sure: we can’t engineer our way out of climate pressures by ignoring nature’s patterns.

There isn’t one single fix. It’s a collective effort: city hall must upgrade and plan smarter, and Calgarians need to be judicious with how we use water. Respecting nature’s limits and coexisting with it is the only way to make sure future generations don’t face even bigger disruptions.

7️⃣How will you ensure recommendations from Calgarians including residents, frontline communities, environmental groups, and city staff are meaningfully considered in Council decisions?

Andrew Yule

More town halls. I've also wanted to investigate with the city about making local environmental societies listed as "Formal Referees" in development that includes their specified waterway or green space.

Atul Chauhan | The Calgary Party

We will rebuild trust in City Hall by ensuring engagement is real and transparent. That means:

• Expanding proactive engagement with residents, frontline groups, and experts at the start of planning processes.

• Requiring Council to publicly report on how community recommendations were incorporated (or why they weren’t).

• Strengthening two-way communication with community associations and advisory panels so input shapes decisions, not just checkboxes.

Jaspriya Johal

I have lived in Ward 3 for 2 decades now, and I know how it feels when city hall makes decisions without truly listening to the people who live here. Too often, residents feel like their voices are just a box to be checked in a consultation, instead of something that shapes the outcome. That’s not right.

As your councillor, I will make sure engagement is not just a formality. My three guiding principles are accountability, transparency, and responsibility. I will advocate for a transparent decision-making process where residents, frontline staff, environmental groups, and experts know their input is meaningfully considered. Every Calgarian should see their taxes reflected in the services they receive, and every decision should show accountability to the people paying for it.

The Calgary Environmental Roundtable (CERT) Municipal Election 2025 campaign, led by the Gravity Well Podcast, was created by CERT, a nonpartisan coalition of environmental and climate organizations focused on elevating environmental priorities in the Calgary Municipal Election and beyond. This campaign aims to connect residents with candidates, emphasizing the importance of water, nature, and climate in municipal decision-making. The campaign includes candidate questionnaires, mayoral and ward podcast panels, and voter engagement tools to empower Calgarians to make informed choices. This episode features discussions with council candidates, such as Jennifer Wyness and Trevor Cavanaugh from Ward 2, who share their visions for a greener Calgary. Key topics include energy poverty, biodiversity protection, affordable housing, and sustainable water use. The campaign encourages community involvement and collaboration to build a resilient, healthy, and sustainable city. The podcast also highlights the importance of transparency, stakeholder engagement, and the role of ENMAX in achieving clean electricity goals. The initiative calls for active participation from residents to amplify environmental efforts and ensure diverse voices are heard in shaping Calgary’s future. Learn all about it here!

Your Ward 2 Candidates’ Answers

Answers and video transcripts collected from Ward 2 candidates will be fully updated by end of day, October 12th.

1️⃣Calgary’s Climate Strategy outlines 5-year goals to reduce energy poverty and utility costs, create clean economy jobs, improve public health, and build more equitable, climate-resilient communities. If elected, how will you work to achieve these outcomes for Calgarians?

Trevor Cavanaugh

With my experience as an environmental advisor, I understand that climate resilience requires near-term, measurable action but also fiscal discipline. If elected, I will advocate for:

• Scalable retrofit programs that prioritize high-need households and deliver measurable utility savings, phased to align with budget cycles and supported by external funding.

• Workforce development in clean energy and low-carbon construction, targeting sectors with strong economic multipliers.

• Integrating climate risk assessments into infrastructure planning to reduce long-term costs and improve public health.

• Strengthening interdepartmental accountability by pushing for transparent metrics and annual reporting on Calgary’s five-year climate goals.

I will focus on high impact, cost-effective actions that deliver environmental and social benefits without compromising core services.

Jennifer Wyness

Purpose: We’re looking for your specific commitments to advance near-term climate actions in line with Calgary’s Climate Strategy: Pathways to 2050. 

Within weeks of being elected as a rookie Councillor and being faced with the Climate Emergency Declaration vote, I recognized the lack of accountability measures in the plan and put forward an amendment to measure, monetize, and manage the activities, outcomes, and resources. Unfortunately, the complexity of climate projects has led to delays in the measurable outcomes we expect and lacks prioritizing accountability.

The Climate Emergency Declaration is a tool for The City and our business partners to gain a competitive advantage for resources and opportunities. It did not trigger provincial emergency funding, it is not a short-term project, nor did it mobilize resources and action in the same way that fires, floods, and other natural disasters are managed. It is a long-term strategy that needs to be gradually incorporated into our everyday business. I recognize it as a tool that has also been valuable for our business partners in the manufacturing, agriculture, and oil & gas sector who have benefitted in markets like Europe to be able to brand their companies and products to be based in a city that is mindful of climate issues. Opening markets to our industry by cooperating in their programs will support diversifying our customers away from the majority of goods being shipped to the USA.

Financially, it has benefited Calgarians to the tune of net positive $87M to date. The City was able to apply $200M in climate-resilience projects that were already underway as part of the matching contribution grant and was awarded $287M in funding. By turning this away or future opportunities, I would be neglecting my fiduciary duties to minimize costs while maximizing benefits.

I will continue to push for climate-friendly programs and to see better planned communities that help prevent over-land funding and promote drought resilient neighbourhoods. I’d like to see development that incorporates climate-friendly features like rain barrels in a single and multi-family buildings and landscape design.

Lastly, and likely most importantly, is to govern and make decisions that are within our municipal control and not overstep into the areas of other orders of government. This includes working to de-politicize this topic and focus discussions on what kind of a city we want to live in, what problems are we trying to solve, and what can we address at the local issues level, such as reducing consumption (spending), city-level biodiversity, stormwater management, and how to deal with the variability in our climate.

2️⃣ How will you ensure that new community development and redevelopment in Calgary protects our watersheds, river and creek valleys, wetlands, and the wildlife and urban biodiversity that depend on these ecosystems?

Trevor Cavanaugh

Urban development must respect ecological thresholds but it must also be predictable and efficient. I will advocate for:

• Embedding watershed and habitat protection into planning frameworks early, where it prevents costly remediation and delays later.

• Applying ecological connectivity principles to preserve riparian corridors and wetlands without adding unnecessary red tape.

• Promoting nature based solutions that reduce runoff and enhance biodiversity while lowering long term infrastructure costs.

Environmental integrity and development efficiency are not mutually exclusive, they must be integrated from the start.

Jennifer Wyness

Purpose: We’re seeking specific commitments to environmental protection in urban planning and land-use decisions.

Over the last year, tree canopy and tree planting has come to Council a few times. In response, I have been pushing Administration to consider the diversity of Calgary’s micro-climates, and to consider more native tree and plant species to reduce the lifetime costs and see greater success in growing trees and plants to maturity.

I have strongly supported the micro-clover and clover pilot project and would like to see it expanded to see our city greenspaces and yards become more drought resilient.

Without clean and reliable water sources, our local ecosystems cannot thrive. I have serious concerns with how we manage development and the allowable uses on our water reservoirs. Last December, Council was asked to vote on a massive development around Glenmore Landing; I could not support these private interests over the public good. I will continue to find a balance between supporting development and business, while protecting our water assets.

3️⃣ Will you commit to dedicating budget dollars toward protecting Calgary’s biodiversity and improving wildlife safety in our urban environment, including through measures such as enforcing bird-friendly building standards, retrofitting existing structures, and supporting safe wildlife corridors?

Trevor Cavanaugh

Yes,I am committed to advocating for targeted investments in biodiversity and wildlife safety that align with existing infrastructure priorities. This includes:

• Supporting bird-friendly design standards and retrofits, especially when bundled with scheduled maintenance or upgrades.

• Promoting safe wildlife corridors through strategic land use and low-cost interventions like signage and fencing.

• Leveraging community partnerships and external grants to extend impact without straining the municipal budget.

Biodiversity is a foundation of urban resilience, and I will work to protect it through fiscally responsible planning.

Jennifer Wyness

Purpose: We want to understand how candidates will support biodiversity and the success of urban wildlife through tangible municipal investments.

Improving wildlife safety can be achieved by considering the natural migration patterns of wildlife in greenfield spaces. Some developers are already looking at how they can design communities and place buildings to support movement. I would like to see this incorporated for all new communities.

I have had the opportunity to meet and tour the Calgary Wildlife Rehabilitation Society who is an amazing partner and asset in Ward 2. This organization is an excellent resource for citizens who come across injured animals and advocates in our schools and communities for wildlife safety in our city. I will continue to support their work and rely on them as a resource.

Over the last few years, I have been talking with Parks about how we can see more natural and easier-to-maintain roadways and boulevards. I’d like to pilot a rogue planter program where the City and citizens can plant natural species for pollinators. This will help push out invasive weeds and foxtail barley, and result in more diverse plants in our neighbourhoods.

I will continue conversations with Administration on the impacts of light pollution and directional light on standards to lower the impact on wildlife.

Through my newsletters, my office will continue to educate and raise awareness on how to be better neighbours to our wildlife friends and minimize human/wildlife interactions.

4️⃣ What steps will you take to ensure housing, rent, and transit in Calgary are affordable and accessible so that more Calgarians can access services with dignity, and live and work in a healthy city?

Trevor Cavanaugh

Affordability and sustainability must be addressed together. I will advocate for:

• Strategic investment in Calgary Transit, focused on reliability and equitable access, phased to match available funding.

• Transit-oriented development that reduces emissions and long-term operating costs.

• Exploring rent stabilization tools and tenant protections that balance housing security with market viability.

I will prioritize solutions that reduce emissions and improve access without overextending the city’s budget.

Jennifer Wyness

Background: Like all cities, Calgary needs to reduce its emissions to do its part in addressing climate change to stay within the global carbon budget. In Calgary, building operation and transportation are the largest source of community emissions.

Purpose: We’re interested in your commitments to equitable urban planning and inclusive budgeting decisions. Access to affordable, safe housing and reliable, frequent public transit are essential for economic opportunity, pollution mitigation, and climate resilience. Council decisions on zoning, development, retrofit, and transit investment play a key role in reaching targets to safeguard a healthy environment, thus shaping how inclusive and affordable Calgary is for all residents.

I have been really challenged with how Council and The City has addressed housing and affordability. Year-over-year this last term, Council and Administration put through budget increases, higher spending, and higher taxes. This is why I have voted against the last three budgets. The numerous large-scale projects happening in our city have saturated our major-projects market and driven up inflation and costs to complete as companies compete for materials and labour.

The City and all levels of government have thrown a lot of money and strategies at the housing shortage issue. Over the next four years, we will need to be mindful to balance the policy levers and push back on initiatives that will either over-correct the market or are not effective.

I will continue to push for density where it makes sense and balance that by supporting work that unlocks greenfield development to improve and increase housing options. To improve density where it makes sense.

Council and The City need to be mindful of the municipality’s role and level of authority. Policy options like rent controls and landlord/tenant relationships and issues are best addressed by the provincial government.

Lastly, Calgary needs to be built for the way that families live and move around our city. I will continue to advocate for Administration to see the citizen perspective and focus more on building communities that enable spaces to play, gather, and connect.

Supported the blanket zoning vote; but my support came with a caveat. The density needed to be focused in the communities closer to downtown with better transit and amenities. As such, I got passed an amendment to increase parking minimums in newer communities (post 1960), such that it was not a complete free for all, and density was built where the amenities could support. Our new greenfield communities are already reliant on the amenities in the post 1960’s communities, and it would be unacceptable to over densify further away from the downtown core.

5️⃣ENMAX is wholly owned by the City of Calgary. What role do you see for ENMAX in helping the city achieve its 2035 clean electricity goals?

Trevor Cavanaugh

ENMAX is a key lever in Calgary’s clean energy transition. I will advocate for:

• Strategic investments in distributed renewables and grid modernization, phased to avoid rate shocks and protect affordability.

• Public accountability mechanisms to ensure ENMAX’s capital planning aligns with the city’s 2035 clean electricity goals.

As someone who has worked with utilities and regulators, I understand the importance of aligning climate goals with financial prudence and operational feasibility.

Jennifer Wyness

Background: Calgary’s clean electricity goal is to transition to 100% renewable energy for corporate operations by 2035. As a city-owned utility, ENMAX can be a powerful tool in achieving these targets, particularly around grid decarbonization, public accountability, and energy access. 

Purpose: We’re seeking your vision and proposed actions to support the alignment of ENMAX operations with Calgary’s climate commitments, and to ensure access to affordable energy for all Calgarians.

To be honest, I struggle that the goal set out is not realistic. To add to the confusion of where we should be, the federal government has recently walked back their targets. Our goals need to be achievable. We have been taking an all or none approach, and it is not working. Rather than unrealistic, grand goals, I would like to see sizable, realistic steps to move the needle.

Transitioning to 100% renewable energy for corporate operations by 2035 is not realistic. Just within my term, the viability of electrification, especially in the City’s vehicle and bus fleet has been challenged by the failing EV market. Our electrical grid is going to require significant upgrades to meet the needs of EV households, not to mention the inability to accommodate industrial and commercial conversions.

The other thing that Council needs to be mindful of is respecting the governance structures that are in place. Council needs to be mindful to encourage and guide the company towards greening the grid, while still being able to serve the energy demands of Calgarians while also considering how to keep utilities affordable for Calgarians. Sometimes these priorities are at odds with each other.

6️⃣How will you advance sustainable water use and watershed protection in Calgary’s growth and development decisions?

Trevor Cavanaugh

Water security is a long-term challenge that requires smart, scalable solutions. I will advocate for:

• Clear, cost-effective water efficiency standards in new developments, integrated early to avoid delays and added costs.

• Expansion of green stormwater infrastructure that reduces strain on watersheds and lowers maintenance expenses.

• Regional collaboration on water sharing agreements and conservation targets, leveraging shared infrastructure and governance.

My advisory experience has taught me that water stewardship is not just about supply, it is about land use, infrastructure, and intermunicipal cooperation.

Jennifer Wyness

Purpose: We want to understand how you will prioritize long-term water security and ecological resilience in Calgary’s planning and advocacy efforts. How will you ensure new developments in Calgary don’t worsen Calgary’s water scarcity? How will you collaborate with regional partners to ensure Calgary’s water security, and water stewardship?

I’ve mentioned previously my concerns over development around our water reservoirs. No other city allows the level of building and density that has been allowed and proposed around the Glenmore Reservoir. I believe we need to be more cautious about what we allow to be built around and the activities allowed on our reservoirs.

In regards to development and how we manage our bylaws, I want to see more holistic planning around community water drainage. Too often we see planning consider site-specific drainage, especially for in-fills which has caused serious issues for neighbours experiencing over-land flooding. Zero-lot lines are minimizing the amount of permeable surfaces and we are seeing more people paving over lawn areas, which is straining how water moves and drains from our homes. I would like to change how we plan and manage our water movement policies.

During the Bearspaw Feeder Main break last summer, the level of water loss that the City’s water system came to the forefront of how we manage our water infrastructure. Through my work on the Audit and Infrastructure & Planning Committees, I hope to continue to push for accelerated work to reduce our 22% water loss to an acceptable standard.

7️⃣How will you ensure recommendations from Calgarians including residents, frontline communities, environmental groups, and city staff are meaningfully considered in Council decisions?

Trevor Cavanaugh

Effective policy requires inclusive and efficient engagement. I will advocate for:

• Regular consultation forums with residents, environmental organizations, and city staff, designed to be focused and time-bound.

• Participatory budgeting and transparent decision-making processes that reflect community priorities.

• Accessible communication channels, including digital tools and multilingual outreach, to ensure broad participation without delaying decisions.

I have facilitated stakeholder consultations professionally, I know that meaningful engagement improves outcomes and builds trust when done well.

Jennifer Wyness

Purpose: We want to understand how you will ensure stakeholders will be meaningfully engaged and supported by effective communications pathways in internal and external communication and engagement processes.

As a City Councillor, I have held quarterly town halls where Calgarians have been able to openly share concerns and ask questions of me and City staff about the topics most concerning to them. In the interim, I will continue to host town halls and meetings with citizens as issues arise, like the two we have had in Nolan Hill in the past few weeks about landscape maintenance and foxtail barley issues.

Last summer, The City conducted consultations for The Calgary Plan. I pushed back that engaging citizens solely over the summer is not adequate, and that the Plan needed more time. Over the coming year, this important work will need significant feedback from Calgarians, and I will ensure that Ward 2 has the opportunities to be well-informed and be heard.

As we have done over the past four years, my team and I will continue to go back to the local community for important matters, such as the placement of cross-walks, speed bumps, playgrounds, and the opportunity for pilot projects – such as the small-truck snow clearing and drive-way ramp pilots. I will continue to be the conduit between community and Administration and look for needs and opportunities – such as successfully allowing bikes on buses, extending bus service in Ward 2, and Calgary Transit On Demand in our new communities.

The Calgary Environmental Roundtable (CERT) municipal election campaign, led by the Gravity Well Podcast, is a nonpartisan coalition focused on elevating environmental priorities in the municipal election. The initiative connects residents with candidates through questionnaires, podcast panels, and voter engagement tools, emphasizing the importance of clean water, biodiversity, and climate action for a sustainable future. This episode features a discussion with your Ward 1 candidate, Ali Oonwala, who advocates for practical solutions in housing, transit, and environmental protection. Key topics include bird-friendly building standards, watershed protection, and affordable housing. The campaign encourages public participation and transparency in decision-making, aiming to build a resilient and healthy city for all Calgarians. Learn more about the CERT campaign here!

Thank you to Kathleen Johnson, from Calgary Urban Species Response Team and Bird Friendly Calgary, for joining me as co-host. SIGN UP to help watch for injured birds and learn about the Global Bird Rescue campaign.

Take Action

• Want to hear more from other candidates? SEND your mayoral and ward candidates an email requesting their participation in the CERT questionnaire and forum campaign.

• WATCH the September 22 at 12 pm MST, listen to your candidate, Ali Oonwala for Ward 1, answer the Calgary Environmental Roundtable (CERT) Candidate Questionnaire.

• SEND and SHARE the letter writing tool on your social media or via email with your network!

  SEND the CERT Questions to Candidates

• WATCH other Ward and Mayoral episodes!

  

  JOIN the CERT organizations: Alberta Environmental Network, Calgary Urban Species Response Team, Calgary Climate Hub, Bird Friendly Calgary, The Climate Reality Project Canada, Calgary River Valleys, For Our Kids Alberta, and Solar Alberta.

• FOLLOW The Gravity Well on Substack, YouTube, LinkedIn, TikTok, and Bluesky.

Your Ward 1 Candidates’ Answers

Answers and video transcripts collected from Ward 1 candidates will be fully updated by end of day, October 12th.

1️⃣Calgary’s Climate Strategy outlines 5-year goals to reduce energy poverty and utility costs, create clean economy jobs, improve public health, and build more equitable, climate-resilient communities. If elected, how will you work to achieve these outcomes for Calgarians?

Ali Oonwala

Yes — I will work to ensure Calgary meets the 5-year goals in our Climate Strategy. My focus will be on practical, near-term actions that reduce costs for families, create jobs, and make our city healthier and more resilient:

• Reduce Energy Poverty & Utility Costs

• Expand access to retrofit programs for older homes and apartments, prioritizing low-income households so energy savings benefit those who need it most.

• Partner with utilities to offer on-bill financing and rebates for solar, insulation, and efficient appliances, so families can cut utility costs without heavy upfront expenses.

• Create Clean Economy Jobs

• Work with local trade schools and industry to train workers in green construction, retrofitting, and renewable energy installation.

• Use City procurement to prioritize local contractors who can deliver on energy-efficient housing, electrified transit, and renewable infrastructure projects.

• Improve Public Health Through Mobility & Air Quality

• Invest in safe, reliable transit and active transportation options to reduce vehicle congestion and air pollution.

• Expand Calgary’s urban tree canopy and green spaces, improving air quality and providing natural cooling during heat waves.

• Build Equitable, Climate-Resilient Communities

• Ensure new housing developments include climate-resilient design standards (stormwater management, flood protection, green roofs).

• Prioritize climate adaptation projects in vulnerable neighborhoods where residents are most exposed to extreme heat or flooding.

• Near-Term Accountability

• Support the creation of a public scorecard that tracks Calgary’s 5-year climate targets — emissions reductions, energy savings, job creation, and health improvements.

• Require annual reporting across City departments so Calgarians can see progress in real time, not just in long-term plans.

Joey Nowak | The Calgary Party

We will ensure Calgary’s Climate Strategy moves from aspirational to actionable. That means better accountability on existing climate targets and ties back to KPIs in infrastructure, land use and transit decisions.

• Link housing and infrastructure planning to ensure greater efficiency of use in new communities.

• Accelerate retrofits of City-owned buildings and work with the federal and provincial governments to fund this

• Expand rapid transit and active mobility networks to cut emissions while giving Calgarians better, more affordable ways to move around.

• Support clean economy job creation by tying procurement to local low-carbon industries.

2️⃣ How will you ensure that new community development and redevelopment in Calgary protects our watersheds, river and creek valleys, wetlands, and the wildlife and urban biodiversity that depend on these ecosystems?

Ali Oonwala

Expand tree canopy and native plant restoration programs to improve habitat and climate resilience together.

Accountability and Community Engagement

Establish a public reporting tool showing how each approved development meets environmental protection requirements.

Engage local watershed groups, Indigenous communities, and environmental organizations early in planning to ensure decisions reflect lived knowledge and ecological expertise.

Joey Nowak | The Calgary Party

We will make protection of rivers, wetlands, and natural corridors a non-negotiable part of Calgary’s growth. Our commitments include:

• Strengthening watershed and riparian protection in development processes
  Encouraging all redevelopment projects include stormwater management, tree cover, and habitat protection.

• Encourage development inside Calgary’s existing footprint to limit Calgary’s impact on the surrounding habitat and biodiversity.

3️⃣ Will you commit to dedicating budget dollars toward protecting Calgary’s biodiversity and improving wildlife safety in our urban environment, including through measures such as enforcing bird-friendly building standards, retrofitting existing structures, and supporting safe wildlife corridors?

Ali Oonwala

Yes — I will commit to dedicating budget dollars to protect Calgary’s biodiversity and improve wildlife safety. Here are the specific actions I would champion:

• Bird-Friendly Building Standards

• Ensure that new developments comply with bird-friendly design standards (glass treatments, lighting design, and building orientation).

• Dedicate funds to incentivize retrofits for existing high-risk buildings, reducing bird collisions without placing the full burden on property owners.

• Wildlife Corridors and Safe Crossings

• Invest in planning and infrastructure that creates and protects safe wildlife corridors across Calgary, particularly in areas where new development borders natural habitats.

• Support projects like wildlife overpasses, underpasses, and green buffers that prevent dangerous road crossings.

• Biodiversity Enhancement Programs

• Fund native tree and plant restoration projects that provide habitat for pollinators, birds, and small mammals while improving climate resilience.

• Expand the City’s urban tree canopy targets to increase shade, air quality, and biodiversity in all neighborhoods, especially underserved ones.

• Dedicated Budget & Partnerships

• Commit to setting aside annual budget allocations specifically for biodiversity protection and wildlife safety initiatives.

• Partner with universities, nonprofits, and Indigenous communities to co-develop biodiversity programs grounded in science and traditional knowledge.
  Public Accountability

• Require annual reporting on biodiversity funding and outcomes, so residents can see tangible progress — from reduced bird collisions to increased native species habitat.

Joey Nowak | The Calgary Party

We commit to investing in biodiversity and wildlife safety, through ensuring a portion of retrofit funds can go to meeting standards where appropriate. We will work to prioritize wildlife corridors in community design, with safe crossings and connected park systems.

4️⃣ What steps will you take to ensure housing, rent, and transit in Calgary are affordable and accessible so that more Calgarians can access services with dignity, and live and work in a healthy city?

Ali Oonwala

Affordability and accessibility are central to building a healthy, sustainable Calgary. If elected, I will take these steps to ensure housing, rent, and transit are within reach for more Calgarians, while also reducing emissions and improving quality of life:

1. Affordable Housing & Rent Supports

Expand non-market and affordable housing supply by dedicating City-owned land, streamlining approvals, and partnering with nonprofit and mission-driven developers.

Strengthen rental supports by coordinating with the Province and nonprofits to create a seamless safety net for renters in crisis.

Retrofit existing housing stock with energy-efficient upgrades, reducing utility bills for low- and middle-income households while cutting emissions.

2. Accessible, Reliable Transit

Invest in frequent, reliable transit service so that every community — especially underserved ones — has a dependable alternative to driving.

Advance projects like Green Line expansion, bus rapid transit (BRT), and on-demand neighborhood shuttles to make transit practical and affordable for daily use.

Keep transit fares affordable, with targeted subsidies for youth, seniors, and low-income Calgarians.

3. Equitable Urban Planning

Use zoning and land-use policy to encourage mixed-income, transit-oriented development, reducing sprawl and keeping housing close to jobs, schools, and services.

Protect renters and homeowners from displacement in redevelopment by embedding affordability requirements into new projects.

4. Inclusive Budgeting & Climate Action

Dedicate budget dollars toward housing, transit, and energy efficiency as core investments in both affordability and climate resilience.

Ensure that every major budget decision includes an equity and climate lens so vulnerable Calgarians are prioritized.

5. Accountability & Community Partnership

Establish clear 5-year affordability and accessibility targets, tied to Calgary’s Climate Strategy: Pathways to 2050.

Work with community associations, equity-seeking groups, and housing advocates so residents help shape solutions, not just receive them.

Joey Nowak | The Calgary Party

Housing and transit are climate policies as much as social policies. We will:
Ensure zoning decisions unlock more housing supply, especially near transit corridors.
Deliver a reliable, frequent transit system, expanding MAX Rapid Bus and getting the Green Line back on track.

5️⃣ENMAX is wholly owned by the City of Calgary. What role do you see for ENMAX in helping the city achieve its 2035 clean electricity goals?

Ali Oonwala

ENMAX is a critical partner in helping Calgary reach its 2035 clean electricity goals. If elected, I will ensure ENMAX plays a leadership role in three key areas:

1. Driving the Clean Energy Transition
   Direct ENMAX to expand investment in renewable generation — solar, wind, and battery storage — to reduce reliance on fossil fuels.
   Support upgrades to the grid to handle more distributed energy resources like rooftop solar, community solar projects, and electric vehicle charging.
   Ensure ENMAX aligns its capital planning with Calgary’s 2035 targets, so corporate operations run fully on clean energy.

2. Ensuring Affordable & Equitable Access
   Mandate programs that help households, especially low-income ones, retrofit homes and adopt clean energy technologies without high upfront costs.
   Expand on-bill financing and rebate programs so families can save money on energy while contributing to emissions reductions.
   Protect Calgarians from energy poverty by committing ENMAX to fair rates and transparent billing practices.

3. Public Accountability & Transparency
   Require annual reporting on ENMAX’s progress toward Calgary’s clean electricity goals, with clear metrics on renewable generation, emissions reductions, and affordability impacts.
   Strengthen Council’s role in governance to ensure ENMAX decisions reflect public interest first, not just financial returns.
   Encourage ENMAX to lead in innovation and job creation around clean tech, positioning Calgary as a hub for the clean economy.

Joey Nowak | The Calgary Party

ENMAX should be a cornerstone of Calgary’s clean energy transition. We will:

• Push ENMAX to adopt a transparent 2035 decarbonization roadmap with clear milestones regarding supply and procurement of clean electricity.

• Ensure ENMAX supports low-income Calgarians through expanded energy efficiency programs and equitable rate structures.

• Treat ENMAX not just as a revenue source, but as a public asset accountable for delivering affordable, clean power.

6️⃣How will you advance sustainable water use and watershed protection in Calgary’s growth and development decisions?

Ali Oonwala

Water security is one of Calgary’s most urgent long-term challenges. If elected, I will ensure that sustainable water use and watershed protection are built into every growth and development decision. My commitments are:

1. Smarter Land Use & Growth Decisions
   Require water impact assessments for all major new developments, ensuring projects do not worsen Calgary’s water scarcity.
   Prioritize denser, transit-oriented development over urban sprawl, reducing the strain on water infrastructure and natural watersheds.
   Protect wetlands, riparian areas, and natural stormwater systems that naturally filter and store water.

2. Water-Efficient Building Standards
   Mandate high-efficiency plumbing fixtures, irrigation systems, and greywater reuse in new housing and commercial projects.
   Incentivize retrofitting existing buildings with water-saving technologies, reducing long-term demand across the city.

3. Watershed Protection & Natural Infrastructure
   Strengthen protections for Calgary’s river valleys, creeks, and wetlands, integrating natural infrastructure (rain gardens, permeable pavement, green roofs) into urban design.
   Expand tree canopy and native vegetation projects to support natural water retention and reduce runoff pollution.

4. Regional Collaboration for Water Security
   Work with regional partners — including the Province, Bow River Basin Council, and neighboring municipalities — to secure long-term water allocations that balance urban, agricultural, and ecological needs.
   Advocate for watershed-wide conservation measures, recognizing that water security is a shared responsibility across the region.

5. Accountability & Public Engagement
   Push for transparent public reporting on Calgary’s water use, conservation progress, and watershed health.
   Engage residents and businesses in water stewardship education, encouraging everyday conservation and protecting our rivers for future generations.

Joey Nowak | The Calgary Party

We know Calgary’s water system is already under strain. Last year’s Bearspaw South Feeder Main failure was a wake-up call — and with over 22% of our treated water lost to leakage (compared to less than 5% in Edmonton), the status quo is unsustainable
That’s why we are calling for the creation of a modern, publicly owned water utility — independent, accountable, and run by experts. This model, proven in cities like Edmonton (EPCOR) and even with ENMAX here in Calgary, would:

• Protect long-term water security: Invest in preventative maintenance and monitor risks to avoid catastrophic failures.

• Advance sustainable growth: Integrate water infrastructure planning with housing, transit, and community development to avoid overloading our rivers and aquifers.

• Reduce hidden costs: Replace today’s site levies — a $12,000+ “hidden water tax” on each new home — with fair, utility-based financing that spreads costs across decades.

• Ensure transparency and accountability: Require the utility to publish clear performance benchmarks and capital plans, overseen by regulators and open to the public.

• As Calgary adds more than 100,000 new residents each year, collaboration with regional partners will be critical. We will lead joint watershed protection, risk-mapping, and investment planning across the Bow and Elbow Rivers, ensuring Calgary’s growth never undermines our shared water resources.

7️⃣How will you ensure recommendations from Calgarians including residents, frontline communities, environmental groups, and city staff are meaningfully considered in Council decisions?

Ali Oonwala

Listening to Calgarians — residents, frontline communities, environmental groups, and City staff — must be more than a box-ticking exercise. If elected, I will ensure their recommendations are meaningfully considered in Council decisions through these steps:

1. Transparent & Accessible Engagement
   Expand early engagement in decision-making, so residents and frontline communities are consulted before policies are finalized.
   Use plain-language communication and multiple formats (in-person, online, multilingual) to make participation accessible to all Calgarians.

2. Formal Integration of Public Input
   Require that all Council reports include a summary of community and staff input received, and clearly show how those recommendations shaped the final proposal.
   Establish tracking and reporting mechanisms so residents can see where their input was incorporated, and if not, why not.

3. Elevating Frontline & Equity-Seeking Voices
   Create advisory tables that include equity-seeking groups, Indigenous leaders, and frontline communities, ensuring their perspectives are formally built into city planning.
   Provide capacity support (childcare, honoraria, transit passes) so that marginalized Calgarians can participate fully in public consultations.

4. Empowering City Staff Expertise
   Value and respect the expertise of frontline City staff by ensuring their recommendations are included in Council debates, not buried in administration.
   Protect staff from political interference by supporting evidence-based policy development.

5. Accountability & Feedback Loops
   Commit to public feedback reports after major consultations, outlining what was heard, what was acted on, and what was not — with reasons.
   Hold myself and Council accountable by regularly meeting with community stakeholders to review progress and adjust as needed.

Joey Nowak | The Calgary Party

We will rebuild trust in City Hall by ensuring engagement is real and transparent. That means:

• Expanding proactive engagement with residents, frontline groups, and experts at the start of planning processes.

• Requiring Council to publicly report on how community recommendations were incorporated (or why they weren’t).

• Strengthening two-way communication with community associations and advisory panels so input shapes decisions, not just checkboxes.

The Calgary Environmental Roundtable (CERT) has created a candidate questionnaire and podcast series dedicated to climate, the environment, and nature for the 2025 municipal election. Below are the responses we have received from your candidates for Mayor. Learn all about it here!

Your Mayoral Candidates’ Answers

Answers collected from mayoral candidates will be fully updated by end of day, October 12th, 2025.

1️⃣Calgary’s Climate Strategy outlines 5-year goals to reduce energy poverty and utility costs, create clean economy jobs, improve public health, and build more equitable, climate-resilient communities. If elected, how will you work to achieve these outcomes for Calgarians?

Brian Thiessen | The Calgary Party

We will ensure Calgary’s Climate Strategy moves from aspirational to actionable. That means better accountability on existing climate targets and ties back to KPIs in infrastructure, land use and transit decisions.

• Link housing and infrastructure planning to ensure greater efficiency of use in new communities.

• Accelerate retrofits of City-owned buildings and work with the federal and provincial governments to fund this

• Expand rapid transit and active mobility networks to cut emissions while giving Calgarians better, more affordable ways to move around.

• Support clean economy job creation by tying procurement to local low-carbon industries.

Jaeger Gustafson

My vision is that Calgary leads the world once again in conservation of our ecosystems.

Jeromy Farkas

In the 2023 review, it was identified that Community-wide Transportation GHG Emissions (https://climate-and-environment-dashboard-thecityofcalgary.hub.arcgis.com/pages/mobility-community-wide-transportation-ghg-emissions) are significantly off track from targets. In response, my platform speaks to several integrated mobility and planning pieces, including:

Prioritize transit-oriented development to add new housing where it makes the most sense: near transit stations, education, and jobs—reducing pressure on established neighbourhoods while supporting walkability and cutting commute times.

Expand linear parks and off-street connections between neighbourhoods, schools, and services and ask the province to consider park-pathways when determining school walk zones.

Create a Tactical Urbanism Fund to support low-cost, high-impact interventions.

Take the politics out of active transportation by tying funding to usage. If 2.5% of trips are made by walking or wheeling, 2.5% of the transportation capital budget should support those modes. This creates a fair, transparent basis for investing in transportation, fixing pathway gaps, and building long-awaited links like the Calgary to Cochrane Trail.

Address the lack of wayfinding across Calgary’s active mode network to encourage increased use of active transportation modes. Just like road signs for drivers, signage for walking, cycling, and rolling should be clear, consistent, and citywide.

Expand secure bike parking and end-of-trip facilities throughout Calgary, with focus on locations hosting large events.

One of the key issues for climate resilience is how buildings and bylaws are designed to help Calgarians live throughout extreme heat and weather events. In my platform I have pledged to:

Establish a Renters’ Advisory Council ensuring that tenant voices help shape municipal housing policy, for example, to begin exploration of a Maximum Heat Bylaw (https://calgaryherald.com/news/local-news/tenants-advocates-calling-for-maximum-heat-bylaw).

Champion a Housing First strategy prioritizing permanent housing with wraparound supports.

Establish a City Housing Innovation Lab to test new solutions—from prefab builds to adaptive reuse; and international best practices like mass timber, courtyard blocks and modular construction with potential improvements to the footprint of housing production.

Adopt the Housing Equity Roadmap to ensure Calgary’s housing system works for racialized, indigenous, disabled, newcomer, and 2SLGBTQIA+ residents.

I will also explore measures like solar-ready bylaws, solar and EV rebate programs and expanding low-interest loan programs like CEIP and energy efficiency retrofits in city-owned buildings.

Jyoti Gondek

Over the past few years, we’ve been faced with the consequences of climate
change, seeing intense hail damage, more days with more smoke, increased
risks of flood and other instances of harsher weather. As Mayor, I’ve worked
with community and industry to ensure that we are building Calgary into the
most sustainable and dynamic city in Canada. We are working to leverage
investments from other orders of government so that we can continue
growing and diversifying the economy, and ensure that Calgary’s
communities are resilient to climate change.

Sarah Elder

If elected, I will work to ensure responsibility for environmental stewardship is shared across all sectors of the economy and the municipality of Calgary.

2️⃣ How will you ensure that new community development and redevelopment in Calgary protects our watersheds, river and creek valleys, wetlands, and the wildlife and urban biodiversity that depend on these ecosystems?

Brian Thiessen | The Calgary Party

We will make protection of rivers, wetlands, and natural corridors a non-negotiable part of Calgary’s growth. Our commitments include:

• Strengthening watershed and riparian protection in development processes
  Encouraging all redevelopment projects include stormwater management, tree cover, and habitat protection.

• Encourage development inside Calgary’s existing footprint to limit Calgary’s impact on the surrounding habitat and biodiversity.

Jaeger Gustafson

We need to do more than protect. Calgary is going to run our of water. The watersheds are shifting. And a Calgary with Mayor Gus will have water for the next 400 years.

Jeromy Farkas

The 2023 review of Calgary’s Climate Strategy review also noted that Habitat Restoration (https://climate-and-environment-dashboard-thecityofcalgary.hub.arcgis.com/pages/nature-ecology-habitat-restoration) is off track from stated goals. I understand that lack of strategic planning for how we build a city can stretch resources, threaten biodiversity corridors and natural habitats. My platform addresses these concerns in several ways, including commitments to:

Protect public parks from sale or loss to private development, preserving them for future generations while allowing for thoughtful improvement and use.

Protect and expand Calgary’s ecological network, connecting natural areas, riparian zones, and wildlife corridors.

Fund natural infrastructure with the same seriousness as roads and pipes, to protect lives and livelihoods.

Ensure every Calgarian lives within 400m of a multifunctional park with two or more core functions.

Implement public feedback into the Connect: Calgary’s Parks Plan and integrate it across all city departments.

Collaborate with Canada's 2 Billion Trees program to plant 1.3 million new trees in the next 10 years—prioritizing areas of low canopy and high heat exposure.

Focus on collaboration to improve amenities and partnerships in existing parks. For example, to enable the operations of the Bearspaw Marina and to launch a major regional park in the Nose Creek Valley corridor.

Support Indigenous co-design and stewardship of public places, recognizing land and history.

Build capacity among community associations and nonprofit organizations (such as the Nose Creek Preservation Society) to plan and fundraise for local improvements by exploring the City of Calgary issuing charitable tax receipts on behalf of worthwhile projects.

Jyoti Gondek

Calgarians value the beautiful outdoors, from Kananaskis to their local
community parks. As Calgary grows, it is important that we continue to invest
to protect our green spaces. As Calgary’s mayor, I will ensure that we are
prioritizing protection of our watersheds, rivers, creeks, valleys and wetlands
so that future generations can enjoy them.

Sarah Elder

I will take environmental concerns and issues in to consideration in every development and redevelopment application.

3️⃣ Will you commit to dedicating budget dollars toward protecting Calgary’s biodiversity and improving wildlife safety in our urban environment, including through measures such as enforcing bird-friendly building standards, retrofitting existing structures, and supporting safe wildlife corridors?

Brian Thiessen | The Calgary Party

We commit to investing in biodiversity and wildlife safety, through ensuring a portion of retrofit funds can go to meeting standards where appropriate. We will work to prioritize wildlife corridors in community design, with safe crossings and connected park systems.

Jaeger Gustafson

Check out my website! I am going to have a CIVIC Corridor. MayorGus.ca/concordium

This will be like a central park for Calgary for next 400 years. Also I am protecting the Ecosystems in all of Alberta. Check out MayorGus.ca/horses

Jeromy Farkas

Please see answer to Question 2 and my Parks and Places That Connect: A vision for a healthier, more connected Calgary Policy Brief (https://www.jeromy.ca/policy-brief/parks-and-places-that-connect/)

Jyoti Gondek

Protecting Calgary’s dynamic biodiversity is important, and I will ensure that
we take this into account in our planning and development processes. I would
be happy to review any recommendations, ideas suggested by CERT or
members of the public on how best to do that, but committing funding without
a chance to review the best possible proposals is difficult.

Sarah Elder

If elected Mayor of Calgary, I will engage in understanding what work is already being done and ongoing to address biodiversity and improving wildlife safety and will engage directly with your organization to better understand your concerns and priorities in order to make decisions and policies. (On a lighter note, I love squirrels and always break for them and other wildlife as it pains me greatly to see them struggle in urban settings.)

4️⃣ What steps will you take to ensure housing, rent, and transit in Calgary are affordable and accessible so that more Calgarians can access services with dignity, and live and work in a healthy city?

Brian Thiessen | The Calgary Party

Housing and transit are climate policies as much as social policies. We will:
Ensure zoning decisions unlock more housing supply, especially near transit corridors.
Deliver a reliable, frequent transit system, expanding MAX Rapid Bus and getting the Green Line back on track.

Jaeger Gustafson

We are going to ensure we move the city to a better economic situation everyday so that people can afford to live again.

People know me, I'm all about quality. And we will have the money we need to get it done.

Jeromy Farkas

My 25-point housing and development plan, Restoring Certainty: A targeted vision for housing in Calgary (https://www.jeromy.ca/policy-brief/restoring-certainty/), is designed to bring housing certainty, respond to the housing crisis, protect renters and prioritize transit-oriented development. This includes commitments to:

Prioritize transit-oriented development to add new housing where it makes the most sense: near transit stations, education, and jobs—reducing pressure on established neighbourhoods while supporting walkability and cutting commute times.

Implement a publicly communicated infrastructure alignment requirement, requiring major proposals to be accompanied by a review of current infrastructure (sewer, water, transit, etc.) with a plan for how necessary upgrades will be funded and timed.

Protect public parks from sale or loss to private development, preserving them for future generations while allowing for thoughtful improvement and use.

Tie development of Area Structure Plans (ASPs) directly to infrastructure and servicing commitments, so communities grow with the necessary support in place.

Launch a Calgary Renters’ Support Office to provide legal information, mediation, and support.

Advocate to the province for improved rental protections, including clear rules around ‘renovictions’ and reasonable notice standards, and advocacy for the expansion of rent-geared-to-income housing, where rent is based on a tenant’s ability to pay.

Support the creation of a Non-Market Housing Acquisition Fund to preserve at-risk rental buildings.

Champion a Housing First strategy prioritizing permanent housing with wraparound supports.

Establish a Renters’ Advisory Council ensuring that tenant voices help shape municipal housing policy, for example, to begin exploration of a Maximum Heat Bylaw.

Create a dedicated Housing Delivery Team to speed up permitting and approvals, for example, by implementing a City-led site readiness program to identify and proactively service underused parcels of land near transit or employment hubs, so builders can hit the ground running instead of waiting years on infrastructure upgrades.

Offer expedited approvals for affordable and family-oriented housing by pre-approving building forms to reduce delays on common infill designs, like Edmonton’s new Point Access Block Guide.

Offer a “permit guarantee” for compliant applications so that, if a development meets all zoning and design criteria, the City must approve or respond within a fixed number of business days. If the deadline is missed, the permit is automatically escalated for resolution.

Pilot a Responsible Builder Certification to recognize builders with strong records of compliance and community engagement with fast-track processing and dedicated City liaisons.

Increase transparency for both community and industry with initiatives like publishing service standards and providing rolling 5–10 year infrastructure forecasts by area, so builders can align with servicing timelines and reduce uncertainty.

Pre-zone appropriate surplus City lands specifically for affordable and supportive housing to reduce delays and give nonprofits the certainty they need to plan, fundraise, and build.

Offer multi-year operational funding to proven housing nonprofits through collaborations with the provincial government to launch a 10-year Social Sector Surge to fully fund Family & Community Support Services.

Guarantee pre-development grants for mission-aligned projects by providing early-stage funding (e.g., for land assessment, community engagement, or design work) so projects don’t stall before they start.

Pair smaller nonprofit providers with City staff or larger partners to support with technical expertise, capital planning, or project management—without sacrificing mission alignment.

Work with CMHC and provincial partners to support nonprofits that are trying to grow beyond single-site projects, making it easier to build in new forms, or multiple small buildings as a cohesive package, supportive housing, and Single Room Occupancy (SRO) housing.

Expand interdepartmental secondments: Allow for temporary staff placements between departments (e.g. Planning to Affordable Housing or Legal), so staff better understand one another’s pressures and constraints—and solutions are more grounded.

Establish a City Housing Innovation Lab to test new solutions—from prefab builds to adaptive reuse; and international best practices like mass timber, courtyard blocks and modular construction.

Launch a small internal innovation fund where staff can pitch pilot projects to reduce red tape, improve approvals, or streamline housing delivery.

Adopt real-time simulation tools (such as Digital Twin Urban Modeling) to help staff visualize to the public the impact of new housing, infrastructure, and transit—allowing faster, more evidence-based decisions.

Adopt the Housing Equity Roadmap to ensure Calgary’s housing system works for racialized, indigenous, disabled, newcomer, and 2SLGBTQIA+ residents.

My plan for transportation and mobility, Moving Forward: A vision for a safer and more connected Calgary (https://www.jeromy.ca/policy-brief/moving-forward/), outlines several initiatives to improve moving throughout the city, enable mobility choice, take the politics out of decisions around municipal infrastructure like bike lanes, and ensure that people can get where they need to go. This includes:

Address the lack of wayfinding across Calgary’s active mode network. Just like road signs for drivers, signage for walking, cycling, and rolling should be clear, consistent, and citywide.

Support investments to enhance service, including tactical transit lanes, queue jumps, bus signal priority, and enhanced frequency to make services fast, frequent, and efficient.

Complete Phase 1 of the Green Line and advance conversations with community, industry, and province on future phases, and support strengthening the Bus Rapid Transit route that serves the north leg of the Green Line to get people moving now while they are waiting for light rail to get to them.

Support the creation of a Calgary Transit Foundation (along the lines of the Calgary Public Library Foundation) to facilitate additional funding and community engagement.

Plan specific transit capital investment in lockstep with new neighbourhood development to avoid costly retrofits and ensure micromobility (e-bikes, scooters) integration at all major stations.

Extend the Low-Income Transit Pass program for ten years.

Integrate transit planning into the City’s overall tourism and event strategy, for example, by coordinating and adjusting transit service to ensure it meets the demands of major events, and exploring transit fares built into admission fees for events over a certain capacity.

Take the politics out of active transportation by tying funding to usage. If 2.5% of trips are made by walking or wheeling, 2.5% of the transportation capital budget should support those modes. This creates a fair, transparent basis for investing in transportation, fixing pathway gaps, and building long-awaited links like the Calgary to Cochrane Trail.

Implement enforced standards for safe detours for active and wheelchair transportation.

Expand secure bike parking and end-of-trip facilities throughout Calgary, with focus on locations hosting large events.

Designate and invest in a Calgary Goods Movement Network to optimize key freight corridors and reduce industry transportation delays, including expanded and upgraded road access in and around major logistics hubs and around YYC Calgary International Airport.

Coordinate land use planning to ensure industrial zones are near high-capacity infrastructure, and ensure that new industrial employment centers are built alongside transit access for current and future workers in order to reduce emissions from large vehicles stuck in traffic.

Champion and partner with provincial and federal governments to improve regional trade corridors and implementation options for intermunicipal transit service.

Jyoti Gondek

I have put forward a detailed plan on how I will make Calgary a more
affordable and safer city. On transit I will:

• Develop a Transit Safety Strategy that is aligned with Canadian Urban
  Transit Association’s national recommendations covering
  infrastructure, staffing, training, mental health/substance response,
  and communications.

• Form a Transit Safety Oversight Committee including City
  departments (Calgary Transit, Bylaw Services, Community
  Standards), Calgary Police Service, social service agencies, housing
  providers, mental health and crisis response organizations to provide
  coordinated strategies for improved transit safety that also addresses
  root causes of disorder and crime (like mental health, addiction and
  homelessness).

• Keep transit from becoming a substitute shelter by continuing the pilot
  project for warming centres, as well as shuttle services in off hours to
  shelters and cooling/warming centres during extreme weather.

• Within the Route Ahead strategy, identify routes and times of day
  when greater frequency would improve the rider experience and bring
  a data-informed report to Council that highlights routes and required
  funding.

• Deploy and communicate a real-time reliability dashboard for all major
  bus and C-Train routes showing current on-time rates, delays, or
  cancellations.

• Improve transit signal priority (TSP) at critical intersections to reduce
  signal delay for buses, improving on-time reliability of routes.

Pilot transit-on-demand in locations where the night economy or shift
work create accessibility issues for employees requiring transit to
reach their destinations. Enable transit-on-demand to connect riders
with transit hubs or final stops.

On Housing I will:

• Continue the sale of city-owned land to non-profit affordable housing
  providers

• Expedite permits to accelerate housing construction

• Continue to provide incentives for secondary suite construction

• Work with developers to prioritize more family sized units

• Give more Calgarians the opportunity to live with dignity, whether
  renting or owning.

Sarah Elder

If elected, I will work to ensure responsibility for environmental stewardship is shared across all sectors of the economy and the municipality of Calgary.

5️⃣ENMAX is wholly owned by the City of Calgary. What role do you see for ENMAX in helping the city achieve its 2035 clean electricity goals?

Brian Thiessen | The Calgary Party

ENMAX should be a cornerstone of Calgary’s clean energy transition. We will:

• Push ENMAX to adopt a transparent 2035 decarbonization roadmap with clear milestones regarding supply and procurement of clean electricity.

• Ensure ENMAX supports low-income Calgarians through expanded energy efficiency programs and equitable rate structures.

• Treat ENMAX not just as a revenue source, but as a public asset accountable for delivering affordable, clean power.

Jaeger Gustafson

I am already working on creating the first nuclear reactor in Alberta. This is called TERMAL TRANSFER TECHNOLOGY. We are going to have so much power we will have extra. And I will use it for Data Centres.

Low cost energy benefits the least in societies the most. This is a key priority.

Jeromy Farkas

ENMAX is a critical partner in helping Calgary reach its 2035 clean electricity goals. If elected, I will ensure ENMAX plays a leadership role in three key areas:

1. Driving the Clean Energy Transition

Direct ENMAX to expand investment in renewable generation — solar, wind, and battery storage — to reduce reliance on fossil fuels.

Support upgrades to the grid to handle more distributed energy resources like rooftop solar, community solar projects, and electric vehicle charging.

Ensure ENMAX aligns its capital planning with Calgary’s 2035 targets, so corporate operations run fully on clean energy.

2. Ensuring Affordable & Equitable Access

Mandate programs that help households, especially low-income ones, retrofit homes and adopt clean energy technologies without high upfront costs.

Expand on-bill financing and rebate programs so families can save money on energy while contributing to emissions reductions.

Protect Calgarians from energy poverty by committing ENMAX to fair rates and transparent billing practices.

3. Public Accountability & Transparency

Require annual reporting on ENMAX’s progress toward Calgary’s clean electricity goals, with clear metrics on renewable generation, emissions reductions, and affordability impacts.

Strengthen Council’s role in governance to ensure ENMAX decisions reflect public interest first, not just financial returns.

Encourage ENMAX to lead in innovation and job creation around clean tech, positioning Calgary as a hub for the clean economy.

Jyoti Gondek

Increasing demands on electricity will continue to be the case as more and
more people chose to move to Calgary. To achieve our goals on clean
electricity we will need to build and leverage both the City and Enmax’s
partnerships with the federal and provincial governments to ensure that we
have the support we need to continue moving forward on this critical issue.

Sarah Elder

If elected, I will work with ENMAX, industry and organizations like yours to make Calgary a centre for environmental and energy innovation.

6️⃣How will you advance sustainable water use and watershed protection in Calgary’s growth and development decisions?

Brian Thiessen | The Calgary Party

We know Calgary’s water system is already under strain. Last year’s Bearspaw South Feeder Main failure was a wake-up call — and with over 22% of our treated water lost to leakage (compared to less than 5% in Edmonton), the status quo is unsustainable
That’s why we are calling for the creation of a modern, publicly owned water utility — independent, accountable, and run by experts. This model, proven in cities like Edmonton (EPCOR) and even with ENMAX here in Calgary, would:

• Protect long-term water security: Invest in preventative maintenance and monitor risks to avoid catastrophic failures.

• Advance sustainable growth: Integrate water infrastructure planning with housing, transit, and community development to avoid overloading our rivers and aquifers.

• Reduce hidden costs: Replace today’s site levies — a $12,000+ “hidden water tax” on each new home — with fair, utility-based financing that spreads costs across decades.

• Ensure transparency and accountability: Require the utility to publish clear performance benchmarks and capital plans, overseen by regulators and open to the public.

• As Calgary adds more than 100,000 new residents each year, collaboration with regional partners will be critical. We will lead joint watershed protection, risk-mapping, and investment planning across the Bow and Elbow Rivers, ensuring Calgary’s growth never undermines our shared water resources.

Jaeger Gustafson

Water Abundance - Check out my legal innovations on https://www.mayorgus.ca/alberta-aquacapture

Jeromy Farkas

Expand tree canopy and native vegetation projects to support natural water retention and reduce runoff pollution.

4. Regional Collaboration for Water Security

Work with regional partners — including the Province, Bow River Basin Council, and neighboring municipalities — to secure long-term water allocations that balance urban, agricultural, and ecological needs.

Advocate for watershed-wide conservation measures, recognizing that water security is a shared responsibility across the region.

5. Accountability & Public Engagement

Push for transparent public reporting on Calgary’s water use, conservation progress, and watershed health.

Engage residents and businesses in water stewardship education, encouraging everyday conservation and protecting our rivers for future generations.

Jyoti Gondek

With:

1. Smart planning and development is how we ensure that Calgary is meeting
   the needs for its residents, as well as newcomers moving into the city, while
   ensuring that we are sustainably building and developing.

2. Following Calgary’s struggles during the water feeder main break, I am
   committed to ensuring that we build and maintain our water infrastructure in
   the most sustainable way possible.

Sarah Elder

If elected, I will make addressing Calgary’s aging and failing infrastructure a top priority. I believe we need to start there in order to address sustainable water use and watershed protection. I would also review all water licenses in the City of Calgary to understand who is using our water, by how much and why in order to understand the scope of how water is used in Calgary. I would also take a proactive approach in working with the Government of Alberta and other jurisdictions to discuss and understand water security issues and water stewardship.

7️⃣How will you ensure recommendations from Calgarians including residents, frontline communities, environmental groups, and city staff are meaningfully considered in Council decisions?

Brian Thiessen | The Calgary Party

We will rebuild trust in City Hall by ensuring engagement is real and transparent. That means:

• Expanding proactive engagement with residents, frontline groups, and experts at the start of planning processes.

• Requiring Council to publicly report on how community recommendations were incorporated (or why they weren’t).

• Strengthening two-way communication with community associations and advisory panels so input shapes decisions, not just checkboxes.

Jaeger Gustafson

We are ushering in a new era of collaboration and transparency.

Council meetings will be conducted in a circle to promote openness, equality, and meaningful dialogue. I have rewritten the procedural bylaws to ensure that cooperation—not division—guides our work. You can review the updated framework at MayorGus.ca/concordium

The agenda has been thoughtfully planned for the next 16 years to ensure consistency, vision, and long-term impact. Council will meet a minimum of twice per week, far exceeding the traditional standard of two meetings per month. Additional sessions will be scheduled as needed to address emerging issues in real time.

Councillors will also be actively engaging with the community alongside me. Together with my personal media team, we will ensure full transparency and accountability every step of the way.

Jeromy Farkas

Listening to Calgarians — residents, frontline communities, environmental groups, and City staff — must be more than a box-ticking exercise. If elected, I will ensure their recommendations are meaningfully considered in Council decisions through these steps:

1. Transparent & Accessible Engagement
   Expand early engagement in decision-making, so residents and frontline communities are consulted before policies are finalized.
   Use plain-language communication and multiple formats (in-person, online, multilingual) to make participation accessible to all Calgarians.

2. Formal Integration of Public Input
   Require that all Council reports include a summary of community and staff input received, and clearly show how those recommendations shaped the final proposal.
   Establish tracking and reporting mechanisms so residents can see where their input was incorporated, and if not, why not.

3. Elevating Frontline & Equity-Seeking Voices
   Create advisory tables that include equity-seeking groups, Indigenous leaders, and frontline communities, ensuring their perspectives are formally built into city planning.
   Provide capacity support (childcare, honoraria, transit passes) so that marginalized Calgarians can participate fully in public consultations.

4. Empowering City Staff Expertise
   Value and respect the expertise of frontline City staff by ensuring their recommendations are included in Council debates, not buried in administration.
   Protect staff from political interference by supporting evidence-based policy development.

5. Accountability & Feedback Loops
   Commit to public feedback reports after major consultations, outlining what was heard, what was acted on, and what was not — with reasons.
   Hold myself and Council accountable by regularly meeting with community stakeholders to review progress and adjust as needed.

Jyoti Gondek

Over the past four years, I have shown that I can lead, while listening. I have
built my platform through engagement with Calgarians, free from party labels
and focused on working for the people of this city because I am an
independent candidate. As municipal governments are the ones closest to the
lives of the people they serve, I believe that councils should take every
opportunity to hear from every voice, including significant public engagement
opportunities.

Sarah Elder

If elected on October 20th, I will completely transform how the Mayor and stakeholders engage and for the better. I will consult not for the sake of consulting but to actually develop ongoing relationships to understand stakeholder issues and how the City of Calgary can be a partner rather than an adversary. I am 100% committed to creating better and more meaningful opportunities for external and internal communication and engagement with stakeholders and Calgarians.

Send an email to your candidates!

The campaign emphasizes the importance of clean water, biodiversity, and bold climate action to ensure a sustainable future for Calgary. The campaign launch featured speakers Preet Kang from the Alberta Environmental Network and former councillor Bob Hawksworth, who answers the survey questions by sharing his strategies for addressing the climate emergency, protecting biodiversity, and ensuring affordable housing and transit in Calgary. Key points included the need for strong policies, increased funding for non-market housing, the adoption of green building standards, and the role of ENMAX in achieving the city's 2035 clean electricity goals. Bob also highlighted the importance of civic engagement and collaboration among environmental organizations to influence municipal decisions and promote a sustainable future for Calgary. A wonderful start to the campaign, thank you, Bob!

Introductions to CERT, our Campaign, Bob Hawkesworth, and Preet Kang

Welcome to the Calgary Environmental Roundtable Municipal Election campaign led by the Gravity Wall Podcast with me, Jenny Ami. The Calgary Environmental Roundtable. Recert for short is a non-partisan coalition of environmental and climate organisations working together to ensure that water, nature, and climate are front of mind, and that our members have an ongoing opportunity to shape the future of our city through our candidate questionnaire. Mayoral Ward podcast panels and voter engagement tool Cert is connecting residents with candidates elevating environmental priorities and empowering Calgarians to make informed choices of the ballot box. Municipal decisions directly affect the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the communities we live in. As Calgary continues to grow, we must prioritise clean water biodiversity and bold climate action to ensure a safe and thriving city for generations to come. Our list of supporters is growing. Reach out to add your organisation, send your candidates and network the circ questionnaire.

Encourage their participation and ongoing relationship building with their representatives. Remember to follow, like, subscribe, and share the Gravity Well podcast. Together we can build a resilient, healthy, and sustainable city for all. Calgarians welcome. I am excited to have Pre Kang with me here today. Pret and I have been working hard over the last few months. Welcome to the Calgary Environmentals or or municipal election campaign. This is the launch party. Thank you for being here. To our members and the audience as well as the media, we are reserving 10 minutes at the end for questions, please bring them in or send them as much as you want throughout the chat and I'll do my best to cover as much as I can in those 10 minutes. Preet works for Alberta Environmental Network. The Alberta Environmental Network started this, the Alberta Beyond Coal Campaign, which is alive and well and growing and needs more support.

Please go to albertabeyondcoal.ca, get your sign or get your sign out. Put it back out. For the municipal election especially, we want to make sure that people are thinking about water and or headwaters during the election also. Who is CERT? We are a group of seven organizations so far, but we are looking for more members. Please reach out if you'd like to join this effort for the municipal election. It's the Alberta Environmental Network, as I mentioned, Calgary Urban Species Response Team, the Calgary Climate Hub, Bird Friendly Calgary, the Climate Reality Project Canada, Calgary River Valley, For Our Kids, and of course The Gravity Well, myself. Reach out to us if you'd like to add your organization. Municipal decisions affect the air we breathe, the water we drink in the communities we live in. Today, Preet and I are joined by former counsellor Bob Hawksworth.

Bob served as counsellor in Ward three from 1980 to 1986 in Calgary, and then he became an MLA for the new, excuse me, Democrats from 1986 to 1993, and then he returned to Calgary Ward four as counsellor from 1993 to 2010. I have the opportunity to meet with Bob on a semi-weekly basis with a group called 4C. I actually remembered to say. The Concern Calgarians on Climate Change. We work regularly to move climate issues forward and are really happy to be. Thank you so much for joining us, Bob. It's such a pleasure. I've been ignorant to all the things you've accomplished in your life. I'm just so grateful to have the opportunity as you being a mentor to me in the work that we're doing. Yeah, it's just so neat to hear all these things behind everybody that does this great work.

Okay, we want people, this is just a call out to our members. We want people to send the CERT questionnaire to your candidates. I'll put the link in the chat, but there is a new mode tool. Very quickly you can send an email to your candidates asking them to participate. It'll automatically choose from your ward which ward candidates need to be prompted as well as your mayoral candidates, all of them. And we're looking to have conversations with each of them. If you go to our webpage, which will also include in the chat, we have a link, or sorry, a calendar you can follow along which days we're talking to which wards. We're going to have an opportunity to sit one-on-one with some of the mayoral candidates, hopefully most of them. It's going to be a busy month. Stay tuned. All of it will be on that website for you to see the videos like what Bob is going to model for us today. We're going to spend the next 40 minutes or so going through the questions. I'll let you guys properly introduce yourselves first. Yeah, Preet can you help us? Please introduce yourself properly. Thank you.

Preet:

Of course. Thank you so much Jenny, and for your leadership in this initiative. Hello everyone. My name is Preet Kang and I have the privilege of leading the Calgary Environmental Roundtable. I come to this work as the energy transition campaigner and program coordinator with Alberta Environmental Network. I'm passionate about building healthier, more sustainable communities where renewable energy, climate action, and community leadership go hand in hand. Cert was created to bring environmental organizations and community members together, and we are so proud to launch this campaign today. Our goal is for Calgarians to have tools to ask the right questions, demand accountability, and choose leaders who will build a greener future for our city in Calgary at this municipal election. Thank you so much. Bob, would you like to introduce yourself?

Bob:

Oh, well, thank you very much for inviting me Preet and Jenny, I just appreciate working with you in the 4C group and the environmental network, and all the groups that are working, performing an important vital role in terms of civic society, leaders in government really depend highly on civic society to help lead them and reinforce and raise issues. Good on you for making both of you environment part of your mandate and work for me. I don't know where it comes from, but this has always been a big priority for me and somehow called me to do work on environment as part of my political life. And I had some successes and continuing to as a citizen, to reinforce and help those of you in civic society keep these issues alive and prominent.

Jenny:

Amazing. Bob. Yes, I cannot. It's amazing how much work you and the fellow 4C group does in your retirement. People have no idea how much help is needed in this space, and I am so grateful to your regular commitment to it. Thank you, Bob. Okay, Preet, set the stage for us. Lead us off in the first question for Bob. Thank you.

Question 1: Achieving Calgary’s Climate Strategy

Preet (00:07:23):

Happy to. Yes, it's time to walk through the questions at the Calgary environmental round table collaboratively developed as part of our municipal candidate questionnaire. I will go through the questions and Jenny and I will exchange off. I hope to identify the key themes, the question itself, and any background that would be relevant to it. Here we go. Our first question, it looks at Calgary's part in addressing the climate emergency. Calgary's climate strategy outlines five-year goals to reduce energy, poverty and utility costs, create clean economy jobs, improve public health, and build more equitable climate resilient communities. Bob, if you were elected, how will you work to achieve these outcomes for Calgarians? Or you can answer, how did you do that during your time?

Bob:

Well, a significant, very significant question to start with, and I don't want to take the whole hour answering it, but there's lots spinning through my head that first of all, it seems kind of simple to say, acknowledge that there's an issue, like the world is getting hotter. Is that true? Yes. The evidence shows it. Simply stating something as fundamental as evidence, scientific evidence seems a simplistic place to start. But everything that I'm seeing around me is based on that fundamental start. There's a lot of denialism. People are afraid to come to terms with what this might mean. It's painful, it's difficult. It might be the hardest thing that any human can do is come to grips with things like loss and grief, which is what in many ways the risks of climate represent for people. I try to be empathetic with those who are expressing their fear through denial, but I also understand that denying climate is stopping us from making any real progress and therefore it has to be called out how you do that empathetically. And yet, I don't know, this is a work in progress.

The first thing is to acknowledge there's a problem. I think I'd like to acknowledge the leadership of our current council and the mayor that she and that council adopted a climate emergency declaration. The first thing they did when they entered office, was it performative politics? Some would say that's just posturing and politics. Yes, it was. And it was exactly the right message to send out. We need a climate lens to guide all of our decision-making if we're going to have any chance of cooling the planet down and contributing, doing our part to reduce climate risks. These are the kinds of things we need to do. Some things are in place, climate emergency, a Calgary climate strategy, a high level direction. I would say as an individual member of council, anything I accomplished in my term of office required the support of at least seven, if not more colleagues, because one person's vote doesn't pass anything at City Hall.

You need to have at least eight votes in a 15 member council. There's working with your colleagues in a way that's mutually respectful and understanding their motivations and needs in their community, finding common ground. These are all steps behind the scenes, building relationships of trust and working hard in this environment that people are working in right now with social media platforms that are doing everything in their power to undermine public institutions, polarize, drive people apart. It's an environment that I didn't have to deal with in my term. I served before social media became a thing. I have to acknowledge that somehow we've got to overcome the polarization and find ways to make common ground. I dunno if that answers.

Jenny:

Yeah, I'll give you a little bit of what I heard and before I lead into the next question. First of all, acknowledging that we are in a climate emergency and that it isn't a very important responsibility as a counsellor and ward representative to speak truth about this, especially in the extreme denialism that is happening, like you said, the active effort that is happening on social media to undermine those important conversations. And then I heard that there needs to be a strategy, a very high level direction in all the work that council does. You're looking towards incorporating climate into all of your thinking. And then lastly, to find those mutual benefits that common ground with your other ward members and your mayor to make those decisions because ultimately you need a majority to get any of these major decisions done. I'll just add that Bob is also an active member of the Calgary Alliance for Common Good. And there is a mayoral forum in-person mayoral forum on, is it October 4th, Bob? Do I have that right?

Bob:

Saturday, October 4th. Yes. Seven o'clock at Knox United Church. And I would hope that anyone who cares about the environment would be sure to attend that forum because the Alliance and the Calgary Climate Hub working together have set that as a priority.

Jenny:

Amazing.

Bob:

A priority issue for advocacy and work,

Question 2: Protecting the Watershed, Wildlife, and Urban Biodiversity

Jenny (00:13:57):

Right? Yes. Awesome. Okay, I'm going to make sure that I share those links as I said, and I'll include that one in the chat. Okay, next question for you, Bob is related to biodiversity, the biodiversity crisis and respecting non-human environments. The question is, how will you ensure that new community development and redevelopment in Calgary protects our watershed, our rivers and creeks, our valleys, our wetlands, and the wildlife and urban biodiversity which depends on these ecosystems? Please.

Bob:

Yeah. Well, it's fine to adopt policy, and that's the first step. This should be embedded in the Calgary plan. The Calgary plan, which guides our long-term development as a community, should also integrate our Calgary transportation plan so that our built environment is reinforced with the right transportation investments. We need to improve the density in Calgary and reduce sprawl that would come out of long-term plans. But when an individual issue pops up on the council agenda and it's not in conformance with the long-term vision and you vote for it anyway, then you sort of undermine these policies. We really, what is it that it would take to ensure that these development day by day, week by week, month by month decisions actually embody the long-term direction and that the city we end up with looks like the city we envisioned and is more climate safe?

Well, first of all, I would say we need to kind of go where people, people's priorities are and the thing that Calgarians love most about our city, our parks. Our park system natural areas are important. This is a great asset for Calgarians. And I would frame our watersheds water and creek valleys, wetlands, wildlife, all of those are connected in with building parks for our city. And I don't know why council allowed the n Max Legacy fund to disappear, but I certainly would bring that back as a source of financing for the city to achieve its open space vision that would achieve these wildlife diversity goals. I'm going to just, if I could divert for a wee minute, just one thing that people may not know is that water on the Bow River flowing through Calgary with 1.3 million people getting its water out of the bow and the elbow, the water flowing downstream now is cleaner than it was when Calgary was a city of 60,000 people in the 1950s. Now think about that. How did that happen? I remember I'd like to acknowledge a wonderful, wonderful municipal leader in the form of former mayor of Brooks Jean Franklin. Jean was just a treasure and a pain in the butt for council because she's very, very nicely pointed out that there's several thousands of us downstream from Calgary. We don't want to be drinking your shit.

In the 1980, she embarked on a campaign. She came to Calgary, she was in the media and she said, Hey Calgary, we need you to clean up your water. And from that point, I think we can trace some changes Calgary made to tertiary water treatment. And that foundation has been the building block for our work as a city for the last 40 years or longer. And now the federal regulations sort of require it, but it's an iterative process. We do it in Calgary, kind of lead the federal regulations kind of follow and lead so that now we would be out of step with federal regulations if we let our water treatment standards drop. But here we had a group of people who benefited. They were identifiable. We knew that they lived downstream, they had a champion who built relationships and how could we resist? And in the end, we're all winners.

We can be proud of what we do in Calgary even if we had to be pushed 45 years ago to do it. Right. Let's think we, is that a playbook we could figure out how to follow in terms of the air? Because the air we're breathing now is dirtier than the air that we breathed in the 1950s, I'm sure of it because we didn't have the fires, the wildfires in the summer that we have now, and we didn't have the air pollution from internal combustion engine vehicles running all over the city that we do now. We have to figure out how do we make climate change a public health issue that will tangibly improve the physical health of Calgarians and who's a champion for that? It's not just driving down emissions, we're actually focusing on the ancillary side benefits. That's how I think a city council might think about next four years in terms of wetlands, biodiversity and watershed.

Preet:

Thank you, Bob. What I heard was that the city council should look to adopt or strengthen the policies that they have, adopt one that more align with the vision and make regular decisions with the need to align with the long-term visions within those policies. What I'm also hearing from you is that the infrastructure investment, that is one large piece that is creating a barrier and could be an opportunity if financing and funding is brought back to achieve those open air spaces. And within that, the connection to the biodiversity and respecting non-human environments. Thank you. Let's move to question three.

Bob:

We humans live in the same environment as wildlife. If wildlife in Calgary is under threat, we're part of that connectedness of every living creature. Ultimately our wellbeing is threatened as well.

Jenny:

Hundred percent.

Preet:

Most definitely. Linking the ideas of planetary and human health to animal health and the interconnections between it.

Bob:

Yes, absolutely. Absolutely.

Question 3: Dedicating Budget Dollars to Protecting Biodiversity and Wildlife

Preet (00:22:12):

Talking about animals and wildlife, let's move to our next question, which is question three. It is about Calgary's part in addressing the biodiversity crisis and supporting urban wildlife. Will you commit to dedicating budget dollars toward protecting Calgary's biodiversity and improving wildlife safety in our urban environment, including through measures such as enforcing, bird friendly building standards, retrofitting existing structures, and supporting safe wildlife corridors? And within this question, we want to understand how candidates will support biodiversity and the success of urban wildlife through tangible municipal investments. And I did hear you mention a few in the previous response.

Bob:

Yeah. Well, once upon a time, I got city council to approve a green building policy. Any city of Calgary building or building that the city was contributing money to constructing would meet minimal energy efficiency standards under the Canada Green Building Council policies, or they have an independent measurement for how buildings should be constructed to minimize energy waste. I don't know, I think that policy was weakened. Sometimes when you don't have any champions on council, things get, these aren't easy things necessarily to implement because they're different than what people are used to. You have to change the way you do things, and sometimes that's uncomfortable. Isn't it just easier to ignore the policy or eliminate it there? Once we had a council funded fund from our N max dividend each year that's, we saved ENMAX from being privatized. It provides a tremendous annual dividend to the city.

Why don't we continue to use that money so it doesn't just go into the city general coffers because we can't be guaranteed of that dividend every year and we shouldn't budget for it every year. We should use it to address high priorities. And parks are our number one thing that Calgarians love the most about living here. Let's reinvest that money and Max dividend into buying, buying open space, buying park space, and developing it so that it manages wastewater. And we could bring some underground creeks that have gone into culverts and vaults and daylight them and use that water to clean daylight and use it to clean water before it gets into the nose Creek and into the Bow River. Use natural mechanisms, not expensive mechanical ones to clean our water and meet our water emissions standards.

Question 4: Housing, Rent, and Transportation Affordability and Accessibility

Jenny (00:25:48):

Incredible. I heard the money that, well first of all work together to define standards that can be used to shape the way that money is spent in the city. I've heard used dividends from the assets that the city owns, like n max, to take climate action, buy up open spaces, create more parks, create more wetlands, create more natural ways of addressing climate while increasing biodiversity and addressing the wildlife crisis. Incredible. Thank you so much, Bob. Okay, next question. This question is around housing, rent, transit, affordability, and accessibility. The question is what steps would, should a counsellor take to ensure that housing, rent and transit in Calgary are affordable and accessible so that more Calgarians can access these services with dignity and live and work in a healthy city? Thank you.

Bob:

Well, I think first this past council has been preoccupied with the housing issue, and there've been several times that housing strategy was forced on the agenda because groups like the Calgary Alliance for the Common Good said here, there's a crisis in our community. Fix it or do what you can to fix it. Then I'd say our mayor and council have somehow, I think they've raised $200 million and in non-market housing, which in my view is a big win. And they're doing certain things that I feel are seriously getting us on the right track coming back. First of all, in order to influence the rental market, you probably need about 30% of all rental units in the city of Calgary to be non-market. And if you have reached that minimum threshold, it has a modifying effect on the private market rents. And there's a recent news article looking at all the major cities of the world, Vienna is the most affordable.

And when they dug in and found out why Vienna has maintained its portfolio of non-market housing that started being built in the 1910s or 1920s, and they've got a very large portion of their housing stock as non-market, and this is the real world examples of this. That's number one, increase funding and build more non-market units. Number two, the ones you do build under your green building policy would be well-built and well insulated. They would be high energy performing well-built and maintained, and that reduces costs, eliminates waste, and makes those units affordable over the long term. Number three, put solar on the roofs of every property you own. Solar rooftop, solar onsite, solar generation has now dropped in price so far, it's the most affordable means of new electricity generation. If a home, for example, put a $20,000 solar array on its roof, the people in that house in that unit would see their electricity bills drop $50 a month. That's the impact that solar could have on making life more affordable. Now when we talk about climate action, a city counsellor can also be talking about affordability. You want to address affordable affordability, put solar on your roof. And by the way, solar panels are more resistant to hail than shingles are. There's a side benefit there as well for making buildings more resilient.

As for transit, lots of people running around saying, well, I'm going to freeze property taxes. Well, we should have some counsellors running around saying, I'm going to freeze transit fares. In fact, wouldn't it be better if we could roll some transit fares back? I think we should find ways to make transit free. Our roads are free. You can drive your car without paying a toll. Why does the competition, why is the competition forced to have a fee or a price in order to use it? Well, because that's the way we've always done it. But if we're trying to impact air quality in the city and climate emissions, we need more people to flood Calgary transit for the transportation requirements.

And of course, I'm of two minds about this green line. It's we're putting a ton of capital money. Are there possible ways that we could just have better buses and more of them and transit lanes instead of rail? Other cities have been experimenting with cost effective ways to improve transit frequency. And as much as I love the green line and the LRT system, there's a tremendous amount of capital being directed towards that outcome. When if we put that money in another direction, could we get even better transit outcomes than what we are getting with a new green line? Just a question, I haven't been following it as closely in that much detail as others because of course you reinforce your sea train network with a green line and it makes the entire system function more effectively to have those links. But I also think we need to be smart. We don't have a lot of time and we don't have a lot of resources. Affordability is a big issue not only for households but for government as well.

Preet:

Thank you so much, Bob. That was a very detailed response. Something that I came to understand is there should be an increase in funding and strengthened regulations to do a few things, and one of those is to build non-market rentals. The next is to ensure that buildings are well-built, insulated and maintained to encourage solar adoption, I would guess, for residential and commercial builds throughout the city. And lastly, to allow for a more cost effective and accessible transit through the transit system. Okay.

Bob:

You said that in 15 seconds and it 15 minutes. There you go. That's problem of being a politician.

Jenny:

The best kind of guests give us the details. We're able to [repeat]. Thank you, Bob. Go ahead, Preet.

Question 5: ENMAX and Clean Affordable Energy

Preet (00:34:13):

Of course. Our next question is about ENMAX and clean and affordable electricity. N max is wholly owned by the city of Calgary. What role do you see for n max in helping the city achieve its 2035 clean electricity goals? Calgary's clean electricity goal is to transition to 100% renewable energy for corporate operations by 2035. And knowing that ENMAX a city owned utility, we know that this can be powerful tool in achieving these targets. What is your vision or what do you think about this?

Bob:

Absolutely. This is a huge asset that the city has owning ENMAX. And for them to just wash their hands and say, “Well, ENMAX, you go do what you feel you need to do” is just leaving a wonderful opportunity to lie dormant. When I was a city counsellor, we signed the first green energy deal in 2008, 2009, the city signed a long-term contract with ENMAX to provide all of its electrical load from wind energy. And on the basis of that contract, ENMAX, it was like a 25 year power purchase agreement arrangement. And on the basis of that, ENMAX made a major investment in wind farm, which helped grow the wind industry and the supply chain, and it helped the city achieve significant emission reductions. And ENMAX was the go-between that made that happen because I was on city council and I was also on the board of ENMAX when that, and that's where a champion can have an impact.

ENMAX, once upon a time, it was an enabler of solar rooftop and got out of it. I don't know why, but they need to be an enabler as well into making this transition across the city. Why couldn't we have a hundred thousand homes in Calgary with rooftop solar on it? Because that would be a hundred thousand households who would lower their living costs. That would benefit the owners of ENMAX, and we'd have to figure out how ENMAX can do that profitably, but that's why I know it's possible without going into a lot of detail. The big issue of course, is the shepherd and the other power plants that ENMAX currently owns, which are not coal anymore, natural gas fired, and they're emitting CO2 as part of byproduct of combusting natural gas to run turbines.

There's a lot of investigation into the costs of capturing the CO2, concentrating it and bearing it underground. That's a lot of money, and at the moment, it doesn't look cost effective. But if you're thinking of spending that kind of money, why don't you incent greenhouses to locate in the acres of land surrounding these power plants, capture the co2 which the plants need to grow, capture the heat, which greenhouses need in the wintertime to help plants grow. We could be addressing our food insecurity, food security issues, greenhouse gas emissions using the waste heat and the waste emissions from M max power centers generating plants. You're not going to do that if you just say to the CEO of ENMAX, “Go do your own thing, and we'll see you once a year at the AGM.” No, I think that's where the city says, you're our power producer. Let's figure out how we meet a variety of our citizens' needs, not just electricity and is a wonderful opportunity. We shouldn't squander it.

Jenny:

Wonderful, Bob. Okay, I heard that ENMAX is a huge asset to the city, and this is a massive opportunity that is not being realized currently, that it's important to have champions for the city, for the people of Calgary on the board of ENMAX to make sure that we are aligning goals with long-term strategies that will reduce Calgary's emissions. Yeah, it is surprising and disappointed that n max is out of solar and wind, but they can certainly play a role. I love this concept. In fact, it came up in one of our podcasts, actually episode four with Colin Smith about this idea of capturing CO2 for greenhouses and capturing that heat that way. Yes, there's actually been studies this week not to go off on a tangent too much from nature that has talked about the global ability for carbon capture and storage technology to be meaningful is becoming extremely clear that it isn't. This is a meaningful opportunity that could actually have a really big role for ENMAX going forward in reducing those offset emissions from the CO2 from natural gas production. Yeah, thank you so much.

Bob:

Well, and that was a concept for the downtown District Energy Centre, was that you would use a co-generation downtown and pump hot water to heat the buildings around it, and by using fuel both for electricity and for heat, you're reducing your waste. You're using energy far more efficiently, and therefore your net emissions reduced dramatically. But in max ended up getting bored with this downtown energy Center and sold it off. To my way of thinking, we really have suffered by the lack of imagination in the senior leadership at ENMAX, and in part I think that's because members of council no longer sit on the ENMAX board and no longer are bringing these larger community concerns to the table there.

Question 6: Sustainable Water Use and Watershed Protection

Jenny (00:41:26):

Yeah, absolutely. And I did want to add one thing I missed that you said, which is we need this incentivization for companies like ENMAX and those things are happening. Like for example, in China, the coal companies are paid to not produce coal power when there is excess capacity of sun and everything else. Those designs are definitely available in other jurisdictions. Something really close to my heart and something that Bob Morrison and I have been working on here is water. We want to talk a little bit about water security and regional development. How will you advance sustainable or how or how should a candidate, or sorry, a representative advance sustainable water use and watershed protection in Calgary's growing and growth and development decisions? Thank you.

Bob:

Well, one thing I hope our council would be strong advocates against mining in the Eastern slopes because our water comes from the Rockies and from the eastern slopes, and anything that potentially risks contaminating our water upstream, just like Mayor Jean Franklin from Brooks was so eloquently an advocate in the 1980s and made us change our policies to do the right thing. We need to be advocates for our citizens and our right to clean water to protect our headwaters up above us. That would be kind of step number one. When you start to think about this, just think about the core services the city provides. One is to deliver clean water and then clean up our sewage before we pass it on to anyone else and haul away our garbage. Now just think of those services and manage our storm water. This is these changes, those garbage and sewer probably did more to improve the life expectancy of people than any other medical intervention ever.

We learned in the 19th century about the waterborne diseases and finally figured out how to do all this stuff, and we've kept improving ever since. But that has done more to protect and improve our health, public health and life expectancy than almost any other thing that medical intervention you can think of. And these are city responsibilities. Now, these are core services. Anybody who's running for public office should have some commitment to public health, protecting the public from an environmental perspective, not just protecting the public from crime, which is sort of issue dog, the hog whistle issue in a sense, as a way of short and indicating a set of priorities. But yes, we need to protect our community from crime and we also need to protect our community from transmittable diseases and the need to be able to protect property from floods and wildfires. Protection. Yes, absolutely. And that we should protect our community in all these ways, not just pick one and say, that's the only one I'm concerned about. We need counsellors who are willing to commit to poly protection of our community, which includes safe water.

Preet:

Thank you, Bob. It is clear that the jurisdiction for city and the province is a little bit different in terms of coal mining, and it is true the counsellor do need to be strong advocates for the risks from contaminating water upstream. I also heard that since it is the city's responsibility to provide that clean water, sewage, garbage hauling and managing stormwater, that when these services are done correctly per se, they can have a positive benefit, can and have had a positive benefit on the public's health. Okay. I'm curious if we want to go through the last question or save the space last 15 minutes for the media. Your call, Jenny?

Jenny:

Yeah, I'll put out another call if you have some questions that you want to put in the chat right now, please do. I have a couple comments that I can add afterwards, but I say we keep going. Yes, please.

Question 7: Civic Engagement in City of Calgary Decision Making

Preet (00:46:50):

Thank you. Yes, of course. Okay, the last question, which is about meaningful engagement with communities in Calgary. How should counsellors ensure recommendations from Calgarians, including residents, frontline communities, environmental groups and city staff are meaningfully considered in council decisions. So ensuring stakeholders will be meaningfully engaged and supportive, supported also by effective communications pathways. What do you think, Bob?

Bob:

Well, this is on us as citizens, not as city hall necessarily. City hall counsellors respond to pressure wherever that comes from. If we as citizens aren't working on these things, we shouldn't be surprised if they get ignored. This is why foresee the Calgary citizens concerned on climate and the Calgary Alliance for the Common Good are such important organizations in our community right now as a way of ensuring that the 1.4 million people who live here have some means to get their concerns in front of council on a continual basis. This is on us just hopefully we have counsellors who are open to listening and open-minded and wanting to hear from their constituents and not just a small group. I'm worried about the party system that the provincial government is introduced, that counsellors are now more beholden to their party and unelected people unknown to the rest of us, and they are to any direct relationship that they would've had as individual counsellors to their constituents.

That's a change that I don't like. Can I come back to the question about protection? I just one more, I feel missed the mark here. It didn't come up in our questions, but I think we really need to rethink fire and the role of our fire department. Now, small communities like Litton, for example, if disappeared because of wildfire, the hot place where they were located disappeared underneath them from a spark on a passing train. Apparently Jasper, a third of the town was burnt because of wildfire, probably lightning Fort McMurray. We almost lost the entire city, slave Lake, a lot of these communities around forests. You think, okay, that's not Calgary. Then you see what happened in Los Angeles that was an urban wildfire. It was so dry, who knows where that spark came from? And it completely overwhelmed the fire department. They had no resources in any way, shape or form to address this issue.

When we are thinking about protection and affordability, our insurance rates, if you can get them insurance, are greater than a property taxes. In many cases, it's more expensive for people than property taxes. If you want to freeze property taxes, what are you going to do about insurance rates? Anyway, that's another, all I'm trying to say is that when it comes to protecting our community from the risks of climate, we have to be thinking about fire as well as flood. And I would hope any and every member put Kennedy who's running for public office, public office is thoughtful and has a position that they're prepared to present.

Jenny:

I could not agree more as a spouse to a city firefighter. My husband was on a fire in Calgary just last year. Was it last year? It was a three alarm fire. It was a structure, a condo complex that was under construction that caught on fire. But he was a forest firefighter before being a city firefighter. As soon as he showed up on the call, he called other, he made it a three alarm fire because he could see the ashes going towards another community.

He knew it was a “forest fire” type fire and was able to help put resources to that secondary potential fire and suppress it. Yeah, you're right, Bob, it's we are now in potentially wildfire territory for a city that does not have forests surrounding us in our limited parks. That being said, there are some communities like Elbow Valley that are at tremendous risk to that, and also it ties very nicely in with the water conversation because it's been a concern. We've had honest conversations, my husband and I, about what if you don't have water to put out a fire? That's what happened in LA. The water pressure completely disappeared and they had no capacity to, not to mention the fire…30,000 trucks would've been required when I heard the summary of what the size of that fire was and how quickly it happened. Yes, you're right. This is something that is going to really make sure that councillors are going to be in a very potentially significant emergency positions making decisions around these major events, I think is what you're saying.

Bob:

Well, and I'm also saying that the world is getting hotter, not cooler, and something that was a risk in Los Angeles in 2025, may coming to Calgary in 2030 or 2035, or who knows when. This may be the fate waiting all cities. I'm just saying if you're denying climate as an issue to start with, none of these questions or concerns are even resonating or being thought about. And that's a great risk to our community. It's leaving us highly vulnerable and is doing this all a disservice. Coming back to your very first question you or do you not accept scientific evidence that temperatures are rising globally? And if they are, then will you take these risks of climate, not certainties of climate change risks seriously and begin thinking about how to address them?

Jenny:

Thank you, Bob. It's so true. You can't address a problem that you're not seeing, willing to acknowledge.

Right? And I did want to add some of your comments around engagement. I will say what I heard from you, which is it's up to us. We do have to, this is why we're running this campaign. This is a way for us to get biodiversity and water and climate and environment in the conversation, wildlife in the conversation. We need to be talking about these things. And this isn't a climate and environmentalist role. This isn't everybody's role. It's really important that we help people understand that it's up to them, up to us coming together and pushing back against bad policies for things to change. The one thing I will add, Bob, and I know this is after you've left, but these changes to the process that have happened in the city. Are you familiar with them? And is there a way to engage differently today versus there was a few years ago, I will say, and I just want to reiterate, you said the Calgary lines for the common good, you can look up any action they are making and join them at City Council. Same thing with the Calgary Climate Hub does an excellent job of helping people get engaged, but just speak to the process a little bit. Is there any improvements there?

Bob:

Well, no. I think politics at its fundamental hasn't changed at all. And it's people making their voices heard. We're still living the democracy and we shouldn't be afraid to speak up. And I think we have to be together. We have to ensure that we're doing this in concert and supporting each other because when you're alone, then it's easy to be intimidated or bullied away from a position. This is why there is an alliance as an organization of organizations. There are 32 of them as part of the alliance, the Calgary Climate Hub and the environmental round table, Preet, you're bringing environmental organizations together to coordinate, so none of you are isolated. And in order to amplify your voices as well as to bring your variety of skills and knowledge together into a coherent and stronger position. That doesn't change, it can't change. Some of you on this call will know how to use the social media effectively, but I think fundamentally a social media is designed to accentuate our anger and get clicks and monetize anger. It's becoming quite toxic, and I'm not sure how those of you who use it can do it, use it for the common good. I don't think it can replace relationships and showing up in person though.

Key Takeaways and Actions

Jenny (00:57:18):

Agreed. Yeah, and I was saying just last week doing another campaign, it's nice to be around people that care about the environment and care about people and doing good by society. It feels good, and it's a reinforcing feeling for sure. Preet did you have any questions before I just hit some of the highlights from the conversation? Okay. I just want to thank Jim McPhail for tuning in. Jim is going to be helping me with some of the episodes. Preet is going to hopefully join me for some others. We're looking to other members from the CERT Alliance. Here's another one. Kathleen, thank you so much, especially to Kathleen and Adrian for helping us get this effort going. Adrian had experience in this, and Kathleen is from the Urban Species Response Team. She says, thank you for all the work you've done, Bob, we really appreciate everything that you offered us today, and we had Claire on the call as well.

Claire Kraatz is from For Our Kids Alberta. All of the links to all of the people that are helping us in this campaign are available on the website, as I mentioned. I will put this in the link for this podcast, but there is our website home. We're going to have a page for each of the awards so you can see the videos from each of the contributions from candidates throughout this campaign. What did I miss? Mryl Edie also joined us. She said, thank you very much for all of us. Thank you, Mryl, for all you do. This is another example of somebody who dedicates her life to supporting both climate and social justice action, and yeah. Thank you so much, Claire. We really appreciate your input and everything that we've done here and in other efforts. I agree, Bob, we've appreciated your mentorship behind the Calgary, sorry, the Calgary Environmental Roundtable.

What we did when we started this effort back in May, I think it was, was we looked at a podcast that Bob had done and we all gave our questions out of it that still remain. Your work is living on, sir, and we greatly appreciate you. Any other insights you have for us after this, we'd love to hear from you as well. Okay, excellent. Look at us under the hour. We nailed it. Thank you very much everyone. We'll take care. Let's see everybody. The next event we're looking to schedule coming up is likely September 19th. We have some commitments from mayoral candidate Jeremy Farkas. Thank you, Jeremy Farkas, I apologize, I'm bad with names.

Preet:

No worries.

Jenny:

Yeah, we've got some more candidates already lined up. Please, as I set, here's the tool one more time. Actually, quickly before we go, this is the letter writing tool. Again, I'll put it in the chat so everybody can get their letters off to encourage your candidates to participate. Okay, beautiful. Have a great rest of your day everyone. Thank you so much.

Preet:

Thank you.

The Results

Cert 2025 Campaign Summary

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Use this file to learn who participated, read their answers, and watch their podcast interviews.

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About CERT & the Campaign

Who we are:

The Calgary Environmental Roundtable (CERT) is a coalition of non-partisan Calgary-based organizations, community groups, and individuals who care deeply about protecting the environment. Our members represent a broad network of environmental and climate advocates, working collaboratively to ensure that Calgary’s decisions today build a healthier tomorrow.

Why this matters:

Municipal decisions directly affect the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the communities we live in. As Calgary continues to grow, we must prioritize clean water, biodiversity, and bold climate action to ensure a safe and thriving city for generations to come.

What this campaign does:

Through our candidate questionnaire, podcast interviews, and email writing tool, CERT is connecting residents with candidates, elevating environmental priorities, and empowering Calgarians to make informed choices at the ballot box.

Our list of support is growing! Organizations that approve the CERT Candidate Questionnaire include The Gravity Well, Alberta Environmental Network, Calgary Urban Species Response Team, Calgary Climate Hub, Bird Friendly Calgary, The Climate Reality Project Canada, Calgary River Valleys, For Our Kids Alberta, and Solar Alberta.

The Candidate Questions

The following questions are intended for candidates seeking election to Calgary City Council or for Mayor.

1. Calgary’s Climate Strategy outlines 5-year goals to reduce energy poverty and utility costs, create clean economy jobs, improve public health, and build more equitable, climate-resilient communities. If elected, how will you work to achieve these outcomes for Calgarians?

2. How will you ensure that new community development and redevelopment in Calgary protects our watersheds, river and creek valleys, wetlands, and the wildlife and urban biodiversity that depend on these ecosystems?

3. Will you commit to dedicating budget dollars toward protecting Calgary’s biodiversity and improving wildlife safety in our urban environment, including through measures such as enforcing bird-friendly building standards, retrofitting existing structures, and supporting safe wildlife corridors?

4. What steps will you take to ensure housing, rent, and transit in Calgary are affordable and accessible so that more Calgarians can access services with dignity, and live and work in a healthy city?

5. ENMAX is wholly owned by the City of Calgary. What role do you see for ENMAX in helping the city achieve its 2035 clean electricity goals?

6. How will you advance sustainable water use and watershed protection in Calgary’s growth and development decisions?

7. How will you ensure recommendations from Calgarians including residents, frontline communities, environmental groups, and city staff are meaningfully considered in Council decisions?

Organizational Support

This candidate survey is supported by member organizations of the Calgary Environmental Roundtable (CERT), a collaborative network of non-profit, community-based, and research-focused groups working to advance environmental solutions in Calgary. These organizations share a commitment to ensuring that water protection, biodiversity, and climate action are central to our city’s decision-making.

CERT member organizations have contributed to the development of this survey and are committed to sharing its results widely across their respective platforms and networks. Our members are acknowledged below, demonstrating the broad, citywide coalition behind this initiative. This visibility underscores the collective importance of environmental issues to diverse communities and sectors across Calgary.

Candidates who complete the survey will not only inform voters but also contribute to a broader civic dialogue on the future of our city’s environmental health and resilience.

Reach out to add your organization to the growing list! Together we will ensure a safe and thriving city for generations to come.