One of Calgary’s longest serving councillors, Ward 13’s Diane Colley-Urquhart, will take another kick at the can come October.
Colley-Urquhart announced her re-election bid Sunday, saying she’ll be first in line to submit her nomination papers Jan. 4.
“I look forward to all the new ways in 2021 that I can engage with residents as we respond, rebuild and recover as a City, she said in a prepared media release.
“Now more than ever, responsive and responsible leadership is needed for our City.
I’m ready to continuing work with others in meeting the challenges ahead.”
The Oyen, Alberta-born Colley-Urquhart was first elected in a 2000 by-election after then-alderman Patti Grier left her position midway through her term.
Colley-Urquhart, a registered nurse, ran as a provincial candidate for the Progressive Conservatives in 2009, and placed third behind Wildrose candidate Paul Hinman, and the Alberta Liberal candidate Avalon Roberts.
High profile issues
Coun. Colley-Urquhart has been at the front of high-profile issues in recent months – including most recently the EMS dispatch issue.
In one council meeting, the councillor explained in detail a dressing down the received from Alberta Health Minister Tyler Shandro over the issue. Coun. Colley-Urquhart supported keeping the EMS dispatch within the confines of Calgary emergency management.
She was also very vocal on the city’s mandatory mask bylaw.
Just prior to Christmas, Coun. Colley-Urquhart also expressed her reluctance to move ahead with Calgary’s Green Line “at any cost.”
“Promoting this as a job creation ‘project’ is myopic at best,” she said Dec. 21, 2020.
“We must deliver overall value to all Alberta taxpayers.”
She said an independent expert “legitimate analysis” on ridership, cost and risk should be completed before moving ahead.
“Politically motivated agendas will not deliver that. Due diligence means a lot more than just ‘red tape,’” Coun. Colley-Urquhart said.
Calgary’s municipal election is Oct. 18, 2021.
