A Better Calgary Party
A Better Calgary Party | |
|---|---|
| Leader | Gordon Elliott |
| Founded | October 19, 2024[1] |
| Ideology | Conservatism (Canadian)[2] |
| Political position | Centre-right |
| Colours |
|
| Seats on council | 1 / 15 |
| Website | |
| abettercalgaryparty | |
The A Better Calgary Party (ABC) is a conservative municipal political party in Calgary, Alberta, founded ahead of the city's 2025 municipal election. The party's only elected councillor is Mike Jamieson.[3]
History
The A Better Calgary Party was launched on June 19, 2024, and officially founded on October 19, later registering with Elections Calgary on March 26, 2025.[1][3][4] This followed the introduction of provincial legislation permitting municipal political parties in Calgary and Edmonton. The party's founding was motivated by dissatisfaction with Mayor Jyoti Gondek and City Council, with founding members having been involved in a 2024 effort attempt to recall Gondek.[5] The party intends to run a mayoral candidate and councillor candidates in most wards.[6] However, it is not contesting certain wards and is instead endorsing other conservative candidates, including some affiliated with the Communities First party.[7]
Positions
The A Better Calgary Party describes itself as "centre-right" and a "big tent, membership-driven organization" consisting of "common sense conservatives".[2][5][8] Though it does not have a specific policy platform and does not intend to whip its councillors,[3] figures within the party have expressed opposition to Calgary's climate emergency declaration and blanket rezoning policy.[9][10]
Candidates in the 2025 municipal election
| Seat | Candidate[2] |
|---|---|
| Mayor | |
| Ward 1 | Cathy Jacobs |
| Ward 2 | John Garden |
| Ward 3 | Christie Edwards |
| Ward 4 | |
| Ward 5 | |
| Ward 6 | |
| Ward 7 | Anthony Ascue |
| Ward 8 | |
| Ward 9 | Tony Dinh |
| Ward 10 | |
| Ward 11 | |
| Ward 12 | Mike Jamieson |
| Ward 13 | |
| Ward 14 | Keener Hachey |
Electoral performance
City council
| Election | City council seats | +/– | Position | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 / 14
|
1 | 4th | Opposition |
References
- ^ a b Wilhelm, Steven (October 20, 2024). "'Historic moment': Calgary's first municipal political party holds founding convention". Calgary Herald. Retrieved 29 March 2025.
- ^ a b c Klaszus, Jeremy; Arnett, Kelsea (July 26, 2025). "Meet the Calgarians running for mayor and council in 2025". The Sprawl. Retrieved 26 July 2025.
- ^ a b c Krause, Darren (June 19, 2024). "Calgary's first municipal political party launches". LiveWire Calgary. Retrieved 29 March 2025.
- ^ "Registry and disclosures for local political parties and slates". Elections Calgary. Retrieved 29 March 2025.
- ^ a b Brown, Jim (June 19, 2024). "Calgary's first municipal political party launches". CBC News. Retrieved 31 March 2025.
- ^ Heintz, Lauryn (June 20, 2024). "First municipal political party launches in Calgary". CityNews. Retrieved 31 March 2025.
- ^ MacVicar, Adam (May 12, 2025). "A Better Calgary Party to endorse some Communities First candidates to avoid vote split". Global News. Retrieved 19 May 2025.
- ^ Rodriguez, Michael (June 19, 2024). "Calgary's first municipal political party — A Better Calgary Party — unveiled, with more expected". Calgary Herald. Retrieved 29 March 2025.
- ^ MacVicar, Adam (March 29, 2025). "Trio of political parties to officially make the ballot in Calgary election". Global News. Retrieved 29 March 2025.
- ^ Stolte, Elise (January 29, 2025). "Political parties bring clarity to Calgary politics, say members. Here's what we know so far". CBC News. Retrieved 31 March 2025.