Good morning from Calgary city hall!

Council meeting today with a busy agenda - including an attempt to repeal the Single-Use Items Bylaw as well as a motion to cut $23M from the budget. Debate and update on single-use items bylaw has been added to the agenda. That discussion will take place later this morning.

Calgary Transit director Sharon Fleming says all 7th Ave LRT stations are going through upgrades to improve lighting. They’re also launching an ambassador program on the LRT line to create a visible presence. Ambassadors will be on the LRT line between 6:30am-9pm.

Good morning from city hall!

Executive Committee is meeting today. We’re hearing about Stampede financials and Calgary Fire resources among other things this morning. #yyc #yyccc @GlobalCalgary Calgary Fire chief Steve Dongworth is at committee this morning for a report on what resources would be required to bring the fire department up to National Fire Protection Standards in Calgary. #YYC #YYCcc @GlobalCalgary

Good morning from Virnetta Anderson Hall, where ENMAX is holding its annual meeting of the shareholder with city councillors. #yyc #yyccc @GlobalCalgary This meeting is not being live streamed, unlike the other meetings of the shareholder earlier this month. #yyc #yyccc @GlobalCalgary

Good morning from the city’s infrastructure and planning committee!

Committee will be debating a 2023-2026 growth strategy today.

#yyc #yyccc @GlobalCalgary Background:
globalnews.ca/news/8949104/c…
#YYC #YYCcc @GlobalCalgary

Mayor @JyotiGondek speaking now. She is joined by Councillors @YYCTKW and @RajDhaliwal_YYC. Gondek says the prior to release conditions on the development permit came from the Calgary Planning Commission. #YYC #YYCcc @GlobalCalgary Gondek says this is a common factor in development permits. She says CSEC knew climate resiliency was a requirement one year ago. #YYC #YYCcc @GlobalCalgary

CSEC President and CEO John Bean says it's been a long and bump road regarding the arena deal. He thanks administration at the City of Calgary and the fans for their feedback. #YYC #YYCcc @GlobalCalgary Bean says the primary objective of the project was to provide a first-class entertainment centre for Calgarians. But "it's clear the City and CSEC have been unable to resolve issues" regarding costs. #YYC #YYCcc @GlobalCalgary

Mayor @JyotiGondek says she was told by Murray Edwards that CSEC partners weren’t okay with additional costs for road right of way and public realm improvements and climate mitigation and that’s why deal is off. #YYC #YYCcc @GlobalCalgary Gondek says Murray Edwards tried to get his partners with CSEC on board. #YYC #YYCcc @GlobalCalgary

Premier Jason Kenney says Omicron represented 52% of all new COVID-19 cases in Alberta as of Dec 18.

Kenney says getting a booster dose of the vaccine is the "single most important thing you can do."

#YYC #COVID19AB @GlobalCalgary Kenney says the provincial government will be expanding the number of sites to get the shot across the province. He says they'll be "moving heaven and earth" to get boosters into arms. #YYC #COVID19AB @GlobalCalgary

JUST IN: Alberta NDP announces Thomas Dang has stepped down from caucus after RCMP executed a search warrant on his home. NDP leader Rachel Notley says they aren't aware of the specifics. #YYC #Ableg @GlobalCalgary Notley says the NDP doesn't know what the allegation is. She says Dang told the NDP that he wasn't home when the RCMP searched his home. #YYC #ABleg @GlobalCalgary

We’re back!
Good morning from City Hall where Calgary City Council is meeting for the final time in 2021. A few items of interest on the agenda today including the Bill 21 discussion. #YYC #YYCcc @GlobalCalgary A few recognitions to kickstart the meeting. Then council will do question period, and then sort out the items of urgent business. Mayor Gondek says she’ll be asking for help from the clerk to get this work done “expeditiously.” #YYC #YYCcc @GlobalCalgary

The Alberta Teachers' Association is holding a virtual press conference right now in response to Minister LaGrange's statement from this morning. #YYC #ABleg @GlobalCalgary ATA President Jason Schilling says LaGrange removing disciplinary duties from the ATA would destabilize the the education system in Alberta, and is a distraction from the Minister's handling of the education portfolio. #YYC #ABleg @GlobalCalgary

Council is back from closed door session. Tying up some administrative loose ends before adjournment. #YYC #YYCcc @GlobalCalgary According to Mayor Nenshi there is a motion arising coming. #YYC #YYCcc @GlobalCalgary

Hello from City Hall! I’m here covering the Special Meeting of Council for @GlobalCalgary. We’re going to hear more on the city’s COVID-19 response. #YYC #YYCcc @GlobalCalgary Mayor Nenshi chairing the meeting remotely. All councillors are attending virtually. Nobody in chambers besides city clerks. #YYC #YYCcc @GlobalCalgary

Premier Kenney is joining Dr. Hinshaw for the COVID-19 update today at 5pm. You can watch it live here:
#YYC #COVID19AB @GlobalCalgary globalnews.ca/news/8209500/k… Premier Kenney says he has updates on COVID, comments on the federal election, and the cabinet shuffle. #YYC #ABleg @GlobalCalgary

I am monitoring the cabinet shuffle for @GlobalCalgary at 3:30. Here's where you can watch it live. #YYC #ableg globalnews.ca/news/8209504/a… Here's a peek at the action. #YYC #ableg @GlobalCalgary

Hello from Calgary-Skyview. I’m covering the race here for @GlobalCalgary and @globalnews tonight. George Chahal is holding a small outdoor event here in Saddleridge. Other candidates including the incumbent are keeping a low profile tonight. #YYC #Elxn44 Here’s the set up here in Calgary-Skyview. Just over 30 minutes until polls close in Alberta. #YYC #Elxn44 @GlobalCalgary