Ward 8 Event

Beyond a Token: Poetry, Panel Discussions, & Music

Join us for a night celebrating Black art as a form of community connection!

• Date: February 22nd, 2024
• Time: 6:00 P.M. to 9:00 P.M.
• Location: The Central Library 

The Central Library will be activated as a space to showcase art and, more importantly, to feel it through performance and discussion.  There will be spoken word performances and artists displaying their art for us all to interact with. The event will conclude with a discussion that moves Black Art beyond tokenism and celebrates its role within the community in a thought-provoking conversation that gives Black Art its flowers.

Our performers will include performances from poets Priscilla Bukasa and A lot of Poetry, music from local artist K The Chosen, and art programming provided by Alcove Center for the Arts.  Alongside Alcove Centre for the Arts, this event is supported by the Calgary Public Library and the office of Ward 8.

Register here: Beyond the Token: Black Poetry Panel and Performances - Councillor Courtney Walcott

Ward 8 Communities

Mission Bridge Rehabilitation

Project Update

Initial preparation work is anticipated to start in February/March of 2024 when crews will remove a few trees and vegetation in front of the retaining wall adjacent to Elbow Drive, close to 4^th Street S.W. This tree removal is necessary to give workers the access needed for the retaining wall rehabilitation scope anticipated to start later this spring/summer.

Learn More: About the project

Explore Businesses in Calgary with the Business Map

Wondering what businesses are open around your neighborhood? You can use the Business Map to locate active businesses and view their license information near you. You can also search for businesses by license type.

Click: Explore the Business Map

Click: More City of Calgary Maps

Engage Opportunities

City Building

The City of Calgary is updating plans that will shape the Calgary of the future and make sure our city keeps on being a great place to live. As our city’s population approaches two million, we must prepare to support this growth. The City Building program will align and strengthen our plans and tools to create a place where every Calgarian can thrive.

Calgary River Valleys Project

Project Engagement Stage 2:  Jan 9 - Mar 3, 2024

Calgary’s river valleys are essential to our city—they’re at the core of our city’s identity and its appeal as a place to live, work and play.

As Calgary is vulnerable to flooding, making careful decisions about how we plan, develop and build in the floodplain is fundamental to protecting and enhancing the value of our river valleys while strengthening our overall resilience to the impacts of flooding.

With the province’s recent release of draft updated Flood Hazard Area maps reflecting the latest understanding of flood risk across Alberta and a new approach to flood hazard area zones, it’s now up to municipalities to decide how to develop and regulate in these areas.

The City is planning for the future of our river valleys, including our flood hazard areas, through the Calgary River Valleys Project, which will shape how we plan, develop and build in our river valleys.

Your input on making decisions on the use, conservation and development of our river valleys and communities is important. This month, the city is talking to Calgarians about the future of our floodplain policies and regulations. Visit calgary.ca/RiverValleys to join in the conversation.

Provide your input: The online survey is open January 29 – March 3, 2024

Rezoning for housing

Calgary needs more homes. Citywide rezoning will help.

With the approval of Home is Here: The City of Calgary’s Housing Strategy, The City is taking action to address the housing crisis. One of these actions is the proposed citywide rezoning to a base residential district, or zone. This change will help increase the supply of housing to meet demand, allowing for greater housing variety and options to suit the needs of Calgarians.

• Attend an info session, sign up for updates, and provide input!
• Learn more about Rezoning for Housing
• Your Housing Questions, Answered - Councillor Courtney Walcott

Support Your Fellow Calgarians

Cold Weather Emergency Supports for Calgarians Experiencing Homelessness

If you, someone you know, or someone in need is cold and has nowhere to go, please see the list of available resources in the city. 

2024 CCEWR Resource List:

 View | Download

The resource list contains information about overnight shelters, daytime services, warming locations and supports.

Upcoming Community Events

Chinook Blast – Calgary's Winter Festival

• February 2 - 29

All Sport One City

• Feb 10 - 19

Lunar New Year Celebrations

• Feb 10 - 11 and Feb 17 - 18

Historic Chinatown Tour

• Feb 24

YYC Hot Chocolate Fest

• February 1 - 29

Devonian Gardens Winter Drop-In Programs

• Sunday, February 18, 2024, 12 – 5 P.M.

Remembering Alberta’s Sleeping Car Porters

• March 7, 2024, 6:00 P.M.
• RSVP Required

Black History Month Events

Black Professionals Canada Black History Month Event

• Friday, Feb 16, 2024, 5:30 P.M. - 8:30 P.M.

A Black History Tribute in the Musical Style of Mahalia Jackson

• Friday, Feb 16, 2024, 7:00 P.M. - 8:00 P.M.

A Black History Month 'Celebration of Excellence'

• Saturday, Feb 24, 2024, 4:30 P.M.

UCalgary: An Evening with Black Art Historian: Dr. Charmaine Nelson 

• February 29, 2024, 6:00 P.M.

Stories for You

Posthaste: Canada is underestimating the number of new homes needed — by a lot, says CIBC
Source: Financial Post

Alta. government unveils drought advisory committee to prepare for dry season
Source: CTV News Calgary 

Here's why rental rates are so high in Canada
Source: CTV News Calgary

Two-thirds of Canadian and American renters are in unaffordable housing situations
Source: The Conversation