Calgary Mayoral Candidates Discuss Seniors’ Issues Ahead of Election

With just over a week until the municipal election on March 5, 2024, Calgary’s mayoral candidates participated in a debate focused on issues affecting seniors. The event, held at the Kerby Centre, featured seven of the nine candidates vying for the mayoral position. Moderated by CTV Calgary news anchor Tara Nelson, the debate addressed housing affordability, food insecurity, and elder abuse, among other pressing concerns.

Candidates included Jeromy Farkas, Jyoti Gondek, Sonya Sharp, Brian Thiessen, Sarah Elder, Grant Prior, and Jaeger Gustafson. Notably absent were Jeff Davison and Larry Heather. The forum offered a platform for candidates to articulate their visions for improving the lives of Calgary’s seniors.

A central topic was the need for affordable housing tailored for seniors. In response to a question about increasing access to such housing, Thiessen emphasized his party’s commitment to expediting permitting processes. He proposed incentives for developments that include senior units near public transport and health services. “These are projects that can move forward now, not five years from now,” he stated.

Sharp, representing the Communities First party, highlighted the city’s underutilized land and the necessity for better collaboration with provincial authorities to facilitate affordable housing projects. She suggested that seniors should be exempt from transit fees and called for increased subsidies for medication costs.

Addressing food insecurity, which disproportionately affects the elderly, Gondek presented several initiatives. These included the establishment of a senior block watch, co-operative living arrangements, and partnerships with local grocery stores to provide healthy meals. “Food insecurity is real, and it hits seniors the most, especially those living in isolation,” she remarked.

The candidates unanimously acknowledged the growing concern around elder abuse. Farkas, recalling his tenure on Calgary’s police commission, advocated for a seniors’ safety network. He proposed allocating more resources to the Calgary Police Service to enhance their capacity to investigate scams targeting seniors. “We also need to invest in education and support for local agencies to help address these challenges,” he added.

The debate came after a recent CBC poll indicated a tightening race among the leading candidates. Farkas currently holds a narrow lead with 27 percent support, while Gondek and Sharp each garnered 23 percent. Other candidates, including Davison and Thiessen, trailed with 16 percent and 8 percent, respectively.

While the debate maintained a respectful tone overall, candidates took the opportunity during their closing statements to challenge each other’s qualifications. Farkas referenced Sharp’s endorsement by David Parker, leader of the Take Back Alberta movement. Thiessen claimed that competing candidates would simply follow the agenda of Premier Danielle Smith if elected.

Prior expressed frustration over the substantial financial backing mainstream candidates receive, emphasizing the need for representation for “regular, working-class” Calgarians. “We’re done with politics as usual,” he asserted, calling for a shift towards more inclusive governance. Elder condemned the polarized political climate emerging from recent campaigns, particularly criticizing Thiessen’s rhetoric. “We don’t need division and political polarization in Calgary,” she stated, urging voters to reject such tactics.

As the election approaches, the candidates’ commitment to addressing seniors’ issues remains a pivotal aspect of their platforms, reflecting the broader community’s concerns.