Candidate Information
Welcome to Creative Calgary’s candidate information for the Calgary 2021 General Election. Creative Calgary’s goal is to educate voters on the extent to which candidates in the municipal election share its view that fostering support and strong investment in the arts sector is critical in building a vibrant and prosperous city.
We thank you for taking the time to visit our site and encourage you to do your own research on each candidate to ensure that on October 18, you cast your vote for the candidate that best aligns with your own values and priorities. A full list of candidates can be found here, and we have linked to candidates' public websites below, where applicable.
To read about Creative Calgary's process in researching each candidate, click here.
Ward 9
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Gian-Carlo Carra
Running for: Ward 9 City Councillor
Position on public investment in the arts: Gian-Carlo Carra selected "I believe a thriving, prosperous city must have a vibrant arts scene in order to succeed. The municipal government should prioritize finding strategic ways to increase investment in the arts sector."
Personal arts statement: "A vibrant arts sector is foundational to Calgary’s best future. The arts contribute massively to our economy and quality of life, they make our city worth visiting, worth moving to, and they are the origins of the stories we tell ourselves about who we want to become."
Inclusion of the arts in platform: Gian-Carlo Carra's platform does not include a positive position on the arts.
Campaign website: www.carra4ward9.ca
Kimberly Feser
Running for: Ward 9 City Councillor
Position on public investment in the arts: Kimberly Feser selected "I believe Calgary currently has many important civic priorities, including the arts. Current municipal investment in the arts is sufficient and should be maintained at its current level."
Personal arts statement: "I believe in order to keep our arts community thriving we need to make sure existing support stays with our local artist as much as possible. Supports that stay within the local arts community has an immediate impact to our economy while ensuring local artists have a chance at growing their craft."
Inclusion of the arts in platform: Kimberly Feser's platform does not include a positive position on the arts.
Campaign website: www.kimberlyfeser.ca
Abdirizak Hadi
Running for: Ward 9 City Councillor
Position on public investment in the arts: Abdirizak Hadi has not responded to Creative Calgary's request for information.
Personal arts statement: Abdirizak Hadi has not responded to Creative Calgary's request for information.
Inclusion of the arts in platform: Abdirizak Hadi's platform does not include a positive position on the arts.
Campaign website: www.twitter.com/hadi4ward9
Syed Hasnain
Running for: Ward 9 City Councillor
Position on public investment in the arts: Syed Hasnain has not responded to Creative Calgary's request for information.
Personal arts statement: Syed Hasnain has not responded to Creative Calgary's request for information.
Inclusion of the arts in platform: Syed Hasnain has not made a platform publicly available.
Campaign website: Syed Hasnain does not have a public campaign website at this time.
Daymond Khan
Running for: Ward 9 City Councillor
Position on public investment in the arts: Daymond Khan selected "I believe a thriving, prosperous city must have a vibrant arts scene in order to succeed. The municipal government should prioritize finding strategic ways to increase investment in the arts sector."
Personal arts statement: "The Arts have a critical role to play in our new diversified economy and helping Calgary to keep talented youth and young adults in our city. I support the Arts as a way to inspire young minds and to lift the spirits and well-being of all Calgarians across the city."
Inclusion of the arts in platform: Daymond Khan's platform does not include a positive position on the arts.
Campaign website: www.daymondkhan.ca
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Omar M'Keyo
Running for: Ward 9 City Councillor
Position on public investment in the arts: Omar M'Keyo has not responded to Creative Calgary's request for information.
Personal arts statement: Omar M'Keyo has not responded to Creative Calgary's request for information.
Inclusion of the arts in platform: Omar M'Keyo has not made a platform publicly available.
Campaign website: Omar M'Keyo does not have a public campaign website at this time.
Lori Masse
Running for: Ward 9 City Councillor
Position on public investment in the arts: Lori Masse selected "I believe Calgary currently has many important civic priorities, including the arts. Current municipal investment in the arts is sufficient and should be maintained at its current level."
Personal arts statement: "Post COVID I believe that economic recovery will be a vital to Calgary being a thriving prosperous city. A large part of that recovery will be to attract businesses in various sectors to come to Calgary; in order for businesses to be able to attract and retain talent, I believe that having a thriving arts scene is a part of that equation."
Inclusion of the arts in platform: Lori Masse's platform does not include a positive position on the arts.
Campaign website: www.lorimasseforward9.com
Derek Reimer
Running for: Ward 9 City Councillor
Position on public investment in the arts: Derek Reimer has not responded to Creative Calgary's request for information.
Personal arts statement: Derek Reimer has not responded to Creative Calgary's request for information.
Inclusion of the arts in platform: Derek Reimer has not made a platform publicly available.
Campaign website: Derek Reimer does not have a public campaign website at this time.
John-William Wade
Running for: Ward 9 City Councillor
Position on public investment in the arts: John-William Wade has not responded to Creative Calgary's request for information.
Personal arts statement: John-William Wade has not responded to Creative Calgary's request for information.
Inclusion of the arts in platform: John-William Wade's platform does not include a positive position on the arts.
Campaign website: www.johnwilliamwade.ca
Naomi Withers
Running for: Ward 9 City Councillor
Position on public investment in the arts: Naomi Withers selected "I believe a thriving, prosperous city must have a vibrant arts scene in order to succeed. The municipal government should prioritize finding strategic ways to increase investment in the arts sector."
Personal arts statement: "As a councillor candidate I've had the opportunity to engage actors, screen writers, musicians, producers, painters, graphic designers, and supporters of the arts. These citizens and their works contribute immensely to the vibrancy of Calgary, and support the building of a thriving resilient City that attracts investment."
Inclusion of the arts in platform: Naomi Withers's platform does not include a positive position on the arts.
Campaign website: www.ward9calgary.com