Policy Brief: Howdy, Neighbour
A vision for a welcoming, prosperous Calgary for all
Dear Calgary,
A city that welcomes is a city that wins.
My father came to Canada as a refugee. My mother’s family came from prairie homesteaders. They met here in Calgary and, like so many others before and after them, built a life. As my granny used to say, being part of Calgary means being part of something bigger. And it made all of us bigger in return.
As a kid growing up in Dover, I was blessed to have the world outside my front door. Our neighbours came from every background you could imagine. That mix of languages, traditions, and dreams made us stronger, and it showed me our city at our best.
Stories like mine aren’t rare here—they’re what built this city.
Today, more than a third of Calgarians were born outside of Canada. Many others were born in other parts of the country. Together, we are a city of firsts and fresh starts. Whether we’re first-generation, second, or newcomers; we are builders, workers, business owners, caregivers, students, and neighbours.
But too often, Calgarians are left to navigate city systems that are confusing, disconnected, or out of date. If we want to rise to the challenges of the next decade, we need to modernize how City Hall serves people—making it simpler, more transparent, and built around the real lives of those who call Calgary home.
That’s why, as mayor, I will embrace the following guiding principles:
make Calgary a city where real opportunity to build and grow exists
ensure that present and future Calgarians feel safe, supported, and able to thrive
improve City Hall processes so that all people have a voice that is heard
This is my vision for an inclusive, prosperous Calgary—from Dover to downtown and every neighbourhood in between. Whether you’re just finding your footing or building on generations of work, a city where everyone has the opportunity to take part, feel at home, and give back.
Jeromy Farkas
Mayoral Candidate, 2025 Calgary Municipal Election
