Mayor Naheed Nenshi’s decision to cancel future open houses pertaining to the southwest transitway and the bus rapid transit (BRT) project has drawn criticism from the group that has been a vocal opponent of the project.
Nenshi says City of Calgary staff members were bullied during Tuesday’s heavily attended information session in Woodbine. The mayor says employees were subjected to death threats and physical altercations and the incidents have been reported to the Calgary Police Service.
“I am not sending city staff into environments where they are unsafe,” said Nenshi on Friday. “It is not right to treat any other human being that way whether you pay their salary or not.”
“It is not a safe workplace. That is why we are not going to have any more of these face-to-face things.”
Ready to Engage! spokesperson Rick Donkers says the group is looking for an apology because it is being portrayed as a mob and not as a group of concerned citizens.
Donkers says many southwest residents feel as the project was approved without warning or public consultation.
“We don’t support any disrespect to city officials,” said Donkers. “We want a respectful engagement here but we do think citizens have the right to be heard.”
Mayor Nenshi says an apology is not forthcoming.
“As far as Ready to Engage! asking for an apology, I think responsible grownups take responsibility for their actions.”
Nenshi says the cancellation of the open houses does not end the consultation process. Calgarians are encouraged to engage with the city about the BRT online at City of Calgary – Southwest Transitway
