2021 Municipal Election breakdown: The mayor’s race

CALGARY — Calgarians will be faced with a lot of choices when voting begins in the municipal election, as they decide on who they think would be best to lead the city.

After three terms and 11 years with Naheed Nenshi at the helm as the city’s mayor, a big change is coming and many people are vying for the opportunity to fill his purple shoes.

There’s an eye-popping 27 people running for mayor in the Calgary election, including three sitting councillors fresh off their first and only terms at city hall.

That experience and name recognition have made Jeromy Farkas, Jyoti Gondek, and Jeff Davison the front runners early on, but some other challengers are pulling up behind.

A recent poll from ThinkHQ has Ward 11 Councillor Farkas in the lead with a share of 30 per cent of decided voters leaning his way, with Ward 3 Councillor Gondek right behind at 25 per cent, then Ward 6’s Davison at six per cent.

Former Liberal MP Kent Hehr polled in fourth, but due to a positive diagnosis of COVID-19 he promptly pulled out of the running only a week after submitting his nomination papers.

But a poll from Leger and commissioned by the Calgary Firefighters Association has Gondek in the lead by several points over Farkas, with Davison, Brad Field and Jan Damery behind them.

Another major factor in all of the polls is the number of voters who remain undecided. In these polls, between 20 and 30 per cent of people are yet to make up their minds, making these early predictions anything but a foregone conclusion.

660 NEWS reached out to six of the candidates running in the race to do one-on-one interviews and gather more details about their campaigns, while information on other candidates has been collected from their respective websites.

While many differ on how to get the city back on track during tough economic times, all agree on one thing: this is the most important civic election in recent memory.

JEROMY FARKAS

The polarizing first-time councillor has made a name for himself inside city hall and in the court of public opinion, frequently being among a small number of councillors routinely voting against any and all tax increases, fighting against movements like defunding the police, and pushing for a tighter municipal budget.

While he admits it can be difficult, Farkas vows to stick to his guns if he rises to the mayor’s chair.

“I am the only candidate with a proven record. I know how city hall works, but I have proven I am not a slave to the establishment. I have actually followed through on the things that I set out to do, even if it’s been uncomfortable or at great personal cost. I have stood up on behalf of my constituents, not just when it’s been easy but also when it’s been real tough. I have put my money where my mouth is,” he said.

Farkas’ main focuses as mayor mirror much of what he advocated for as a councillor, including promising tax freezes and reeling in the local budget.

While he has only been on council for one term, he feels he has a good grasp of what it takes to be in the lead as mayor.

“The mayor has to be three things: cheerleader, coach and quarterback. But not necessarily all three things at the same time. I think a strong mayor is one who has the self-confidence to be able to give credit to the other council members,” he said. “Right now, I think we have an approach where we have an individual who insists on being the face and voice of things, and it really stands in the way of some incredible work getting done.”

Farkas also vows to continue a practice he has done since he entered city hall, and hold more public forums with people around the city to get a better idea of what people are thinking and looking for from the leadership in city hall.

Farkas added that in his free time when he is not focused on local issues and his mayoral campaign, he likes to unwind by adventuring in parks and green spaces and recently completed the Calgary police half marathon. He said he will maintain the parks in the city, and said he was disappointed by a recent council decision to sell off some baseball diamonds so the space can be turned into housing.

JYOTI GONDEK

As the next main frontrunner, this fellow first-time councillor also made a name for herself as someone who was quite opposite of Farkas over the past four years.

Gondek says she decided to take the journey towards municipal politics following many years of being involved with volunteer activities as well as working with credit unions originally and then taking a leadership role with Greyhound Canada.

“I had spent four years volunteering on Calgary Planning Commission to understand how policies and procedures work, I had volunteered one Urban Land Institute on my local community association board, I had taken the time to get an education in how city building works well, and I understand the examples of places where they have future-proofed their cities. So, in 2017 I had a decade of voluntary and professional experience behind me, and I have now had four years at the decision-making table to build strong relationships.”

Gondek said she has fostered these connections with the private and public sectors, including social services, as well as getting familiar with city administration and council as a whole.

She said after spending the last four years as a councillor, she realized she wanted to continue public service and make the city further forward.

“I also realized that we had some very big and heavy work before us in terms of budget reform. We had just started to look at how we predict revenue streams in order to set proper operating budgets, we had started to talk about operating efficiencies, we talked about capital priorities, and we really started to encourage a culture shift that allowed administration to take some calculated risks and do things differently to be nimble and responsive in this new and uncertain economy,” she said.

In terms of priorities, Gondek said they have to focus on the “social side of the equation” when you talk about economic recovery. This includes strengthening the labour force by empowering more women with things like better child care opportunities, and they have to make it easier for people to live and work in an emptier downtown core.

She said relationships will continue to be important and it will be crucial to be collaborative as a mayor and move away from some of the theatrics.

In her spare time, Gondek said she indulges in candy “much more than I should” and overall just try to have some fun on the campaign trail so it is not as tiring.

JEFF DAVISON

Rounding out the trio of councillors looking to be Calgary’s next mayor is the representative for Ward 6.

Davison has been a very vocal champion of local businesses, and arguably his biggest claim to fame during his first term was his role as one of the leaders in negotiating the event centre deal with the Calgary Flames.

He said it’s now the time to make the city an even better place to live and build on some of these accomplishments over the past few years.

“I want to build a city that offers every Calgarian a good job and a career and offers a good place to grow a family and offers a sense of community. A city that belongs to all of us and one that listens to what people actually want, rather than tell them what they need,” he said.

Davison said there has to be a focus on making it easier for younger people to live and play in Calgary, but of course the economy gets a major focus with Davison adding he doesn’t want people to “villainize” the energy industry.

He said past behaviour is the best predictor of future behaviour, and believes this is what sets him apart from other candidates.

“I have worked with all the experts, I have a plan, and it’s time to get to work. I have shown that on a number of very complex files, including the event centre, including how we attract Hollywood back to Calgary.”

Working collaboratively will also be a focus around council, with Davison saying his track record on this during his first term at city hall should also reassure voters that he has what it takes to do this.

“The comeback of our lifetime starts now.”

BRAD FIELD

Contrary to what some may think, it is not only councillors running for mayor. One candidate garnering some attention from outside the political field is Brad Field, who has an extensive history in business.

One recent poll released in September that gathered responses from over 1,700 people showed Field was actually polling in second place behind Farkas. A campaign spokesperson said they did not pay for the poll and it was done independently.

After initially resisting some requests from friends to run for mayor around the time Naheed Nenshi won his most recent term, he started to think there was a place for him at city hall.

“I thought, what is public office and what does it mean? For me, it was what I was doing every day. It was working with people, collaborating, teamwork, working in the community, volunteering,” he said. “So, I inserted myself into the conversation and started showing up at council chambers and watching and learning. Soon, I realized there was an opportunity for someone like me from the outside to bring my skillset to the City of Calgary.”

Field said he has been building businesses all around the world but will always call Calgary home, and wants to ensure everyone has the opportunity to have a successful life. In fact, Field incorporated his very first business at the age of 12 when he opened up a cleaning business which had one client, his father. He then went into real estate as a teenager and ventured out to a lot of sectors since then.

For him, the main focuses on the campaign are jobs and the economy.

He added that there seems to be a disconnect between council and the people, and unfortunate level of disrespect inside the council chambers as well.

“My job as mayor will be set the tone early for respect and decorum within council and make that a cascading effect right through city administration.”

Field said he also does not want to make a career out of politics, and will set himself a limit on his terms if he is elected.

He said he has also become connected with social groups tackling the overdose crisis and will make it a priority to address that if elected.

In his spare time, Field said he takes a lot of joy in spending time with family and just enjoying the simple things in life. But he still loves working and enjoys being productive at any time.

JAN DAMERY

Jan Damery comes into the race with a background in business and economics, including spending time at the University of Alberta as an economics lecturer and working at TransCanada Pipelines for a decade as the co-lead of the Clean Air Strategy for Alberta.

Damery also has a strong connection to community organizations like the United Way and YW Calgary.

She feels this background gives her an edge in leadership and fostering connections between different groups of people.

“So that we can generate 80,000 new jobs, that we can make Calgary the place to be to live, learn, work and play, that we can take action on climate change, and that we can restore the heart and soul of our city.”

Damery is confident she can take a role as mayor and “reset the culture of council” as there are problems with the public perception of what happens within city hall.

Out of the jobs she hopes to create, Damery promises to include about 4,000 green jobs and foster the development of a tech campus in downtown Calgary to attract more young, tech-focused talent to the city. She feels this will also help solve the office space vacancy problem by bringing in some new start-ups.

Due to her connection with the oil and gas industry, Damery feels she has a good idea of how it fits into Calgary’s future.

“We’re not going to get away from oil and gas any time soon. What is not happening in this sector, is generating the amounts of jobs that we once saw. I see this as foundational and actually highlighting innovation because I believe that Calgary can be the energy transition centre of the world,” she said. “I think there’s been a bit of a misunderstanding thinking that tech is a verticalindustry that could replace oil and gas. I think that’s a false narrative.”

As a mayor, Damery said she can also harness her business and volunteer experience to bring people together and improve collaboration in city hall while also improving the city’s image on the world stage.

In her free time, Damery said she is an avid gardener and uses the hobby as a way to relax and ground herself. Apart from that, she is also happy to report she likes a nice glass of wine after a long day — a pinot noir to be exact.

ZANE NOVAK

Also coming in with years of business experience is Zane Novak.

After growing up in northern Saskatchewan, where he worked on roads and bought a concrete plant, he moved to Alberta in 1986 and continuing work in the construction industry. This fit into an eventual segue into the oil and gas industry, which led Novak to Calgary.

He quickly fell in love with the city and stayed put, and eventually became a cheerleader for the city in his business ventures.

“It was a city of opportunity, a city of prosperity,” he said.

Novak became more involved in the community as well, and was closely tied to the Kerby Centre where he worked for many years to try and find a new location for the seniors’ community centre. The frustration and delays in trying to achieve this goal led Novak to eventually consider this run for mayor.

“We don’t have a city council and a mayor’s office that can get together and get things past the goal line.”

He feels he has a good idea of how a budget works and joins other candidates in promising to reel in spending and have the city live within its means. He said he also wants to improve the relationship with the provincial government just to ensure there can be a mutually beneficial future for each side.

Novak said the role of the mayor is being an advocate for the city, but can also park their ego at the door and be ready to work with everyone around the table.

In his platform, he promises to put taxpayers first, be closely involved with what people in the community are pulling for, and also vows to serve a maximum of two terms if he is elected.

Novak added his free time involves a lot of baking, something he has been doing ever since his daughter was young. He says he makes a “killer pizza crust” and bread as well. But also away from the kitchen he likes to go to the great outdoors and go camping to enjoy “very earthy things, very real things.”

(Information from the following candidates has been taken from their websites provided to Elections Calgary)

GRACE YAN

Grace Yan is a realtor in Calgary, and says that this experience has given her expertise in collaboration and negotiation.

Yan’s platform states that she has a vision of a safe and livable city that attracts more young people, families and businesses.

To achieve this, she plans to engage closely with all sectors of the community — ranging from arts to developers to Indigenous groups. She also promises to lower commercial taxes by selling off some city assets, which could drive more investment into the city and attract businesses.

Yan adds she supports public transit projects that “make financial sense”, and is also supportive of the event centre deal.

DEAN HOPKINS

Hopkins touts his upbringing in a working-class family as a foundational part of his life, eventually joining the military where he served in several missions around the world.

After his time in the military, he settled in Calgary where he has been working in the facilities maintenance sector for over a decade. He said his time in the army, the public sector, and volunteering, has helped develop empathy and compassion for others.

Hopkins has a disdain for the political infighting that happens between different levels of government, and promises better collaboration to deliver better results for citizens.

In terms of jobs, Hopkins says more has to be done to foster the clean energy sector, but the oil and gas industry also needs full support. He mentions a hydrogen plant as a possible boon for the area. He says he would also prefer that the city lower corporate taxes.

TEDDY OGBONNA

Ogbonna moved to Calgary in 2008, after growing up in Africa where he graduated from university in Nigeria and began his career as a contract safety officer with oil and gas companies.

He has co-owned a small business in Calgary but is also involved with community organizations, oil and gas, and youth work. He is also a published author with a history in human rights organizations.

A main plank on Ogbonna’s platform is engaging the youth of the city and including everyone in the community to ensure the city is moving ahead in the right direction.

He promises to reduce taxes to entice more investment and development, support the renewable, tech and science sectors, and also introduce a shadow youth cabinet so younger people are more involved in city decisions.

Ogbonna also indicates in his platform that the Green Line LRT project should be shifted into a bus rapid transit (BRT) system.

VIRGINIA STONE

When visiting Stone’s website you are greeted with a bold statement: “Disrupt the status quo.”

Stone says she will be a “champion and catalyst for a better and brighter future,” and says she is not aligned with any side of the political spectrum. She says she is a “serial entrepreneur” with a focus on the environment and human rights as well.

In her platform, Stone has 13 priorities ranging from reeling in spending in the city, lowering business and property taxes, create more affordable housing, and focus on green energy and food sustainability.

Stone also vows to get tough on crime and support police in the city.

SHAOLI WANG

Shaoli Wang is a geologist, who previously ran a dental clinic in China before immigrating to Canada. He also ran for federal office in 2019, and says on his website he garnered 270 votes in the riding of Rocky Ridge.

Wang promises tax cuts in his platform, as well as rolling back the mayor’s pay. He also promises to halt major projects like the Green Line LRT and Calgary Event Centre. That said, he also makes a point to say he is in support of public transportation and the LRT but there are budget concerns with the Green Line.

Wang also vows to reduce the crime rate and “restore Police Pride”, along with providing more housing for citizens experiencing homelessness.

He also voices his opposition to fluoridating the drinking water in Calgary.

IAN CHIANG

Chiang is originally from Brunei and has a history working in the oil and gas industry. He moved to Canada in 1987 and has worked several jobs in Calgary since then.

Chiang says he will have three major plans to revitalize the economy, but they are not detailed on his website at this time. He also wants to reduce the mayor’s pay, promote Calgary as a clean city, promote green energy and also support the oil and gas industry,

He also has points in his platform on improving traffic flow and reduce noise and exhaust pollution from vehicles.

JAMES DESAUTELS

Desautels puts himself forward as an unabashedly progressive candidate for mayor in Calgary, saying capitalism and income inequality are among the biggest challenges in the city.

He promises to end systemic racism, sexism, and other forms of discrimination along with improving access to social supports for people.
Desautels also wants to focus on climate change, saying a “paradigm shift is required with our energy production and consumption.”

Desautels is also an accomplished musician and played violin on the soundtrack for the final episode of the critically acclaimed sitcom The Office.

EMILE GABRIEL

Gabriel says he is an “active concerned Calgarian who has run before to serve Calgary” and wants to lead the city towards a better future.

His platform includes a salary reduction as mayor, and improve the management structure to bring better order and decorum within city hall.

Gabriel says he plans to do a thorough review of the tax structure in the city, diversify the economy and create more green jobs, and also wants a high-speed rail link for the area.

PAUL MICHAEL HALLELUJAH

Hallelujah has a history in the medical field, and a registered psychotherapist. He promises to bring a “medically-contextualized reform of public offices.”

One major piece of his platform is to use fMRI technology to scan the brains of people who want to work in public service — such as police, teachers, doctors and others — to determine if they are racist, sexist, or pedophiles.

Hallelujah also vows to make Calgary cancer and meat-free, attempt to contact extra-terrestrial lifeforms, and ban alcohol in favour of cannabis-infused drinks.

ZAC HARTLEY

Hartley is a born and raised Calgarian with a business background, and built handmade furniture in the city for four years. He also wants to provide some peace of mind for people after seeing the impact the pandemic has had.

Hartley’s platform includes reducing property taxes, donating half of his salary to local charities, improving the permit system for businesses, and reimagining the Green Line LRT so it fits a tighter budget and takes a different route through the city.

He says his role as mayor will be to facilitate new business, encourage local art that is made by locals, and embrace diverse cultures. He says that can all be done by cutting expenses, reducing taxes, and re-evaluating major capital projects.

ZAHEED ALI KHAN

Khan’s platforms include improving access to public transportation and reducing cost of access, “funding pediatricians to curve mental health”, and improve access to high-speed internet. He also says “water should be free.” Another position is to improve parking options in the downtown core.

Khan states he is loyal to the British Monarchy and asks “the Queen to speak on what has taken place in Canada.”

CORY LANTERMAN

Lanterman’s platform is not immediately clear on his page, but includes mentions of reducing the mayoral salary, reforming property taxes, opening up an oil refinery owned by the City of Calgary, and affordable housing plans.

Lanterman appears to advocate for stricter COVID-19 restrictions, criticizing the decision to allow the Calgary Stampede to go ahead. He says that candidates Gondek, Farkas and Davison have “ blood on their hands”.

MIZANUR RAHMAN

Rahman has worked as a taxi driver in Calgary, after growing up in Bangladesh and graduating from the University of Dhaka. He has also tried to run for the provincial NDP and is on the board of directors with a United Conservative Party constituency association.

Rahman says he wants to promote local businesses, bring in strict fiscal management to reel in the budget, and review all salaries at city hall.

He adds he will reduce the number of councillors from 14 to eight, and build a “council meeting building” with free parking so more people can participate in meetings. Rahman says he is also opposed to police reform and writes that “all lives matter.”

GEOFF RAINEY

Rainey’s website appears to still be under construction and no further information is available publicly.

ADAM ROBERTS

Roberts is running on a platform that opposes public health restrictions during the pandemic, including vaccine passports and mask mandates.

He also plans to diversify the economy by improving manufacturing capabilities, reducing red tape for entrepreneurs, and eliminating fees for public transportation.

WILL VIZOR

Vizor was born in Nigeria, and has been self-employed for the past 15 years. He says he wants to change the direction of city hall, and calls out “crooked politicians.”

His platform includes cutting back spending, providing additional subsidies and grants for small businesses, and strongly confronting racism.

Vizor says he can achieve the goal of eliminating racism by teaching more about racial injustice in schools and raising the wages of teachers. Both of these issues fall under provincial jurisdiction.

He also vows to eliminate homelessness by boosting access to affordable housing and enacting rent control laws.

Vizor promises to eliminate property taxes, speeding tickets, parking tickets, and other fines and violations.

SUNNY SINGH

Singh does not have a publicly available platform, and his Instagram page is linked to Elections Calgary. His bio lists him as a martial artist, taekwondo champion, and “Hollywood hall of fame award winner.”

RANDALL KAISER

Kaiser’s Linkedin page lists himself as an “independent world financial consultant free from all man-made structures.” No further details are available about his platform. His Youtube page was recently pulled for violating community guidelines.

STAN THE MAN WACIAK

No campaign info has been provided publicly from Waciak.

LARRY HEATHER

Heather has run for mayor in numerous elections, and advocates strongly against many projects such as cycle tracks. Heather is also strongly against public health restrictions during the pandemic and touts a fundamentalist Christian platform.

Other platform promises include reversing the renaming of the Langevin Bridge to Reconciliation Bridge, move the Bowfort Towers sculpture to the entrance of a landfill, and opposes Truth and Reconciliation actions taken through the city.

KEVIN J. JOHNSTON

Johnston is a convicted hate criminal who has previously been ordered to pay $2.5 million dollars for targeted harassment and hate speech against a Muslim business owner in Ontario. He was also recently sentenced to 18 months in jail in Ontario, set to begin in early 2022, for his continued harassment of the same business owner following the original conviction.

Johnston is currently serving weekend jail sentences in Calgary due to his targeting of Alberta Health Services employees, including encouraging violence against them and posting pictures of their families online.

He has been a central figure in the anti-vaccination and COVID-19 denial movement in Calgary, and is a vocal opponent to all public health restrictions in the city.