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Before entering politics, Kent Hehr was a lawyer at Fraser Milner Casgrain, a national law firm. Currently, he serves as MLA for the riding of Calgary-Buffalo. He’s worked as a community leader with a variety of organizations, including the Downtown West Community Association, the United Way of Calgary, the Canadian Paraplegic Association, and the city of Calgary’s Advisory Committee on Accessibility.
A victim of a random act of violence at the age of 22, Hehr was left a paraplegic. Public safety and accessibility are issues dear to his heart.
He was voted the “Graduate of the Decade” by the University of Calgary Alumni Association in 2005.
While many candidates have brought up the issue of sustainability, Hehr was the only one to mention water usage:
 “Long term, we need planning for our water usage. Let’s face it, we have another 1.5 million people coming to our city [over the next 40 years]. Our primary source of water is the Bow River. How are we going to utilize scarce resources in an efficient and effective manner?”
With dinner, do you prefer water or wine?
Depends. Monday through Thursday, I prefer water. Friday, Saturday and the odd Sunday, I might drink some wine. If you substitute a bottle of Pilsner instead of the wine…that’s more my style.
Favourite home-cooked meal?
My mom’s lasagna. She must put about three bricks of cheese in it. It’s absolutely wonderful.
When you have a little down time, what are some of your favourite things to do?
I’m usually out with friends at the Purple Perk or Nelson’s Pub. That’s the way I like to relax.
Fondest memory of Calgary?
The Mac’s World Invitational AAA Midget Hockey Tournament. It’s been a mainstay here every year in December. It’s absolutely fabulous and I go every year. I also played in it in 1987.
Are you a dog or a cat person?
Neither, because my dad is allergic to both of them, but I have told my dad that when he passes away, I’ll mourn for three days and then I’m getting a dog.
What album did you listen to last?
The Band’s The Last Waltz.
First teenage job?
Calgary Herald paperboy – through snow, through sleet, through hail – from age 13 to 15.
Guilty pleasure movie?
Dumb and Dumber. I howl at that movie, especially the moped scene. It’s almost embarrassing.
Favourite film of all time?
Pulp Fiction. If you really watch it, there are some deep meanings in it, especially the spiritual awakening of Samuel L. Jackson’s character at the end of the film. Plus, Tarantino’s play with language between characters is amazing.
Favourite actor/actress and why?
Meryl Streep. She’s the best at her profession. And then there’s Al Pacino and [Robert] De Niro, of course.
Dream roadtrip/weekend getaway?
Driving down to Denver to watch the Colorado Rockies play a weekend baseball set.
Favourite Canadian band or artist?
Tragically Hip.
Favourite sitcom to watch growing up?
Three’s Company.
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Any challenges in the campaign?
It’s about knowing what your value system is and trying to present that with the decisions you make.
Challenges you feel you may face as mayor?
A $60-million budget shortfall. The 1.5 million people coming to our city over the next 40 years. [studies project Calgary’s population will grow to 2.5 million in 40 years.] Balancing both the wants and needs of the citizens of Calgary.
As mayor, how would you help create a more cohesive council?
Council has to debate things on the council floor and come to decisions that are in the best interests of Calgarians. They should be made in the public’s interest, not with the idea to make political hay.
Right now council, when a decision is made that doesn’t go their way, one or the other runs out and yells to the media that x-y-z has happened. It creates a real mentality of people throwing each other under the bus.
What makes a city “vibrant?
[Mission] is a vibrant community. There’s shops, people interacting, people communicating and sharing ideas.
We’re talking about public space and public areas to congregate to express the joys of being a Calgarian or being alive: some of that sticky stuff that makes cities great.
Some candidates who are running in this race, they voted for not funding the Calgary Zoo expansion, for not funding the Science Centre. Yeah, it’s easy to say no to that stuff. They’re not part of the core responsibility of this city. But at the same time, should public dollars go to some of those things? Darn right. They make our city a more vibrant place to live. You’re not even worried about the gross domestic product; you’re worried about the gross domestic happiness.
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Favourite series now?
Mad Men.
Last great book you read?
For Whom the Bell Tolls by Ernest Hemingway. The vibrancy of life is captured in the last two chapters: you have to do things when you are able to do them and life is fleeting.
What is your most treasured possession?
I really don’t get off on possessions, but I guess my photograph of my grandfather’s farm. It’s an aerial photo that shows everything he built: the house, the barn, the chicken coop, the Quonset hut and everything else I remember from being a kid.
If you could go back in time to meet one person, who would it be?
Ted Williams, the last guy to hit 400 in 1941. Don’t just dismiss me for a jock. Ted Williams missed five years of baseball to serve as a tailgunner in both WWII and the Korean War. That’s a lot of sacrifice and a lot of commitment. And he’s one hell of a ball player.
If Hollywood made a movie about your life, who would you like to see play the lead role as you?
Someone slim, young and debonair. George Clooney would be okay.
What is your greatest artistic talent?
I have very little internal artistic talent. I guess I appreciate the tremendous skill and talent it takes to do the things I cannot.
What talent would you like to have?
I’d love to be a screenwriter or filmmaker. I think that’d be super cool.
The last time you sang?
Yesterday in the car listening to satellite radio. It was “Jealous Again” by the Black Crowes.
Do you have a motto in life?
Not really. Do the best I can. Whatever.
If you were a Star Trek or Star Wars character, who would you be?
Captain Kirk. He’s pretty cool, pretty calm. He seemed to do well with the ladies and he stayed level-headed under pressure.
If you had three shazams with a magic wand, what would you change in Calgary?
- You need 500 more police on the street. Calgary has fewer police officers per capita than Edmonton, Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver…stop me when you get the point.
We need smart growth, not this continued sprawl. Calgary is far too big as it is. It is what it is now, but in 40 years it’s going to be very difficult if we haven’t created a community that lives and works and walks and does all that kind of stuff within the community.
I’d change the amount of money we get returned in property taxes from the provincial government. Right now only half of the money comes back to Calgary.
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