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 3
Hamayun Akbar
Running for: Ward 3 City Councillor
Position on public investment in the arts: Hamayun Akbar 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 is integral part of Calgarian and great way of expressing thoughts and ideas and plays important role what we stand for and what we believe in our daily lives.In fact art is true reflection of our daily life."
Inclusion of the arts in platform: Hamayun Akbar's platform does not include a positive position on the arts.
Campaign website: www.hamayunakbar.ca
Jun Lin
Running for: Ward 3 City Councillor
Position on public investment in the arts: Jun Lin has not responded to Creative Calgary's request for information.
Personal arts statement: Jun Lin has not responded to Creative Calgary's request for information.
Inclusion of the arts in platform: Jun Lin's platform does not include a positive position on the arts.
Campaign website: www.junlin.ca
Ian McAnerin
Running for: Ward 3 City Councillor
Position on public investment in the arts: Ian McAnerin 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 arts are a very important aspect of a world-class city. In addition to a reasonable but robust municipal investment in the arts, I support encouraging and incentivizing the private sector to support artistic endeavors in Calgary."
Inclusion of the arts in platform: Ian McAnerin's platform includes a positive position on the arts.
Campaign website: www.mcanerin.ca
Jasmine Mian
Running for: Ward 3 City Councillor
Position on public investment in the arts: Jasmine Mian 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 enrich our lives, express our vibrant cultures, and brings us together as a community. Building and supporting our vibrant arts community is essential to Calgary’s future as an economically thriving world-class city. "
Inclusion of the arts in platform: Jasmine Mian's platform does not include a positive position on the arts.
Campaign website: www.jasmine4ward3.ca
Gurbir S. Nijjar
Running for: Ward 3 City Councillor
Position on public investment in the arts: Gurbir S. Nijjar 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: "Arts is an important aspect of community development. Sufficient public consultation and work is needed to determine the appropriate funding and support from a municipal level to support new projects."
Inclusion of the arts in platform: Gurbir S. Nijjar's platform does not include a positive position on the arts.
Campaign Website: www.gurbirward3.ca
Nate Pike
Running for: Ward 3 City Councillor
Position on public investment in the arts: Nate Pike 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 musician and a recording artist who is married to a visual artist who works with a variety of mediums, I have seen first hand the impact that the arts have in developing community and supporting dialogue."
Inclusion of the arts in platform: Nate Pike's platform does not include a positive position on the arts.
Campaign website: www.natepike.ca
Kumar Sharma
Running for: Ward 3 City Councillor
Position on public investment in the arts: Kumar Sharma 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: "Kumar Sharma is recognized as pioneer in establishing social ,cultural and art events in the community leading the way for diversity ,inclusion and representation of all cultures."
Inclusion of the arts in platform: Kumar Sharma's platform does not include a positive position on the arts.
Campaign website: www.kumarsharma.ca
Brent Trenholm
Running for: Ward 3 City Councillor
Position on public arts investment: Brent Trenholm 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 love art and what it brings to a city. Creating a vibrant community includes many things, one of which is tasteful displays of creativity. I do have some concerns of art expenditure of the past, like the blue ring the rusty pillions, both cost an exuberant amount of money"
Inclusion of the arts in platform: Brent Trenholm's platform does not include a positive position on the arts.
Campaign website: www.brenttrenholm.ca