Mayor Gondek outlines what Calgary needs from Ottawa ahead of federal election

Calgary’s mayor is outlining what the city would like to see from Ottawa with the federal election fast approaching.

Mayor Jyoti Gondek, who has her own election later this year, outlined three priorities she wants addressed by the federal parties on Wednesday.

Gondek is calling on Ottawa to protect jobs and paycheques in the face of tariffs, recognize that Calgary is the country’s economic engine, and further invest in infrastructure to keep pace with rapid growth.

“We need Ottawa to keep pace with us,” says Gondek. “Calgary is the fastest growing city in Canada, we are leading in housing starts, we are supporting traditional energy industries and we are growing new sectors like tech, agrifoods, logistics and film.”

The mayor says, along with that leadership, comes “real pressure” with the city facing labour shortages and its infrastructure systems under stress.

“We are working with very limited revenue tools,” she says.

The mayor went on to say how important the relationships between provincial and federal parties are for the good of the country.

“The federal and municipal relationship has always been critical and continues to be critical,” she says. “Yes we have a provincial partner as well, but the provincial partner is equally reliant on funding from the federal government.”

Gondek has voiced these concerns in a letter to all the major federal party leaders.

The four main party leaders squared off in a French-language debate in Montreal Wednesday night — the first of two debates ahead of the Apr. 28 vote.