Calgary Mayor Jyoti Gondek is wanting the new federal Liberal government to “show up” rather then “lecture” the city, in a letter she’s laid out for Canada’s new Prime Minister.
Mayor Gondek sent a letter to Prime Minister Mark Carney after his election win Monday. The letter re-stated the points Gondek made prior to the federal election, including building infrastructure for a growing nation, championing Canada’s energy advantage, protecting municipal fiscal tools and investing in workforce and trade readiness.
The letter invited the Prime Minister to a meeting with the mayor held in Calgary. Gondek also asked PM Carney to spend more time in Alberta and sit down with energy producers.
“This is a city that he should know well, and now that he’s been entrusted to lead the country, it’s time to reconnect with his Albertan roots,” she said.
Gondek highlighted the Liberals plan to cut development charges in half, saying “that may sound like cutting red tape, but in reality, it would be an absolute disaster.”
Gondek said those fees are how the city funds water, sewers and roads, among other things. She said that without that revenue stream, the city will be forced to place those costs onto homeowners through “sharp property tax.”
“If this government is serious about accelerating housing, they need to work with cities and not undercuts,” she said.
Calgary is a global leader in traditional energy and energy transition, according to Gondek. The mayor asked the government to “show up” rather then lecture the city’s energy sector.
“Canada’s message to the world should be this, we are a strong nation with the energy that the world needs, and that message starts here at home,” the mayor said.
Underfunded projects sitting idle
The mayor called for streamlined federal funding for projects like the Blue Line transit extension and airport connector. She called the projects “shovel ready” but stagnant without federal cash.
“Calgary itself is growing by about 270 people each day, and that growth is pushing our infrastructure to the brink,” the mayor said.
Gondek also cited Calgary as the only major city in Canada that does not have a fieldhouse.
“This is a gap in our recreational and competitive sports infrastructure, and it’s continuing to hold back local athletes and communities,” she said.
She also called for funding for maintenance projects at risk of further deterioration.
“Maintenance isn’t glamorous, but it is smart economics,” she said.
“It prevents catastrophic failures, it extends the lifespan of vital infrastructure, and it saves time and money when it’s prioritized early, ignoring it only compounds future costs.”
Gondek’s final call was for an investment in trades workers, saying the city has the projects and demand, but is short on hired help, particularly within the construction and energy sectors.
“We need faster credential recognition. We need better labor mobility between provinces, and we need trade resilience in the face of growing tariffs,” she said.
Gondek said that the bottom line is that Calgary is doing the work, building the homes and diversifying its economy while continuing to support traditional energy that fills government coffers and supports Canada’s global competitiveness.
“As mayor, I’m encouraged that a number of similar voices are emerging from across our city and our province calling for the same type of recognition. From the Calgary Chamber of Commerce to Calgary economic development and now 38 Canadian oil and gas leaders who have also penned a letter to Prime Minister Carney, there is a clear collective call for meaningful engagement with Calgary and with the industries that fuel this country,” she said.
