Calgary’s 2025 Election: A Turning Point for City Hall

Calgary heads to the polls on October 20, 2025, and this year’s municipal election is shaping up to be one of the most important in decades. At the heart of it all? A frustrated public, a new experiment with municipal political parties, and sharp debates about how Calgary should grow, spend, and keep people safe. This isn’t just another election—it’s a referendum on how Calgary is governed. — Why This Election Matters City Hall has been under heavy criticism in recent years for being dysfunctional and politically polarized. Council debates often dragged on without producing results, and residents have voiced their frustration with what they see as gridlock and poor collaboration. That frustration has opened the door to a new experiment: for the first time in Calgary’s history, municipal political parties are running full slates of candidates. Communities First (CF) and The Calgary Party (TCP) are promising to bring order and teamwork to City Hall, replacing the old “every councillor for themselves” system. This means the election isn’t only about who becomes mayor—it’s also about whether Calgary’s council will function more like a provincial legislature, with party platforms guiding policy decisions. — The Big Issues on the Ballot 1. Growth and Rezoning Calgary is booming, and with growth comes tension. One of the most heated debates is around blanket rezoning, a policy that allows higher-density housing in every neighbourhood. For many residents, this feels like a loss of control over their communities. Opponents argue it changes neighbourhood character too quickly; supporters say it’s needed to address the housing shortage. This single policy has become a lightning rod, uniting much of the opposition. Several leading candidates are campaigning on repealing or revisiting the decision. 2. Property Taxes and Affordability The city is proposing a 5.4% property tax increase for homeowners, at a time when many Calgarians are already stretched thin by the rising cost of living. Fiscal responsibility has become a central talking point, with challengers promising to rein in spending and focus on “core services” like roads, water infrastructure, and safety. 3. Public Safety and Disorder Concerns about safety—especially on transit and downtown streets—have become central. Candidates differ in their approaches: Enforcement-heavy approaches (Farkas, Davison) call for more officers and “boots on the ground.” Policy-focused approaches (Gondek) look at bylaw changes and community courts. Structural approaches (Thiessen, some advocacy groups) argue the root causes—like lack of daytime shelter space—need to be addressed. This debate is more than just policing—it’s about how Calgary chooses to tackle complex social issues tied to homelessness, addiction, and urban growth. — Who’s Running for Mayor? The mayoral race is competitive, with five main contenders: Jyoti Gondek (Incumbent) – Defending her record, including rezoning and spending priorities. She stresses that she is “only one vote on council” when criticized for dysfunction. Jeromy Farkas (Independent) – Known for fiscal conservatism and a hard stance on public safety. His challenge is shaking the reputation of being a “disruptive” councillor. Sonya Sharp (Communities First) – Running with a party slate, campaigning on repealing rezoning, fiscal restraint, and infrastructure first. Brian Thiessen (The Calgary Party) – Emphasizes stability, team play, and a “clean slate” of candidates. Focused on downtown safety and moving the Green Line forward. Jeff Davison (Independent) – Also focused on safety and repealing rezoning, competing with Farkas for the independent anti-incumbent vote. — The Party Experiment Perhaps the most important story isn’t who becomes mayor, but how City Council is shaped. If Communities First or The Calgary Party wins a majority of council seats, Calgary could enter a new era of party-driven governance, with clearer policy direction and fewer stalemates. If neither wins a majority, the city could see formalized factional gridlock, where coalitions and negotiations dominate. If independents remain the majority, expect a continuation of the dysfunction many Calgarians say they’re tired of. This election could reshape City Hall into something Calgarians have never seen before—more partisan, but possibly more functional. — What’s at Stake for Calgarians At its core, this election is about trust and direction. Do Calgarians want parties promising stability and fiscal restraint, or do they prefer independents who run on individual visions but risk more fragmentation? The decision will impact not just taxes and rezoning, but also how governance itself works in Calgary. That’s why observers are calling this a “political earthquake” for the city. One thing is clear: whether you’re worried about property taxes, rezoning, safety, or simply how council behaves, October 20 will set the tone for Calgary’s next four years.