|
Bonnie Devine
A mother of four and trade union executive, Devine is best known as a lead organizer for Anti-Racist Action Calgary along with her husband Jason, who is the group’s key spokesperson and also Bonnie’s campaign manager.
Devine isn’t new to politics: she ran in the 2004 and 2008 provincial elections in the Calgary-East riding as a Communist candidate. (She finished in last place in both instances, earning 56 and 55 votes, respectively).
She brings the same ideals to her mayoral campaign, calling for “people over profits” and for services such as education and public transportation to be free for all Calgarians.
At the same time, Devine calls for more support for public and civic trade unions, rent control, and greater funding for education and food banks. Despite questions as to where this money will come from, Devine has a solution for some of the funds necessary:
“The role of mayor is no more important than the people who take away the trash, fight fires, pack our groceries, stock our shelves, or pump our gas,” she says. In her platform announcement “All these roles together, and more, make Calgary what it is. With this view in mind, a pay reduction of 50 per cent is necessary, because you cannot represent people unless you understand the conditions of their lives.”
|
Gary Johnston
After being convinced by an elderly woman that by running for mayor he had “nothing to lose but a lot to gain for the benefit of all,” Johnston decided to kick start the ultimate grassroots campaign.
With no website or social networking as of press time, the 63-year-old retired Canadian Pacific rail worker plans on earning support the old fashioned way: through meeting people face-to-face and speaking in an honest manner.
“I could speak in parables, but the clearest language for all of us to understand is layman’s language,” says Johnston in a leaflet passed out at a candidates forum help on Aug. 21.
“I have found in all my life experiences that to be honest and straightforward with people is always the best policy.”
Although Johnston hasn’t released any policies or clearly defined issues he hopes to address as mayor of Calgary, his passion comes through as he describes his love for the city he’s called his home after moving from Kamloops in 2006.
“Being a resident now for the past four years, I have come to appreciate this great city,” says Johnston.
An avid traveler, Johnston has learned much from his adventures abroad, and hopes to use his experience of interacting with people from all walks of life in his campaign and as mayor.
|
Derek McKenzie
Although his candidacy started as an April Fool’s joke, in which his friends posted ads around his office asking people to vote for him as mayor, McKenzie is committed to showing voters that he is in fact serious about running for the top spot on council.
“From [that prank], lots of people showed me encouragement and convinced me that I should run for mayor,” told McKenzie to the Calgary Herald.
A single dad, McKenzie works in finance for a utility company, and has lived in Calgary for 16 years. That combination gives McKenzie the edge, he says, in knowing what the city needs and being able to lead its people towards better fiscal responsibility.
“Like a household, we cannot spend more than we earn,” says McKenzie in his released platform. “Additionally, we have to plan for the future so we can maintain financial stability and continue to meet the needs of Calgarians.”
McKenzie also believes strongly in Calgary’s need for a high-class transportation system, and promises to work on further developing the city’s public transit network.
“We need to keep the city moving,” he says. “This means getting the airport tunnel built, building and extending LRT lines, and increasing the use of public transportation.”
|
