A born-and-raised Calgarian with a deep-rooted belief in the city’s world-class potential, Jeff Davison’s second run for Calgary’s top job focuses on four key priorities: economic growth, affordability, public safety, and infrastructure.
Currently, Davison serves as CEO of the Calgary Prostate Cancer Centre and sits on both the Board of Governors and the Senate at the University of Calgary, his alma mater.
His past leadership experience includes board roles at the Calgary Municipal Land Corporation, Calgary Economic Development, and the Opportunity Calgary Investment Fund (OCIF).
From 2017 to 2021, he served on Calgary City Council, where he played a key role in co-developing the City of Calgary’s economic strategy and the $200 million downtown recovery plan.
Now, as a 2025 mayoral candidate and a father of three, Davison is focused on taking action to create a better future for Calgary’s residents and youth.
The Calgary Journal caught up with Davision as part of our coverage of the civic election.
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7 Questions with Jeff Davison
*This transcript has been edited for length and clarity*
Why are you running for mayor?
I think in the last four years as a former city councillor, the city’s gotten off track, and I believe fully in building a safe and affordable city of opportunity for everyone; that’s my whole goal as mayor. We’re going to have to address things like public safety, infrastructure, and affordability. But at the end of the day, we have one goal: let people be successful, and we need to get government out of the way to do that.
What are the most pressing issues for you as a mayoral candidate?
The biggest issue we hear in door knocking or just talking to Calgarians is really around public safety. You know, our seniors don’t feel safe downtown, and our young people don’t want to ride transit. People in general are just seeing social disorder in their own communities now. So that’s a big issue. Infrastructure is a big issue that’s going on in the city. Obviously, when the water stops working and the roads have fallen, 40% of which into disrepair, we’ve got some big tasks ahead of us in managing how just basic infrastructure meets growth. Then affordability is really the biggest key, and for me, that’s all about a four-year tax freeze. Now running a provincial health charity, as I do, we need to figure out how we do more for less, because in the general sense of everything, life isn’t getting any cheaper. Costs are continually going up, whether that’s for students or seniors or just generally, you know, everybody. So we need to do better as a city to deliver all of these services, but we’re going to have to learn to do that with a bit less.
What are your plans to solve some of Calgary’s issues around public safety?
I’ve always proposed the idea of a task force. I think every jurisdiction in North America is going through significant social disorder, and we’re just seeing it everywhere. I think what we need to do is come together as the three orders of government. We need to bring our policing agencies together, as well as bring around all those community services that we have out there, and agree that we have a similar problem, and then further agree on what each of our roles is in solving that problem. I think Calgary, unlike other jurisdictions, can help lead North America out of this challenge, and I don’t think we should sit around waiting for the phone to ring with answers. I think we have to start pivoting now.
I’m 25 years old. What did you think a big city mayor did when you were my age?
I think it’s about running an efficient city. I think it’s about being a figurehead for the city and really championing opportunity in our city. When I talk to young people, you know, let’s be clear, young people aren’t leaving because taxes are cheaper in other places. They’re leaving because other cities are more vibrant, or the opportunities they’re seeking are there. You know, I’m now a board governor with the University of Calgary. You know, I tried to make this whole campaign about keeping young people in Calgary, and to do that, we’re going to need to set up an economic environment that really brings in the jobs that young people are looking for. I think our biggest detriment will be if we let young people leave. That’s all of that brainpower that could be the next generation of smart people in our city. They’re leaving, and they’re not leaving again because other jurisdictions are cheaper; they’re leaving because opportunities look different, and the vibrancy in other cities is outpacing Calgary.
We’re a rapidly expanding city right now with a lot of potential. How do you want to see the city prosper?
I think over the next four years, it’s really getting back to basics. It’s about investing in our core infrastructure and services that we need to be in. I think as a city, you know, we can’t—we’ve seen the City Council say things like, “Well, we’re in an affordability crisis,” and then continue to raise taxes for people. Like, you can’t talk out of both sides of your mouth. So, for me, if we are in a true affordability crisis, which I believe we are, what are we doing as a city to make life more affordable for people? And give people more predictability in what their cost is going to be over the next few years. And so by getting back to basics, we will really lay the foundation of Calgary’s growth over the next 10 to 20 years.
You were born and raised in Calgary. I’m curious to know what makes this place so special for you?
I think it’s the place of opportunity. Honestly, I think Calgary is the place where it didn’t matter if you came from Saskatchewan or Saudi Arabia; people came here for opportunity, and I think they still come here for opportunity. When 70,000 people are moving to our city every year, it tells you Calgary’s got a lot of good things going for it, and that’s why I continue to say the vision for Calgary is really just to create a safe, affordable place of opportunity for everybody. I think you know, having been born and raised here, it’s been incredible to watch the city grow, and one of the greatest things is seeing the diversity of our city. I think that is truly one of our greatest attributes as a world-class city now.
When you’re not running for mayor, what do you do in your downtime?
A lot of it is, I’ve got three kids between the ages of 16 and 10, there’s a big gap there. So I do a lot of driving in my spare time, chauffeuring to different things that they’re involved with, but that’s what being a dad is all about.
Watch video of Calgary Journal reporter Riley Fonger speaking with Jeff Davison.
