Latest news with #CommunitiesFirst
Calgary Herald
16-07-2025
- Politics
- Calgary Herald
Bell: Calgary mayor's race heats up — Jeromy Farkas gets it from left and right
Article content In the ranks of Communities First are those who say the Farkas of 2021 is far different than the Farkas of today. Article content What they mean is they believe he's not as conservative. Article content They believe he turned left while the left believes he never turned at all. Article content They believe Sharp is gaining in popularity while admitting if the election was today, and not in October, Farkas would be favoured to win. Article content 'He may call himself Pathfinder now but Jeromy Farkas is up to his old tricks spinning half-truths and stirring outrage using inference and innuendo.' Article content They say city hall's big boss paper shuffler didn't get a raise of his big fat salary. Article content They have a far different view of the arena deal than Farkas and they clarify Sharp voted for the climate emergency declaration but did not support the massive spending attached to it. Article content Farkas clearly doesn't mind being the centre of attention. Article content Article content 'They're scared because they can't push me around. The establishment types are going to attack, so let them attack.' Article content 'I've got the left, the right and the city council establishment all teaming up. I must be doing something right.' Article content 'They see an all-star team, they see the money we raised, they see the lawn signs and they see the bogeyman.' Article content Article content 'They've lived in spreadsheets, slogans, echo chambers. Rick, I failed in public. They've never done anything bold enough to fail at.' Article content 'I made mistakes in full view and owned them. I've taken real risks. These guys wouldn't know risk if it unfollowed them on Instagram.'' Article content 'Every time they put this B.S. out it only accomplishes one thing. More volunteers and more donors sign up for our campaign.' Article content Article content Farkas is curious to see what comes next. He wants to help out his critics. Article content 'I eat vanilla ice cream, my socks are mismatched and, maybe just maybe, if you don't eat your broccoli big bad Jeromy will come for you.' Article content He laughs. Article content 'I'm really the last thing this left-wing or right-wing establishment wants. Somebody who is actually interested in solving problems rather than just fuelling the anger machine. I've learned. I've survived. I've built teams. Doesn't mean I'm a flip-flopper, just means I have a working brain.'
Economic Times
08-07-2025
- Politics
- Economic Times
Stampede turns into political battleground as Canada's top leaders flood Calgary ahead of election
Reuters Calgary Stampede becomes unexpected election hotspot as national and local politicians hit the midway for votes, flapjacks, and face time with voters With Calgary's municipal election just over 100 days away, politicians from across the country are flocking to the Calgary Stampede, not just for cowboy hats and flapjacks, but for votes. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith hosted the annual Premier's Stampede Breakfast on Monday(July 7) at the McDougall Centre in downtown Calgary, joined by Ontario Premier Doug Ford and Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe. All three served breakfast to hundreds, with Ford joking, 'I'm not a professional pancake maker,' as he flipped stacks on the grill. Moe took charge of syrup duty, while Smith greeted attendees between Royal University political scientist Duane Bratt said the Stampede has become a rare platform for meaningful voter engagement. 'It's an opportunity to have face time with voters in a relaxed, comfortable environment,' he said. 'That's why it's not just politicians from Calgary or Alberta, but from across the country.' Indeed, the 10-day event has attracted national figures. Prime Minister Mark Carney made appearances at private events and a fundraiser Saturday, while Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre hosted his own gathering over the weekend. Poilievre is currently running in a byelection in Battle River–Crowfoot after losing his Ottawa-area seat in the spring. Municipal candidates have also used the Stampede as a launchpad. Ward 1 Councillor Sonya Sharp, now running for mayor under the 'Communities First' banner, said voters are ready for substance. 'The conversations seem to be more about vision, about your plan, your platform,' she councillors Jeff Davison and Jeromy Farkas, both returning contenders from the 2021 race, echoed the sentiment. 'It's being on a listening tour,' Davison said. 'They care about community safety, they care about affordability, they care about infrastructure.'Farkas added: 'It's election season. You have a lot of politicians out making stump speeches and glad-handing. But at the heart of it is community.' Brian Thiessen, a first-time mayoral candidate with the Calgary Party, has taken a bold approach, erecting more than 6,000 signs around the city to boost name recognition. 'Ninety per cent of people have formed their opinion about some of my opponents, but for me, I'm new,' he said. 'The signs are about them seeing us, and the in-person meetings are a chance for me to tell them what we're about.' Mayor Jyoti Gondek, who is widely expected to seek re-election but hasn't formally declared, has been making the rounds despite a hoarse voice from days of public events. 'When I talk to Calgarians, they're proud to be volunteering and proud of their city, as am I,' she told reporters. Calgary prepares for its October 20 vote and many say the Stampede is less about political posturing and more about personal connection. For a few short days, the midway becomes a political meeting ground.
Time of India
08-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Stampede turns into political battleground as Canada's top leaders flood Calgary ahead of election
With Calgary's municipal election just over 100 days away, politicians from across the country are flocking to the Calgary Stampede , not just for cowboy hats and flapjacks, but for votes. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith hosted the annual Premier's Stampede Breakfast on Monday(July 7) at the McDougall Centre in downtown Calgary, joined by Ontario Premier Doug Ford and Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe. All three served breakfast to hundreds, with Ford joking, 'I'm not a professional pancake maker,' as he flipped stacks on the grill. Moe took charge of syrup duty, while Smith greeted attendees between flips. Meaningful voter engagement Mount Royal University political scientist Duane Bratt said the Stampede has become a rare platform for meaningful voter engagement. 'It's an opportunity to have face time with voters in a relaxed, comfortable environment,' he said. 'That's why it's not just politicians from Calgary or Alberta, but from across the country.' Live Events Indeed, the 10-day event has attracted national figures. Prime Minister Mark Carney made appearances at private events and a fundraiser Saturday, while Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre hosted his own gathering over the weekend. Poilievre is currently running in a byelection in Battle River–Crowfoot after losing his Ottawa-area seat in the spring. Municipal candidates have also used the Stampede as a launchpad. Ward 1 Councillor Sonya Sharp, now running for mayor under the 'Communities First' banner, said voters are ready for substance. 'The conversations seem to be more about vision, about your plan, your platform,' she said. Former councillors Jeff Davison and Jeromy Farkas, both returning contenders from the 2021 race, echoed the sentiment. 'It's being on a listening tour,' Davison said. 'They care about community safety, they care about affordability, they care about infrastructure.' Farkas added: 'It's election season. You have a lot of politicians out making stump speeches and glad-handing. But at the heart of it is community.' Brian Thiessen, a first-time mayoral candidate with the Calgary Party , has taken a bold approach, erecting more than 6,000 signs around the city to boost name recognition. 'Ninety per cent of people have formed their opinion about some of my opponents, but for me, I'm new,' he said. 'The signs are about them seeing us, and the in-person meetings are a chance for me to tell them what we're about.' Mayor Jyoti Gondek , who is widely expected to seek re-election but hasn't formally declared, has been making the rounds despite a hoarse voice from days of public events. 'When I talk to Calgarians, they're proud to be volunteering and proud of their city, as am I,' she told reporters. Calgary prepares for its October 20 vote and many say the Stampede is less about political posturing and more about personal connection. For a few short days, the midway becomes a political meeting ground.
Calgary Herald
26-06-2025
- Politics
- Calgary Herald
Council debate over 'core' civic responsibilities turns testy
A lengthy debate over what city council should or should not be focusing on ate up a big chunk of a council meeting Tuesday, prompted by a notice of motion that called for the city to more effectively outline its core responsibilities. Article content Councillors representing the Communities First political party, including Sonya Sharp, Andre Chabot, Terry Wong and Dan McLean, brought forward the motion. It sought for the city to better clarify the responsibilities of the three orders of government and to include a line in its reports to council stating whether or not the report's contents are a municipal, provincial, federal or shared responsibility. Article content Article content Article content According to Sharp, the motion was motivated by the city's — and council's — tendency to focus on policies that should typically fall under provincial or federal jurisdiction. She cited last year's single-use items bylaw, a proposal to cancel Canada Day fireworks in 2021 and the declaration of a climate emergency shortly after council took office in 2021 as examples. Article content Article content 'We talk a lot about responsibility being downloaded and we talk a lot about paying for things that aren't in our mandate,' Sharp said. Article content 'We need to know what our job is and what it isn't.' Article content The proposal generated some finger-pointing and traded barbs between councillors, before it ultimately passed 8-6. Article content However, by the end of the discussion, the notice of motion was amended to the point where the movers no longer supported it. All four Communities First colleagues voted against it, alongside councillors Sean Chu and Jennifer Wyness. Article content Article content Early into the debate, Ward 14 Coun. Peter Demong asked if the motion was akin to adding another layer of red tape to the city's reporting procedures. He also asked how exactly the city defines its core responsibilities. Article content The city's solicitor, Jill Floen, answered that the Municipal Government Act (MGA) outlines what municipalities are legally obligated to perform, but does not define what constitutes a core civic service. Article content Everything the city does is either necessary under the MGA, or is something council has deemed desirable, according to Floen. But she added there's no 'clear defined list' of what municipalities are responsible for. That's up to council's discretion, as democratically elected officials, to interpret.
Global News
19-06-2025
- Politics
- Global News
Calgary community explores restrictive covenants as citywide rezoning hits campaign trail
The majority of candidates vying to be Calgary's next mayor are vowing to repeal citywide rezoning, as another neighbourhood explores restrictive covenants as an option to block development spurred by the policy. A restrictive covenant is a legally binding agreement on a property title that limits how a property is used or developed, even after it is sold to a new owner. Restrictive covenants are frequently used by municipalities, developers, and landowners to ensure land is developed in a manner that maintains or enhances the value of neighbouring properties, according to Alberta Municipalities. 1:54 Glenora restrictive covenant creates headache for Edmonton homeowner Former city councillor Jeromy Farkas, running for mayor a second time, unveiled his housing platform Wednesday. Story continues below advertisement The 25-point plan includes the creation of a renter support office, the streamlined approval for family-oriented housing, protection for park space and prioritizes transit-oriented development. The first policy point is to 'repeal and replace blanket rezoning,' with a more targeted community strategy that 'supports gentle density' while building a more affordable homes. 'It's very clear that this blanket rezoning, all-size-fits-all approach hasn't worked. It hasn't been able to build the homes at the scale or the speed or the price point that's needed,' Farkas told Global News. 'We think that we can get more homes built more cost effectively and faster with that targeted approach.' Farkas becomes the latest mayoral candidate to promise scrapping the citywide rezoning policy along with Communities First candidate and Ward 1 Coun. Sonya Sharp and former city councillor Jeff Davison. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy 'We have to rebuild trust with the public and we've got to repeal that bylaw,' Davison told Global News. 'We've got to work with all stakeholders to say, 'What's the plan? What do we want as a housing initiative going forward for Calgary and what works for Calgarians?'' Farkas' promise to repeal citywide rezoning prompted a response from Ward 8 Coun. Courtney Walcott, who is not running for re-election. 'Seeing prominent candidates and parties retreat to policies of exclusionary zoning, discrimination, and economic segregation under the guise of 'progress' and 'compassion' is painful,' Walcott wrote on social media. Story continues below advertisement 'Have some courage, it might just inspire people.' Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "Have some courage, it might just inspire people." Calgary city council voted in favour of a bylaw to change the city's default residential zoning last year, which amended the land-use bylaw to allow a variety of housing types including single-detached, semi-detached, duplexes and rowhouses on a single property. The move followed a record public hearing at city hall in which the majority of speakers opposed the policy change. 1:50 Fight over Calgary zoning changes heads to court Experts suggest it's those frustrated Calgarians that candidates against citywide rezoning are trying to tap into. 'Those folks are motivated, they're going to donate, they're going to volunteer, they are going to come out and vote, and it may be that in some places, this is an issue that really gets voters out,' said Lori Williams, an associate professor of policy studies at Mount-Royal University. Story continues below advertisement 'It's also tricky when you're a mayoral candidate, because you've got to appeal to people throughout the city.' That frustration is coming to a head in the southwest community of Lakeview, where a group of residents is pushing to have neighbours sign restrictive covenants on their properties. According to Keith Marlowe with the Lakeview Restrictive Covenant Initiative, the effort was spurred by city council's decision and three recent developments in the area. 'I think that's what is getting people's backs up. The community was very strong that they didn't want upzoning and that was seemingly ignored for whatever reason by city council,' Marlowe said. Marlowe said the restrictive covenant would remain on a property's title for 75 years. 'We're all voluntarily agreeing to put certain restrictions on our own ability to develop our property in the hopes that it helps our neighbours as well,' he said. When asked about Lakeview's push for restrictive covenants on Tuesday, Calgary Mayor Jyoti Gondek said property owners can do what they want with their own properties. 'Anytime there's an individual that's interested in doing something with their private property, it's something that's up to that individual,' Gondek said. 'Individuals are able to do what they choose with their properties as long as it abides with any given bylaw and within the rules of the law.' Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "Individuals are able to do what they choose with their properties as long as it abides with any given bylaw and within the rules of the law." Story continues below advertisement 2:22 Calgary's city-wide rezoning proposal: what does RC-G look like? According to the city, citywide rezoning has 'significantly increased the diversity and supply of housing options in Calgary.' City data shows 271 applications were submitted for new homes in established communities in the first quarter of 2025, a 59-per cent increase over the same time period last year. Thirty-one per cent of those applications were rowhouses and townhomes, a 163-per cent increase from the same quarter in 2024. A city briefing note into the matter also suggests citywide rezoning enabled nearly half or 45 per cent of all new low-density housing development permits in established neighbourhoods. Calgary's next municipal election is on Oct. 20.
