Third Calgary councillor not running for re-election in October

Another Calgary city councillor has announced their name won’t be on the municipal ballot come October.

Ward 8 Coun. Courtney Walcott said in an op-ed written for Livewire Calgary Thursday morning he will leave city hall but continue to serve his city in other ways, but wasn’t specific on how.

The councillor says the decisions of his peers are being shaped with their re-election bids in mind.

“We are living in an era where misinformation has blurred the lines between fact and fiction, making it more challenging than ever for Calgarians to discern truth from political theatre,” Walcott said. “In times like these, leadership must be grounded in service to those who need it most — the homeless, the sick, and those struggling to make ends meet.

“Yet, every day, I watch my colleagues cater to those who already have security, already have wealth, and already have a voice that carries weight.”

Walcott continued by saying resentment and anger “hold a special type of currency” at City Hall, something he says is difficult to accept and even harder to change.

Despite his desire to make a difference, the councillor says he needs to continue that work outside the walls of City Hall, “where integrity is not a liability and where progress is not sacrificed for the sake of perception.”

The Ward 8 representative says he is proud of the work he did on the Housing and Affordability Task Force, the city’s first Anti-Racism Strategy, climate strategy, and downtown strategy.

3 sitting councillors opting not to run for re-election

Walcott joins Ward 12 Coun. Evan Spencer and Ward 3 Coun. Jasmine Mian in stepping away from municipal political office.

Spencer made his decision last month, saying political realities have shifted considerably, making collaboration challenging.

“Unfortunately, we are living in a time where politicians are increasingly rewarded for their ability to attack, criticize, and grandstand vs. move forward while respecting and explaining the tensions being balanced by our institutions,” he said in January.

Just weeks later, Mian said the city’s decision to accept the province’s proposed alignment of the Green Line LRT, was her “last straw” and solidified her decision to step away.

“This is the decision you are making today council and I respect it, but I cannot be apart of it,” Mian said at the time.

Next Calgary election to allow municipal parties

The next municipal election in Alberta is Oct. 2025, the first one in the province to allow political parties due to Bill 20.

Currently, Calgary Mayor Jyoti Gondek and several other candidates have announced a re-election run.

Gondek said in November she would be running as an independent candidate, not aligning herself with any municipal political party.

Andre Chabot, Dan McLean, Sonya Sharp, Terry Wong, and former Coun. John Mar formed a party in early December, saying it expects to have a full roster of candidates for all elected city positions.

There is also A Better Calgary (ABC), which describes itself as right-of-centre.

Former councillor and 2021 mayoral candidate Jeff Davison has also announced his intent to run for the city’s top job. He came third behind Gondek and current Glenbow Ranch Park Foundation CEO Jeromy Farkas in the 2021 race.

CityNews has reached out to Walcott’s office for further comment.