When I first stepped into the world of municipal politics, I did so with a purpose. I wasn’t drawn to the title or the office—I was drawn to the possibility of change.

“What kind of city do you want to live in?” That was the question I asked during my campaign, and it remains the question that has guided my work. I believed then, as I do now, that a city thrives when all its people have a place to call home. That belief drove me to run, and it fueled my work every single day.

In my first year, we laid a foundation with the Housing and Affordability Task Force. It was never just about a policy—it was about creating something that would outlast any single term in office, something that would shape the future of Calgary. That foundation became “Home Is Here: The City of Calgary’s Housing Strategy,” a bold, innovative plan that has since set a new standard for how cities approach housing security.

I could not be prouder of what we built. I could not be more humbled to know that generations from now, Calgarians will benefit from a strategy designed to put people first.

And so, with the work I set out to do now in place, I have made the decision not to seek re-election.

There were many wins along the way—important ones for Ward 8 and our city—but none as defining as laying the groundwork for a future where every Calgarian, regardless of their circumstances, will have increasing access to a safe and affordable place to live. That was my fight. That fight is now part of Calgary’s foundation. The responsibility now rests with Calgarians to protect that future.

With each major challenge, there was resistance—whether from those reluctant to face the realities of our changing city and society or those holding onto a memory of Calgary rather than embracing the possibilities ahead. Opportunity is not built through regression—it is built through progress.

When Calgary was met with great challenges, we responded in kind.

That is why we built Calgary’s first Anti-Racism Strategy, passed bylaws to strengthen protections for public spaces from physically dangerous demonstrations, developed the City of Calgary’s Climate Strategy, and furthered a Downtown Strategy that focuses on people, and not corporations. We built a proactive community safety strategy, rather than narrowly focusing on reacting to crime after it’s already happened.

Council decisions being shaped on re-election bids: Walcott

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. 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. These are the people for whom policy should be written, for whom resources should be prioritized, and for whom we should be fighting.

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.

Decisions are too often shaped under the shadow of re-election campaigns rather than a moral imperative. We are not just representatives of our wards—we are stewards of this entire city. A city is only as strong as the people most in need. If we do not centre them in our decision-making, we are failing in our duty. But too often, they are ignored and left behind in the name of political expediency.

Resentment and anger hold a special type of currency at City Hall. It is a reality that is difficult to accept and even harder to change. But change is what I came here to do. I know I can continue that work beyond the walls of City Hall, in a space where integrity is not a liability and where progress is not sacrificed for the sake of perception.

I’m grateful to the people of Ward 8 who placed their trust in me. To my team, City and Council colleagues who pushed alongside me to get things done. To the community members, advocates, and leaders who kept showing up, who reminded us that we are here to serve, not just to sit.

I may be leaving City Hall, but my work for Calgary isn’t done—it’s just evolving.

Thank you for the honour of representing you. Thank you for believing in a Calgary that everyone can call home

— Courtney Walcott – Councillor, Ward 8