Calgary is a beautiful city, with Ward 8’s amazing neighbourhoods and a thriving culture at its heart. When I speak to my students about their future, I ask them to be unafraid and passionate. I hold myself and this city to that same standard.
The pandemic has shown us the value of greenspaces in Calgary. Stuck inside, many of us found relief and refuge along the Elbow and Bow rivers, and in places like Nose Hill, the Weaselhead, and Griffith Woods. There is growing consensus that parks, greenspaces, and natural areas provide significant benefits to our mental and physical health, climate resiliency, and sense of community. We need to ensure that as Calgary grows, these areas remain accessible and continue to thrive as healthy ecosystems.
Community safety is paramount for Ward 8 and Calgary’s economic recovery. As a community leader in Ward 8, I have led successful initiatives to create safer communities in collaboration with the Calgary Board of Education, The City of Calgary and Calgary Police Service.
When we create welcoming, safe, and beautiful streets with dedicated pathways for walking or wheeling, we also create more opportunities for people to connect with their neighbours and local businesses at a human scale. Calgary’s Main Streets Program is key to making inner-city neighbourhoods more livable and setting a strong foundation for local businesses to continue to thrive.
The City of Calgary has identified 24 main streets for revitalization across Calgary. Many of these are in Ward 8 neighbourhoods and are in various states of progress.
37 Street SW main street improvements currently under construction. (Source: City of Calgary)