What do you want to ask candidates in the election?

The Better Calgary Campaign will be surveying all declared candidates in the upcoming municipal election with the goal of endorsing a slate of candidates in each race. But first, you can help us decide what to ask. Long post below...

For ease of use, we will cut and paste our current questions here. If you have anything you'd like to add, mention it in the "comment" field or drop us an email at info@bettercalgary.ca. We'll finalize the survey this Friday evening, so act quickly!

1. What are the top three issues facing your Ward?

2. What are the top three issues facing the city as a whole, if different from above?

3. Urban Sprawl and Housing
a. Do you support the concept of extending Transit-Oriented Development throughout the city, including established neighbourhoods? What is your stance on the proposed development at Dalhousie Station (in Varsity)?

b. Are we facing a housing crisis in Calgary? If so, what should be done about it? If you are an incumbent, what have you specifically done about this?

c. Do you support legalization of secondary suites in all existing neighbourhoods, subject only to reasonable safety concerns? Why or why not?

d. Please rank urban sprawl as an issue for Calgary from 1 (not an issue at all) to 5 (the most vital issue in the city). If you believe it is a problem, what will you do to address it? (If you are an incumbent, what have you already specifically done?) If you don’t see it as a problem, please explain why.

4. Transportation
a. Transportation has long ranked amongst one of the major concerns of Calgarians. Has the City been doing a good job of addressing transportation needs? What would you do differently?

b. Do you use public transit regularly? Bus, C-train, or both? What is the role of public transit in the City? Does our current system meet the needs of the city? If not, how would you improve it?

c. Are you in favour of the current strategic plan for transit? If not, what changes would you make?

d. The City’s current plan does not envision direct C-Train service to either the airport or Mount Royal College. Would you favour amending the plan to reach these two destinations (both within close distance of planned lines)? Why or why not?

5. Vibrant and sustainable communities

a. Please rank homelessness and urban poverty more generally as an issue for Calgary from 1 (not an issue at all) to 5 (the most vital issue in the city). If you believe it is a problem, what will you do to address it? (If you are an incumbent, what have you already specifically done?) If you don’t see it as a problem, please explain why.

b. What is your stance on arts funding? Do you support the recent recommendations of the Calgary Arts Development Authority?

c. What is your stance on the city’s curbside recycling plan? Would you extend the plan to include recycling of organics? Why or why not?

d. What other environmental initiatives, if any, would you favour?

e. Please rank crime and safety as an issue for Calgary from 1 (not an issue at all) to 5 (the most vital issue in the city). If you believe it is a problem, what will you do to address it? (If you are an incumbent, what have you already specifically done?) If you don’t see it as a problem, please explain why.

6. Taxes and revenues. Does the current system of funding municipal government largely through property taxes work well? If not, what changes would you recommend?

7. Political reform. Does the current system of campaign financing work well? If not, what changes would you favour?

8. FOR INCUMBENTS ONLY: What are your three major accomplishments this term? Of what are you most proud?