Calgary mayoral hopefuls clash over crime, costs, and Alberta independence
Calgary’s leading mayoral candidates exchanged heated words Wednesday night during a Chamber of Commerce forum, clashing over public safety, city spending, and Alberta’s political future.
Calgary’s leading mayoral candidates exchanged heated words Wednesday night during a Chamber of Commerce forum, clashing over public safety, city spending, and Alberta’s political future, with sharp attacks on Premier Danielle Smith, warnings of separatism, and demands for stronger local leadership.
Public safety dominated the evening, with councillor Sonya Sharp touting her plan to hire 500 new police officers and open a 24/7 downtown station — a proposal endorsed by the Calgary Police Association.
“If you don’t have a safe city, you have nothing,” said Sharp. “People won’t move here; people will leave here.”
Mayor Jyoti Gondek defended her record, citing the city’s integrated response model and a new bylaw banning open drug use.
“We will not make open drug use something that is normalized,” she said. “We are banning it,” said Gondek, adding that offenders will be referred to community court to access supports for homelessness, mental health struggles, or addictions.
Former councillor Jeromy Farkas said his “Built for Belonging” plan would combine enforcement with compassion, addressing the root causes of crime while increasing police visibility.
“This isn’t a policing issue alone,” said Farkas, citing 50 to 200 individuals responsible for the “vast majority” of repeat violent offences. “We need to crack down on those individuals through sentencing and bail reforms.”
Former councillor Jeff Davison accused the current council of inaction.
“Do you feel safer today than you felt four years ago?” he asked the audience. He said that Calgarians have demanded safer transit, new police officers, and cleaner streets for four years.
“How come it’s only an election year that we suddenly have plans?”
Lawyer Brian Thiessen, chair of the Calgary Police Commission, proposed a Housing First model, citing Finland as an example. He also suggested 24/7 integrated mental-health units to reduce strain on police.
“You cannot police your way out of these issues,” he said, citing police organizations from his time with the commission.
The debate grew more political as candidates discussed Calgary’s relationship with the provincial government. Thiessen attacked Premier Danielle Smith.
“Our autonomy is under attack from a premier who treats Calgary like her personal ATM,” said Thiessen, citing Smith’s arena deal, Green Line revisions, and reduced photo radar revenues.
Farkas warned against political polarization, pledging to keep partisan politics out of City Hall. He also opposed rhetoric around Alberta separatism, framing Calgary as a key part of “Team Canada.”
“I hear from businesses every single day who talk about the lack of certainty from the regulatory environment in terms of a lot of the talk and the rhetoric around Alberta separatism. I’m seeking a mandate to very strongly push back against that, to lean in in a leadership role as part of Team Canada,” he said.
Immigration and population growth were also concerns tied to housing and workforce shortages.
Farkas highlighted Calgary’s diversity, noting that “a third of Calgarians today weren’t born in North America.” He called this a strength due to Calgarians’ youth and education.
Thiessen argued that Calgary could attract skilled workers priced out of the U.S. market, suggesting Canada accept immigrants on the H1B visa, which the U.S. recently opposed. He called for more support for newcomers.
He contrasted Calgary’s aging water system with Edmonton’s independent utility, noting Calgary loses 22 per cent of treated water versus Edmonton’s five. He called for a city-owned water utility to modernize infrastructure.
Sharp proposed an Infrastructure Planning Office to coordinate projects with business and industry. Davison said Calgary’s housing backlog was “self-inflicted” due to permitting delays, while Gondek pointed to reinvestment in transit and water mains under her leadership.
On small business and taxation, candidates agreed that red tape and high costs were hindering growth, but differed on solutions. Farkas advocated a zero-based budget review and mandatory permitting deadlines, while Sharp called for reviving the Business and Local Economy team to restore “one-window” service for entrepreneurs.
Davison promised a four-year tax freeze, arguing “small business is the largest employer in our city” and that the city must “partner with industry, not burden it.” Gondek defended her record of reducing red tape, saying businesses should not pay “five dollars for every dollar residential taxpayers pay.”
The forum closed with contrasting appeals. Davison framed the election as a choice about “trust and leadership.” Sharp promised “real change” and stronger control of City Hall administration. Thiessen cast himself as an independent reformer who would “fight for Calgary” without partisan loyalty.
Gondek urged voters to reject “empty rhetoric,” while Farkas—acknowledging past mistakes—said he sought to “serve with humility” and keep political parties out of City Hall.
Calgarians head to the polls Oct. 20, with advance voting underway.