Mayor Nenshi on This Hour Has 22 Minutes

On March 24, 2014, Mayor Nenshi did an interview with CBC comedy program This Hour Has 22 Minutes. There was a lot going on in politics that week--and he and Mark Critch covered a lot of it... in a rather funny way.

Shock and sadness at the passing of Jon Lord

I was shocked and saddened to hear of the sudden passing of Jon Lord.

Jon was a community-builder in the truest sense of the word. His legacy—in Alberta, Calgary, and especially Marda Loop—cannot be overstated. As a business owner, alderman, and MLA, he was a tireless advocate on many issues, often as an innovator. His belief in the power of entrepreneurship led him to public service; he understood that government is there to serve its citizens and that we need people with fresh ideas at the table if we want positive change in our community.

I knew Jon well, and I was happy to get to know him better during the last two mayoral elections. In fact, I recall first learning that he would be running again for mayor in 2013, and I can honestly say that I was very pleased. Jon was the kind of person you want to debate—he presents valuable ideas and forces you to test your own. It was an honour to have him as a challenger because he pushed all of us to be better.

Jon was committed to serving the citizens of our city. He took on leadership roles because he knew it was the right thing to do. Even if you didn’t see eye to eye with him on a particular issue, the debate was always respectful. Our city has lost a champion, and far too soon. He will be greatly missed.

- Mayor Naheed Nenshi

You shared your ideas; what's next for The City budget?

From March 3 to 21, 2014, The City of Calgary Action Plan 2015-2018 asked for your input on balancing quality City services with affordable tax rates. A big 'thank you!' to the thousands of Calgarians who participated in Action Plan public engagement events, used our online tools or shared comments online or through 311.

All engagement feedback will be reviewed, and a summary of ideas and suggestions will be given to Council and City departments for consideration as Council priorities, business plans and budgets are being developed during 2014.

Watch for the public engagement summary to be announced in April and shared on Calgary.ca/actionplan in May.

Sign up for the e-newsletter to receive news, updates and information about Action Plan 2015 – 2018 throughout the year.

Next steps in Action Plan include:

• April 2014: Council uses engagement input to help set priorities for 2015 – 2018
• April – September 2014: City departments use engagement input to help develop four-year business plans and budgets
• November: 2014: Council debates and approves The City’s 2015 – 2018 business plans and budgets.

Saddened at the passing of former Alderman Barb Scott

I was very sad to hear about the passing of former Alderman Barb Scott. A member of the Order of Canada, Barb was one of Calgary’s longest-serving alderman--on Council for 24 years. She was elected to represent the citizens of Ward 8 in 1971 and was subsequently re-elected 7 times.

Her success in championing improved social conditions, better urban design, and cultural diversity helped shape many of the vibrant communities that now exist in our city. She was a pioneering urbanist and the communities she represented benefited from her vision and drive. Even after retirement, she continued building our city through acting as a citizenship judge and, in her later years, organizing community cafes in her neighbourhood.

I strongly believe that it is important we recognize great Calgarians when they are still with us, so it was an honour to name Calgary’s newest park in the Beltline ‘Barb Scott Park’. When she learned of the naming of the park, Barb said, “Achievements are only possible when many people work together toward a common aim. To have ‘Barb Scott Park’, in my mind, surpasses the Order of Canada, for while the Order dies with the member, this park will live on long after I am gone. But though this park bears my name alone, I share this honour with the residents and Council colleagues who continue to work hard on behalf of a community we care about so much.”

Although I knew of Barb and about her legacy for Calgary, I did not meet her until the 2010 municipal election. One of my happiest moments was to receive an unsolicited endorsement letter from her later in the campaign. She quickly became an important volunteer on the campaign, and her commitment to the citizens of Calgary was an important reminder that, together, we can make this city better.

Barb Scott was an inspiration to all of us. Her commitment, passion, and vision—her dedication to the citizens of Calgary—will continue to inspire us even after her passing.

I will miss her. We all will.

- Mayor Naheed Nenshi

Mayor Nenshi's statement on Premier Redford's resignation (video)

Following the resignation of Premier Alison Redford, Mayor Naheed Nenshi met with reporters to share his perspective. Here is the video of that statement:

Mayor Nenshi calls out for kids' flood-related art

As part of The City’s commemoration to the worst natural disaster in our modern history, Mayor Naheed Nenshi invites all Calgarians aged 12 and under to submit their drawings and photos to share their experiences during the 2013 flood and flood recovery.

“The flood of 2013 hit Calgary hard and we recognize some Calgarians have faced extremely difficult times this past year,” says Mayor Nenshi. “But the flood also saw our community spirit grow stronger. One of the ways we want to remember June 20, 2013 and recognize that community spirit is by calling on the children of Calgary to show us their experience of the flood through art and photography. We’ll look back while moving forward with hope and optimism.”

This artwork will be unveiled June 20, 2014, and used in a large-scale display in the Municipal Building and at various locations throughout the city and online.

How to participate
Kids across Calgary, 12 years and under, can submit a photo or drawing relating to the 2013 flood, recovery or preparedness. It should be 8.5 x 11 inches, either landscape or portrait. Submissions are accepted from March 7 until April 4, 2014 by mail, in person or by email.

Find submission details online here or call 311.

- Reposted from Calgary City News Blog

We need your input in The City's budget!

Now is your chance to let City Council know about your priorities for Calgary! 

From March 3 to 21, The City of Calgary is asking for citizen input on balancing quality city services with affordable tax rates. The City of Calgary Action Plan 2015-2018 is everyone’s chance to help shape Calgary’s future.

From roads to recreation centres, from flood response to City finances, what is important to you?

Find out about Action Plan events in your community at Calgary.ca/actionplan. This is a big conversation about a great city.

Participate online or at an event, and have your say in three different ways:

• Budget Simulator: Consider City services and make some tough choices on spending priorities based on the impacts to service that each scenario presents.

• City Priorities Tool: Tell us what are the important priorities The City should focus on for the next four years.

• Discussion Forum: An open forum where you can submit ideas, comments, thoughts on City spending, priorities, budget, or anything else. Other citizens can comment and vote on submitted ideas, or start another thread of discussion themselves.

Your opinions are an important part of Action Plan 2015-2018. A detailed summary of all ideas and suggestions will be given to Council and City departments for consideration as Council priorities, business plans, and budgets are being developed during 2014.

Plus, a summary of citizen engagement will be announced publicly in April and shared on the Action Plan website.

Take Action, It’s Your City.