Calgary Municipal Election Candidate Questionnaire and Podcast Campaign
Building a Greener Future for Calgary, an initiative by the Calgary Environmental Roundtable (CERT)
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, and For Our Kids Alberta.
Let us know if you would like to support this initiative as a professional organization, Contact election@calgaryert.ca.
Purpose of the Candidate Survey
This survey is designed to:
Help you and other Calgarians understand your candidate positions on key environmental issues such as clean water, nature protection, and climate action.
Provide a platform for candidates to share their priorities with a citywide audience.
Support CERT members in building informed relationships with those running for council or mayor.
Deadline
CERT invites Calgarians to share our request and upon all candidates to complete the survey by 4pm on September 22, 2025. A list of candidates who did or did not respond will be made public on this campaign webpage and through our member networks. If a candidate does not complete the survey by the deadline (with friendly reminders), this will be clearly indicated in campaign materials.
Get Involved
The CERT Candidate Virtual Campaign Launch will be held on September 9th, at noon MST. This event is open to you, our membership, and media. Former City of Calgary Councillor, Bob Hawkesworth, joins us to answer the CERT survey questions from his perspective as a former, longstanding representative of our city and province.
TUNE IN at 12:00 pm MST on September 9th.
DOWNLOAD and share this calendar for Mayor and Ward level podcast forums.
DIRECT MESSAGE your candidates for Councillor and Mayor, use this letter writing tool to email your ward and mayoral candidates.
SHARE this campaign on your social media and with your network.
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.
APPLY to add your organization’s support or to participate as a co-host in a podcast with your ward candidates.
Candidate Questionnaire
The following questions are intended for candidates seeking election to Calgary City Council or for Mayor.
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?
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?
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?
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?
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?
How will you advance sustainable water use and watershed protection in Calgary’s growth and development decisions?
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.
Great questions. Regarding number 2, an add on “Do you support limiting our urban footprint? (Or do you believe Calgary should continue to expand?)”
And also wonder about asking directly about bike lanes and alternative transportation infrastructure.