Good afternoon, everyone.
It’s an honour to be here today with so many of Calgary’s business leaders, innovators, and changemakers. You are the lifeblood of this city’s economy, and your contributions are what make Calgary not just a place where we live, but a community where we thrive.
And as always, I’ll also say Oki, Dadanast’ada, Amba’wastitch and Tan’si, greetings in the mother languages of the Treaty 7 Indigenous peoples. I do this because it relates to something my Mum has taught me. She’s a proud Canadian who was born into a military family in India. As they moved around when she was young, and as she grew to make a life in England and then Canada, she learned the cultures of the people around her, and also gained an appreciation for language and how important it is in preserving traditions. So I offer Indigenous greetings in an effort to preserve languages that matter in our history.
My mum has been a strong guide over the years and I’m incredibly fortunate to still have her in my life. I am blessed to start my days with a quick hello to her, and the consistent response of: “Do good work. Care about others. And be happy.”
Sometimes, she’ll watch Council and drop me a text with “Good job”. Other times, we’ll talk about decisions made at Council and she’ll ask – did you do your best? Did you take care of people?
Coming here every year, to speak to all of you about the ‘State of the City’, is a lot like chatting with my mum, about the work that we are all doing—to make Calgary stronger, safer, and more vibrant. Because while it hasn’t always been easy, it has always been worth it.
And that’s how I like to frame my answer to the question that gets posed to me quite often – how do you view your role as mayor of Calgary?
For me, being Mayor is not just about managing budgets or policies. It’s about being a champion for you, for all Calgarians. It’s about:
• listening when things are tough,
• standing up when others step back, and
• fighting for the opportunities.
It’s about staying steady when things around us seem a little shaky and noisy.
I’ve heard the noise this year.
Criticism in the media, a recall campaign, and I’ve faced dissent in public spaces. But let me be clear: I didn’t sign up for this role because it was easy. I signed up because I believe in this city, and I believe in you.
Calgary deserves a leader who doesn’t just weather the storm but stands tall in the middle of it, fighting for what this city and its people need.
So let’s address the noise head-on. Some have gone as far as to say we are a city in chaos. To them, I say: look around you.
This is the greatest city in Canada. This is the city that the New York Times called an “energy powerhouse” and the Washington Post praised for its downtown revitalization. We are not a city in chaos. We are a city that rises above challenges and gets things done. Getting things done means being ready for the work.
Let’s talk about that: The work that’s been done to make Calgary stronger, safer, and more vibrant. Let me share what this year has looked like—and how we’ve tackled the tough issues head-on to deliver for Calgarians.
As you all know, we faced a critical moment when a major water feedermain ruptured, threatening our water supply. It was a moment that called for decisive action. I declared a state of local emergency, mobilized city services, consulted with third-party experts, and expedited repairs. My team and I launched a communication plan to keep Calgarians informed and asked you to conserve water – and you responded. That’s leadership in action. That’s what it means to be a champion for Calgarians.
I also took a stand for Calgary’s energy industry on the world stage. This year, I was honoured to be selected as vice-president of the World Energy Cities Partnership, allowing me to elevate Calgary’s voice in global energy discussions. I know that energy is at the core of our city, and I am committed to advocating for our industry’s future while leading on alternative energy initiatives. We are showing the world that Calgary isn’t just part of the energy transition—Calgary is leading it.
Making Calgary’s streets safer has been another top priority for me. I heard your concerns loud and clear about safety in our downtown. Like you, I want to feel safe, for my family to feel safe. So, I initiated the Downtown Safety Leadership Table, bringing together experts and stakeholders to tackle the root issues of safety. I also secured funding for our first responders, ensuring they have what they need to keep Calgarians safe. I took action, I led the way, and I’ll keep pushing for solutions until our city feels safe for everyone.
I’m also focused on positioning Calgary as a Prairie Economic Gateway. I’ve pushed hard to expand our role as an inland port, using our strategic location to attract investment and create jobs, connecting us to more locations in Canada, the US and Mexico to drive increased trade. I’m not waiting for opportunities to come to us. I’m going out there, bringing opportunities to Calgary, ensuring we are set up for economic resilience and sustainable growth.
We continue to make advances in the tech sector, film and television, the visitor economy and life sciences. Calgary boasts the fastest growing tech workforce in North America, and we are in the top ten cities for success as a filmmaker. Just think about the fact that Pedro Pascal and Daisy Edgar Jones talked up our city on the Late Late Show. Calgary has been the backdrop for many great moments on screen, especially our downtown.
Downtown revitalization is something I’ve championed personally because I know it’s key to Calgary’s future. When we launched the Downtown Development Incentive Program, the goal wasn’t just to convert empty office spaces—it was to transform our city’s core. The San Francisco Chronicle called Calgary’s approach ‘a model for cities grappling with empty downtowns,’ and they’re right. I’m proud to say that downtown Calgary is rising again, stronger and more dynamic than ever—and we’re just getting started. Our ambition is contagious. We have seen major gifts from the Werklund and Shaw families, boosting our reputation as an arts and culture destination.
However, even with all of the success, we must also recognize that affordability is a huge concern for many Calgarians. That’s why, during our budget deliberations, I went to my colleagues and insisted we keep tax increases low. I asked them to stick to our commitment from 2022, of only adjusting the budget for population growth and inflation. Calgarians are feeling the pinch, and you deserve a budget that respects that.
In this budget:
• We preserved the Secondary Suites Incentive Program, recognizing that safe, affordable housing options are critical during a persistent housing shortage.
• We protected low-income supports, including the Low-Income Transit Pass and low-income recreation access.
• We had an important discussion about advocating to the provincial and federal governments on behalf of Calgarians. Because one of the best things I can do for this city is to advocate and get our fair share of funding.
It’s time Calgary got the recognition and support we deserve from other orders of government. With over 250 people moving to Calgary every day, we’re on track to become a city of over 2 million in the next decade. We’re the third most multicultural city in Canada, a true global hub. And we are the economic engine of this country.
And let’s recognize that new residents choosing our city don’t bring with them roads, sewers, water treatment plants, parks and swimming pools.
But after declaring that Alberta is Calling, the provincial government has failed to share the burden of the resulting growth. In fact, they’ve done the opposite, downloading nearly $450 million in cost each year. That’s nearly 10% of our entire budget.
The deal was always that municipalities would take care of core services, but that we would share the costs in partnership with the other two orders of government. The province and the feds who are enjoying an epic amount of income tax that they’re collecting from our city.
But they aren’t taking care of the people who are making them prosperous. Instead, they are offloading on us. As your champion, I am fighting for Calgary to get the support it deserves to manage record growth and remain the economic engine for this province and this nation.
Now, pushing back does have an impact. Earlier this year, when we learned that the provincial contribution for low income transit pass had been cancelled, I immediately called Minister Nixon to talk about the very real pressures this placed on many Calgarians, many of whom are employed by the businesses in this room. We had a commitment to reinstate the funding the next day.
Advocacy has also worked for infrastructure investment. On the extension of transit to the airport, we gained a funding commitment from the Province, and the Canada Infrastructure Bank continues to work with us on that important connection.
And let’s not forget that a few months ago, we were dealt a devastating blow by the province when they pulled their funding for the Green Line. I persisted in reaching out to Premier Smith to ensure the project did not die. As a result, we are back at the table and negotiations continue.
When I look back on all this the work, I am proud of what we’ve achieved together. But I also know there’s always room for improvement. No leader, no city, and no person is perfect—and I’m no exception.
One lesson this year for me stands out above all others: the power of communication. During the water crisis, I learned from the people of Bowness that in the middle of uncertainty and worry, it is important to be present, to listen, and to share information openly. They reminded me that communication isn’t just about the words—it’s about connection and trust.
I realized that I’ve sometimes been so focused on getting the work done that I haven’t done enough to communicate how that work improves our city and the lives of Calgarians. Too often, I’ve kept my head down, delivering services, without taking the time to share what we’re doing and, more importantly, why it matters.
Many of you have also said that you want to know more about me as a person, and that’s been a difficult thing to grapple with. I’m not a typical politician. I like to listen to others in the room, engage in meaningful conversations, and collaborate on the work that must be done.
But I’ve learned I have an obligation to share those conversations, and more of me, with all of you.
That’s why I started the Calgary Talks series, where we’re bringing together this city’s champions and talking about why our city means so much to us, and how we can tackle some of the challenges we face.
I’m committed to being more visible, to amplify the work being done, and to remain more engaged.
And in the same way I check in with my Mum regularly, I’ll continue to do so with you. I will always bring my best self, and I’ll work tirelessly to be a champion for this city.
I am committed to all of you, the business leaders, innovators, and citizens who are the reason Calgary continues to rise above adversity. It’s your hard work, creativity, and unwavering determination that drive us forward and make success possible. Calgary is strong because of you.
That’s why I’m pushing back against the noise and the narrative of chaos.
This is a false narrative, perpetuated by a small group of critics, and it does a disservice to you, to all of us.
It’s unfair to Calgary’s hardworking families and business leaders who are the backbone of this city. It’s unfair to everyone who contributes to making Calgary a vibrant, resilient, and truly remarkable place.
We’re not a city in chaos. We’re a city that gets things done. We’re a city of resilience, innovation, and grit. We’re a city that cares for one another.
To circle back to the beginning, when asked about how I view my role as Mayor, the answer is that I believe being a champion for Calgary is my greatest responsibility. It’s a role I take seriously because I know how much this city and its people mean—not just to me, but to Canada and the world.
I will continue to stand up for Calgary, to fight against any false narrative, and to fight for what really matters – building a city where everyone can prosper.
Thank you.