January 21, 2010
CANADA'S LARGEST CITIES UNITED IN SUPPORT FOR HAITI
Ottawa - As Haiti struggles to recover from the devastating earthquake of 2010 January 12th, Canada's 22 largest cities have pledged their support to aid the beleaguered island nation, particularly in re-construction of essential infrastructure. This morning, the Big City Mayors Caucus of Canada unanimously endorsed a proposal put forward by the cities of Montreal and Calgary which commits municipal resources to future reconstruction efforts.
Under the plan, the cities working through the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) will create a "pool of expertise", in close collaboration with the Federal Government, Non-Governmental Agencies and Haitian authorities. Assistance would be offered according to needs on the ground in Haiti, ranging from areas such as protective services, civil engineering and construction, water and sewer services, etc.
The Mayors strongly encouraged Canadians to donate what they can to relief agencies such as the Red Cross or World Vision, with some cities, such as Montreal and Laval, going a step further by committing dollars for an FCM Recovery Fund for Haiti.
Calgary Mayor Dave Bronconnier, who co-sponsored the motion, noted that municipalities have a unique and valuable role to play, through the skills and efforts of civic employees. He noted, "This is a tragedy of epic proportions - A tiny and very poor nation has been devastated, and Canada's cities can and will help. Building infrastructure and running essential services is what we do! We're eager to mobilize our people, and focus their skills and efforts to helping the people of Haiti."
Speaking on behalf of The City of Montreal, Counseiller Claude Dauphin said, "The relationship between our city and Haiti is very strong and very important to us. We have already sent police officers, doctors and nurses to help during recovery, and the Haitian people can count on Montreal and all of Canada's big cities to help them through this."
MEDIA CONTACT:
Marc Henry
Chief of Staff to Mayor Bronconnier
403-268-5622 (Office)
marc.henry@calgary.ca (Blackberry)
January 13, 2010
CALGARY VIES FOR MONOPOLY'S PRIME REAL ESTATE
Calgary is vying to be the city that holds the hottest property on Hasbro's new MONOPOLY Canada edition, and Mayor Dave Bronconnier is counting on Calgarians to help make it happen by going to www.monopolyvote.ca and voting for Calgary.
On Monday, Hasbro launched a nationwide contest to find Canada's 22 favourite cities that will be included on the new MONOPOLY Canada game board. The city that receives the most votes overall will be placed on the most valuable property, traditionally held by Boardwalk. And that's where Mayor Dave Bronconnier thinks Calgary should be sitting.
"Do not pass GO without giving Calgary your vote," said Mayor Dave Bronconnier. "In international and national surveys, Calgary has been named the city with the highest quality of life and economic potential, safest city and cleanest city. Now's our chance to snap up the prime real estate on one of the most popular games in the world. What a great way to show Canada how much we love our city!"
Sixty-five cities have been pre-selected by Hasbro for the vote, and Canadians are being asked to cast their ballots for three cities every day until the poll closes. The city that receives the most votes will be placed on Boardwalk. The 20 cities with the highest number of votes will each have property featured on the game board. Two other cities will be selected as wild cards to occupy the low-rent property spaces traditionally held by Mediterranean Avenue and Baltic Avenue.
"It's time to TAKE A CHANCE. We can vote every day until February 7 for Calgary to be Canada's favourite city and MONOPOLY's top property,” said Mayor Bronconnier. "I'm asking Calgarians to get on the website and vote early; vote often. Vote every day".
ADVANCE TOKEN TO NEAREST WEBSITE and vote daily at www.monopolyvote.ca.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Marc Henry
Chief of Staff to Mayor Bronconnier
403-268-5622 (Office)
marc.henry@calgary.ca (Blackberry)
January 6, 2010
Mayor and Olympian announce Calgary's Olympic Torch Celebrations
Calgary - Mayor Dave Bronconnier and Susan Auch, three time Olympic medalist and Honourary Chair, Calgary Olympic Torch Celebration, announced details for The City of Calgary's celebration in honour of the Olympic Torch's arrival on January 18 at Olympic Plaza. From January 16 to 20 leading up to and including the time when the torch travels through the community, the city will become a living tribute to Calgary's Olympic heritage.
"The spirit of the Olympics lives deep in the hearts of Calgarians," said Mayor Bronconnier. "As the first Canadian city to host the Winter Olympics, Calgarians are excited to be welcoming the torch back to our city and celebrating our Olympic heritage."
On January 18 from 5 pm to 8 pm, Calgarians of all ages are invited to Olympic Plaza to share in the spirit of sports and culture as the Olympic Torch arrives in downtown Calgary on the 81st of its 106 day journey across Canada. The evening will take us back to our Olympic roots and will look forward to the opening celebration of the Games. Enjoy live music by entertainers including Terri Clark and Crystal Plamondon along with dancers, painters and other performers. Meet Calgary Olympians from past Olympic Games and watch as the cauldron is lit in honour of the 21st Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver.
Paving the way for the torch's arrival is Snowblower, a free music outdoor festival on January 16. Co-presented by One Yellow Rabbit's High Performance Rodeo and The City of Calgary, Snowblower promises to steam up January with a gust of inspired heat. From 5 pm to 11 pm, Olympic Plaza will be transformed in a land of fire and ice. The event will include international electronic musicians, fire performances, and mystical light displays.
"I invite Calgarians to come out and welcome the torch as it once again lights up our city," said Mayor Bronconnier. "Wear your Olympic gear and join your fellow Calgarians as we rekindle the community spirit that ignited the '88 Olympics and makes the Olympics a shared and memorable event."
Additional community events presented January 16-20. Please visit calgary.ca/recreation, as details for these events will be released in the coming week.
More details on the torch's route and other community activities can be found at vancouver2010.com/olympic-torch-relay/.
A full list of Snowblower performers and other High Performance Rodeo events is available at hprodeo.com/2010/snowblower.
There will be various road closures and temporary traffic delays associated with the torch relay and associated events. Details will be made available closer to the celebration.
Media contact information
Kristi Baron
Communications Strategist, Community Services & Protective Services
Ph: 403-268-5186
Kristi.Baron@calgary.ca
Public contact information:
3-1-1 or 403.268.CITY (2489) from outside the local calling area
Public email contact:
3-1-1contactus@calgary.ca
February 23, 2010
MAYOR BRONCONNIER ANNOUNCES 3RD TERM WILL BE HIS LAST
Calgary - Having largely completed his political agenda, Mayor Dave Bronconnier announced today this will be his final term as mayor, as he intends to return to private life in October and will not be seeking re-election. Citing Calgary's massive infrastructure program as an example of accomplishing the goal of "Moving Calgary Forward", Bronconnier said now is the right time to step away from public life.
"There are going to be a lot of ribbons to cut over the next 3 or 4 years, due to the hard work of the last 8," said the mayor, "But ladies and gentlemen, I didn't get into public life to cut ribbons. I got into politics to get things done...I have a feeling of satisfaction and accomplishment because the goal that was set back in 2001 has largely been reached. Therefore, this is my final term as Calgary's Mayor - I will not be seeking re-election in October."
Over the past eight years, Mayor Bronconnier has lead Calgary through one of the most eventful decades in its history. He has been one of Canada's most successful and outspoken mayors, and a strong advocate for Calgary's infrastructure and financial sustainability. The mayor recounted that he was most proud of a record which never made promises "without a plan and a strong determination to get them done." During his three-terms in office, Mayor Bronconnier has amassed an impressive list of accomplishments ranging from: unprecedented investments in transportation, transit, and protective services; retaining ownership of ENMAX (the city's wholly-owned energy utility); development of the ENMAX Legacy Parks Fund; environmental initiatives such as curb-side recycling, water and energy conservation, and; redevelopment of East Village through tax increment financing.
Bronconnier is perhaps best known for his advocacy of municipal finance reform, and greater financial sustainability for municipal governments. During his three terms in office, The City of Calgary has signed agreements with other orders of government worth 5 Billion Dollars for Calgary's infrastructure.
The Mayor encouraged those with a "love for this city and a burning desire to make it better" to consider public office, noting that he signalled his departure early to allow anyone interested in being mayor ample time to put together a strong campaign.
He also offered some advice to the person who will become Calgary's 36th Mayor, "Have an agenda. Be ever mindful of the goal to make Calgary better. Strive for better and work every day to make it happen. And be determined. Never be disheartened or dissuaded by naysayers. Great cities are not built by those who say 'no'."
MEDIA CONTACT:
Marc Henry
Chief of Staff to Mayor Bronconnier
403-268-5622 (Office)
marc.henry@calgary.ca (Blackberry)
March 8, 2010
96th Avenue Tunnel Option Preserved Following New Runway Construction
Calgary - The City of Calgary and the Calgary Airport Authority have agreed on a plan to ensure future road capacity options are preserved following the construction of a new runway. The plan involves preserving the land access points and planning framework for the potential development of a future east extension of 96th Ave NE through a tunnel under the 4th runway at Calgary International Airport, as well as upgrades to the existing road network adjacent to the Calgary International Airport.
The Calgary Airport Authority supported the City's efforts to obtain funding from the provincial and federal governments. With the realization that funding will not be available at this time, both parties have agreed to revisit the possibility of adding the 96th Avenue extension, and associated tunnel under the 4th Runway, at a future date.
Barlow Trail between 48th Avenue NE and Airport Road will be permanently closed on April 3, 2011. The City of Calgary is confident that with the completion of Stoney Trail and with numerous planned upgrades to the northeast road network, including the completion of Metis Trail, the road network will fully accommodate all current and future traffic requirements.
To support the City and the community, the Calgary Airport Authority has undertaken to complete a new road connection between 36th Street NE and 48th Avenue NE. This work, which is scheduled to be undertaken in 2010 at an estimated value of $ 10.5 million, will provide a new alternative road connection between McKnight Blvd. and Country Hills Blvd.
The Authority will continue on-schedule with the Airport Development Project (ADP), comprised of the new International Concourse and the 4th Runway. Preliminary construction works for the ADP are already underway and major excavation and grading will commence in January 2011. The ADP will provide 10.5 million hours of employment and is vital to the continued economic prosperity of Calgary.
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Marc Henry
Chief of Staff to Mayor Bronconnier
403-268-5622 (Office)
marc.henry@calgary.ca (Blackberry)
Jody Moseley
The Calgary Airport Authority
403-807-9143 or 403-735-2197
March 6, 2010
MEMORIAL TO CALGARY'S FALLEN SOLDIERS BREAKS GROUND
Calgary - Using historical military entrenching tools at a ceremony today, Mayor Dave Bronconnier was joined by Colonel T.M. Putt, Commander 41 Canadian Brigade Group, to officially break ground on the Calgary Soldiers' Memorial.
Calgary's fallen soldiers with our army reserve regiments leave behind a rich and honoured legacy. The Calgary Soldiers' Memorial pays tribute to their sacrifice and service made in World War 1, World War 2 and Afghanistan. Large stone tablets will list over 3000 soldiers who have died while serving their country, with the cap Badge of units displayed at the top.
Initiated by The Calgary Highlanders in conjunction with their Centennial in 2010, the project encompasses all army reserve units based in Calgary (The King’s Own Calgary Regiment; 41 Combat Engineer Regiment;746 (Calgary) Communications Squadron;14 (Calgary) Service Battalion;15 Field Ambulance, Detachment Calgary).
The Memorial design was created by the Marc Boutin Architectural Collaborative and is and integral part of the larger Memorial Drive - Landscape of Memory project with The City. The Landscape of Memory consists of a nine kilometre corridor along Memorial Drive, that will include a series of interconnected public spaces to share the history and story of Calgary’s military, rededicated the founding purpose of Memorial Drive.
Scheduled for completion next fall, The Memorial is one of the first public space features being developed along the corridor. Located just west of Louise Bridge, the installation overlooks the Bow River towards the Mewata Armoury, the mustering point from which many Canadian soldiers departed to serve their country.
Funding for the Calgary Soldiers’ Memorial is through a number of sources in the public and private sectors, including corporations and service clubs, individuals and The City of Calgary Enmax Legacy Parks Program.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Marc Henry
Chief of Staff to Mayor Bronconnier
403-268-5622 (Office)
marc.henry@calgary.ca (Blackberry)
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1909 The City's first streetcar was introduced. In 2007, the fleet consists of 993 buses and light rail vehicles.
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