Efforts for Increased Funding, Enforcement, and Coordination for Public Safety

Ladies and gentlemen, esteemed guests, and fellow Calgarians, I would like to extend my sincerest gratitude to each and every one of you for being here today. It is an honor to be accompanied by some of my current council members, including Councilor Terry Wong from Ward 1, Councilor Andre Chabot from Ward 10, and my new colleagues from Communities First, including Kim Ters, Allison McSweeney, and Shane Basic.

As we gather here today, I would like to emphasize that every citizen in Calgary deserves the fundamental right to live in a safe and secure environment. It is our collective responsibility to ensure that this basic human need is met, and it is imperative that we take bold and decisive action to address the growing concerns regarding public safety in our city. If I am elected as the Mayor of Calgary, my first official meeting will be with Police Chief Katie McCallan, and I am committed to working closely with her and the Calgary Police Service to develop a comprehensive plan to restore safety and order in our city.

Unfortunately, Calgary feels less safe today than it did a decade ago. Our sidewalks and parks, which were once considered safe havens, are now deemed risky, and this is unacceptable. The decline in the officer-to-population ratio has been significant, with the current ratio standing at 148 per 1,000 people, down from 153 and well below the national average of 178. To reach the national average, we would need nearly 500 additional officers, which is a daunting task, but one that is essential to ensuring the safety and well-being of our citizens.

As the Communities First council, we are committed to supporting Police Chief McCallan and the front-line officers in their critical work every day. We believe that it is essential to provide them with the necessary resources and support to effectively combat crime and maintain order in our city. To that end, we would like to see a plan to recruit and train 500 new police officers submitted to council for review during the November budget deliberations. Furthermore, we propose the reintroduction of a 24/7 downtown police station, as well as the implementation of a comprehensive enforcement plan for downtown and Beltline areas, in collaboration with transit security.

As council members, we are committed to finding the necessary funding to implement these plans, and we will rely on the expertise of the Police Chief and the commission to lay out the roadmap. This will require a thorough review of the city's budget, and we will scrutinize every line item that is not essential to determine if those funds could be redirected towards police, safety, and essential services. We believe that this approach will enable us to make a significant reinvestment in policing without necessarily raising taxes.

It is worth noting that the city's administration has grown three times faster than the Calgary Police Service, which is an imbalance that must be corrected. As your Mayor, I will work to reallocate existing funding and identify every dollar of non-essential spending to prioritize public safety. Capacity is also a concern, as it has been over a decade since Calgary opened a new police station. I will collaborate with the commission and the Chief to support strong recruitment, training, and retention plans, ensuring that we attract new officers and provide existing personnel with the support and resources they need to excel in their roles.

Our core priorities are non-negotiable, and we need a 24/7 downtown police station to be reopened, a stronger police presence in the Beltline, and more enforcement in downtown and other areas experiencing higher crime rates. I would like to share an example from a colleague in Communities First, who has seen firsthand the impact of inadequate policing on local businesses. In their area, businesses are understaffed and are having to hire their own security, which not only increases their costs but also affects their ability to run their businesses and provide affordable services to consumers.

We need a safe transit system supported by a coordinated plan between the Calgary Police Service and peace officers. Public spaces belong to all Calgarians, and it is our responsibility to ensure that they are safe and accessible to everyone. I want to acknowledge the Calgary Police Service for the relationships they have built with addiction, mental health, and social service agencies, which is essential work that requires continued support and expansion.

Unfortunately, the Calgary Police Service has faced gradual defunding over the past decade, resulting in low staffing and recruitment levels. This will change when Communities First councilors and I, as Mayor, are elected. We are committed to reinvesting in policing and restoring order downtown, on transit, and in all our neighborhoods.

If you believe that Calgary is less safe today than it was four years ago, then you have a stake in this election. The candidates currently on council had their opportunity and did not sufficiently advocate for safety. It takes eight votes at city hall to enact change, and we have ten members on Communities First committed to public safety, reinvestment in policing, and restoring order in our city.

When you vote next month, you will be choosing the kind of city you want for the next four years. If you give us your trust, we will create a city where people feel safe, respected, and can enjoy an improved quality of life. We will work tirelessly to address the concerns of our citizens, to rebuild trust in our institutions, and to make Calgary a place where everyone can thrive.

Thank you for being here today. I am now open to questions, and my colleagues will also be available to answer any inquiries you may have. If there are no questions, I would like to invite Councilor Wong to share a statement.

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