Is Ward 12's Election Turning into a Party Showdown?

Calgary’s political landscape is buzzing following the October 20, 2025 municipal election, especially with a nail-biting recount underway in Ward 12. Unofficial results show Mike Jamieson of A Better Calgary Party narrowly leading Sarah Ferguson of The Calgary Party, by just 29 votes. The recount, sparked by a sufficient number of rejected ballots, was conducted at the Big Four Roadhouse on Thursday at 9 a.m. MT. The outcome is pivotal, as A Better Calgary Party claims a Jamieson victory would secure an 8-7 majority on council to keep taxes low and repeal blanket rezoning.

Mayor-elect Jeromy Farkas now leads a city council with a significant number of independents and councillors from newly formed municipal parties like Communities First, The Calgary Party, and A Better Calgary Party. This marks the first time candidates could run with party affiliations in Calgary, a move enabled by new provincial legislation in late 2024. This shift has sparked debate, with many Calgarians and some civic leaders expressing concerns that it could dilute local representation in favour of party lines.

For Calgarians, this new council’s stance on key issues like property taxes and blanket rezoning will have direct impacts. Farkas and the Communities First party campaigned on platforms emphasizing lower taxes and opposition to blanket rezoning. The city approved an overall 3.6 percent property tax hike for 2025, with residential properties seeing a 5.5 percent increase. Meanwhile, blanket rezoning, passed on May 14, 2024, allows for more diverse housing like townhomes in established areas without individual public hearings, a decision met with significant public opposition. Ward 12 communities, including Auburn Bay, Cranston, and Mahogany, will keenly feel the effects of these decisions.