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For 21 years Barb Higgins was a writer, co-producer and co-anchor of the CTV Calgary 6 p.m. newscast.
In addition, Higgins has participated in the production of several documentaries, including Running on Empty, Charity: What’s in it for me?, and a three-part series on a Calgary firefighter’s battle with the Worker’s Compensation Board.
Over the years, she has taken leadership roles on several community involvement committees such as the United Way, UNICEF Patrons Council, and the Calgary Hospice Board of Directors.
 She’s also continued her education through courses at the University of Calgary in small business and successful negotiation.
“Calgary is poised to really take the stage and be a world leader in the energy sector, but also in being a dynamic place to live,” says Higgins.
“And we’re ready to do that now. We always say it’s a great city, but we have an opportunity now to take it to the next level. That’s an exciting time and I want to be part of that. I want to lead that. I really want to lead that. I want to get Calgarians excited about the city, you know, they love it and it’s time to really get excited.”
With dinner, do you prefer water or wine?
Wine. Red.
Favourite home-cooked meal?
Home-roasted chicken with homemade pesto and lots of fresh veggies.
When you have a little down time, what are some of your favourite things to do?
Go for a walk, read and have heart-to-heart conversations.
Oh, and do yoga and dance…how much free time are we talking here?
Fondest memory of Calgary?
Rappelling off the Calgary Tower. It’s the quintessential Calgary experience. It was when I first moved to Calgary for a charity. We rappelled off the top and all the way to Stephen Avenue Mall.
Are you a dog or a cat person?
Oh no! I’m both. Can I say that? I’ve grown up with both. I have a cat now and four fish.
What album did you listen to last?
Bublé, Michael Bublé. His latest album.
First teenage job?
Working at Ponderosa as a waitress.
Guilty pleasure movie?
Star Wars.
Favourite film of all time?
Gorillas in the Mist.
Favourite actor/actress?
Sigourney Weaver. And George Clooney. I like George because he is more than just a pretty face. People always underestimate him. He’s smart, his father was a newsman and he really researches his movies.
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Any challenges in the campaign?
It’s been a wonderful experience. When I made this decision, I made it with my heart. I couldn’t make a half decision on it. I’m committed to it and I find when you are committed to something, challenges don’t feel like challenges.
It’s just been a growing process. And to be able to speak with my own voice is very refreshing. As a journalist, you have to be careful about not being political or speaking with your voice. Now, it’s a chance for me to offer my thoughts on the city and the issues in the city. It’s not a challenge. It’s an opportunity and I’m loving it.
Challenges you feel you may face as mayor?
I think it’s going to be work to restore people’s trust in what’s happened at City Hall. Some of the decisions that were made eroded people’s trust.
When you’re dealing with people’s money, it’s a very personal thing for people because they have no choice. They have to give their taxes and they want to know it’s spent wisely. It’s going to be a very detailed process to make sure that trust is repaired.
As mayor, how would you help create a more cohesive council?
I already have a great relationship with the people who are on council, so I start from a place of already having a great relationship.
I’ve had really good interactions with people from all walks of life in Calgary through my previous career. I was able to work with a lot of different agencies that deal with the city and people from a full spectrum in Calgary and from all quadrants of the city.
So I come in being able to call a lot of these people friends. I’ve already worked with them and I already have varying degrees of relationships with people around the city.
What makes a city “vibrant?”
I think one of the key components to creating a vibrant city is to have city hall create clear guidelines and standards for small business and medium business and then foster that and get out of the way. You have to establish clear guidelines about what it takes to do business in Calgary, but then get out of the way so that City Hall is helping business, not blocking it.
Whenever I go to Europe or New York, what I remember is sitting at the café. Those are the experiences that you remember. It’s a city creating experiences for people to have. A vibrant city isn’t about concrete or buildings. My focus would be to allow businesses to create experiences for people.
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Dream roadtrip/weekend getaway?
Waterton. I love Waterton, the hiking and everything.
Favourite Canadian band or artist?
Bublé.
Favourite sitcom to watch growing up?
M*A*S*H.
Favourite series now?
I haven’t got time for TV now. But I do watch 60 Minutes religiously. I try to catch it or I watch it online.
Last great book you read?
I don’t read a lot of fiction. The last books I read were The Creative City and Who’s Your City. I always have about four books on the go.
What is your most treasured possession?
Jewelry that was handed down to me from my grandmother. I have some vintage pieces that are special to me.
If you could go back in time to meet one person, who would it be?
Ghandi. Definitely Ghandi, because he staged a peaceful revolution. He created massive change in a peaceful manner.
If Hollywood made a movie about your life, who would you like to see play the lead role as you?
Sigourney Weaver. She’s strong. I like her.
What is your greatest artistic talent?
Dance. All kinds. I used to tango.
What talent would you like to have?
Singing.
The last time you sang?
Oh, I sing all the time. I hum a lot too. A song will come into my head for a couple of days and then it’s gone.
Do you have a motto in life?
Live it.
If you were a Star Trek or Star Wars character, who would you be?
I’d be Luke. Feel the force!
If you had three shazams with a magic wand, what would you change in Calgary?
- Straighten out the books and restore Calgarian’s trust in how money is being spent.
- Make it easier for people to do business.
- Create more living spaces for people, more gathering spaces for Calgarians. Indoor and outdoor. You know, in Europe there are always the plazas. So it’d be about creating more spaces for people to connect.
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