Calgary voters elect two-thirds new councillors, creating the least experienced city council in over a century with independents leading the charge.
Calgary’s Council Sees Historic Turnover
Calgary’s upcoming city council will feature a record number of newcomers, making it the least politically experienced council in more than 100 years. Voters replaced two sitting councillors and elected 10 first-time representatives, reshaping governance from the inner city to the suburbs.
Fresh Faces Across the City
The new council includes a diverse mix of professionals: a constituency aide, a vintage furniture store owner, a lawyer, a junior oil company CEO, and a heating contractor. Notably, Landon Johnston, who spearheaded last year’s unsuccessful recall petition against former mayor Jyoti Gondek, won Ward 14.
Election Context and Outcomes
The shift comes as several incumbents chose not to seek re-election amid public dissatisfaction with Gondek’s council. Gondek herself finished third in the mayoral race, paving the way for Jeromy Farkas, a former councillor, to return as mayor. With Farkas and four other incumbents returning, two-thirds of council members will be newcomers.
“This council will face a steep learning curve,” said Andre Chabot, re-elected for a sixth term in Ward 10. Chabot, with over 16 years of experience, will become a key mentor to the rookies. Other returning councillors include Jennifer Wyness (Ward 2), Raj Dhaliwal (Ward 5), and Dan McLean (Ward 13).
Political Affiliations and Independence
The council’s composition spans multiple political affiliations but leans heavily toward independents. While Communities First and The Calgary Party secured a handful of seats, the majority of winners ran without party labels. Candidates like Myke Atkinson (Ward 7) and Harrison Clark (Ward 9) highlighted their non-partisan status during campaigns.
Andrew Yule, elected in Ward 3, said running as an independent “was a bonus for a lot of people” and emphasized the importance of focusing on results rather than party politics.
Council Challenges Ahead
The new council faces immediate challenges. Their first major task, scheduled for November, involves finalizing the city budget and determining property tax rate changes for 2026. Council members will also debate potential changes to Calgary’s blanket rezoning policies, including the regulation of row houses and multiplexes.
Farkas, in his victory speech, acknowledged the intensity of starting on council, comparing it to “drinking out of a fire hose,” and pledged to support new councillors navigating their first term.
Calgary’s New Council Members
- Ward 1: Kim Tyers, constituency assistant (Communities First)
- Ward 2: Jennifer Wyness, incumbent
- Ward 3: Andrew Yule, VP of footwear company
- Ward 4: D.J. Kelly, University of Calgary director (Calgary Party)
- Ward 5: Raj Dhaliwal, incumbent
- Ward 6: John Pantazopoulos, CEO of Lucky Strike Energy
- Ward 7: Myke Atkinson, former service design lead
- Ward 8: Nathaniel Schmidt, criminal defence lawyer
- Ward 9: Harrison Clark, vintage store owner
- Ward 10: Andre Chabot, incumbent (Communities First)
- Ward 11: Rob Ward, marketing specialist (Communities First)
- Ward 12: Mike Jamieson, construction project manager (A Better Calgary)
- Ward 13: Dan McLean, incumbent
- Ward 14: Landon Johnston, HVAC company owner
Calgary’s new council is set to be sworn in on October 29, ushering in a period of change and fresh perspectives at city hall.
