December 9, 2025
RED FM News Desk
Fresh off finalizing the previous multi-year budget, Calgary’s newly elected city council is now turning its attention to shaping priorities for the next four years — guided in part by what residents say matters most.
For Calgarian Jordan Brown, who relies on public transit, improving the system is at the top of her wish list.
“I think just being a younger person and not having access to as many travel options… being able to move within the city is something important to younger people,” she said.
Others, like Susanne Bechtold, want the new council to focus more on homelessness.
“We should not have homelessness, it’s that simple,” she said. “Everybody should have enough money to have a job and look after themselves and their families.”
City administration says that while safety and infrastructure remain leading concerns, homelessness, growth and planning have become more urgent issues for Calgarians compared to 2021. The data was presented to council as members reviewed past priorities and prepared to set a new direction.
“It’s kind of like a high school group project,” joked Ward 8 Coun. Nathaniel Schmidt as council began its planning process.
Some councillors are already signalling where they’d like to see changes. Ward 13 Coun. Dan McLean questioned ongoing city support for downtown office conversions and climate-related initiatives.
“$40 million for downtown office conversions — I think we should wind that down,” he said. “There’s a lot of money embedded in our climate change initiatives that I think should be wound down.”
Mayor Jyoti Gondek noted that despite differing views, council shares several key priorities, including affordability, safety and housing — issues she says will help chart the path for the city’s next four-year plan.
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