Five contenders vying for the position of mayor in Calgary’s upcoming municipal election engaged in a spirited and occasionally confrontational debate on Thursday. The discussion revolved around key issues such as crime, urban expansion, zoning regulations, and more.
Recent surveys have indicated a highly competitive race, with Jeff Davison, Jeromy Farkas, Jyoti Gondek, Sonya Sharp, and Brian Thiessen emerging as the top five candidates. However, a considerable portion of the electorate remains undecided, among the nine individuals competing for the mayoral seat.
As the election day approaches on Monday, the candidates are racing against time to attract Calgarians to their respective campaigns. The debate held on Thursday presented one of the final opportunities for them to sway a significant number of voters.
The candidates tackled various topics that are of paramount importance to Calgarians, including public safety, blanket rezoning, urban growth management, and more. The debate was moderated by Loren McGinnis from The Calgary Eyeopener, hosted by CBC Calgary at the Red and White Club in McMahon Stadium.
Improving public safety and curbing crime have emerged as pivotal concerns for voters during this election cycle. The decline in Calgary’s crime severity index and a substantial proportion of police officers on leave or accommodation have heightened the urgency of addressing these issues.
Sharp, a former Ward 1 councillor representing the Communities First party, secured an endorsement from the police union. She pledged to recruit an additional 500 police officers, emphasizing the paramount importance of public safety over financial considerations.
In contrast, Thiessen, a former police commission chair running with The Calgary Party, contested the feasibility and cost of hiring 500 officers, highlighting that the police force did not specifically request such an increase.
Davison, an independent candidate endorsed by A Better Calgary Party, criticized the city’s approach to public safety, advocating for a task force and federal cooperation on bail reform. Gondek proposed banning open drug use as a compassionate response to a pressing issue.
When discussing urban growth management, the candidates grappled with the challenges posed by Calgary’s burgeoning population, approaching the two million mark. Gondek attributed the rapid growth partly to the “Alberta is Calling” campaign, underscoring the strain on infrastructure due to inadequate funding.
Davison criticized the city’s handling of growth issues, advocating for a four-year tax freeze to alleviate financial burdens on residents. Thiessen cautioned against oversimplifying the tax freeze proposal, citing unforeseen emergencies that necessitate financial resources.
The debate also delved into the controversial topic of blanket rezoning, with candidates divided on the city’s policy allowing townhomes and row houses in residential areas without rezoning procedures. The majority of front-runners vowed to amend or repeal the policy to address community concerns.
Leadership dynamics within the council and relations with the provincial government emerged as additional points of contention among the candidates. Sharp emphasized the importance of productive collaboration with the government, contrasting with Thiessen’s critical stance towards the current administration.
As the candidates outlined their visions for Calgary’s future, the mayoral election slated for October 20 is poised to shape the city’s trajectory in addressing critical issues and fostering community growth.