Calgary councillor Richard Pootmans stepping down after 10 years of service

A Calgary city councillor has resigned his seat on council after 10 years of service.

The announcement that Ward 6 Coun. Richard Pootmans was stepping down came during Tuesday’s council meeting.

Mayor Jyoti Gondek said council was informed the move is due to “personal and family reasons” and is effective immediately.

Pootmans had been on council for 10 years in two different stints — from 2010 to 2017 before being elected again in 2021.

“I just want to say that Coun. Pootmans made incredible contributions to this city,” said Gondek. “He’s one of the kindest people you will meet in a role like this.”

“He was compassionate and very dedicated to his work and I’ll miss working with him.”

Gondek says details on how residents in Ward 6 will be represented moving forward are being finalized.

“There is no need for a byelection if it is less than a year before the upcoming election,” said Gondek, citing a provision in the Municipal Government Act. “We’ll come up with a strategy that ensures the Ward 6 team is well supported.”

The mayor is requesting the media and public respect the privacy of Pootmans and his family.