Climate Hub mobilizes Calgarians on municipal rezoning issue

There was a lively atmosphere at the Calgary municipal building on Monday, for the start of the City’s public engagement hearings on the issue of rezoning. The proposal on the table, blanket rezoning of the city to R-CG zoning, would allow more dense forms of housing to be allowed across the city, and was one of a range of 33 actions recommended by the City’s Housing and Affordability Taskforce. 

Photo by Willem Klumpenhouwer. Licensed CC-BY (cropped)

In this time of dual crises in Climate and Housing Affordability, the Calgary Climate Hub rose to the occasion by hosting our popular Speak at City Hall training session last week, to inform concerned Calgarians and mobilize them to voice their support for R-CG rezoning. Over 75 Calgarians signed up for the training, which examined the evidence and personal perspectives on why rezoning is a win for both climate and housing affordability. Beyond that, Hub co-chair and experienced municipal issues advocate, Rob Tremblay, gave advice on using our personal stories as well as evidence to craft our message to City Councillors.

Thank you to all volunteers who fearlessly raised their voices in favour of rezoning. Your efforts are crucial to convincing Council to enact rezoning and make Calgary a more densely built, and liveable city.

When public comments began on Monday, almost 750 speakers had already signed up to weigh in on the issue. With strong opinions expressed on both sides of the debate, the Hub’s efforts to recruit, train and empower Calgarians in favour of rezoning has made a significant impact to the YES side of the rezoning debate.

Among them, Calgary Climate Hub’s own Steve Bentley delivered a succinct and insightful presentation touching on his own housing struggles, how it affects students and working Calgarians alike, while clearly laying out how density means less urban sprawl and less climate impact for our rapidly growing city. You can watch Steve’s presentation here:

While the public comment period is still ongoing, and the R-CG rezoning is not yet confirmed by Council, the Hub is proud to have mobilized a significant number of passionate Calgarians in support of rezoning. We look forward to a successful outcome to the vote, and will update when possible.

Written by Daniel Smithies