Calgary’s Climate Emergency Declaration Under Threat: Motion Introduced to Rescind

Calgary’s climate emergency declaration, made by Mayor Jyoti Gondek nearly four years ago, is under scrutiny again. A new motion, led by Councillors Sonya Sharp, Terry Wong, Dan McLean, and Andre Chabot, aims to repeal it. They argue the declaration was merely a political move.

Sharp voiced her doubts about the effectiveness of the climate strategy. The motion not only seeks to rescind the emergency declaration but also calls for an audit of the city’s climate spending. In 2025, Calgary has a budget of $26 million for its climate and environment department and plans to spend an additional $214.6 million across various city departments on climate initiatives.

Wong questioned the outcomes of these expenditures. He asked if the spending was making a difference and if the city should consider discontinuing certain efforts. The climate emergency was declared in November 2021, promising that combating climate change would be a top priority for Calgary.

Gondek continues to support the declaration, emphasizing its importance in attracting environmentally conscious companies and media productions to Calgary. She pointed to recent weather events, like wildfire smoke and hail storms, as clear impacts of climate change.

The original declaration was celebrated by climate activists but is now facing pushback. Rob Tremblay from the Calgary Climate Hub remarked, “This motion goes against reality,” highlighting the disconnect between the councillors’ views and the urgent need for climate action.

Interestingly, the councillors who authored the motion had voted for the climate emergency in 2021, suggesting a shift in perspective. Chabot explained that initial expectations of federal funding have fallen through. Alberta’s Bill 18 further complicates matters by prohibiting municipalities from receiving direct federal funds.

Sharp admitted regretting her previous vote, stating, “I shouldn’t have voted for it,” acknowledging that recognizing mistakes is important for growth. Meanwhile, Gondek accused the councillors of using the situation for political gain as they prepare for upcoming elections, with Sharp running for mayor.

The debate about this motion will take place in a city council meeting next week. If approved, the results of the promised audit into climate-related spending will be revealed during the November budget discussions.

This evolving situation reflects a broader trend where climate action faces increased scrutiny, highlighting the challenges cities face as they balance political perspectives with environmental needs. As debates continue, public sentiment remains polarized, with many advocating for urgent climate measures amid growing weather-related challenges.

For those interested, you can find more information on Calgary’s climate initiatives here.

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climate emergency declaration, Calgary City Council, Canada, Environment, Politics