An audience members sits with their mayoral candidate election guide, designed by The Sprawl, during the mayoral candidate forum. PHOTO: AVA FREE
Mayoral candidates participated in a forum on the future of Calgary’s neighbourhoods and city on Wednesday at the Calgary Public Library. The forum, titled “Good Neighbours, Good Discussion,” was hosted alongside Bow Valley College, provided candidates an opportunity to talk about their campaigns.
Eight out of the nine candidates for mayor were in attendance. Independent candidates Jeff Davison, Sarah Elder, Jeromy Farkas, Jyoti Gondek, Jaeger Gustafson and Grant Prior, Communities First candidate Sonya Sharp and The Calgary Party’s Brian Thiessen.
“The library’s role for Calgarians is to support the democratic process, freedom of expression and informed discussion on political issues,” said Steven Dohlman, events and partnerships lead at the Calgary Public Library, during his opening remarks.
Eight mayoral candidates gathered at Calgary’s central public library in partnership with Bow Valley Collage on Oct. 1 for a public forum. Candidates will continue their campaigning until election night on Oct. 20. PHOTO: AVA FREE
Moderated by Mount Royal University political science associate professor Lori Williams and local journalist and editor of The Sprawl Jeremy Klaszus, the forum spanned two hours including introductions, questions from both the moderators and rebuttals from candidates.
Williams said she was pleased to see the level of debate and rebuttal amongst the contenders.
“I thought some of the questions and points made by candidates that aren’t often invited to forums were quite challenging. They focused on issues I think a lot of people have questions about and [therefore] forced other candidates to address them,” she said.
Candidates were asked about key topics such as public safety, infrastructure and housing, blanket rezoning, the green line and their experience in leadership.
The discussion
Candidates presented differing positions on increased law enforcement, banning open drug use and transparency in council , but ultimately agreed that blanket rezoning policies need to be reconsidered.
Following their introductions, candidates were presented with direct questions about issues, policies and courses of action they might address if they are elected.
A respectful exchange ensued across all eight contenders with some contentious discussion.
Mayoral candidates Jyoti Gondek and Brian Thiessen smile during the question and answer period of a public forum held at Calgary’s central public library on Oct. 1. PHOT0: AVA FREE
Prior criticized Sharp and Thiessen for their decision to affiliate with a political party while several candidates questioned Farkas about his position on policies he’s previously opposed.
“It’s very clear that they see Farkas as somebody they’ve got to take down if they want to rise up in the standings.”
Lori Williams
Farkas held a spot on council from 2017 to 2021 alongside Davison and Gondek.
Near the end of the night Williams questioned candidates on their ability and willingness to collaborate with a council, despite differing views or agendas.
“Tell me what you’ve done in your experience and where have you succeeded in reaching across divisions. Finding compromises is absolutely necessary on city council,” she said, emphasizing that strong leadership is imperative.
Young adults and politics
The crowd’s demographic was significantly older, young people weren’t very present. Williams said although she isn’t surprised, young people should care about and engage with this election.
“One of the most divisive issues in this campaign, housing, affects young people differently than older people. There is a huge opportunity for them to make a difference and signal what they want to see in terms of policy.”
By attending events such as public debate, individuals have the chance to ask direct questions.
“If enough people get together and ask very specific, focused questions about housing policies and how it will help people who can’t get into the market, I think that would be quite effective for real impact.”
Audience input
Audience member Michael Doerksan said forums like these help the public put a face to the candidate’s names.
“It adds something that reading their material online doesn’t,” he said.
“The non-contenders were witty and the contenders were respectful.”
Jyoti Gondek engages with an audience member after a mayoral candidate forum at the Central Public Library. The incumbent is running for a second term as Calgary’s first female mayor. PHOTO: AVA FREE.
Pat Guillemaud, a Calgary resident of 51 years and member of the Ward 6 Westgate community, attended the forum based on her dissatisfaction with the previous terms’ council.
“In my opinion, the council we’ve had the last four years didn’t listen to the community… a lot of trust was broken.”
Guillemaud’s concern relates to re-zoning and transparency, both of which were addressed during the forum.
Advance voting runs from Oct. 6-11. Election day is Oct. 20. To find out more about the election visit www.electionscalgary.ca/home.
Ava Free is passionate about documentary-style, photo and investigative journalism as well as creative writing. In her fourth year of journalism and digital media, Free enjoys challenging herself with...
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