Have you ever wondered exactly what Calgary City Council does? Read on to learn more about this group of people and how they help to shape and serve one of the best cities in Canada.
Calgary City Council is made up of our Mayor, Naheed Nenshi, and 14 City Councillors. Each Councillor represents a specific ward, comprised of several communities. Our City Council is elected, which means Calgarians have a say in who sits at the table. The mayor is responsible for representing the interests of the city as a whole while Councillors focus more on the needs and interests of their particular ward.
The Calgary City Council develops and improves policies that will help govern the city successfully. Since the City of Calgary uses a council-policy system, there are four policy committees that help to guide Council’s decisions. These four policy committees are
- Operations and Environment,
- Finance,
- Transportation, and
- Community Services.
Each policy committee is comprised of various elected City Councillors. These committees work to develop recommendations and policies that are presented to City Council for consideration. Ultimately, the collective Council provides final approval on decisions related to the presentations made by the policy committees.
Civic minded Calgarians can participate in the governing of their city two different ways. Once a month, citizens are invited to a public hearing council meeting where they can bring forth issues and concerns. There are also civic committees that work closely with Council on matters such as planning and development, heritage sites, and parking. Civic committees are comprised of community members and Councillors.
Municipal politics, which is what Calgary City Council falls under, is different from provincial or national politics. The Mayor and Councillors do not represent a particular political party and they do not fall under the mandate of any particular political party. Their scope is focused exclusively on the City of Calgary, although they may network and collaborate with other cities or towns when required. Their roles and responsibilities are outlined in the Province of Alberta Municipal Government Act, which provides the legislative framework and foundation for how municipal councils operate. While they cannot effect change in provincial or national laws and policies, they can do so within the City through Bylaws, policies, and programs.
Being a part of the Calgary City Council is a paid gig and it requires full time effort. City Councillors are voted into office for a term of 4 years. After 4 years, they must go through the election process if they wish to remain on the Council.
If you are interested in learning more about Calgary City Council, you can view live Council meetings and some Committee meetings. It is a great way to see how Council works together and the process they go through as they serve and improve Calgary. Maybe it will inspire you to get involved!