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.
Mayoral Candidates
Ian Chiang
Running for: Mayor of Calgary
Position on public investment in the arts: Ian Chiang 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: "I have been working in technical and engineering fields for 40 years. I do have my artistic sides. I love singing. I like to do photography. I have learned to paint in water color but I failed. The concept of how to paint set for me on how to see colors out of ordinary lives. I visited many galleries of arts in Calgary as well as other cities. Local artists should be promoted and rewarded well financially. There is no way to do arts on empty stomach."
Inclusion of the arts in platform: Ian Chiang's platform does not include a positive position on the arts.
Campaign website: www.ianchiang.com
Jan Damery
Running for: Mayor of Calgary
Position on public investment in the arts: Jan Damery 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: "I truly believe art in all its forms brings people together and helps them see themselves in the places they occupy. Art adds richness and vibrancy - it connects us all to our humanity."
Inclusion of the arts in platform: Jan Damery's platform includes a positive position on the arts.
Campaign website: www.jandamery.com
Jeff Davison
Running for: Mayor of Calgary
Position on public investment in the arts: Jeff Davison 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: "Arts play an important role in city-building. The arts are key to making Calgary a vibrant and better place to live while creating significant economic return. In 2018, I doubled funding for CADA to support over 300 organizations around the City. We unlocked $2M in additional funding to CADA during the pandemic to support artists who were disproportionately affected by the pandemic."
Inclusion of the arts in platform: Jeff Davison's platform does not include a positive position on the arts.
Campaign website: www.jeffdavisonyyc.com
James Desautels
Running for: Mayor of Calgary
Position on public investment in the arts: James Desautels 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: "Without music and arts we decline as human beings. Prioritizing these with money and resources should be immediate and forever."
Inclusion of the arts in platform: James Desautels' platform does not include a positive position on the arts.
Campaign website: www.jamesdesautels.com
Jeromy Farkas
Running for: Mayor of Calgary
Position on public investment in the arts: Jeromy Farkas 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: "Recent spending hasn’t gone to the right places. I’ve championed greater access for local artists through grassroots/private partnerships like the Beltline Urban Murals Project. Let’s focus on affordable, local projects with a big impact on how our city looks and feels, rather than big bureaucracy and international firms."
Inclusion of the arts in platform: Jeromy Farkas' platform does not include a positive position on the arts.
Campaign website: www.jeromy.ca
Brad Field
Running for: Mayor of Calgary
Position on public investment in the arts: Brad Field 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: "I understand how much economic prosperity – including jobs - is due to the arts sector. That will only grow as demand for entertainment products explodes. It is also key to attracting young workers for 21st century industries. They want quality of life in addition to their good job. A vibrant arts and culture scene is essential to attracting and keeping a modern workforce."
Inclusion of the arts in platform: Brad Field's platform includes a positive position on the arts.
Campaign website: www.votebradfield.ca
Emile Gabriel
Running for: Mayor of Calgary
Position on public investment in the arts: Emile Gabriel has not responded to Creative Calgary's request for information.
Personal arts statement: Emile Gabriel has not responded to Creative Calgary's request for information.
Inclusion of the arts in platform: Emile Gabriel's platform does not include a positive position on the arts.
Campaign website: www.emile4calgarymayor.com
Jyoti Gondek
Running for: Mayor of Calgary
Position on public investment in the arts: Jyoti Gondek 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 and culture scene in our city has been taken for granted and treated like a charitable cause for too long. We relied on corporations and philanthropists to fund the arts, neglecting our responsibility to the sector as a municipal government. Calgary’s economic recovery requires a successful creative sector."
Inclusion of the arts in platform: Jyoti Gondek's platform includes a positive position on the arts.
Campaign website: www.jyotigondek.ca
Paul Michael Hallelujah
Running for: Mayor of Calgary
Position on public investment in the arts: Paul Michael Hallelujah 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: "I'm a big fan of funding arts, like in the Netherlands, as opposed to the dole. Ie have the city fund and purchase art. My own training in fine arts at North Island College in BC helped me explore my visual side to become a firm lifelong member supporter."
Inclusion of the arts in platform: Paul Michael Hallelujah's platform does not include a positive position on the arts.
Campaign website: www.hallelujah.news
Zac Hartley
Running for: Mayor of Calgary
Position on public investment in the arts: Zac Hartley 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 are one of the best ways to express our culture and values as Calgarians and we need to do as much as we can to help facilitate and develop a thriving art community. The best way to do this is by encouraging, supporting, and championing local artists and creators. I believe that every major art project in the city should be designed and built by a Calgarian, and we need to build regulations that support and incentivize that goal."
Inclusion of the arts in platform: Zac Hartley's platform does not include a positive position on the arts.
Campaign website: www.zacformayor.com
Larry Heather
Running for: Mayor of Calgary
Position on public investment in the arts: Larry Heather has not responded to Creative Calgary's request for information.
Personal arts statement: Larry Heather has not responded to Creative Calgary's request for information.
Inclusion of the arts in platform: Larry Heather's platform does not include a positive position on the arts.
Campaign website: www.larryforcalgary.co
Dean Hopkins
Running for: Mayor of Calgary
Position on public investment in the arts: Dean Hopkins 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: "Calgary is the jewel in the crown when it comes to our province, one of the major factors that sets us apart from other municipalities are our arts programs and the talented artists that live here. We as a city are unique in many ways and Calgarys arts are essential to our cities future development."
Inclusion of the arts in platform: Dean Hopkins' platform does not include a positive position on the arts.
Campaign website: www.deanhopkinsyyc.ca
Kevin J. Johnston
Running for: Mayor of Calgary
Position on public investment in the arts: Kevin J. Johnston 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: "ART IS LIFE - and Art is what a city needs to be a center of culture and tourism. Art need never be expensive. I am an artist myself and I know that art for art's sake is paramount to a proper society and a functioning city!"
Inclusion of the arts in platform: Kevin J. Johnston's platform does not include a positive position on the arts.
Campaign website: www.kevinjjohnston.ca
Randall Kaiser
Running for: Mayor of Calgary
Position on public investment in the arts: Randall Kaiser has not responded to Creative Calgary's request for information.
Personal arts statement: Randall Kaiser has not responded to Creative Calgary's request for information.
Inclusion of the arts in platform: Randall Kaiser's platform does not include a positive position on the arts.
Campaign website: www.youtube.com/channel/UCEy2Ie9q8jsBqTQ0BJHplbA
Zaheed Ali Khan
Running for: Mayor of Calgary
Position on public investment in the arts: Zaheed Ali 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: "Arts and culture are a must as Calgary is Heart of the west epicenter of the world. We are the melting pot of Canada all creeds and religious races. Ballot and opera can be incorporated into schools. art should be mandated into building codes."
Inclusion of the arts in platform: Zaheed Ali Khan's platform includes a positive position on the arts.
Campaign website: www.mayorelectkhan.business.blog
Cory Lanterman
Running for: Mayor of Calgary
Position on public investment in the arts: Cory Lanterman 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: "I am the expert in Canadian Cultured Dance. There needs to be more support for local artists. My mother does art and it sits in her basement. Musicians are under valued & under paid in Calgary. We need tourism & arts is the means to more tourism dollars. My initiative 'Gateway to Banff" can draw $20-50 million more for Artists & make a Calgary new business will love to locate to."
Inclusion of the arts in platform: Cory Lanterman's platform does not include a positive position on the arts.
Campaign website: www.facebook.com/CoryLanterman
Zane Novak
Running for: Mayor of Calgary
Position on public investment in the arts: Zane Novak 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: "Public art is vital part of the vibrant city I imagine. The key issues I find with how public art is handled in this city is how littler local artists are utilized. Local artists will be much more passionate in how this city looks since it's their home as well."
Inclusion of the arts in platform: Zane Novak's platform does not include a positive position on the arts.
Campaign website: www.calgary2point0.ca
Chibunna Theodore (Teddy) Ogbonnna
Running for: Mayor of Calgary
Position on public investment in the arts: Teddy Ogbonna 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: "Arts and culture should be part the municipal development plan period . Focusing on Empowering our local artists at all levels . Calgary has got it all . Support local."
Inclusion of the arts in platform: Teddy Ogbonna's platform does not include a positive position on the arts.
Campaign website: www.teddy4calgary.ca
Rahman Mizanur
Running for: Mayor of Calgary
Position on public investment in the arts: Rahman Mizanur 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: "Our tourism industry depends on arts and commons. Without indigenous and multicultural, we will be unable to attract the tourism industry and change the human mind and thinking quality. So the city needs to fund more in arts and commons to vibrant cultural coast to coast in Calgary .like if I am elected, I will encourage building a monument called "Shaheed Minar."International Mother Language Day (unesco.org)"
Inclusion of the arts in platform: Rahman Mizanur's platform does not include a positive position on the arts.
Campaign website: www.mizanurrahman.ca
Geoff Rainey
Running for: Mayor of Calgary
Position on public investment in the arts: Geoff Rainey 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: "I believe a thriving, prosperous city must have a vibrant arts scene in order to beautify the city. I believe that the city should allocate time, space, awareness and responsible investments into the scene. I believe that Calgary artists should be at the center of Calgary art. I believe art has a huge role in healing societies if done right, but can also further divide. We don't need another ring."
Inclusion of the arts in platform: Geoff Rainey's platform does not include a positive position on the arts.
Campaign website: www.cleanslatecalgary.ca
Adam Roberts
Running for: Mayor of Calgary
Position on public investment in the arts: Adam Roberts has not responded to Creative Calgary's request for information.
Personal arts statement: Adam Roberts has not responded to Creative Calgary's request for information.
Inclusion of the arts in platform: Adam Roberts' platform does not include a positive position on the arts.
Campaign website: www.adamroberts.ca
Sunny Singh
Running for: Mayor of Calgary
Position on public investment in the arts: Sunny Singh has not responded to Creative Calgary's request for information.
Personal arts statement: Sunny Singh has not responded to Creative Calgary's request for information.
Inclusion of the arts in platform: Sunny Singh's platform does not include a positive position on the arts.
Campaign website: www.instagram.com/taegold79
Virginia Stone
Running for: Mayor of Calgary
Position on public investment in the arts: Virginia Stone 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: "Arts & Culture are of integral importance to our recovery and to the future of our city. They will be a corner stone to my vision of a modern smart city, focused on sustainability, diversity and innovation."
Inclusion of the arts in platform: Virginia Stone's platform does not include a positive position on the arts.
Campaign website: www.virginia4mayor.com
Will Vizor
Running for: Mayor of Calgary
Position on public investment in the arts: Will Vizor has not responded to Creative Calgary's request for information.
Personal arts statement: Will Vizor has not responded to Creative Calgary's request for information.
Inclusion of the arts in platform: Will Vizor's platform does not include a positive position on the arts.
Campaign website: www.willvizorformayor.com
Stan the Man Waciak
Running for: Mayor of Calgary
Position on public investment in the arts: Stan the Man Waciak has not responded to Creative Calgary's request for information.
Personal arts statement: Stan the Man Waciak has not responded to Creative Calgary's request for information.
Inclusion of the arts in platform: Stan the Man Waciak's platform does not include a positive position on the arts.
Campaign website: Stan the Man Waciak does not have a public campaign website at this time.
Shaoli Wang
Running for: Mayor of Calgary
Position on public investment in the arts: Shaoli Wang 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: "The City is not a place simply to be functional like a wellsite facility, it is a place for life, and it is a home to millions of people with differences from every aspect of life, things with common value are mostly intangible, like arts, that can bring us all together."
Inclusion of the arts in platform: Shaoli Wang's platform does not include a positive position on the arts.
Campaign website: www.shaoliw.com
Grace Yan
Running for: Mayor of Calgary
Position on public investment in the arts: Grace Yan 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: "By far, the most pressing current issues for arts organizations in the city is COVID recovery. With theatres, live music, galleries, etc., forced closed for over a year, arts workers and artists have been hugely impacted. I will be by your side supporting businesses small and large, arts, and entertainment, education, innovation, sports, non-profit, economic development and be a relentless advocate for the City of Calgary"
Inclusion of the arts in platform: Grace Yan's platform does not include a positive position on the arts.
Campaign website: www.graceyanformayor.com