Calgary's New Mayor Extends White Hat Solidarity to Fire-Ravaged Jasper

Calgary Mayor Extends White Hat Solidarity to Fire-Ravaged Jasper

Calgary’s new Mayor, Jeromy Farkas, marked his early days in office with a profound gesture of inter-municipal solidarity this week. On November 14, 2025, shortly after assuming office on October 29, 2025, Mayor Farkas presented a traditional Calgary White Hat to Jasper Mayor Richard Ireland. The symbolic exchange, shared by Farkas on social media, aimed to convey Calgary’s unwavering support as its Albertan neighbours continue the arduous task of rebuilding.

The significance of the White Hat, a long-standing emblem of Calgary's hospitality, is amplified by the context of Jasper's devastation. The town was ravaged by the 2024 Jasper Wildfire Complex, a catastrophic event that destroyed roughly one-third of the community. Among the many personal losses was Mayor Ireland’s own 67-year-old family home, a detail that lends potent meaning to Farkas's mention of replacing a hat lost “when the fire took everything.” This heartfelt act underlines a commitment to friendship and collective resilience across Alberta.