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2021 Calgary municipal election

{{Short description|Local elections}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2021}}

{{Infobox election

| election_name = 2021 Calgary municipal election

| country = Calgary

| type = legislative

| previous_election = 2017 Calgary municipal election

| previous_year = 2017

| next_election = 2025 Calgary municipal election

| next_year = 2025

| seats_for_election = Mayor and 14 councillors to Calgary City Council

| turnout =

| election_date = October 18, 2021

| image1 = {{CSS image crop|Image = Jyoti Gondek at Collision Conference 2022 HM1 0983 (cropped).jpg|bSize = 120|cWidth = 120|cHeight = 160|oTop = 0|oLeft = 0}}

| color1 = ff0066

| candidate1 = Jyoti Gondek

| popular_vote1 = 174,649

| percentage1 = 45.13%

| image2 =

JF

| color2 = 2cace3

| candidate2 = Jeromy Farkas

| popular_vote2 = 115,742

| percentage2 = 29.91%

| image3 = {{CSS image crop|Image = Jeff Davison 2021 interview (cropped).jpg|bSize = 120|cWidth = 120|cHeight = 160|oTop = 0|oLeft = 0}}

| color3 = 0c3e65

| candidate3 = Jeff Davison

| popular_vote3 = 50,279

| percentage3 = 12.99%

| map_image =

| map_size =

| map_caption =

| title = Mayor

| before_election = Naheed Nenshi

| after_election = Jyoti Gondek

| ongoing = no

}}

The 2021 Calgary municipal election was held on October 18, 2021, to elect a mayor and fourteen councillors to the Calgary City Council.

In conjunction with the elections for Calgary City Council, residents cast ballots for trustees of the Calgary Board of Education and the Calgary Catholic School District, a municipal vote on the question of returning to fluoridation of the city's water supply, and three provincially mandated votes: a Senate nominee election, as well as referendums on provincial equalization and on the adoption of permanent daylight saving time.{{cite web | url=https://www.calgary.ca/election/information-for-voters/whats-on-the-ballot.html | title=What's on the ballot | publisher=City of Calgary | accessdate=October 9, 2021 | archive-date=October 9, 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211009235432/https://www.calgary.ca/election/information-for-voters/whats-on-the-ballot.html | url-status=live }}

Background

Calgary City Council is the fifteen-member elected body that governs the City of Calgary under the council–manager government. Council is led by the Mayor elected at-large, which is the designated Chief Elected Official. Under the Municipal Government Act the Mayor is treated as an equal member of council, with the only significant power provided to the mayor is de facto membership on all council committees. The remaining members of Calgary City Council are fourteen councillors elected by residents of the fourteen wards dividing the city. The Calgary municipal election is held under the first-past-the-post method of voting, where the candidate with the most votes is elected to a four-year term.

The 2021 Calgary municipal election was the 103rd municipal election in the City of Calgary's history and the first to elect a woman as its mayor.

A number of incumbent councillors declined to contest the 2021 election including Druh Farrell (Ward 7),{{cite news |last1=MacVicar |first1=Adam |title=Ward 7 Calgary Coun. Druh Farrell not running for re-election in October |url=https://globalnews.ca/news/7656572/calgary-druh-farrell-not-running-re-election/ |access-date=March 24, 2021 |work=Global News |date=February 22, 2021 |location=Calgary |archive-date=April 4, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210404051214/https://globalnews.ca/news/7656572/calgary-druh-farrell-not-running-re-election/ |url-status=live }} Shane Keating (Ward 12),{{cite news |last1=Perri |first1=Aurelio |title=Ward 12 Councillor Shane Keating won’t run for re-election in 2021 |url=https://globalnews.ca/news/7094374/calgary-councillor-shane-keating-not-running-2021-election/ |access-date=March 24, 2021 |work=Global News |date=June 22, 2020 |location=Calgary |archive-date=April 4, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210404051215/https://globalnews.ca/news/7094374/calgary-councillor-shane-keating-not-running-2021-election/ |url-status=live }} Evan Woolley (Ward 8),{{cite news |last1=Smith |first1=Madeline |title=Civic election to have five open races as Evan Woolley says he won't run in 2021 |url=https://calgaryherald.com/news/politics/ward-8-councillor-evan-woolley-says-hes-not-running-for-re-election |access-date=March 24, 2021 |work=Calgary Herald |date=January 22, 2021 |archive-date=April 7, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210407000702/https://calgaryherald.com/news/politics/ward-8-councillor-evan-woolley-says-hes-not-running-for-re-election |url-status=live }} and Ward Sutherland (Ward 1).{{cite news |last1=Rieger |first1=Sarah |title=Sutherland withdraws from Calgary council race, throws support behind Jeff Davison for mayor |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/ward-sutherland-jeff-davison-1.6101673 |access-date=July 19, 2021 |work=CBC News |date=July 13, 2021 |location=Calgary |archive-date=July 20, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210720034815/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/ward-sutherland-jeff-davison-1.6101673 |url-status=live }} On July 8, incumbent Ward 5 councillor George Chahal withdrew from the municipal election to accept the nomination for the Liberal Party of Canada in the Calgary Skyview district in the 2021 Canadian federal election.{{cite news |last1=Smith |first1=Madeline |title=George Chahal leaving Ward 5 race for federal Liberal nomination in Calgary Skyview |url=https://calgaryherald.com/news/local-news/george-chahal-leaving-ward-5-race-for-federal-liberal-nomination-in-calgary-skyview |access-date=July 13, 2021 |work=Calgary Herald |date=July 8, 2021 |archive-date=July 13, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210713113453/https://calgaryherald.com/news/local-news/george-chahal-leaving-ward-5-race-for-federal-liberal-nomination-in-calgary-skyview |url-status=live }} Chahal was subsequently elected to the House of Commons of Canada.{{cite news |last1=Hunt |first1=Stephen |title=Federal election 2021: Chahal lone Liberal elected in Calgary |url=https://calgary.ctvnews.ca/federal-election-2021-chahal-lone-liberal-elected-in-calgary-1.5593440 |access-date=October 1, 2021 |work=CTV News |date=September 20, 2021 |location=Calgary |archive-date=September 22, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210922114151/https://calgary.ctvnews.ca/federal-election-2021-chahal-lone-liberal-elected-in-calgary-1.5593440 |url-status=live }}

Long-time councillor Ray Jones (Ward 10), resigned effective October 19, 2020, due to heath issues, no by-election was required to fill the councillor position due to the proximity of Jones' resignation to the 2021 municipal election. Jones was first elected in the 1993 by-election, and served as a councillor for 27 years.{{cite news |last1=Anderson |first1=Drew |title=Longtime Calgary councillor Ray Jones resigns from council citing health concerns |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/ray-jone-city-councillor-retire-health-1.5767690 |access-date=March 24, 2021 |work=CBC News |date=October 19, 2020 |location=Calgary |archive-date=March 6, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210306174323/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/ray-jone-city-councillor-retire-health-1.5767690 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last1=Hudes |first1=Sammy |title=Longest-serving city councillor Ray Jones steps down, citing health concerns |url=https://calgaryherald.com/news/local-news/longest-serving-city-councillor-steps-down-citing-health-concerns |access-date=April 7, 2021 |work=Calgary Herald |date=October 19, 2020 |archive-date=April 7, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210407000649/https://calgaryherald.com/news/local-news/longest-serving-city-councillor-steps-down-citing-health-concerns |url-status=live }}

A union-backed Third Party Advertiser “Calgary’s Future” endorsed Jyoti Gondek and a list of 13 candidates for the 14 council positions, and 8 of the 13 were elected.{{Cite web|url=https://calgaryherald.com/news/local-news/hotly-contested-2021-municipal-race-delivers-change-at-calgary-city-hall|title=Hotly contested 2021 municipal race delivers change at Calgary city hall|website=calgaryherald}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.calgarysfuture.ca/mayor-gondek|title=Calgary’s Future Unveils Final Election Endorsement|website=Calgary's Future}}{{Cite web|url=https://pressprogress.ca/the-battle-of-the-pacs-in-calgarys-municipal-election/|title=The battle of the PACs in Calgary’s municipal election}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.atu583.com/atu-583-monthly-insights-october-2021-issue-8/|title=ATU 583 Monthly Insights – October 2021 – Issue #8 – ATU 583}}

On April 6, 2021, incumbent three-term Mayor Naheed Nenshi announced on he would not seek a fourth term as mayor.{{Cite news|last=Cryderman|first=Kelly|date=April 6, 2021|title=Naheed Nenshi will not seek a fourth term as Calgary mayor|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/alberta/article-naheed-nenshi-will-not-seek-a-fourth-term-as-calgary-mayor/|url-status=live|access-date=April 7, 2021|location=Calgary|work=Globe and Mail|archive-date=April 7, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210407020923/https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/alberta/article-naheed-nenshi-will-not-seek-a-fourth-term-as-calgary-mayor/}}{{cite news |last1=Anderson |first1=Drew |title=Nenshi bows out after 3 terms as Calgary mayor |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/nenshi-mayor-election-announcement-1.5976892 |access-date=April 7, 2021 |work=CBC News |date=April 6, 2021 |location=Calgary |archive-date=April 6, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210406235056/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/nenshi-mayor-election-announcement-1.5976892 |url-status=live }}

Former Liberal Member of Parliament and Member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta Kent Hehr announced he would run for Mayor on September 6, 2021,{{cite news |last1=Rieger |first1=Sarah |title=Former Liberal MP Kent Hehr to run for Calgary mayor |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/kent-hehr-1.6166311 |access-date=October 1, 2021 |work=CBC News |date=September 6, 2021 |archive-date=October 1, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211001132131/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/kent-hehr-1.6166311 |url-status=live }} but subsequently withdrew prior to the nomination date on September 20.{{cite news |last1=Smith |first1=Madeline |title=Kent Hehr withdraws from mayoral race as Elections Calgary confirms official candidate list |url=https://calgaryherald.com/news/local-news/kent-hehr-withdraws-from-mayoral-race-citing-illness |access-date=October 1, 2021 |work=Calgary Herald |date=September 21, 2021 |archive-date=October 1, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211001113101/https://calgaryherald.com/news/local-news/kent-hehr-withdraws-from-mayoral-race-citing-illness |url-status=live }}

Candidates

X = incumbent.

Candidates as listed have filed the necessary paperwork with the City of Calgary.{{cite web |title=Candidates for the Calgary 2021 General Election |url=https://www.calgary.ca/election/information-for-voters/candidates.html |website=calgary.ca |publisher=City of Calgary |access-date=September 21, 2021 |archive-date=September 22, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210922194020/https://www.calgary.ca/election/information-for-voters/candidates.html |url-status=live }}

=Mayor=

class="wikitable"
style="background:#ddf; width:200px;"| Candidate

! style="background:#ddf; width:50px;"| Vote

! style="background:#ddf; width:30px;"| %

Jyoti Gondek176,34445.17
Jeromy Farkas116,69829.89
Jeff Davison50,65412.98
Brad Field19,3294.95
Jan Damery8,9352.29
Grace Yan2,7460.70
Zane Novak1,9910.51
Dean Hopkins1,8320.47
Kevin J. Johnston1,5650.40
Zaheed Ali Khan1,2470.32
Virginia Stone1,1720.30
Shaoli Wang1,0610.27
Ian Chiang9730.25
Teddy Ogbonna8620.22
Emile Gabriel6820.17
Zac Hartley5820.15
Sunny Singh5720.15
James Desautels5310.14
Mizanur Rahman4500.12
Larry Heather4290.11
Stan Waciak4230.11
Paul Michael Hallelujah3760.10
Adam Roberts3080.08
Will Vizor2040.05
Geoff Rainey1620.04
Randall Kaiser1370.04
Cory Lanterman1180.03
David Clark (Withdrawn)
Kent Hehr (Withdrawn)
Grant Prior (Withdrawn)

=Ward 1=

class="wikitable"
style="background:#ddf; width:200px;"| Candidate

! style="background:#ddf; width:50px;"| Vote

! style="background:#ddf; width:30px;"| %

Sonya Sharp14,03844.74
Steve Webb5,12316.33
Chris Blatch3,44610.98
Larry Tweedale2,5027.97
Jacob McGregor1,8345.85
Tom Antonick1,5905.07
Shauna Sears1,2884.10
Gaz Qamar1,2043.84
John Flip3521.12

= Ward 2 =

class="wikitable"
style="background:#ddf; width:200px;"| Candidate

! style="background:#ddf; width:50px;"| Vote

! style="background:#ddf; width:30px;"| %

Jennifer Wyness12,61648.09
Kim (Dong) Tyers6,86526.17
Joe Magliocca (X)2,70110.30
Francis Aranha1,7926.83
Sareen Singh1,1334.32
Theo van Besouw1,1264.29
Total26,233100

=Ward 3=

class="wikitable"
style="background:#ddf; width:200px;"| Candidate

! style="background:#ddf; width:50px;"| Vote

! style="background:#ddf; width:30px;"| %

Jasmine Mian7,26231.14
Brent Trenholm4,97021.31
Jun Lin3,40914.62
Ian McAnerin2,59011.10
Gurbir Singh Nijjar2,1189.08
Nate Pike1,7017.29
Kumar Sharma1,0334.43
Hamayun Akbar2411.03

=Ward 4=

class="wikitable"
style="background:#ddf; width:200px;"| Candidate

! style="background:#ddf; width:50px;"| Vote

! style="background:#ddf; width:30px;"| %

Sean Chu (X)12,65342.71
Daniel James (DJ) Kelly12,55342.38
Angela McIntyre3,46011.68
Shane Roberts9573.23

=Ward 5=

class="wikitable"
style="background:#ddf; width:200px;"| Candidate

! style="background:#ddf; width:50px;"| Vote

! style="background:#ddf; width:30px;"| %

Raj Dhaliwal4,65428.01
Stan Sandhu4,27625.73
Aryan Sadat3,88723.39
Tariq Khan1,88211.33
Tudor Dinca9275.58
Tahir Merali5403.25
Anand James Chetty4502.71

=Ward 6=

class="wikitable"
style="background:#ddf; width:200px;"| Candidate

! style="background:#ddf; width:50px;"| Vote

! style="background:#ddf; width:30px;"| %

Richard Pootmans16,38847.67
Lana Bentley9,55827.80
Sanjeev Kad6,95020.22
Duane Hall1,4844.32

=Ward 7=

class="wikitable"
style="background:#ddf; width:200px;"| Candidate

! style="background:#ddf; width:50px;"| Vote

! style="background:#ddf; width:30px;"| %

Terry Wong6,29125.38
Erin Waite5,63822.74
Heather McRae5,27821.29
Marilyn North Peigan3,78415.26
Matt Lalonde1,4255.75
Derek Williams7783.14
Greg Amoruso7312.95
Benjamin Shepherd5812.34
Daria Bogdanov2851.15

=Ward 8=

class="wikitable"
style="background:#ddf; width:200px;"| Candidate

! style="background:#ddf; width:50px;"| Vote

! style="background:#ddf; width:30px;"| %

Courtney Walcott9,55931.46
Gary Bobrovitz6,91422.75
Natalie Winkler3,53611.64
Paul Bergmann3,43511.30
Cornelia Wiebe3,0219.94
Monique Auffrey2,1687.13
Philip Mitchell1,0823.56
Yogi Henderson4181.38
Madina Kanayeva2530.83

=Ward 9=

class="wikitable"
style="background:#ddf; width:200px;"| Candidate

! style="background:#ddf; width:50px;"| Vote

! style="background:#ddf; width:30px;"| %

Gian-Carlo Carra (X)7,05635.59
Naomi Withers6,89534.77
Kimberly Feser1,8559.36
Lori Masse9774.93
Daymond Khan8784.43
Derek Reimer8704.39
John-William Wade8614.34
Abdirizak Hadi2211.11
Syed Hasnain1190.60
Omar M'Keyo960.48

=Ward 10=

class="wikitable"
style="background:#ddf; width:200px;"| Candidate

! style="background:#ddf; width:50px;"| Vote

! style="background:#ddf; width:30px;"| %

Andre Chabot6,41432.71
Abed Harb5,54728.29
Tony Dinh3,01415.37
Bud Thurlow1,1305.76
Esther Sutherland6913.52
Carla Evers6303.21
Jasbir (Jesse) Minhas6183.15
Leslyn Joseph4292.19
Roshan Chumber3982.03
Issa Mosa3932.00
Mushtaq Kayani3451.76

=Ward 11=

class="wikitable"
style="background:#ddf; width:200px;"| Candidate

! style="background:#ddf; width:50px;"| Vote

! style="background:#ddf; width:30px;"| %

Kourtney Branagan10,88928.36
Rob Ward10,00826.07
Lauren Herschel4,69012.22
Mike Jamieson3,7869.86
Geoffrey Vanderburg3,3488.72
Vance Bertram2,6586.92
Devin DeFraine2,1955.72
Dawid Pawlowski8162.13

=Ward 12=

class="wikitable"
style="background:#ddf; width:200px;"| Candidate

! style="background:#ddf; width:50px;"| Vote

! style="background:#ddf; width:30px;"| %

Evan Spencer9,82238.90
Craig Chandler5,18820.55
Steven Phan4,99819.79
Teresa Hargreaves2,1838.65
Mike LaValley1,7346.87
Michael Streilein5582.21
John (Chubby Hubby) Duta4201.66
Dirk Fontaine3461.37

=Ward 13=

class="wikitable"
style="background:#ddf; width:200px;"| Candidate

! style="background:#ddf; width:50px;"| Vote

! style="background:#ddf; width:30px;"| %

Dan McLean12,80246.48
Jay Unsworth8,37130.39
Diane Colley-Urquhart (X)6,37123.13

=Ward 14=

class="wikitable"
style="background:#ddf; width:200px;"| Candidate

! style="background:#ddf; width:50px;"| Vote

! style="background:#ddf; width:30px;"| %

Peter Demong (X)20,41265.57
Andrea Hinton5,34217.16
Anton Ovtchinnikov3,0989.95
Stephen Dabbagh2,2777.31

=Public school trustees=

class="wikitable"

|+Calgary School District

! Candidate !! Votes !! %

colspan=3 | Ward 1/2
Adam Dossa3,90510
Dana Downey24,50965
Allan To3,2919
Melanie Wen5,79515
colspan=3 | Ward 3/4
Althea Adams (X)10,05529
Najeeb Butt2,8108
Claudia Fuentes4,93714
Laura Hack16,23247
Oun Saegh2781
colspan=3 | Ward 5/10
Malik Ashraf4,17416
Jay Chowdhury1,1524
Marilyn Dennis (X)7,72529
Hasreet Dhami3,12412
Humaira Falak3,77114
Christa Harris2,3379
Stephen John1,3115
Michael Siapno Juarez1,1554
Baldev Kaur Tamber1,2004
Vikas Verma7903
colspan=3 | Ward 6/7
Olga Barcelo3,6409
Patricia Bolger19,96352
Barbara La Pointe6,98818
Cheryl Munson4,40611
Carter Thomson3,71410
colspan=3 | Ward 8/9
David Barrett10,24129
Slobodab Mladenov7302
Stacey Selley7,32221
Monica Truong6,01117
Susan Vukadinovic10,68031
colspan=3 | Ward 11/13
Shirley Anderson13,88832
Nancy Close22,67852
Hilary Sellen7,30217
colspan=3 | Ward 12/14
Jim Govenlock2,8448
Shawn Hubbard5,78517
Maxx Lapthorne6,58019
Charlene May16,02946
Dar Zuch3,64810

=Separate school trustees=

class="wikitable"

|+Calgary Catholic School District

! Candidate !! Votes !! %

colspan=3 | Ward 1/2/Cochrane
Myra D'Souza (X)
Blair Pedron Daniels
Brian O'Neill
Edney Saldanha
Edward Tse
colspan=3 | Ward 3/5/Airdrie
Oscar "Jun" Buera
Addie Corah
Pina Lamb
Linda Wellman (X)
colspan=3 | Ward 4/7
Joe DeGagne
Dan Penna
Pamela Rath (X)
colspan=3 | Ward 6/8
Lory Iovinelli (X)

| colspan=2" | Acclaimed

colspan=3 | Ward 9/10/Chestermere
Shannon Cook
John D. Ramsay
Oksana Shevchenko
colspan=3 | Ward 11/12
Cathie Williams (X)

| colspan=2" | Acclaimed

colspan=3 | Ward 13/14
Mary Martin (X)

| colspan=2" | Acclaimed

Plebiscite

Calgary's 2021 municipal election included one plebiscite question regarding whether to reintroduce fluoridation to the water supply.{{cite web | url=https://www.calgary.ca/election/information-for-voters/whats-on-the-ballot.html#municipal | title=What's on the Ballot | publisher=City of Calgary | access-date=August 2, 2021 | archive-date=September 9, 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210909145401/https://www.calgary.ca/election/information-for-voters/whats-on-the-ballot.html#municipal | url-status=live }}

class="wikitable"
+ "Are you in favour of reintroducing fluoridation of the municipal water supply?"
style="background:#ddf; width:60%" | Side

! style="background:#ddf;" | Votes

! style="background:#ddf;" | %

Yes204,45761.59
No127,48338.41

Mayoral opinion polling

800x800px

{{row hover highlight}}

class="wikitable sortable mw-datatable" style="text-align:center; line-height:14px"
Polling firm

! Date(s)
administered

! Jan
Damery

! Jeff
Davison

! Jeromy
Farkas

! Brad
Field

! Jyoti
Gondek

! Other

! Sample
size

! Polling
method

Actual results

| October 18, 2021

| 2%

| 13%

| 30%

| 5%

| style="background-color:#f7b7d1" | 45%

| 5%

| 390,383

| N/A

Leger{{cite web |title=New poll suggests race for mayor will go down to the wire between Gondek and Farkas|url=https://calgaryherald.com/news/local-news/new-poll-suggests-mayoral-race-shaping-up-for-nail-biting-finish |publisher=Calgary Herald |access-date=October 16, 2021 |date=October 14, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211014125444/https://calgaryherald.com/news/local-news/new-poll-suggests-mayoral-race-shaping-up-for-nail-biting-finish |archive-date=October 14, 2021}} {{cite web |title=ALBERTA MUNICIPAL POLL & REFERENDUM QUESTIONS – OCTOBER 14, 2021|url=https://leger360.com/surveys/alberta-municipal-poll-referendum-questions-october-14-2021/ |publisher=Leger |access-date=October 16, 2021 |date=October 14, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211014200304/https://leger360.com/surveys/alberta-municipal-poll-referendum-questions-october-14-2021/ |archive-date=October 14, 2021}}

|{{opmdrts|8|11|Oct|2021|year}}

|4%

|11%

|24%

|6%

|style="background-color:#f7b7d1" | 27%

|Undecided 20%
Other 8%

|502

|Online

Northwest Research Groups{{cite web |title=Common Sense Calgary:Mayoral And Ward-By-Ward Polls Released |url=https://www.commonsensecalgary.com/mayoral_and_ward_by_ward_polls_released |publisher=Common Sense Calgary |access-date=October 12, 2021 |date=October 12, 2021 |archive-date=October 12, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211012133107/https://www.commonsensecalgary.com/mayoral_and_ward_by_ward_polls_released |url-status=live }}

|{{opmdrts|7|9|Oct|2021|year}}

|3%

|12%

|style="background-color:#b8e8fc" | 31%

|8%

|30%

|Undecided 12%
Other 5%

|4636

|Phone - Interactive Voice Response

Spadina Strategies{{cite web |title=Spadina Strategies:Voter Intention - Calgary Mayor |url=https://twitter.com/ZachJeffries10/status/1445935670942334976 |publisher=Spadina Strategies |access-date=October 6, 2021 |date=October 6, 2021 |archive-date=October 7, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211007021517/https://twitter.com/ZachJeffries10/status/1445935670942334976 |url-status=live }}

|{{opmdrts|5|6|Oct|2021|year}}

|4%

|7%

|30.4%

|8.8%

|style="background-color:#f7b7d1" | 31.3%

|Undecided 18.4%

|668

|Phone - Interactive Voice Response

Leger{{cite web|title=Calgary election: Gondek leading Farkas in close race for mayor, according to new poll|url=https://globalnews.ca/news/8245368/calgary-election-mayor-race-gondek-farkas/|publisher=Global News|access-date=October 5, 2021|date=October 5, 2021|archive-date=October 6, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211006022245/http://globalnews.ca/news/8245368/calgary-election-mayor-race-gondek-farkas/|url-status=live}}

|{{opmdrts|1|4|Oct|2021|year}}

|3%

|12%

|24%

|5%

|style="background-color:#f7b7d1" | 26%

|Undecided 29%
Other 2%
Zane Novak 1%

|500

|Online

Janet Brown Opinion Research{{cite web|title=2021 CBC Calgary Municipal Poll|url=http://planetjanet.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/2021-10-05-2021-CBC-Calgary-Municipal-Poll-Supporting-data.pdf/|publisher=CBC|access-date=October 6, 2021|date=October 5, 2021|archive-date=October 6, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211006223008/http://planetjanet.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/2021-10-05-2021-CBC-Calgary-Municipal-Poll-Supporting-data.pdf|url-status=live}}

|{{opmdrts|22|30|Sep|2021|year}}

|2.6%

|7.4%

|21.1%

|2.5%

|style="background-color:#f7b7d1" | 26.8%

|Other 6.1%
Don't know / None of the above 33.5%

|1000

|Online, Recruited unique panel

ThinkHQ{{cite web |title=Calgary’s Mayor’s Race Tightening |url=https://thinkhq.ca/calgarys-mayors-race-tightening/ |publisher=ThinkHQ |access-date=September 25, 2021 |date=September 22, 2021 |archive-date=September 25, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210925204424/https://thinkhq.ca/calgarys-mayors-race-tightening/ |url-status=live }}

|{{opmdrts|13|16|Sep|2021|year}}

|2%

|6%

|style="background-color:#b8e8fc" | 30%

|3%

|25%

|Undecided 28%
Other 2%
Wouldn't vote 1%
Kent Hehr 3%

|1,109

|Online

Mainstreet{{cite web |title=Mainstreet Research Poll for the City of Calgary |url=https://westernstandardonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Calgary-WS-02September2021.pdf |publisher=Western Standard |access-date=September 7, 2021 |date=September 7, 2021 |archive-date=September 7, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210907135017/https://westernstandardonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Calgary-WS-02September2021.pdf |url-status=live }}

|{{opmdrts|29|1|Sep|2021|year}}

|–

|6%

|style="background-color:#b8e8fc" | 23%

|3%

|style="background-color:#f7b7d1" | 23%

|Undecided 34%
Other 12%

|808

|Telephone

Leger{{cite web |title=Referendum Questions & Municipal Poll |url=https://2g2ckk18vixp3neolz4b6605-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Report-Municipal-Poll-and-Referendum-Questions-Calgary-Herald-and-Edmonton-Journal-July-29-2021.pdf |publisher=Leger |access-date=August 12, 2021 |date=August 2, 2021 |archive-date=August 3, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210803032815/https://2g2ckk18vixp3neolz4b6605-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Report-Municipal-Poll-and-Referendum-Questions-Calgary-Herald-and-Edmonton-Journal-July-29-2021.pdf |url-status=live }}

|{{opmdrts|22|26|Jul|2021|year}}

|2%

|5%

|style="background-color:#b8e8fc" | 20%

|2%

|12%

|Undecided 46%
Other 12%

|464

|Online

Leger{{cite report |title=Calgary Firefighters Association Omni - July 8, 2021[71] |url=https://www.scribd.com/document/515604226/Calgary-Firefighters-Association-Omni-July-8-2021-71 |website=Scribd |access-date=July 13, 2021 |date=July 2021 |archive-date=January 17, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220117161408/https://www.scribd.com/document/515604226/Calgary-Firefighters-Association-Omni-July-8-2021-71 |url-status=live }}

|{{opmdrts|1|7|Jul|2021|year}}

|1%

|7%

|style="background-color:#b8e8fc" | 19%

|3%

|14%

|Undecided 55%
Other 11%

|500

|Online

Mainstreet Research{{cite report |title=Calgary's Next Mayor is...going to be elected on October 18th, 2021 |url=https://westernstandardonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Calgary-Poll-Mayors-Race.pdf |website=Western Standard |publisher=Mainstreet Research |access-date=April 26, 2021 |date=January 2021 |archive-date=February 5, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210205033436/https://westernstandardonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Calgary-Poll-Mayors-Race.pdf |url-status=live }}

|{{opmdrts|25|26|Jan|2021|year}}

| –

| –

| 30%

| 2%

| 6%

| {{hs|25}}Naheed Nenshi 34%
Undecided 22%
Other 5%

| 1,603

| Online

Common Sense Calgary{{cite report |title=Frontrunners Emerge In First 2021 Mayoral Poll |url=https://www.commonsensecalgary.com/calgary_2021_mayoral_poll |website=Common Sense Calgary |publisher=Common Sense Calgary |access-date=September 7, 2021 |date=January 2021 |archive-date=September 7, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210907221938/https://www.commonsensecalgary.com/calgary_2021_mayoral_poll |url-status=live }}

| {{opmdrts|17|19|Jan|2021|year}}

| –

| 8.2%

| style="background-color:#b8e8fc" | 54.5%

| 3.8%

| 19.8%

| {{hs|25}}Other 4.3%

| 1,284

| Telephone

Issues

=Fluoride plebiscite=

On February 1, 2021, Calgary City Council approved a vote on a question on whether Calgarians support reintroducing fluoride to the city's water supply. The plebiscite was the seventh time Calgarians have been asked whether fluoride should be added to the municipal water system, with the plebiscites failing to gain support in the first four instances in 1957, 1961 1966, and 1971, and finally succeeding in 1989 and reaffirmed by voters again in 1998.{{cite news |last1=Smith |first1=Madeline |title=A brief history of Calgary's long relationship with fluoride votes |url=https://calgaryherald.com/news/local-news/a-brief-history-of-calgarys-long-relationship-with-fluoride-votes |access-date=March 9, 2021 |work=Calgary Herald |date=February 3, 2021 |archive-date=March 9, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210309152129/https://calgaryherald.com/news/local-news/a-brief-history-of-calgarys-long-relationship-with-fluoride-votes |url-status=live }} Calgary City Council previously voted to remove fluoride from the water supply in February 2011, the program at the time cost $750,000 annually, and faced upcoming $6-million upgrade to water treatment plants to continue the program.{{cite news |title=Calgary removing fluoride from water supply |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/calgary-removing-fluoride-from-water-supply-1.1022279 |access-date=March 24, 2021 |work=CBC News |date=February 8, 2011 |location=Calgary |archive-date=March 2, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210302203453/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/calgary-removing-fluoride-from-water-supply-1.1022279 |url-status=live }}

The Alberta Dental Association and College estimates that there is somewhere between 0.1 and 0.4 parts per million of fluoride naturally occurring in drinking water.{{cite news |last1=MacVicar |first1=Adam |title=Calgary election: Groups campaign on both sides of fluoride debate |url=https://globalnews.ca/news/8258477/calgary-election-fluoride-debate/ |access-date=12 October 2021 |work=Global News |date=October 11, 2021 |archive-date=October 12, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211012223230/https://globalnews.ca/news/8258477/calgary-election-fluoride-debate/ |url-status=live }} City of Calgary administration planned that if reintroduced, the city's drinking water supply would be regulated at 0.7 parts per million of fluoride, at a cost of $30 million over 20 years.

=Equalization referendum=

{{main|2021 Alberta equalization payments referendum}}

Following the release of the Fair Deal Panel's recommendations in June 2020, Premier Jason Kenney announced a provincial referendum on a measure to remove equalization payments from the Constitution of Canada would be held in conjunction with the 2021 Alberta municipal elections. The announcement was criticized by Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi arguing it was a distraction for voters who should be focused on local issues.{{cite news |last1=Perri |first1=Aurelio |title=Provincial referendum during municipal election disrespectful: Calgary mayor |url=https://globalnews.ca/news/7082431/provincial-referendum-municipal-election-disrespectful-calgary-nenshi/ |access-date=March 16, 2021 |work=Global News |date=June 18, 2020 |location=Calgary |archive-date=February 27, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210227114702/https://globalnews.ca/news/7082431/provincial-referendum-municipal-election-disrespectful-calgary-nenshi/ |url-status=live }} Mount Royal University political scientist Duane Bratt noted the inclusion of a generally conservative ballot issue would likely have the effect of increasing conservative participation and therefore conservative leaning candidate success in the otherwise non-partisan election.{{cite news |last1=Bratt |first1=Duane |title=CBC poll results underline how much at stake in upcoming municipal elections |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/road-ahead-poll-municipal-election-referendum-plebiscite-1.5995203 |access-date=May 3, 2021 |work=CBC News |date=April 21, 2021 |location=Calgary |archive-date=May 3, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210503002513/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/road-ahead-poll-municipal-election-referendum-plebiscite-1.5995203 |url-status=live }}

The referendum question proposed by the Fair Deal Panel was "Do you support the removal of Section 36, which deals with the principle of equalization, from the Constitution Act, 1982?" The final wording of the question was changed slightly prior to approval by the Legislature to "Should Section 36(2) of the Constitution Act, 1982 — Parliament and the Government of Canada’s commitment to the principle of making equalization payments — be removed from the Constitution?"{{cite news |title=Alberta moves forward on equalization referendum, with vote proposed in October |url=https://globalnews.ca/news/7929801/alberta-equalization-referendum-vote-october/ |access-date=July 13, 2021 |work=Global News |agency=The Canadian Press |date=June 7, 2021 |archive-date=July 13, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210713144907/https://globalnews.ca/news/7929801/alberta-equalization-referendum-vote-october/ |url-status=live }}

In response to the provincial question, Calgary City Council began preparing a vote on a question asking if city had a fair fiscal relationship with the provincial government,{{cite news |last1=Smith |first1=Madeline |title=Calgary could add question on 'fair deal' for cities to municipal ballots |url=https://calgaryherald.com/news/local-news/calgary-could-add-question-on-fair-deal-for-cities-to-municipal-ballots |access-date=May 16, 2021 |work=Calgary Herald |date=May 13, 2021 |archive-date=May 16, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210516210533/https://calgaryherald.com/news/local-news/calgary-could-add-question-on-fair-deal-for-cities-to-municipal-ballots |url-status=live }} however ultimately City Council decided not to include the question as a plebiscite during the election.{{cite news |last1=MacVicar |first1=Adam |title=Question on fair deal for Calgary taxpayers won’t be added to municipal ballot |url=https://globalnews.ca/news/7971716/calgary-fair-deal-election-ballot-council/ |access-date=July 13, 2021 |work=Global News |date=June 23, 2021 |archive-date=July 13, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210713144907/https://globalnews.ca/news/7971716/calgary-fair-deal-election-ballot-council/ |url-status=live }}

= Daylight saving time referendum =

On July 15, Premier Jason Kenney announced that in addition to the referendum on equalization, Albertans would also vote on whether to end the practice of observing daylight saving time.{{cite news |last1=Anderson |first1=Drew |title=Premier Jason Kenney announces equalization, daylight saving referendums |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/alberta-jason-kenney-referendum-equalization-1.6103528 |access-date=July 17, 2021 |work=CBC News |date=July 15, 2021 |archive-date=July 17, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210717070450/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/alberta-jason-kenney-referendum-equalization-1.6103528 |url-status=live }} Albertans had previously voted on implementing daylight saving time twice, first in 1967 when Albertans rejected the proposal by a narrow margin with 48.75 per cent approving. Four years later in 1971, Albertans voted on daylight saving time again, this time overwhelmingly approving the proposal with 61.47 per cent supporting.

=Senate nominee election=

{{main|2021 Alberta Senate nominee election}}

Between 1989 and 2012 Alberta has been the only province to hold Senate nominee elections. The 1989 and 1998 Alberta Senate nominee election were held in conjunction with the Alberta's municipal elections, while the 2004 and 2012 Alberta Senate nominee election were held in conjunction with elections for the Legislative Assembly of Alberta. The New Democratic government allowed the Senatorial Section Act to expire in 2016,{{Cite web|url=https://daveberta.ca/tag/senatorial-selection-act/|title=Once upon a time Alberta MLAs had meaningful ideas about Senate Reform|last=Cournoyer|first=Dave|date=December 13, 2016|website=daveberta.ca|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190414103220/https://daveberta.ca/tag/senatorial-selection-act/|archive-date=April 14, 2019|access-date=September 12, 2018}} which was subsequently reintroduced by the United Conservative government in 2019.{{cite news |last1=Graney |first1=Emma |title=UCP tables legislation to bring back elections for senators from Alberta |url=https://edmontonjournal.com/news/politics/kenney-touts-legislation-to-bring-in-alberta-senate-elections |access-date=March 16, 2021 |work=Edmonton Journal |date=June 26, 2019 |archive-date=February 25, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210225175522/https://edmontonjournal.com/news/politics/kenney-touts-legislation-to-bring-in-alberta-senate-elections/ |url-status=live }} Of the 10 nominees (often called "senators-in-waiting") in the previous votes, only five have been appointed to the Senate of Canada.

=Candidacy of Kevin J. Johnston=

Calgary mayor candidate Kevin J. Johnston posted a video on social media criticizing public health measures related to the COVID-19 pandemic in Alberta. Johnston stated as mayor he would go to the homes of Alberta Health Services (AHS) Environmental Public Health staff homes while armed, and vowed to dox a member of AHS. On May 14, 2021, a justice of Court of Queen's Bench of Alberta granted AHS a restraining order against Johnston, forbidding obstructing or interfering with AHS employees, taking video, photos or audio of employees or coming within 100 metres of AHS employees.{{cite news |last1=Herring |first1=Jason |title=Restraining order granted against mayoral candidate threatening AHS staff |url=https://calgaryherald.com/news/local-news/ahs-granted-restraining-order-against-kevin-j-johnston |access-date=May 16, 2021 |work=Calgary Herald |date=May 14, 2021 |archive-date=May 15, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210515232433/https://calgaryherald.com/news/local-news/ahs-granted-restraining-order-against-kevin-j-johnston |url-status=live }} Johnston was arrested the next day by Calgary Police Services after attending an illegal public gathering in contradiction of public health orders.{{cite news |title=Police arrest Calgary mayoral candidate Kevin J. Johnston for attending illegal gathering |url=https://calgaryherald.com/news/local-news/police-arrest-fringe-calgary-mayoral-candidate-kevin-j-johnston |access-date=May 16, 2021 |work=Calgary Herald |date=May 15, 2021 |archive-date=May 16, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210516042555/https://calgaryherald.com/news/local-news/police-arrest-fringe-calgary-mayoral-candidate-kevin-j-johnston |url-status=live }}{{cite news |title=Calgary mayoral candidate who threatened health workers arrested after attending illegal gathering |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/kevin-j-johnston-arrested-1.6028678 |access-date=May 16, 2021 |work=CBC News |date=May 15, 2021 |location=Calgary |archive-date=May 16, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210516031545/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/kevin-j-johnston-arrested-1.6028678 |url-status=live }}

The City of Calgary investigated legal options to prevent the city's electors list from being shared with Johnston. Under the Local Authorities Election Act and the city's bylaws, the city was obligated to provide the electors list with all candidate. Alberta Health Services, other candidates and the media aired concerns of providing the names and addresses of all Calgarians, including AHS health inspectors which Johnston had previously doxed and made threats against.{{cite news |last1=Grant |first1=Meghan |last2=Rieger |first2=Sarah |title=Calgary weighs legal options amid fear candidate threatening health workers will soon have voter addresses |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/calgary-voter-list-kevin-j-johnston-city-province-1.6021290 |access-date=May 16, 2021 |work=CBC News |date=May 11, 2021 |location=Calgary |archive-date=May 15, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210515213007/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/calgary-voter-list-kevin-j-johnston-city-province-1.6021290 |url-status=live }} On May 18, 2021, the City of Calgary responded to the public concern by deciding not to create a voter list for the 2021 municipal election, meaning no candidate would receive information about voters names or addresses from the city.{{cite news |last1=Edwardson |first1=Lucie |title=Calgary mayoral candidate who threatened health workers won't have access to voters' names, addresses |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/calgary-mayoral-candidate-who-threatened-health-workers-won-t-have-access-to-voters-names-addresses-1.6032089 |access-date=May 20, 2021 |work=CBC News |date=May 18, 2021 |location=Calgary |archive-date=May 20, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210520041304/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/calgary-mayoral-candidate-who-threatened-health-workers-won-t-have-access-to-voters-names-addresses-1.6032089 |url-status=live }}

On July 12, 2021, Johnston pleaded guilty to one charge of harassment and one charge of causing a disturbance related to two separate incidents after serving 48 days in custody. Johnston was sentenced to two consecutive 9 month periods of probation.{{cite news |last1=Toy |first1=Adam |title=Kevin J. Johnston gets probation after pleading guilty to harassment, disturbance charges in Calgary |url=https://globalnews.ca/news/8021474/kevin-j-johnston-parole-harassment-disturbance-charges/ |access-date=July 13, 2021 |work=Global News |date=July 12, 2021 |archive-date=July 12, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210712182404/https://globalnews.ca/news/8021474/kevin-j-johnston-parole-harassment-disturbance-charges/ |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last1=Grant |first1=Meghan |title='Belligerent' Calgary mayoral candidate pleads guilty to criminal charges on Day 1 of trial |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/kevin-j-johnston-criminal-trial-disturbance-calgary-1.6096408 |access-date=July 13, 2021 |work=CBC News |date=July 12, 2021 |location=Calgary |archive-date=July 13, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210713012247/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/kevin-j-johnston-criminal-trial-disturbance-calgary-1.6096408 |url-status=live }} In September 2021, Johnston pleaded guilty to breaching three court orders to comply with public health measures to reduce the spread of COVID-19, and was sentenced to 40 days in jail and to pay costs to Alberta Health Services of $20,000.{{cite news |last1=Martin |first1=Kevin |title=Fringe mayoral candidate Kevin J. Johnston sentenced to 40 days in jail for breaching public health measures |url=https://calgaryherald.com/news/local-news/anti-vaxxer-kevin-j-johnston-jailed-for-multiple-breaches-of-court-orders |access-date=October 1, 2021 |work=Calgary Herald |date=September 8, 2021 |archive-date=October 1, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211001092010/https://calgaryherald.com/news/local-news/anti-vaxxer-kevin-j-johnston-jailed-for-multiple-breaches-of-court-orders |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last1=Grant |first1=Meghan |title=Calgary mayoral candidate Kevin J. Johnston to serve 40 days on weekends for 'out of control' behaviour |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/kevin-j-johnston-sentence-contempt-alberta-ahs-1.6168121 |access-date=October 1, 2021 |work=CBC News |date=September 8, 2021 |archive-date=October 1, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211001132637/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/kevin-j-johnston-sentence-contempt-alberta-ahs-1.6168121 |url-status=live }} In January 2022, he was arrested at the Alberta-Montana border, having failed to show up for jail sentences.{{cite news |author1=Shanifa Nasser |author2=Meghan Grant |title=Kevin J. Johnston arrested in U.S. after failing to show up for jail sentences in Ontario and Alberta |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/kevin-j-johnston-wanted-arrest-jail-fakih-1.6303790 |access-date=4 January 2022 |work=CBC News |publisher=Canadian Broadcasting Corporation |date=4 January 2022 |location=Toronto ON |archive-date=January 5, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220105042808/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/kevin-j-johnston-wanted-arrest-jail-fakih-1.6303790 |url-status=live }}

Johnston had previously ran as a mayoral candidate in the 2018 Mississauga municipal election, coming in second with 13.5 per cent of the popular vote. After the election, Johnston was sued and found liable for defamation. He was required to refrain from making defamatory statements about the plaintiff, and to pay $2.5 million in damages. The defamation was described by the judge as "hate speech at its worst".{{cite news |last1=Toy |first1=Adam |title=Calgary mayoral candidate Kevin J. Johnston gets 18-month jail sentence in Ontario |url=https://globalnews.ca/news/8242940/calgary-kevin-j-johnston-sentence-ontario/ |access-date=12 October 2021 |work=Global News |agency=770 CHQR |date=October 4, 2021 |location=Calgary |archive-date=October 16, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211016014128/https://globalnews.ca/news/8242940/calgary-kevin-j-johnston-sentence-ontario/ |url-status=live }} On October 4, 2021, Johnston was sentenced to 18 months in jail by the Ontario Superior Court for six instances of contempt of court in relation to comments made on social media about the original 2019 injunction.

See also

References

{{Reflist|30em}}

=Opinion poll sources=

{{reflist|group="p"|}}

External links

  • [https://www.calgary.ca/citycouncil/city-council-elections.html City Council elections] — City of Calgary

{{Calgary elections}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Calgary Municipal Election, 2021}}

Category:2021 Alberta municipal elections

2021

Category:2020s in Calgary