Chalk Talk: Calgarian's Sidewalk Art Sparks Debate Outside MLA Office

A Calgary resident’s sidewalk chalk message, “The use of the notwithstanding clause is dangerous,” sparked a downtown confrontation on October 29, 2025. This incident highlights the ongoing tension between public expression and city bylaws in our vibrant city.

While peacefully chalking outside a local MLA’s office, the Calgarian was met by two men demanding the messages be cleaned or face police action. Although initially shaken, the resident later discovered new chalk messages had appeared, suggesting a broader community dialogue. This echoes Calgary’s rich street art culture, where public art, including murals and installations, often serves as a "conversation starter" and a means of collective expression. ContainR Park, for instance, is known for murals that frequently make political statements.

However, the legality of such chalk messages remains complex. The City of Calgary's Community Standards Bylaw broadly defines graffiti as "words, drawings, or stickers applied to public surfaces in any way," including chalk, with potential fines ranging from $1,000 to $5,000 for applying it. This bylaw, alongside the Public Behaviour Bylaw and Safe and Inclusive Access Bylaw, has contributed to a "murky" landscape for public speech, sometimes resulting in varied enforcement and legal challenges regarding freedom of expression in public spaces.

The message itself is highly relevant to Calgarians. The Alberta government recently invoked the notwithstanding clause on October 27, 2025, to force striking teachers back to work, a move that drew strong reactions and impacts families and the education system across the province. Its use to potentially override Charter rights has become a significant and controversial topic.

This sidewalk chalk saga underscores timely questions about how Calgarians can voice their opinions in public spaces and the evolving boundaries of free speech in our community.