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Mayor Jyoti Gondek delivered a message to the province’s new governing party on Tuesday, saying while she looks forward to working with the UCP, she also has no time for those espousing hatred.
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Gondek said she sent a letter of congratulations to premier-designate Danielle Smith on Monday night, and is requesting a meeting with her as soon as possible.
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“As a council, we will endeavour to create opportunities for both Calgary caucuses to spend time discussing the priorities that we must share so we can best serve our residents,” she said at a news conference. “We’ll reiterate the importance of ensuring that Calgary remains affordable.”
Without providing specific examples, Gondek said she remains concerned about “a small but loud faction of Albertans who are espousing views that do not align in any way with broader society.
“There is no room for hate in a city or province that is slowly recovering from an economic recession that stood to cripple us,” she said, adding homophobic, misogynistic, transphobic and racist views cannot be tolerated.
Lacombe-Ponoka UCP candidate Jennifer Johnson was criticized after making remarks about trans kids in schools, comparing them to feces in cookie batter.
Johnson, who was banned from caucus by Smith, handily won her seat Monday, capturing more than 50 per cent of the votes with a 9,270 vote lead over her next closest competitor, according to the unofficial election results.
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City councillors offer thoughts on election result
Several on council had a positive view of the election results Tuesday. Ward 13 Coun. Dan McLean said he was probably “happier than most” at city hall given the results of the election.
“I think they’re going to attract a lot more business with their stances and policies on safety,” said McLean. “I’m very happy about that. Adding additional police officers and working on different, compassionate care for the unhoused people that have mental health and addictions, they’re taking that serious track to safety. All these things are important to me.”
He added that Smith’s $330-million commitment to infrastructure surrounding Calgary’s new arena is also much needed. McLean said the NDP never really committed to the project during the election campaign, so he feels better knowing that will move forward.
Ward 10 Coun. Andre Chabot said he hopes the UCP remaining in power will mean continuing momentum on projects within the city, such as the Calgary Public Safety and Community Response Task Force, on which he sits.
Chabot said the task force will continue to meet.
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“I do think that the pilot, which is what this was initially, it will net out some some really good results, but it will also indicate that there’s a necessity to continue to invest in crime, safety, social disorder, mental health and addictions in our city,” said Chabot.
Ward 8 Coun. Courtney Walcott said the continuation of the province’s “Alberta model of care” when it comes to addictions has him concerned.
“The Alberta model is a part of a spectrum of care that’s required,” he said. “The recovery model is important. It is significant. It needs to exist as a part of a spectrum.”
He said his concern is not with recovery-oriented care, but with the UCP’s objections to other harm-reduction methods that can keep people alive until they’re ready to start their recovery.
Walcott said he plans to continue working with the province on these matters. He said while disagreement on how to achieve results is part of healthy debate, he has seen examples from the premier where those who disagree with her are discounted.
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“If as part of that disagreement we are just seen as an enemy of the state, that’s a problem,” he said.
The Calgary Chamber of Commerce welcomed the news of the UCP’s re-election in a news release.
President and CEO Deborah Yedlin said the chamber stands ready to work with the government on issues such as fostering downtown revitalization, strengthening the tourism industry and addressing the labour shortage.
“Working collaboratively, we can build a prosperous future for our city and province, ensuring Alberta remains a magnet for capital, opportunity and talent,” said Yedlin.
brthomas@postmedia.com
Twitter: @brodie_thomas
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May 31, 2023 at 04:52AM
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'No room for hate': Calgary mayor offers congratulations, warning to re-elected UCP - Calgary Herald
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