Calgary's first municipal political party has been established
Calgary’s first political party at the municipal level has been established after provincial legislation cleared the way for party affiliations at the local level.
Alberta’s contentious Bill 20, passed in May, allows political parties on municipal ballots, along with granting the province greater authority to fire elected municipal councillors and veto city bylaws.
A Better Calgary Party was officially launched on Wednesday, the first municipal party in the city.
The party is described as a membership-driven, “big tent” – meaning members have a wide spectrum of beliefs – organization.
“A Better Calgary Party has officially launched and is ready to tell the story of what makes Calgary the best city to live, work, play, raise a family and do business in and why a municipal party will help to ensure this for generations to come,” the party said in a news release.
A Better Calgary Party's logo is seen. (Courtesy: A Better Calgary Party)
The party will be holding a Stampede barbecue on July 12 at 3:45 p.m. in Bowness Park, to help Calgarians learn more.
“Calgarians deserve the best leadership and we believe a party system will attract and encourage people with a call for public service to come forward,” Jon Horsman, one of the party spokespeople and Ward 4 resident, said in the release.
“A party is an opportunity for the people of Calgary to get involved in the municipal political process. A Better Calgary Party is welcoming a broad coalition of members, volunteers, and candidates to build a better Calgary.”
The province faced criticism of Bill 20 from several municipal leaders, including in Calgary and Edmonton.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Killer who stabbed victim 'at least 52 times' dies in B.C. prison
A 72-year-old inmate serving a life sentence for a brutal murder that happened in Chilliwack in 2016 has died, according to the Correctional Service of Canada.
Israeli airstrikes hit the southern suburbs of Beirut after another strike destroyed buildings
The Israeli military said it struck Hezbollah's headquarters in Beirut on Friday in a series of massive explosions that targeted the leader of the militant group and levelled multiple high-rise apartment buildings.
American woman gets SUV stuck in elevator bay at B.C. casino
A U.S. driver somehow squeezed her vehicle through a parkade hallway at a Metro Vancouver casino Thursday, before getting stuck at an elevator bank.
Hurricane Helene kills at least 44 and cuts a swath of destruction across the Southeast
Hurricane Helene left an enormous path of destruction across Florida and the southeastern U.S. on Friday, killing at least 44 people, snapping towering oaks like twigs and tearing apart homes as rescue crews launched desperate missions to save people from floodwaters.
After decades-long search, northern Ontario man finds vintage vehicle in Larder Lake
A tale about a taxicab hauling gold and sinking through the ice on Larder Lake, Ont., in December 1937 has captivated a man from that town for decades.
2 people caught illegally crossing the International Railroad Bridge into the U.S.: border officials
Two Italian citizens have been apprehended after allegedly illegally crossing over the International Railroad Bridge to the United States.
Former military reservist sentenced for shotgun video calling Liberal MP a 'communist agent' for China
A former Canadian military reservist has been sentenced to house arrest after posting a video of himself firing a shotgun at a picture of a member of Parliament whom he accused of being a 'communist agent' for China.
P.E.I. shellfish festival gastrointestinal illness outbreak largest in province's history: health officer
More than 550 symptomatic people responded to an online questionnaire about a gastrointestinal illness at a Prince Edward Island shellfish festival last weekend.
Family of man who died in incident involving Calgary police issues statement
The family of Jon Wells, a man who died in an incident involving Calgary police earlier this month, say they are seeking time to grieve their loss.