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Craig Burrows has a background in marketing and corporate finance. Most recently, he served as a senior executive in a venture capital firm that helped small and medium-sized businesses raise money to take their products to market.
Also, he is a former member of the Calgary Police Commission and served as alderman for Ward 6 from 2001-2007.
Unique to his campaign is his tour of “100 Communities in 100 Days.” Burrows has been traveling to a different part of the city each day in his campaign RV to speak with Calgarians.
“People are telling me that they want a mayor who is accessible and open to suggestions,” says Burrows. “They want to see their mayor more than just on TV; someone who will come to their communities.”
“As your mayor, I will keep this tradition alive by bringing City Hall to the local community halls of Calgary.”
 With dinner, do you prefer water or wine?
Wine. I do prefer water with breakfast, though.
Favourite home-cooked meal?
My wife’s lasagna. I challenge anyone else’s lasagna.
When you have a little down time, what are some of your favourite things to do?
I’m a self-confessed workaholic. I’m constantly going.
But my wife and I like to go for walks to get coffee. I like to walk my dog. I start my day walking my dog. It’s a great way to start the day. And I like watching movies that aren’t too thought provoking. I get enough thought provoking things during the day. I like to read.
Fondest memory of Calgary?
Game 6 when we beat the Red Wings and went to the Cup.
Are you a dog or a cat person?
I like both. We have a dog named Max. He’s a year old and he’s a Snug, part-Schnauzer and part-Pug.
What album did you listen to last?
I’m trapped in the ‘80s. I like rock music and music with actual musicians: stuff like Bon Jovi, Van Halen and Guns ‘n’ Roses. On the way over in the car, I listened to Garth Brooks.
First teenage job?
I worked at a pet store cleaning up bird crap basically. Brutal!
Guilty pleasure movie?
Love Actually.
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Any challenges in the campaign?
The issue is differentiating yourself from the pack. A lot of people are saying the same thing, but very few can say they have actually done something, and it’s difficult because the media can dictate who they like and who they don’t like.
Challenges you feel you may face as mayor?
Well, first of all, there is a $60-million deficit. The second thing is we have to get this council to get back to working as a team. It’s not. This last council is absolutely dysfunctional and their decisions have reflected that dysfunction: cost overruns, poor expenditures, massive pay hikes and tax increases.
And we have to start to set up a vision. How do we respond to Calgarians confidently about their future? How do we start building things now that will be a benefit 20 years from now, not just three years from now?
You have to have the courage to do that. What I’m trying to say to people is I can’t give you everything you need now, because I will build you something that you will need tomorrow. And those are very difficult things.
As mayor, how would you help create a more cohesive council?
You lead with vision and you lead with inspiration. You don’t lead through intimidation and pointing fingers. It’s you as a person: can you work with other people? Well, I have a track record that I can work with members of council, even if there was a council where we disagreed on things.
As a former member of council, I planted the most partnered motions to get things done, because I realized I couldn’t do it all myself. I asked other people for help, and what’s wrong with sharing credit? This council, if you took “I” out of the English language, they’d be stuck to start a sentence.
What makes a city “vibrant?”
It’s about creating that vibe downtown. As mayor, I’m going to put a pilot project in to bring you 24-hour LRT on Fridays and Saturdays. I’m going to increase the number of taxi stands downtown.
Also, using money from the council’s strategic investment fund, I’d create the 10 weeks of summer, starting from the last week of June and going till the last week of September. Every single weekend, across the city, we’ll have 30,000 to 40,000 people going to hang out.
Look at the East Village and the Stampede redevelopment. There is literally a blank slate, and with the right zoning, we could build an entertainment district. This city needs a great entertainment district.
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Favourite film of all time?
True Lies.
Favourite actor/actress?
Meryl Streep. She is unbelievable. She can do anything. I like Hugh Grant too.
Dream roadtrip/weekend getaway?
Golfing in Augusta, Georgia.
Favourite Canadian band or artist?
Blue Rodeo. And Michael Bublé too. The thing with music is, I mean, is it me or does today’s music all sound the same?
Favourite sitcom to watch growing up?
Cheers.
Favourite series now?
Modern Family.
Last great book you read?
The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand.
What is your most treasured possession?
My house.
If you could go back in time to meet one person, who would it be?
Winston Churchill. He certainly changed all of our lives. He was a leader that never gave up and never surrendered.
If Hollywood made a movie about your life, who would you like to see play the lead role as you?
Hugh Grant…you know with his self-deprecating humour. And he’s adorable because he makes mistakes and he can laugh about it.
What is your greatest artistic talent?
Comedy. I’m a comedian. I’m here all week. Try the veal.
What talent would you like to have?
To be able to sing. I’m horrible; completely tone deaf.
The last time you sang?
Last time I went to a Stampeders game. I sang the national anthem. That’s about all you’ll get me to sing.
Do you have a motto in life?
A kick in the rump is still a move forward.
If you were a Star Trek or Star Wars character, who would you be?
Captain James T. Kirk. The city of Calgary now is the Enterprise. I gotta save it. One warp drive at a time.
If you had three shazams with a magic wand, what would you change in Calgary?
- I’d tell council we are going to live within our means and we are going to freeze council salaries and senior management salaries until we get the single [digit] rate inflation. It’s time to show Calgarians that we’re going to tighten our belts and we’re going to tighten our belts first.
- I’m going to order the auditor general to come into Calgary and clear up the audit fiasco once and for all.
- I’m going to make a motion to put the LRT and the airport tunnel as the number one transportation priority of this city council.
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