Mayor Nenshi on protests outside City Hall

What makes this country work is the fact we can live together and disagree on things respectfully. People must be allowed the freedom of expression, but there is no place in our community for violence as we exercise our freedoms.

We all must condemn violence.

The Calgary Police Service will investigate every allegation of physical violence and appropriate charges will be laid should the evidence support it. They ask that those who believe they were assaulted at this event, contact them by calling 403-266-1234.

- Mayor Naheed Nenshi

Mayor Nenshi's gift disclosure: January - June 2014

In 2013, Mayor Nenshi and Council agreed to a new ethics policy that includes the disclosure of gifts and benefits to members of Council (including event tickets and hosting given to their staff).

Starting July 1, 2013, members of Council must disclose their gifts (physical gifts, event tickets, honoraria, donations, or event hosting) semi-annually. Although the policy states that this only applies to gifts over $150, Mayor Nenshi has chosen to disclose all gifts he receives.

Download and view the gift and benefits disclosure list for January - June 2014.

Mayor's Office meeting register: April - June 2014

Since Mayor Naheed Nenshi was first elected, he has published monthly lists of meetings he's taken in his office. This was a voluntary action in the absence of a formal policy. In July 2013, at his urging, Council agreed to publish quarterly lists of meetings held with members of the public (IE: not City of Calgary employees) in the offices of the mayor and councillors. This is the list of meetings for the second quarter of 2014.

Click here to view a list of meetings with Mayor Nenshi.

Click here to view a list of meetings with Mayor Nenshi's staff.

The details of the new disclosure policy can be found in the Ethical Conduct Policy for Members of Council. Here is the specific quote related to disclosing meetings:

All visitors shall be encouraged to sign a form with appropriate language allowing release of their names as per Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy legislation. Members of Council and their staff shall disclose a list of those external visitors to The City (excluding Media), with whom they have met in their offices quarterly.

Moving forward: more than a year after the 2013 flood

High water season in Calgary ends tomorrow (July 15). As Mayor Nenshi explains, throughout the past several months The City worked diligently to manage and prepare for short-term risk while simultaneously managing long-term risk.

We had a chance to reflect on the tough times and also celebrate how the community came together during the 2013 flood; however, our work is not done.

Individual preparedness and staying informed are important ways to stay safe. Stay connected with us via our social media channels, apps and website - make sure you know what's happening, so you know what to do.

Find more information at calgary.ca/floodinfo.

(Cross-posted from the Calgary City News Blog)

Happy Stampede!

Happy Stampede!

Just finished one of my favourite parts of being mayor: riding a horse in the Stampede Parade. Here's my annual picture from atop Garfield (he's been my trusty steed for the last four years). I hope you get a chance to enjoy this amazing city-wide festival with friends and family and the many, many visitors who come from around the world! Of course, there's so much to do with the official Calgary Stampede, but I encourage you to track down your local community pancake breakfast or barbecue and enjoy some western hospitality with your neighbours. I'm looking forward to visiting as many as I can in every corner of Calgary--hopefully I'll see you around as we celebrate what makes this city great.

And, oh yeah: YAHOO!

- Mayor Naheed Nenshi