The event had three steps: first, participants named the issues they wanted to talk about. Conversations were held on over sixty topics. Secondly, the group priorized seven critical issues they wanted to explore in further depth. Thirdly, in a setting of “courtyard cafes”, people refined the directions they felt were needed to address those critical issues. Solutions were directed to the community as well as being directed to the City of Calgary. The results and comments from the day are posted elsewhere on this website.

 Conversation Calgary proved to be so successful that we resolved to follow it up with another event this fall. Over the summer a steering committee will review the findings and then reconvene participants to prepare a more detailed action plan.

Conversation Calgary has been a great experience for me. Judging from the feedback I have received, a great many of you feel the same.  I am confident that what we learn from these events will benefit the communities and individuals of Ward 4, as well as Calgarians in general.

 Bob

• Public transit, accessibility for all working people to get  to work     without spending 3-4 hours on Transit. 45
• Low cost housing. 38
• Low cost activities for children during critical hours 3:30 – 6:00. 5
• Racism, presence of Aryan guard.
• Cultural development, not management.
• More population fewer immigrant to give them fewer hardships. 16
• Driving in Calgary lack of knowledge, aggressiveness etc. 43
• Planning before implementation i.e. BRT parking and input in community.
• How to create and manage to ensure a child friendly/nurturing family oriented City.
• Bus service in MacEwan Ridge Villas
• Affordability how to finance future. 3
• Senior housing availability.
• Calgary quality of life in 2045 for our kids – future trends. 23
• Overwhelmed young people, social strategies, financial strategies. 23
• Engaging youth.
• Re-Integration of community (start dialogue ect.)
• Cycling paths.
• Mobility
• Street traffic & kids, pedestrians.
• Safe feeling in our city for seniors, kids, shift workers, disabilities on the streets. 25
• Better communication between Access Calgary and clients. I have found my complaints fall upon deaf ears. I’m tired of touring the city when needing a ride close to my residence
• Homelessness, housing shelter. I have always had a heart for the homeless, housing for them and how to help them today. I am now homeless myself and never imagined it in my life. However my care and concern for the homeless has always been sincere.
• Social. Abolish homelessness and need for food banks.
• Developing support for citizens well being (social programming) 3
• Income equality.
• Share community ideas best practices.
• Renew how we run community associations to more effectively use citizen involvement. E.g. avg. 19% are members. We as citizens can do this. How? 26
• Integration diversity supporting new Canadians. 24
• Would like to see us redefine our spirit/passion to be more productive for our diverse population. 30
• Public image and perceptions of ourselves. 27
• Curbside composting. 30
• Recycling for those not covered by Blue Box Program. 2
• No sale of City Waterworks. 34
• User fees. 36
• Cost of utilities. 8
• How to help the Police with their jobs. 19
• City Police response.
• Parents should ask their kids if they have ever destroyed the GREAT plexiglass bus shelters. Vandalism at its worst.
• Cost of vegetables and fruit. Watching what people are putting in their grocery carts – not healthy stuff. Need community gardens or more small businesses selling better priced vegetables and fruit for a healthier diet. 5
• Calgary environmental future. Responsibility, accountability ect. Focus water issues of future. 43
• Maximizing use of public spaces – schools, community centres (no cost) 7
• Nose Hill. Why stop ½ way through plan. 4
• Preserving public spaces for the public use. 26
• Supporting educators. 11
• Recreational facilities. 17
• Improving “barrier free” access to sports and recreation. Reduce user fees and field fees. 3
• Liquor in city arenas with children present. 3
• Noise bylaw stricter (motorcycles – no tailpipes) 6
• Inner city renewal. 15
• Achieve European scale (low rise, dense) mixed use neighbourhoods with better Transit. 58
• Protecting historic spaces (Eg. Baker Park and Riley Park) buildings ect.
• Preservation of cultural historic sites. 20
• A mechanism for effective response to citizens concerns beyond 311. 8

Bob Chartier