Opinion: Calgarians shouldn't have to choose between growth and community
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When your rent's going up or your kids can't afford to live nearby, the last thing you need from city hall is more political infighting.
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Yet, that's what we're getting from the mayor and some members of council: a false choice between reckless development and no development at all.
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That's not leadership. It's division — and we deserve better.
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Most Calgarians aren't asking for the impossible. We want a city where hard work earns us a real shot. A place where we can raise a family, live near aging parents and count on our rent staying within reach. But instead of stability, we get uncertainty. Instead of proper planning, our local politicians are more focused on internal power struggles within their political parties.
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Meanwhile, Calgarians are focused on the questions that matter: Will our rent go up again? Will our kids be able to live in the kind of homes they grew up in, or better? Can our aging parents stay close? What's happening on our street? Why does it feel like no one's listening?
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To solve our housing crisis, we need a mayor who will restore certainty — for renters, homeowners, builders, non-profits, city administration and everyone else trying to make a life here. That means acknowledging that change will happen, but that it will be planned, supported and shaped with community.
Article content
This week, I released my housing platform to build more homes, faster and more affordably, with community support. And it starts by ending blanket rezoning, which has created more division than it has delivered homes.
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Zoning alone doesn't build housing. Partnership does. Infrastructure does. Leadership does.
Article content
Council's approach to growth has encouraged a discussion grounded in fear, but it doesn't have to be that way. Currently, many Calgarians are struggling to find a place to live or afford basic needs such as shelter. Others don't know what's coming next or don't feel heard.
Article content
My plan fixes that by restoring certainty and bringing together the key players to solve our housing crisis:
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Homeowners, who want their voices respected as communities grow. I'll ban the sale of public parks, repeal and replace blanket rezoning with a community-driven approach and tie growth to needed infrastructure.
Renters, who need more than promises. I'll launch a renters' support office and fight for rent-geared housing and protections against sudden evictions.
Builders, who are stuck in a maze of delays and red tape. I'll guarantee faster approvals for family-friendly, affordable homes — and work with you, not against you.
Non-profits, which house our most vulnerable neighbours. I'll provide pre-zoned land, stable funding and reduce red tape so they can build at scale.
City staff, who are doing their best inside a system that lacks direction. I'll bring real-time planning tools, clearer priorities and a renewed culture of innovation.
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Opinion: Calgarians shouldn't have to choose between growth and community
Article content When your rent's going up or your kids can't afford to live nearby, the last thing you need from city hall is more political infighting. Article content Yet, that's what we're getting from the mayor and some members of council: a false choice between reckless development and no development at all. Article content Article content That's not leadership. It's division — and we deserve better. Article content Most Calgarians aren't asking for the impossible. We want a city where hard work earns us a real shot. A place where we can raise a family, live near aging parents and count on our rent staying within reach. But instead of stability, we get uncertainty. Instead of proper planning, our local politicians are more focused on internal power struggles within their political parties. Article content Article content Meanwhile, Calgarians are focused on the questions that matter: Will our rent go up again? Will our kids be able to live in the kind of homes they grew up in, or better? Can our aging parents stay close? What's happening on our street? Why does it feel like no one's listening? Article content Article content To solve our housing crisis, we need a mayor who will restore certainty — for renters, homeowners, builders, non-profits, city administration and everyone else trying to make a life here. That means acknowledging that change will happen, but that it will be planned, supported and shaped with community. Article content This week, I released my housing platform to build more homes, faster and more affordably, with community support. And it starts by ending blanket rezoning, which has created more division than it has delivered homes. Article content Zoning alone doesn't build housing. Partnership does. Infrastructure does. Leadership does. Article content Council's approach to growth has encouraged a discussion grounded in fear, but it doesn't have to be that way. Currently, many Calgarians are struggling to find a place to live or afford basic needs such as shelter. Others don't know what's coming next or don't feel heard. Article content My plan fixes that by restoring certainty and bringing together the key players to solve our housing crisis: Article content Homeowners, who want their voices respected as communities grow. I'll ban the sale of public parks, repeal and replace blanket rezoning with a community-driven approach and tie growth to needed infrastructure. Renters, who need more than promises. I'll launch a renters' support office and fight for rent-geared housing and protections against sudden evictions. Builders, who are stuck in a maze of delays and red tape. I'll guarantee faster approvals for family-friendly, affordable homes — and work with you, not against you. Non-profits, which house our most vulnerable neighbours. I'll provide pre-zoned land, stable funding and reduce red tape so they can build at scale. City staff, who are doing their best inside a system that lacks direction. I'll bring real-time planning tools, clearer priorities and a renewed culture of innovation.
