Ward 11 Candidate CERT Questionnaire Responses and Podcast Forum

Learn about your candidates for Ward 11 in the City of Calgary

WATCH your Ward 11 Candidates: Alex Williams and Kourtney Penner 👇

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.