Nenshi encourages people to vote 'no' on referendum questions 'on principle'

CALGARY -

Outgoing mayor Naheed Nenshi takes one more shot at the premier before election day, telling Calgarians to vote 'no' to Jason Kenney’s “ridiculous” referendums.

On his social media, Nenshi called this election “a wet clay moment” in Calgary’s history.

“We can mould our future. But we have to do this before the clay sets,” Nenshi said in his post.

Nenshi is not running for reelection so Calgary will be welcoming a new mayor and at least nine new councillors to city hall.

“It is critical that we choose those who can meet this moment in history, those who can take us into the positive future we want and we need,” Nenshi added.

My thoughts on the upcoming Calgary election - if it helps you make a decision on Election Day. pic.twitter.com/mYqT3OcGDc

— Naheed Nenshi (@nenshi) October 17, 2021

He talked about several city issues, such as gas prices, the city’s finances and taxes. Nenshi also called comments about city staff “skimming” funds by candidate Jeromy Farkas “false and misleading.”

The post ended with a dig at Alberta’s premier, who Nenshi has criticized for his pandemic response.

Read more: UCP government 'the most incompetent' he's seen, Calgary's mayor says

“Oh, and do vote against Jason Kenney’s ridiculous referendums, on principle if nothing else,” Nenshi said at the end of his post.

The day after Nenshi tweeted his thoughts on Calgary's upcoming election, Justice Minister Kaycee Madu responded to the comments by saying it's the sort of "petty politics" that have "devastated Alberta’s biggest city and undermined our province."

"Calgarians have a responsibility to reject these," Madu tweeted. "This has gone on for far too long and needs to stop. Calgary is too important to be left for these guys. Vote right."

This is the sort of petty politics that have devastated Alberta’s biggest city and undermined our province. Calgarians have a responsibility to reject these. This has gone on for far too long and needs to stop. Calgary is too important to be left for these guys. Vote right. https://t.co/J9H9g3OUgF

— Kaycee Madu (@KayceeMaduYEG) October 18, 2021