We asked Ward 6 candidates to take a stand on the issues. Here is what they had to say

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Our team of journalists put each council candidate to the test with a series of questions on the issues facing Calgary in this election.

Halfway through the questionnaire, we handed the floor over to a group of journalism students at Mount Royal University who asked the candidates to imagine they were attending a dinner party when answering the questions. They designed the questions to get a better sense of who the candidates are. 

Jeff Brownridge

If elected, what is the one issue confronting the city that must be resolved during your term? 

Brownridge – The downturn in the local economy has had numerous and far-reaching negative impacts on our city. The next council must work to support local businesses and create a vibrant economic climate where our businesses can succeed and thrive. Council must work with the Chamber of Commerce and with Economic Development Calgary to help attract new businesses and industries to locate in here in Calgary with a goal of further diversifying our economy.

While improving, Calgary’s economy is still beleaguered. What is the most important thing council needs to do to help it improve?

Brownridge – Council must ensure that our taxation levels and regulatory policies are conducive to supporting an economic climate that provides a foundation for success. Small business is responsible for four-fifths of job growth and creation yet around half of small businesses don’t survive past their fifth year of operations. Companies that operate in innovative technological sectors need to see Calgary as an attractive place to set up operations and offices.

Council spends a great deal of time and resources hashing out secondary suite applications. How would you change the process, if at all?

Brownridge – The current process where our city council reviews and approves secondary suites is a practice that is very different from most Canadian cities, and a recent study revealed that over 80 per cent of secondary suites are ultimately approved. This is a waste of council time and the secondary suites application and approval process would be better managed within city administration. The rules need to be clear and fair for everyone, and removing these approvals from council would result in a more impartial decision-making process. The city must also take a more proactive stance on encouraging the conversion of illegal suites into legal suites that are compliant with the building codes and rules. A revamped secondary suites system can promote this goal.                                           

Are you for or against restoring fluoride to Calgary’s water system?

Brownridge – A recent study from the University of Toronto revealed that fetal neurodevelopment may be adversely affected by higher levels of fluoride exposure. I would not currently support restoring fluoride to Calgary’s water system based on this study – leaving it to your individual choice if you wanted to add fluoride.

What’s been called the opioid crisis has claimed hundreds of lives in Calgary and Alberta. Would you support a safe injection site in your ward?

Brownridge – I would support safe injection sites in Calgary wards that are experiencing the highest levels of impact from opioid addiction and overdoses.

Will you release the list of your campaign donors before the election?

Brownridge – I am currently self-funded as of Sept.29, and will have no issue with releasing the list of any campaign donors that contribute in the future.

You have a friend coming to Calgary who has never visited the city before. What restaurant would you take them to and why?

Brownridge – I think it would be The Nash as it has a nice ambiance and great food.

You are inviting several friends to join you for dinner. Two live on the outskirts of the city and their car is out of service. They must travel 20 km to reach the restaurant and they’ve asked you for advice about the best way to get there. What would you recommend? and why?

Brownridge – I would likely pick them up or I would ask another friend who lives the closest to them if they would mind picking them up.

You arrive at the restaurant, and first course arrives. You notice one of your friends is double dipping in the shared appetizer. How do you react?

Brownridge – I would quietly and politely let that friend know that double dipping was not acceptable.

The main course has arrived and the conversation has turned to politics, specifically secondary suites. Your good friend tells the table he has been fighting to convert his basement to a secondary suite but has been caught up in red tape at city hall. He then confesses he’s renting it out despite it being illegal. Will you report it? Why or why not?

Brownridge – I would educate that friend about the risks and liabilities on renting out an illegal suite and would give them the opportunity to correct the situation first. I am confident that I can be persuasive in getting them to do the right thing.

Alex Columbos

If elected, what is the one issue confronting the city that must be resolved during your term? 

Columbos – We need to focus on long-term planning for more than four years. Most importantly, we must establish an environment that is affordable for individuals, families and business to have a high quality of life and opportunity to succeed. Through effective, incentive programs such as reduced taxes for existing small businesses and reduced taxes for new industries, which want to establish themselves in Calgary, this will go a long way in ensuring we are a sustainable and vibrant community.

While improving, Calgary’s economy is still beleaguered. What is the most important thing council needs to do to help it improve?

Columbos – Council needs to have an open for business policy 24/7, and not just during election time. We need to incentivize new business that does not hinder existing viable businesses. Council should be evaluating and looking to establish economic clusters which can create an ecosystem that not only allows the ability to draw in world class companies, but that also creates the spinoffs and support associated at their arrival. We also need to make sure that the companies that want to expand in Calgary are provided the resources and support to do so. We cannot give anyone a reason to look elsewhere.

Council spends a great deal of time and resources hashing out secondary suite applications. How would you change the process, if at all?

Columbos – I’m not aware that there is a clear, transparent and consistent process for this. We need to spend one-year synthesizing the existing data and conversations we already have while addressing concerns we have not. We need to get neighbourhoods to sign off on something that works for the rapid deployment of legal, secondary suites. Once the policy and process is clear, transparent, and signed off; council should not have to evaluate any applications unless the established criteria is not present.

Are you for or against restoring fluoride to Calgary’s water system?

Columbos – It is clear the benefits of fluoride are extensive in fighting tooth decay and disease. We need to work with our medical and dental community to get this back into our water supply.

What’s been called the opioid crisis has claimed hundreds of lives in Calgary and Alberta. Would you support a safe injection site in your ward?

Columbos – We need to be addressing this crisis. I am more supportive of a treatment and recovery centre that does not negatively impact our communities. I look forward to working with council to ensure we have an optimal location within the Calgary community. If we need safe injection sites within Calgary, let’s find the right location. However, I do not believe safe injection sites are a long-term solution to this very serious issue. At best they are a bridge solution.

Will you release the list of your campaign donors before the election?

Columbos – I will not only release my donor list, I will also categorize and release my campaign expenses.

You have a friend coming to Calgary who has never visited the city before. What restaurant would you take them to and why?

Columbos – Do I have to pick one? Calgary is blessed to have world-class dining and because this would be a special occasion, I would take them to Mercato in West Springs. We need to foster and support our local businesses because if we don’t they will no longer be here and that negatively impacts our quality of life. Why Mercato? They offer a unique and special experience that people would want to replicate in other cities. For a casual pub experience I would take them to 722 in Ward 6 also a unique (restaurant) other cities would enjoy!

You are inviting several friends to join you for dinner. Two live on the outskirts of the city and their car is out of service. They must travel 20 km to reach the restaurant and they’ve asked you for advice about the best way to get there. What would you recommend? and why?

Columbos – To ensure convenience and avoid drinking and driving; my group of friends would have previously arranged some form of alternative transportation. Whether that is Calgary Transit, taxi cab or ride sharing.

You arrive at the restaurant, and first course arrives. You notice one of your friends is double dipping in the shared appetizer. How do you react?

Columbos – A friend of mine is a friend regardless. I would just order another.

The main course has arrived and the conversation has turned to politics, specifically secondary suites. Your good friend tells the table he has been fighting to convert his basement to a secondary suite but has been caught up in red tape at city hall. He then confesses he’s renting it out despite it being illegal. Will you report it? Why or why not?

Columbos – I would first advise my friend to reconsider but if he declined I would report it. Illegal suites create hindrances for the neighbourhoods they serve and in addition create possible safety risks for the tenants they are trying to help. A clear and transparent process needs to be established for the rapid deployment of legal secondary suites that the neighbourhood would also welcome, not just the applicant.

Sanjeev Kad

If elected, what is the one issue confronting the city that must be resolved during your term? 

Kad – Policy on secondary suites.

While improving, Calgary’s economy is still beleaguered. What is the most important thing council needs to do to help it improve?

Kad – Small business is the backbone of our economy. The city needs to ensure it is making it easy for small business owners to operate and grow their businesses by removing red-tape, reducing taxes. and creating a one-window approach to city services.

Council spends a great deal of time and resources hashing out secondary suite applications. How would you change the process, if at all?

Kad – Council needs to redesign the process and give authority to administration to review and approve secondary suites as possible. Council should only look at applications with special circumstances.

Are you for or against restoring fluoride to Calgary’s water system?

Kad – While I appreciate there are many benefits to adding fluoride to water, I believe this is a choice that is best left for individuals to make for themselves and their families.

What’s been called the opioid crisis has claimed hundreds of lives in Calgary and Alberta. Would you support a safe injection site in your ward?

Kad – I believe council does need to be socially responsible. This means we can’t leave anyone behind. Social responsibility means we need to be fiscally responsible so that we have the finances to take care of those that need it. At this time I would not support an injection site in Ward 6, however I’m open to having conversations if evidence shows our ward would benefit from one.

Will you release the list of your campaign donors before the election?

Kad – Yes

You have a friend coming to Calgary who has never visited the city before. What restaurant would you take them to and why?

Kad – Boston Pizza! I own two franchises in the city and am truly proud of what my team and I have been able to accomplish.

You are inviting several friends to join you for dinner. Two live on the outskirts of the city and their car is out of service. They must travel 20 km to reach the restaurant and they’ve asked you for advice about the best way to get there. What would you recommend? and why?

Kad – I would pick them up myself – as a Ward 6 resident I live in the SW and as a business owner I travel across the city daily. I’d be their personal tour guide.

You arrive at the restaurant, and first course arrives. You notice one of your friends is double dipping in the shared appetizer. How do you react?

Kad – Communication is key. I would begin a discussion about whether or not it is appropriate to ‘double-dip the chip’ – I’d build consensus – and move forward.

The main course has arrived and the conversation has turned to politics, specifically secondary suites. Your good friend tells the table he has been fighting to convert his basement to a secondary suite but has been caught up in red tape at city hall. He then confesses he’s renting it out despite it being illegal. Will you report it? Why or why not?

Kad – I would not report it – instead I would work with him to ensure his secondary suite could be brought to legal status.

Esmahan Razavi

If elected, what is the one issue confronting the city that must be resolved during your term? 

Razavi – Ward 6 residents, and Calgarians, consistently tell me that they feel council is broken. The infighting and negativity prevents work from being done – this is what needs to be fixed. As a professional mediator, I am the right choice to bring effective collaboration and win support for the priorities of Ward 6. 

While improving, Calgary’s economy is still beleaguered. What is the most important thing council needs to do to help it improve?

Razavi – Council needs to ensure that Calgary is a city that is attracting investment from all over the world. This means creating the conditions necessary for businesses to flourish and thrive. I will work to create these conditions by ensuring that council has an open for business attitude, making smart investments in critical infrastructure programs and decreasing the tax and regulatory burden on small businesses.

Council spends a great deal of time and resources hashing out secondary suite applications. How would you change the process, if at all?

Razavi – The current secondary suite system is broken. Council spends countless hours in public hearing reviewing individual applications; this is both an inefficient process, as well as one that breeds discord among neighbours. It is also humiliating for those involved. This is why, if elected, I would advocate that council, with community input, needs to create a criteria for when secondary suites are legal and then direct administration to use that criteria to review secondary suite applications.

Are you for or against restoring fluoride to Calgary’s water system?

Razavi – I’m for putting fluoride back in Calgary’s water. The Canadian Dental Association supports water fluoridation for the prevention of tooth decay. Most convincing for me, a recent study conducted on the dental health of children in Calgary and Edmonton (where fluoride is still added to that city’s water supply) showed a cause and effect relationship between the removal of fluoride and poor dental health in children. We need to bring back fluoride to protect the dental health of our most vulnerable, particularly in children. 

What’s been called the opioid crisis has claimed hundreds of lives in Calgary and Alberta. Would you support a safe injection site in your ward?

Razavi – The Calgary Police Service has came out in support of supervised safe consumption sites as one part of a broader strategy to combat the opioid epidemic in Calgary. I believe it makes sense to place these sites close to large healthcare facilities, which is why I would not support one in Ward 6.

Will you release the list of your campaign donors before the election?

Razavi – I have already released mine.

You have a friend coming to Calgary who has never visited the city before. What restaurant would you take them to and why?

Razavi – I’d take my friend to A Ladybug Bakery and Cafe in Aspen. Brunch is my favourite meal and this small cafe is intimate and provides a great atmosphere. The staff are always so pleasant and most importantly, it’s a great local business!

You are inviting several friends to join you for dinner. Two live on the outskirts of the city and their car is out of service. They must travel 20 km to reach the restaurant and they’ve asked you for advice about the best way to get there. What would you recommend? and why?

Razavi – I’d recommend taking an Uber; it’s a safe and affordable way to get to your destination quickly.

You arrive at the restaurant, and first course arrives. You notice one of your friends is double dipping in the shared appetizer. How do you react?

Razavi – I would stop eating the appetizer as I am a germaphobe.

The main course has arrived and the conversation has turned to politics, specifically secondary suites. Your good friend tells the table he has been fighting to convert his basement to a secondary suite but has been caught up in red tape at city hall. He then confesses he’s renting it out despite it being illegal. Will you report it? Why or why not?

Razavi – I would [encourage my friend to self-report it, and if he refuses I would report it myself. It’s important to me to always be fair and consistent.

Steve Turner

If elected, what is the one issue confronting the city that must be resolved during your term? 

Turner – How city council handles secondary suite applications.

While improving, Calgary’s economy is still beleaguered. What is the most important thing council needs to do to help it improve?

Turner – Provide incentives to encourage businesses to locate in Calgary to help grow and diversify our economy.

Council spends a great deal of time and resources hashing out secondary suite applications. How would you change the process, if at all?

Turner – I would have secondary suite applications reviewed by a committee or by city administration with council oversight.

Are you for or against restoring fluoride to Calgary’s water system?

Turner – Toothpaste and tablets are other ways people can get fluoride by choice rather than having fluoride in Calgary’s water system. However, if the province would contribute to pay $5-10 million to upgrade fluoridation equipment I would be open to restoring fluoride.

What’s been called the opioid crisis has claimed hundreds of lives in Calgary and Alberta. Would you support a safe injection site in your ward?

Turner – I would support a safe injection site in the city, not necessarily in my ward.

Will you release the list of your campaign donors before the election?

Turner – Yes

You have a friend coming to Calgary who has never visited the city before. What restaurant would you take them to and why?

Turner – Calgary Tower, for the view of the city.

You are inviting several friends to join you for dinner. Two live on the outskirts of the city and their car is out of service. They must travel 20 km to reach the restaurant and they’ve asked you for advice about the best way to get there. What would you recommend? and why?

Turner – I would offer them a ride.

You arrive at the restaurant, and first course arrives. You notice one of your friends is double dipping in the shared appetizer. How do you react?

Turner – I would give them a hard time (tease them) about their double dipping.

The main course has arrived and the conversation has turned to politics, specifically secondary suites. Your good friend tells the table he has been fighting to convert his basement to a secondary suite but has been caught up in red tape at city hall. He then confesses he’s renting it out despite it being illegal. Will you report it? Why or why not?

Turner – I would encourage him to finish seeing through the process at city hall and will advise him that if I were already a member of city council I would have fixed this broken process already.

Sean Yost

If elected, what is the one issue confronting the city that must be resolved during your term? 

Yost – Residential and commercial property taxes have been increasing at an astronomical rate.

While improving, Calgary’s economy is still beleaguered. What is the most important thing council needs to do to help it improve?

Yost – Get government out of the way! Tax increases, the high regulatory burden and extra fees are crushing businesses’ ability to grow.

Council spends a great deal of time and resources hashing out secondary suite applications. How would you change the process, if at all?

Yost – Stop pitting neighbours against each other. I would empower neighbourhoods to make the decision, allowing the administration to review applications and reassess the agreements every 10 years.

Are you for or against restoring fluoride to Calgary’s water system?

Yost – I believe Calgarians should have had a say in the elimination of fluoride from our water because it was brought in by referendum. While I am personally against re-introducing fluoride, I would consult with Ward 6 residents to express their opinions ahead of any vote.

What’s been called the opioid crisis has claimed hundreds of lives in Calgary and Alberta. Would you support a safe injection site in your ward?

Yost – Only with proper consultation with residents.

Will you release the list of your campaign donors before the election?

Yost – Yes

You have a friend coming to Calgary who has never visited the city before. What restaurant would you take them to and why?

Yost – Calgary’s food scene has evolved a great deal over the last few years. There are truly a ton of new, independent restaurants that have opened. I would like to ensure that the economic climate doesn’t continue to deteriorate to force them to close.

You are inviting several friends to join you for dinner. Two live on the outskirts of the city and their car is out of service. They must travel 20 km to reach the restaurant and they’ve asked you for advice about the best way to get there. What would you recommend? and why?

Yost – I would offer to pick them up.

You arrive at the restaurant, and first course arrives. You notice one of your friends is double dipping in the shared appetizer. How do you react?

Yost – Stop eating.

The main course has arrived and the conversation has turned to politics, specifically secondary suites. Your good friend tells the table he has been fighting to convert his basement to a secondary suite but has been caught up in red tape at city hall. He then confesses he’s renting it out despite it being illegal. Will you report it? Why or why not?

Yost – Assuming that he has built the suite to code, I would offer to help him work through the bureaucracy to gain approval so that he is not in an illegal position. The approval process can be very intimidating to many people and that is why we must modify it.

Jeff Davison and Grace Nelson are also running for councillor in Ward 6, but did not respond to the questionnaire before the due date.