STATEMENT: Provincial and City tax hike
JEROMY FARKAS:
“Calgarians are being squeezed by rising costs, and City Hall isn’t fighting for us.
The province’s 15% property tax hike, paired with poor City spending decisions, has driven an 8.9% property tax increase citywide – and our leaders failed to push back or negotiate a better deal. The problem isn’t just the province making the city do more with less—it’s weak leadership that lacks the leverage to stand up for Calgarians.
Better is possible. When the province proposed the Glenbow East dam, threatening Glenbow Ranch and Haskayne Legacy Park – two of the largest land donations to the people of Calgary and Alberta in our history — I didn’t just say no. I built a team, stood firm, and paved the way for a solution that worked for everyone.
We won because we negotiated as equals. That’s the leadership City Hall is missing.
Just look at the arena deal: Council gave unanimous support, with no questions asked – and without clear payback to Calgarians. When the City enters into discussions with the province, we must do so as equals. Right now, we don’t have the leverage we should, and that’s costing all of us. We must return to negotiating from a position of strength.
Premier Danielle Smith wants to double Alberta’s population to 10 million by 2050. That won’t happen without Calgary delivering the housing, infrastructure, and affordability people need. We must be at the table — as strong partners shaping Alberta’s future.
When I was a wilderness first responder, I learned that hesitation can cost lives and reckless action is just as dangerous. You assess, adapt, and move forward with purpose. The same applies to leadership. As a nonprofit leader, I’ve brought people together — often with competing interests — to solve real problems.
That’s the approach I will bring as mayor, to help Calgary escape the false choice of always fighting or always rolling over. I’ll demand better deals, stronger partnerships, and real results for Calgarians. We can’t keep excusing weak leadership.
Our city deserves better: housing we can afford, jobs we can count on, and safe streets for our kids.”
