Calgary Conversations

Calgary's ambitious recreation strategy, GamePLAN, aims to improve recreation in our city, setting a new service level standard that responds to record levels of population growth and aging infrastructure. Join us as we speak with Heather Johnson, Director of Recreation & Social Programs about how GamePLAN intends to transform recreation in Calgary.

We're going back to the basics of property tax and assessment with The City's assessor, Eddie Lee. Join us as we answer some of the top questions about the tax process and how your property is valued.

In our first podcast of 2025, we're joined by Chief Administrative Officer, David Duckworth, and Chief Operations Officer, Stuart Dalgleish who speak to some of the biggest topics of 2024 and The City's focus for 2025. Get an inside look at the projects and plans to come this year as City Administration continues to tackle Calgarians' top priorities.

We're covering the hot topic of cold weather – winter road maintenance. From slippery sidewalks and snow clearing to potholes and plows, discover the people and plans involved in keeping our streets safe. In this episode, we're talking with The City's Manager of Mobility Maintenance, Chris Hewitt, as he explains what it takes to prepare Calgary's roads for unpredictable weather. Find out why snow clearing differs from snow removal, and how we're using the latest technology to repair potholes.

In honour of Remembrance day, we're uncovering historical treasures and stories deep within the City of Calgary Archives. We get a glimpse of Calgary's connection to the First and Second World Wars as we explore letters, photographs and memories from the past.  Join us for a conversation with City of Calgary Archives Coordinator Susanne Clark, as she shares unique stories and facts behind Calgary's war time records and beyond. Discover how archives play a crucial role in preserving our past to inform the future. 

Our latest episode features a conversation on our booming population and how we're creating jobs for Calgarians. We dive into one of Calgary's best kept secrets – the Prairie Economic Gateway, a new major industrial hub. It's set to generate more than $1.6 billion in economic output and create more than 6,750 jobs. Want to learn how? Tune in to our interview with Program Manager Oyin Shyllon, who gives us insight into what it takes to make a massive project like this happen and the benefits Calgarians will see. Hint – it may or may not involve a cocoa factory. 

It's time to talk about Calgary's comeback kid: our downtown core. From volatile oil prices and the COVID-19 pandemic to high vacancy rates, the heart of our city is bouncing back from hard times. As we continue writing downtown's comeback story, we're focused on creating a vibrant culture that inspires Calgarians to explore and engage with our own urban playground. In this episode, find out how we're creating legacy landmarks, attracting investment, and designing impactful public spaces to spark a new sense of vibrancy and wonder downtown. Tune in for a conversation on downtown revitalization with The City of Calgary's Director of Downtown Strategy, Thom Mahler, and President & CEO of Calgary Municipal Land Corporation, Kate Thompson.

Calgary is a growing and diverse city. The population growth means our city faces pressures like never before. Diverse backgrounds and life experiences shape our sense of safety. Crime and violence on transit, social disorder, and concerns stemming from addiction or mental health can contribute to an uneasy atmosphere. We are working to remove these barriers by ensuring Calgarians feel safe, connected, supported, and that they belong. In this episode, we talk about our investments in people, public spaces and emergency response and enforcement with Community Safety and Wellbeing Lead Kay Choi.

Calgary is one of the most livable cities on the planet. As one of Canada's fastest-growing cities, we're building to meet the needs of our expanding population, striving to create a vibrant, affordable place for soon-to-be 2 million residents. There's a lot that goes on behind the scenes to make this happen. That's why The City of Calgary is introducing a new podcast called Calgary Conversations, an insider pass to the heart of Calgary's City Hall. This episode features an interview with Chief Administrative Officer David Duckworth that sheds light on the priority areas that are shaping our city's future. This includes discussions on housing, public safety, downtown revitalization and even how City finances are managed. Learn more at http://www.calgary.ca/CalgaryConversations.