“ A Better Calgary “, which could be translated as “A Better Calgary”, is the first municipal political party to emerge, following a change in provincial legislation authorizing political parties to participate in municipal elections in Calgary and in Edmonton.
The new municipal political formation defines itself as a center-right party. She intends to present candidates in the next municipal elections in October 2025.
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is committed to being a fiscally responsible party. Cheryl Munsonwho speaks on behalf of the new party, explains in an interview that like-minded people decided to form A Better Calgary”,”text”:”A Better Calgary”}}”>A Better Calgary
to better meet the expectations of the population.
The mayor has the lowest poll numbers of any mayor in Canada. Let’s start there. I think citizens don’t feel like they are heard or represented at city hall and we would like to change that.
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According to Cheryl Munson speaking on behalf of the new party, it has no formal connection with the governing party in Alberta.
Photo: Radio-Canada / Mike Symington/CBC
No bond of allegiance to CERB
Although she and others involved in the new municipal party, including Jon Horsmanhave ties to the United Conservative Party (UCP), Cheryl Munson states that there are no formal links between A Better Calgary”,”text”:”A Better Calgary”}}”>A Better Calgary
and the party of Premier Danielle Smith.
We don’t like labels in Calgary. Municipal politics are different. We are a group of Calgarians. We are concerned citizens who want to see change
said M.me Munsonwho earlier this year participated in the petition to recall Mayor Jyoti Gondek.
The municipal councilor of district 13, Dan McLean, expects it to be the first of several parties formed before the next municipal elections.
He said in an interview that he had not yet decided whether he would join any of them. I am not involved in any party. I’m interested in what’s going on […] and I will decide whether I will join one of them or remain independent when the time comes.
Lori Williams is a political scientist at the University Mount Royal, in Calgary. According to her, announcing the new party so early takes advantage of the unpopularity of the current municipal administration
. That said, this announcement leaves a lot of time for people to ask questions about what this new party is, what it represents
she adds.
She also believes that good contact with voters gives a much greater chance of being elected as an individual than as a member of a party.
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It is Bill 20 which authorizes the creation of political parties at the municipal level. (Archive photo)
Photo: Radio-Canada
Originally, Bill 20
At the beginning of the year, the provincial government adopted a text that paves the way for the creation of municipal political parties in Alberta’s two major cities.
Bill 20, which became the Municipal Affairs Legislation Amendment Act, was introduced in the Legislative Assembly in April. Among other measures, it authorizes the creation of municipal political parties as part of a pilot project in Edmonton and Calgary.
After facing strong criticism from municipal leaders, the province amended parts of the bill that would have given the provincial government the power to unilaterally recall elected municipal officials. The municipal political party pilot project was maintained.
With information from Jim Brown and Scott Dippel
