Calgary Mayoral Candidates Clash in Spirited Chamber of Commerce Debate
Calgary Mayoral Debate: Candidates Clash Over Key Issues as Election Day Nears
Mayoral Race Heats Up in Calgary
With less than two weeks until Calgary’s municipal election, the recent mayoral debate has highlighted the intensifying competition among candidates. Held at the Werklund Centre, the debate was moderated by Calgary Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Deborah Yedlin and featured the top five candidates based on recent polls: Sonya Sharp, Jyoti Gondek, Jeff Davison, Brian Thiessen, and Jeromy Farkas.
Key Issues Take Center Stage
The debate, organized by the Calgary Downtown Association and the Calgary Construction Association, focused on various critical issues such as public safety, the role of the arts, and the future of small businesses. Each candidate presented their vision for Calgary, followed by timed rebuttals and topic-specific discussions.
Farkas Leads the Public Safety Conversation
Jeromy Farkas, who currently leads the polls, emphasized a balanced approach to public safety that combines compassion with enforcement. His plan includes reopening the downtown police station and increasing both police and transit officer presence. Additionally, Farkas advocates for significant reforms in sentencing and bail procedures.
Sonya Sharp Challenges Farkas’ Record
Sonya Sharp, representing the Communities First party, critiqued Farkas for appearing to shift his stance on key issues over recent years. Highlighting discrepancies in his approach, she questioned his commitment to policies he opposed in the past, especially concerning police presence and downtown safety.
Davison and Sharp Exchange Barbs
During the debate, Independent candidate Jeff Davison accused Sharp of neglecting small business interests in construction-affected areas like Marda Loop and Stephen Avenue, despite her previous leadership role in the small business committee. Davison also attacked Farkas for inconsistency, calling him “flip-flop Farkas” based on prior council votes.
Gondek Defends Leadership Track Record
Incumbent candidate Jyoti Gondek highlighted her successful initiatives, such as the construction of the new events center and the Green Line LRT project. Gondek portrayed herself as a leader who delivers results, contrasting her detailed approach to governance with what she termed as opponent sound bites.
Thiessen Critiques Provincial Influences
Brian Thiessen, running with the Calgary Party, aimed his criticism at both Jyoti Gondek and provincial leadership, notably Premier Danielle Smith. He questioned Gondek’s inability to counter Smith’s decisions, including budgetary cuts and infrastructure changes, painting them as detrimental to Calgary.
Advance Voting Details
Calgarians are actively participating in advance voting this week, with polls open daily until October 11 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. The official election day for Calgary’s mayoral, council, and school board races is October 20.
For those interested in viewing the debate, a replay is available on the Werklund Centre’s YouTube channel.
