With the Calgary and Edmonton Municipal Elections coming around the corner, Monday October 15th, the candidates are moving forward with more aggressive polices to improve their wards and cities. There is such a large variety of candidates, policies and histories that it is important we act on our democratic privilege to vote, which we take for granted all too often.
Calgary
Calgary has several Mayoral candidates and 12 wards at the polls.
Mayor Candidates
Dave Bronconnier is the current mayor of Calgary and is running for re-election. He held a fundraiser on the 26th of June, 2007, raising over $300,000 for his campaign. Bronconnier has been routinely helpful with pride events and promoting visibility of the queer community.
Elizabeth Kaur Fielding works as a private business contractor and issues share certificates, in addition to several inner city short term contracts. She was a campaign manager for Harry Dhillion in 2004.
Harry Heck is a real estate agent in Calgary, working for the Bungalow Boys. When contacted in regards to queer visibility his response was thus:
”My position on your request is that I don’t judge people by their lifestyle or beliefs. I judge them by their character and how they are contributing to society. It is essential that are citizens are diverse and add value by their unique and individual perspective. Housing is a huge concern to me regardless of your station in life. I hope you and your friends will visit my site and judge me for who I am and that I care for all the people not just some of them that only share my view.”
Heck’s campaign website promotes concerns of homelessness and graffiti.
Sandy Jenkins is a seismologist and geophysical consultant living in the inner-city Hillhurst area. Jenkins indicated his primary issues would involve improving transportation infrastructure in Calgary, particularly placing the downtown portion of the C-Train system underground. He also outlines plans for capping market value assessments for long-term homeowners, offering amnesty for secondary suites homeowners, and opening up the Calgary Taxi Commission to get more cabs on the streets to meet an expanding population.
Alnoor Kassam is a local businessman and entrepreneur. Kassam’s campaign citied priorities such as the West LRT and municipal-provincial relations. Some controversy has surrounded him as research reveals he was allegedly connected to a banking scandal in Kenya, including admitted acts of bribery, prior to moving to Canada. He has denied some of the accusations, and claimed others to be part of the political culture of that nation. Kassam has received negative attention for increasing rents significantly in an apartment building he owns in the Mount Royal community. (Don Braid. “Challenger takes on Bronconnier dollar for dollar in this campaign”, Calgary Herald, 2007-09-18)
Johnathan Joseph (JJ) Sunstrum is an owner and manager of several restaurants and pubs in the city. When contacted his comments on housing and GLBT visibility respectively were as follows:
“Everyone should be protected against unwarranted physical and verbal attacks, regardless of skin color, or sexual orientation. The Back Door has some good services I’ve heard, and Calgary Outlink also offers some good programs, but they don’t seem to offer services to actually find permanent or semi-permanent spaces. This is a glaring absence, and I would like to see more funding to these organizations to fill it. At the same time, though, affordable housing transcends all interest groups: it’s a fundamental issue that must be aggressively addressed.
“Everyone (including the GLBT community) is part of the diversity that is Calgary. It’s not what people say, its how they act that reflects the positive attributes they bring to the community as a whole.”
Jeremy Zhao is a student at the University of Calgary studying engineering and political science. At 19 years of age, he is the youngest candidate so far announcing his intentions to run. We asked him about his experiences regarding Gay Pride and he had this to say:
”I did attend a pride parade momentarily this summer and it was very interesting. I do feel that this event is important to the city because our city is growing and it should welcome all persons. Diversity in Canada and in Calgary is very important and we should welcome these growing populations in the city. I encourage more of these events and parades that celebrate our diversity.”
Ward 1
Jennifer Bank’s campaign has a focus on expanding youth programs within Calgary communities, moving towards greener policies and stopping urban sprawl.
Dale Hodges is a veteran alderman who has been elected since 1983; he is currently in his eighth term as alderman. He has lived in Calgary Northwest for over 30 years. He is fiscally conservative aiming to limit taxes and city spending.
Normand Perrault is a 57 year old retired general contractor. There was no additional information available at the time of press.
Ward 2
Terry Avramenko is the president of the Ranchlands community association. When asked about the GLBT community he stated simply, ”I do not have any policies regarding that community.”
Gord Lowe was first elected as alderman in October 2001. He served the Province of Alberta as a member of the Alberta Law Enforcement Review Board and as a member of the Social Care Facilities Review Committee. His platform consists of securing sustainable sources of funding for roads and transit projects as well as minimizing property taxes.
Daniel M. Del Re and Biagio Magliocca are also running in this ward but were unavailable for comment.
Ward 3
Helene Larocque was elected to her first term as Alderman in October 2004. She served as Planning and Development Director and President of the Martindale Community Association. She was also elected as president of the Federation of Calgary Communities.
Jim Stevenson is a Calgary businessman. He currently sits on the city’s subdivision and development appeal board. Stevenson was personally unavailable for comment but a member of his team responded on his behalf saying simply that, ”We take a stance against discrimination in housing in all cases.” The GLBT community was not a separate consideration.
George Chahal, when contacted, had this to say:
”I am a strong proponent of supporting diversity whether it is based on ethnicity, social or sexual orientation. The Pride parade is important as it exemplifies the continuous maturity and cosmopolitan nature of Calgary. The Gay and Lesbian community is an integral part of the community. In my position as Alderman, I would support initiatives that enhance tolerance. In addition as it relates to the first question, we as a society need to review and examine issues such as housing from different perspectives to ensure all our citizens are respected.”
Ward 4
Richard Evans is a self employed husband and father of two, his campaign web site maintains a socially conservative family values front.
Bob Hawkesworth was first elected to city council in 1980. He left in 1986 to pursue provincial politics. He returned to city council in 1993. His focus is on homelessness and reducing gas emissions.
Alex Peterson is a student attending SAIT. He was not available for comment.
Ward 5
Ray Jones is serving as an alderman for Ward 5 for the fifth time. He has been the recipient of many awards, including the Governor General’s of Canada Award in 1993.
Mohamed El-Rafih is a recent graduate from the University of Calgary’s Political Science Department. A lifelong resident of Rundle, El-Rafih has taken an active role in reducing youth crime in Calgary’s North East Communities
Ward 6
Rosemary Berglund is the president of the Coach Hill Patterson Community Association. Her campaign centers on traffic problems, transit and catch and release programs within the police service.
Craig Burrows was first elected in October 2001. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in both political science and history from the McGill University. He has come under fire for spending $12,000 of city money on a business course at the University of Calgary.
Joe Connelly is the president of Screen Giant Media and a former VP of Tourism Calgary. When interviewed he insisted that housing issues cut across all lines of sexual orientation and he would attend the coming pride parade if invited. Connelly feels that Pride celebrations needed to be more integrated into the larger Calgary community to spread awareness. Connelly was one of the people responsible for bringing the Outgames events to Calgary while working with Tourism Calgary.
James Kohut is a 43 year old City of Calgary employee. When asked about diversity in housing this is what he had to say:
”Calgary can do a lot more for equal housing; we are not doing enough to address the need. Looking at expanding mobile home parks to increase the availability of city housing.”
He has never and does not have any current plans to attend Pride celebrations though he feels that, ”It is important to the diversity of Calgary, has created a lot of awareness and has created an environment for more diversity among the people.”
James Donald Istavnffy was unavailable for comment
Ward 7
Druh Farrell was first elected as alderman in October 2001. She founded and chaired the Inner City coalition and managed the Kensington Business Revitalization Zone. She also owned a clothing manufacturing and exporting company. When asked about her involvement with the community she was very enthusiastic.
”I have attended (the pride parade) several times, with Joe Ceci and Madeline King; I was also the deputy mayor for the crowning of the Queen and King of the Court of the Royal Chinook Arch this past year.”
She felt also that pride was an important part of moving forward into an era of less discrimination. ”I think there will be time when it is no longer needed but right now I believe it is one of last frontiers of discrimination.”
Merle Terlesky intends to campaign against municipal taxation generally, and Farrell’s record on municipal taxation specifically. Terlesky is featured on the Protest Warriors web site, which is a conservative political activist protest group. It is an international organization; its main focus is on the politics of the US and Israel. The group was formed in 2003 by Alan Lipton and Kfir Alfia in Austin, Texas, with slogan of “Fighting the left... doing it right.” Research revealed that Terelesky was one of two protesters at the 2006 Pride parade, and is quoted in a Calgary Herald article surrounding the incident. When speaking to him in person, Terlesky would neither confirm nor deny his involvement in the protest of said event, although he did admit attending a Protest Warriors event surrounding the war in Iraq. Terlesky maintains that sexual orientation would not be a factor in decisions within his riding, should he be elected.
Ward 8
Lindsay Luhnau studied at the University of Calgary and currently works for the Clean Calgary Association. When asked about issues surrounding the GLBT community and Pride, she responded very positively.
“I have several friends in the in the gay and lesbian community and I believe it is important to show support. I feel pride parades are very important to Calgary because it helps raise awareness. I intend to champion all equal rights causes in Calgary including those of the gay and lesbian community.”
John Mar is the current president of the Scarboro community association. He is also a business owner and a former RCMP officer. His major concerns are safety of city streets and infrastructure.
Steve Chapman is a former Calgary police officer, motivational speaker, business owner and national president of the conservative business lobby group Progressive Group for Independent Business. He previously ran for election in the ward in 2001 and 2004. He believes that “Housing needs to be dealt with in general and is not split between any particular groups. Downtown Calgary isn’t divided strongly between any particular groups. Addressing crime and safety issues within the downtown core is beneficial to everyone.” Chapman is socially conservative and a proud member of the Baptist Church.
Madeleine King was first elected as aldermen in October 2001. She moved from England in 1981 and re-qualified as an Alberta lawyer. She was appointed by the Government of Canada to the Board of Directors of the Calgary Airport Authority, chairing the body’s Governance and Compensation Committee. When contacted about her involvement with the Calgary GLBT community she had this to say:
”I have taken an active role in the city’s support in social services, [and have been a] member of FCSS board for the six years I have been on city council. I was parade marshal of the Calgary Pride parade for three years (03, 04, 05, following Joe Clarke) and I intend to attend this year’s Pride parade and am hopeful that I will be invited to participate.”
When asked whether or not she felt that the GLBT community added to a strong and diverse Calgary community she replied, “The statement that our diversity is our strength may seem simplistic but it is a deeply held belief.”
Ward 9
Joe Ceci was first elected as alderman in October 1995. He was a community worker for the City of Calgary’s Social Development Department. He holds a graduate degree in social work from the University of Calgary. He has made appearances at both the Outgames and many Pride events. He is looking forward to attending this year, and believes that Pride is, ”most definitely good for the diversity in Calgary, creates awareness, and is a celebration of who we are both in the Calgary and queer community.”
Al Koenig has been a City of Calgary police sergeant for 27 years, and is in his third term as President of the Calgary Police Association.
Stan Waciak was not available for comment.
Ward 10
André Chabot was elected in a 2005 by-election after incumbent Margot Aftergood resigned from the 2004 vote rigging scandal.
Nargiss Dossa was unavailable for comment.
Ward 11
Dave Matthews is a 73 year old retiree, and James M. “Jim” Murray is a 57 year old lawyer. No additional information was available on either candidate at time of press.
Brian Pincott was a production manager for Alberta Theatre Projects and volunteer for the Calgary chapter of the Sierra Club of Canada. His concerns center on affordable housing, transit expansion and roads.
Jim Rockwell is a 43 year old catering company owner. His campaign centers around land use by-laws, social infrastructure, crime and safety concerns in the downtown core, and environmental policies concerning the growing population in Calgary.
Evonne Whelan is a 42 year old small business owner. His campaign centers in accountability of council members, taxes and affordable housing and homelessness.
Ward 12
Richard William “Ric” McIver was first elected as alderman in October 2001. He previously owned two companies in Calgary.
Nick Halfyard was unavailable for comment.

Edmonton
Edmonton has several Mayoral candidates and 6 wards at the polls.
Mayor Candidates
Dave Dowling is a 47 year old disabled man on social assistance. His previous political endeavors include running for mayor in the 2004 election, running in the 2004 provincial election, and in the 2004 and 2006 federal elections (both times under the Marijuana Party of Canada). He claims to be the leader of the Alberta Bloc, an unregistered political party, and the founder of the Democratic Nation of Antarctica, which he calls “the first Nation ever to be started online”. He is running on a platform of fixing Edmonton’s streets, selling naming rights to roads, and opposing public funding for an arena to replace Skyreach Centre.
Don Koziak is the 43 year old part owner of the Chateau Louis Hotel. Upon being contacted he had this to say:
“None of my policies are dependant on an individual’s sex (or sexual orientation), religion or race. All citizens play an important part. We are a better society for the diversity that everyone brings. I am a socially liberal individual that believes that an all powerful being will be able to judge us without my opinion.”
George Lam is a civil engineering graduate from the Baptist University of Hong Kong. He has received the nomination to run representing the Christian Heritage Party of Canada.
Peter Lefaivre’s campaign website professes his degree in “common sense and logical thinking from the University of Experience.” He is the webmaster of canadianredneck.ca, and advocates improved road repairs, increased affordable housing, and no new taxes for homeowners.
Robert Ligertwood ran previously for mayor of Edmonton in the 1992, 1995, and 2001 elections. He was not available for further comment.
Stephen Mandel is the 62 year old incumbent mayor, having served in that capacity since the 2004 election. He has always maintained a queer positive stance and has attended many pride parades in his term.
Bill Whatcott is a 39 year old nurse and social conservative activist, best known for his aggressive stances against abortion and homosexuality. His previous political experience includes running in the 1999 Ontario election in Toronto Centre for the Family Coalition Party and for mayor of Regina, Saskatchewan in 2000. Our research turned up that he has been convicted twice of violating court orders prohibiting him from coming within sixty feet of a Toronto abortion clinic, and has also been fined by the Saskatchewan Human Rights Tribunal for distributing material deemed hateful towards homosexuals. He claims to have been an eighteen year old homosexual prostitute and drug addict before converting to Christianity. He is running on a platform of changing zoning laws to prohibit abortion clinics, the dismantling of the Edmonton Police Service’s hate crimes unit, and an end to municipal funding of the arts and animal shelters.
Ward 1
Andrew Knack is a 23 year old retail manager. He has volunteered in the past with the Make Poverty History campaign. He is running on a platform of better road maintenance, expansion of the city’s light rail transit system, and limiting councilor pay increases as well as limiting increases in the cost of living.
Karen Leibovici is an incumbent councilor and former member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta. When contacted she had this to say:
”The City has been very supportive of youth and issues impacting youth. Regarding gay youth in particular, we were very supportive of Camp Firefly’s launch last year. Additionally, the City of Edmonton has a policy that provides equal opportunity for all, regardless of sexual orientation. Freedom of expression, which includes the expression of sexual orientation, is one of the pillars of democracy, and Pride Week, as a celebration of that freedom, is very important. And the parade is great fun, too.”
Linda Sloan is a nurse, incumbent councilor, and former member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta.
Ward 2
Jabin Caouette is a student at the University of Alberta. He is running on a platform of a property tax freeze, a 1% tax on homes sold, infrastructure funding for Ward 2, and allowing carpoolers to use lanes currently reserved for buses and taxis.
Ron Hayter is the longest-serving city councilor in Edmonton’s history. When contacted in regards to his community involvement he replied thusly:
”I recognize the queer community as being a positive part of our community and should not be discriminated against in any of our cities functions.”
Kerry Hutton is a Bingo manager. He is running on a platform of term limits for municipal politicians, opposition to the expansion of the Art Gallery of Alberta and to municipal funding for a replacement for Rexall Place, and improved street maintenance.
Kim Krushell is an incumbent councilor. Prior to her election, she served as executive assistant to Councilor Larry Langley. She is running on a platform of implementation of the city’s infrastructure strategy, expansion of the city’s light rail transit system to the northwest, and reducing regulations preventing developers from building new housing.
Dave Loken is a labour activist who has served as an executive member of the Alberta division of the Canadian Union of Public Employees and as a liaison representative for the Coalition of Edmonton Civic Service Unions.
Ward 3
Kyle Balombin is a construction worker running on a platform of low taxes, prompt street repairs, and increased police presence. When interviewed, he had this to say:
”If elected this time, I may attend this year’s Pride parade. This would only not occur if scheduling constraints persist on that particular date, however, next year and the year after I will most certainly attend. I feel the Pride parade event is important to the city because it shows we have a diverse population and, more importantly, it shows that Edmonton is more tolerant towards people who have a different lifestyle than others. Personally I would not want to live in a society/area that persecutes people for conducting their lives [in a way] that is not harmful to others. Personally I believe in freedom, democracy, and tolerance. I would never sit idle while one group promotes intolerance or tries to persecute another group for what they believe, or how they choose to live their lives. This would be evident in any decisions I make as a city councilor.”
Tony Caterina runs an industrial supply company. He is running on a platform of building new roads, increasing police presence, and cracking down on graffiti.
Ed Gibbons is an incumbent councilor and former member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta. He’s seeking re-election on a platform of increased police presence and completion of infrastructure projects.
Thomas James “Buffalo Terminator” Tomilson, 57, is a perennial candidate in Edmonton municipal elections, having run in every election since 1989 where he placed last of eleven candidates in Ward 2.
Harvey Voogd, 47, is a political activist. He has served as the executive director of the Friends of Medicare and as an executive assistant to Councilor Michael Phair. He is running on a platform of expanding public transit, preventing crime, and protecting the environment. Upon being contacted, he had this to say:
”Most years I attend the Pride parade. I attend because I have many queer friends and want to celebrate their part in my life and in the community life as a whole. The queer community is an important part of a multicultural and diverse Edmonton. I worked as Councilor Michael Phair’s Executive Assistant for 5 years so I had a good mentor as to how to use the position of Councilor to benefit all communities.”
Sui Wing Mak, Chris Martin, and Chris Roehrs were unavailable for comment.
Ward 4
Brent Thompson, 27 is running on a platform including greater communication and involvement between the Edmonton Police Service and communities, as well as increasing access to affordable housing.
Unfortunately no other candidates from Ward 4 were available to comment before time of press.
Ward 5
Bryan Anderson is a teacher, basketball coach, and incumbent city councilor. He is running on a platform of improved recreational facilities, higher design standards for buildings, and road resurfacing, maintenance, and widening.
Don Iveson, 28, is a non-profit manager and advocate. He is running on a platform of decreased urban sprawl, increased funding to the arts, and improved public transit.
Brent Michalyk, 39, is a carpenter and president of the Blackmud Creek Community League, as well as a board member for the Edmonton Federation of Community Leagues. He is running on a platform of increased consultation of community groups with regards to development projects and improved transit services. When contacted he had this to say:
”I’ve never attended (Pride) but wouldn’t mind attending. It’s definitely a good thing for Edmonton and makes us less ignorant.”
Mike Nickel is a business owner and incumbent councilor. He is running on a platform of halting tax increases, implementing term limits for municipal politicians, and focusing the city on its core services.
Ward 6
Chuck McKenna is a father of two, running on a platform of increasing transit, road building, and reducing taxes.
Dave Thiele is an incumbent councilor. When contacted he had this to say:
”I wasn’t able to attend the parade this past summer but attended a couple of the Pride Week events. I always make sure that I sent support by way of a message or ad to the program and/or magazines. Unity through diversity! I am always cognizant of the LGBT community and try to ensure that they are represented appropriately in the decisions that are made at the municipal level that affect them. One thing that I have always thought important is the inclusion of all groups on the civic agencies and boards. We need more women, minorities, LGBT etc. on these boards. Perhaps an education program on the recruitment process would make it more accessible to all.”
Lori G. Jeffrey-Heaney, Chinwe Okelu, Amarjeet Sohi, and Tomas Dennis Vasquez were unavailable for comment.