Calgary’s city council is gearing up to discuss two motions aimed at removing the climate emergency declaration. This declaration was one of the first projects initiated by the previous council under former Mayor Jyoti Gondek, but it has become a topic of heated debate.
The motions come from Coun. Landon Johnston and Coun. Andre Chabot. Chabot’s motion is particularly critical; he believes the term “climate emergency” is misleading. He argues it implies a drastic approach that may not be practical for the city. “Emergency suggests we must eliminate the problem, but that’s not something a city can do alone,” he explained.
Chabot’s motion also calls for a comprehensive review of climate-related spending since 2021. He wants to see how much has been spent, what has been achieved, and whether those efforts align with the city’s core responsibilities. His view is clear: the city should focus on adapting to climate change rather than trying to eliminate it entirely.
Meanwhile, Johnston’s approach is more straightforward. He advocates for simply scrapping the declaration. He feels the declaration has created an unnecessary “dark cloud” over Calgary, affecting how decisions are made. “We need to show results, not just write them down,” he stated, confident that the city’s efforts can stand on their own without the declaration.
Historically, this isn’t the first time council members have tried to repeal the declaration; a previous attempt failed with a vote of 10-4.
Recent reports suggest that Calgary is making strides in some environmental areas. For instance, according to the 2026 Sustainable Calgary report, four out of six environmental indicators show positive trends. Water consumption has dropped to a 20-year low. However, other stats indicate a need for caution, especially concerning greenhouse gas emissions, which are rising and could lead to severe climate consequences.
This mix of progress and ongoing challenges reveals that while some efforts are working, the city still faces significant hurdles. Understanding this balance is crucial as Calgary moves forward, navigating the complexities of environmental responsibility and urban planning.
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