Latest news with #Gondek
Calgary Herald
11 hours ago
- Politics
- Calgary Herald
G7 white hatter ceremonies casualties of security climate
Delegates to the upcoming G7 will receive Calgary's trademark white hat, but it'll be done unceremoniously. Article content Rising security concerns tied to a volatile geopolitical climate mean VIP visitors who arrive in Calgary en route to Kananaskis won't be welcomed with the usual white hatter ceremony, Mayor Jyoti Gondek said Monday. Article content Article content 'This is a tradition we hold close to our hearts, and it's a way of sharing Calgary's western hospitality and Stampede spirit,' Gondek told reporters. Article content Article content 'But we have to respect that security considerations today are very different from the last time we hosted the summit in 2002 . . . there's been a lot of nostalgia about what we were able to do in 2002.' Article content Article content Instead, delegates will be given a white Smithbilt hat minus the usual formal ceremony — along with a gift bag containing soap, chocolate, coffee, beef jerky and glassware that's been subject to security protocols, she said. Article content That ceremony typically includes the recipient repeating a pledge to spread that hospitality — while being fitted with the Calgary-made cowboy hat. Article content Recipients have included the Dalai Lama, Bob Hope, Marilyn Monroe, Oprah Winfrey, Queen Elizabeth II, George W. Bush, Luciano Pavarotti, Bob Dylan and Ozzy Osbourne. Article content Article content 'It's really important to practise diplomacy, so every delegate will be treated with equal respect,' said the mayor. Article content Article content The number of guests accepting invitations to the summit has remained in flux, with non-G7 leaders such as Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum being recently added to the list. Article content Gondek reiterated that the G7, despite its tight security, will showcase Calgary's hospitality, business acumen and beauty to a world audience. Article content 'The eyes of the world are on Calgary,' she said, noting 1,400 journalists from around the globe are expected to attend. Article content 'This is Calgary's moment to lead and to welcome with both confidence and care.' Article content
Yahoo
11 hours ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
G7 white hatter ceremonies casualties of security climate
Delegates to the upcoming G7 will receive Calgary's trademark white hat, but it'll be done unceremoniously. Rising security concerns tied to a volatile geopolitical climate mean VIP visitors who arrive in Calgary en route to Kananaskis won't be welcomed with the usual white hatter ceremony, Mayor Jyoti Gondek said Monday. 'This is a tradition we hold close to our hearts, and it's a way of sharing Calgary's western hospitality and Stampede spirit,' Gondek told reporters. 'But we have to respect that security considerations today are very different from the last time we hosted the summit in 2002 . . . there's been a lot of nostalgia about what we were able to do in 2002.' Instead, delegates will be given a white Smithbilt hat minus the usual formal ceremony — along with a gift bag containing soap, chocolate, coffee, beef jerky and glassware that's been subject to security protocols, she said. 'Don't want to antagonize': G7 protesters vow restraint, question if police will follow suit More security measures taking effect around Kananaskis as Canada prepares to host G7 That ceremony typically includes the recipient repeating a pledge to spread that hospitality — while being fitted with the Calgary-made cowboy hat. Recipients have included the Dalai Lama, Bob Hope, Marilyn Monroe, Oprah Winfrey, Queen Elizabeth II, George W. Bush, Luciano Pavarotti, Bob Dylan and Ozzy Osbourne. When asked if U.S. President Donald Trump — a convicted felon who has threatened Canada's sovereignty — will also receive a white hat, Gondek said the city won't discriminate. 'It's really important to practise diplomacy, so every delegate will be treated with equal respect,' said the mayor. She said it's not yet certain how many of the 2,000 delegates who will arrive for the political summit will receive white hats and gift bags. The number of guests accepting invitations to the summit has remained in flux, with non-G7 leaders such as Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum being recently added to the list. Gondek reiterated that the G7, despite its tight security, will showcase Calgary's hospitality, business acumen and beauty to a world audience. 'The eyes of the world are on Calgary,' she said, noting 1,400 journalists from around the globe are expected to attend. 'This is Calgary's moment to lead and to welcome with both confidence and care.' The annual event is expected to boost Calgary's economy to the tune of $190 million, with 10,000 hotel room bookings resulting from it. BKaufmann@ X: @BillKaufmannjrn
Calgary Herald
5 days ago
- General
- Calgary Herald
City Hall hosts students for sustainability showcases at 36th Mayor's Environment Expo
City Hall showcased student-led sustainability initiatives that aim to preserve and maintain Calgary's environmental future with the return of the 36th Mayor's Environment Expo. Article content The Mayor's Environment Expo runs from June 2 to 5, and serves as a platform for students to connect with professionals, host exhibits, and attend workshops centred around conserving and protecting Calgary's natural environment. Article content Article content Article content This year, more than 38 exhibits, 16 virtual workshops, and 100 in-person sessions were offered to students. For 36 years, the expo served as a way to help promote Calgarian youth to learn and promote sustainable practices for the city's future. Article content Mayor Jyoti Gondek said that it is amazing to see the expo grow, adding that remarkable students are always in attendance each year. Article content 'There's a lot of good work happening here and these kids are super focused on protecting the planet, making sure future generations have an amazing life,' Gondek said. Article content Calgary schools play a major role in each year's success, with additional support from collaboration from EcoSchools Canada and the Alberta Council for Environmental Education. Since 2005, their framework has provided independent reporting and recognition to schools and environmental education centres. Article content Article content Teacher of Apostles of Jesus School, Kelly Craigue, said the Mayor's Environment Expo provides an incredible opportunity for students to apply their knowledge in an impactful way. Article content 'It was inspiring to see them connect with like-minded individuals who share a passion for caring about the environment,' Craigue said. 'The diverse selection of presentations ensured there was something to engage every student, making it easy to find programs that matched their interests.' Article content A few notable projects included an aquaponics system showcased by Ranchlands School, a pollinator garden with a planting of the '3 sisters' for a fall harvest by Apostles of Jesus School, and Robert Thirsk School teaching 90 students each semester on the importance of sustainable food production. Article content 'All of these students are very interested in doing what they can to preserve their environment and make an impact on the world,' Gondek said. 'The ideas they have are worth listening to. If I can get out to chat with all or at least some of them, it's a great opportunity for me to connect and understand what they're working on.' Article content
Calgary Herald
29-05-2025
- Health
- Calgary Herald
Calgary breaks ground on first-ever park for seniors with dementia in Canada
Calgary Parks Foundation broke ground Thursday in southeast Calgary on plans to build Canada's first-ever dementia inclusive park. Article content Article content The project has been in the works for four years, according to Sheila Taylor, foundation CEO, with plans to come to fruition by summer of 2026. Article content It all began with a question asked to Taylor by a then-member of the foundation, Sarah Salus. Article content Article content 'She asked, why are there no parks for people with dementia?' Taylor said, in her remarks at the ceremony, on the green plot outside the Great Forest Lawn 55+ Society centre in the community of Dover, where the park will be constructed. Article content Article content 'And the second question. Could we ever build one?' she continued. Article content 'I said, I don't know but we could try.' Article content The idea for the park received an overwhelming enthusiasm from the community, consultants, researchers, politicians — Calgary Mayor Jyoti Gondek said this was a project that was a 'deeply personal' one for her. Article content 'Many of you know I share a home with my mother and after my dad unexpectedly passed away in 2023, I became her primary companion. And she very openly shares with me her experiences with aging,' Gondek said. Article content While her mother does not live with dementia, she has been vocal about her worries of losing her cognitive abilities as she gets older, Gondek said. 'That's hard to watch and even harder to experience.' Article content Article content The area was chosen in part for its proximity to Bethany Riverview, a highly-specialized dementia care centre. Article content Designs for the park cater specifically to those living with dementia and includes a range of safety and sensory features to support it, according to Taylor. Article content 'You're going to be able to hold on as you're walking around and everything will be really colour-coded so people can really feel like they know where they're going,' Taylor said. 'Extra seating for people with dementia, but also their caregivers. Lots of space for programming. There'll be features in the park that are very beautiful and that will inspire memories but also the senses.' Article content The walkways through the park will shaped in loops, she added, to ensure a therapeutic experience for those living with Alzheimer's. Article content This will be the first of Calgary's over 1,000 parks that cater specifically to seniors, she added. 'At the Parks Foundation, we always have an eye for innovation. We're always looking for ideas that have never been done or a creative take on a project.'
Calgary Herald
26-05-2025
- Calgary Herald
Calgary mayor touts artificial intelligence to improve road safety
Calgary city council will discuss using artificial intelligence to decide where to install road safety measures, including stop controls, crosswalks and curb extensions, by supplying the technology with driver patterns, citizen feedback and information about collisions between vehicles and pedestrians. Article content Article content The update came in an announcement by Mayor Jyoti Gondek, who proposed an amendment to the city's safer mobility plan, slated to be discussed at council on Tuesday. Article content Article content The news conference was held at the intersection of Rundlehorn Drive N.E. and 26 Avenue, where a 17-year-old girl died after being struck and pinned by a vehicle in January. At the time, the city was criticized for letting safety concerns in the area go unaddressed. Article content Article content From infrequent photo radar checks — which have now been phased out by the province on provincial highways and certain roads — to a lack of action on requests to install speed bumps, residents cited several complaints with the city's approach to road safety. Article content Gondek said such complaints will get an ear from the city and along with using artificial intelligence to predict such collisions, will be seriously considered while the city decides where to direct its efforts to make roads safer. Article content Article content Article content 'Calgary's warrant system is reactive and we can do better,' Gondek said, making reference to the tools used by the city to determine where traffic control devices are installed. Article content 'By upgrading this system with tools like predictive modelling supported by AI, and real-time community input, we can shift from reactive to preventative. … Calgarians deserve a city that uses the best available data to protect lives — and the political will to act on it.' Article content According to the City's Safer Mobility Plan report, 29 people were killed in traffic collisions in 2024, including 13 pedestrians — the highest number of fatalities in over a decade. Article content 'These are not just numbers — these are lives cut short, families shattered, and communities grieving,' said Gondek. 'Calgary must do more to make our streets safer for pedestrians. We must act, and we must act now.'
