Mayoral candidate Jyoti Gondek has officially launched her re-election bid

Mayoral Candidate Jyoti Gondek Unveils Ambitious Transparency and Accountability Plan for Calgary City Hall Re-election Bid

In a move to further solidify her commitment to integrity and transparency, incumbent Mayoral candidate Jyoti Gondek launched her re-election bid this fall with a comprehensive plan to promote accountability at Calgary city hall. The proposed plan, announced during a media event on Wednesday, is designed to provide citizens with a direct line of sight into the decision-making processes that shape their city.

At the heart of Gondek's proposal are four key aspects: the creation of a sunshine list featuring all city employees earning above a certain threshold, public disclosure of Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy (FOIP) requests made to the city, proactive release of city documents related to the budget, and transparency around city contracts involving the mayor, council offices, and administration.

While the specific threshold for the sunshine list has yet to be determined, Gondek emphasized that it would be established through a third-party review or in consultation with other municipalities. This approach, she explained, would ensure a fair and consistent standard across the board.

Gondek's proposal is built on her initial commitment to lead with integrity and transparency, made four years ago when she first took office. The mayoral candidate emphasized that transparency is the cornerstone of good governance, as it empowers citizens to stay informed, engaged, and confident in the decisions being made on their behalf.

The plan's announcement comes on the heels of Gondek's successful push for disclosure of the City Administrative Officer's (CAO) pay and benefits, following reporting by LWC on the significant pay band increase and lack of immediate disclosure. The mayoral candidate also referenced the friction surrounding the release of information during the Bearspaw water feeder main break in 2024, where she intervened to ensure the timely release of crucial information to the public.

In addition to her initial accountability plans, Gondek acknowledged that council has a critical role to play in promoting transparency by being more forthcoming with information discussed in closed-session meetings. She cited a recent example of a land sale discussion, where the chair could have disclosed more information to the public, highlighting the need for council to improve its disclosure practices.

To enhance the city's information release mechanisms, Gondek proposed that a motion from Calgary city council would be required. She emphasized the need for consistent, accessible communication from the City of Calgary, acknowledging that the administration must evolve to meet the changing expectations of citizens.

By unveiling this ambitious plan, Gondek has demonstrated her unwavering commitment to transparency, accountability, and good governance. As Calgary residents prepare to head to the polls, they can be assured that their mayor is dedicated to providing them with the information they need to participate fully in the democratic process.