He’s a no-nonsense welder’s son who wants to be Calgary’s next mayor.
What’s there to know?
Born in Woodstock, Ont., he is one of seven children.
The middle-born advantage?
“It’s basic training for being in council. There was lots of debate every day — you learn to give as good as you get.”
Dad was a welder for Massey Ferguson and mom worked her way up at a credit union.
Ric McIver came to Calgary on July 16, 1981, at 9 a.m., happily transferred by Schneiders.
Married with two children, McIver, 51, has represented Ward 12 for three terms.
He drives a Ford Escape Hybrid.
While stuck in traffic, he thinks about … getting rid of left-turn lanes on Macleod Trail during rush hour.
Best trait: He cites being straightforward. (But not so much so I could readily understand his position on Plan-It)
He’s working on: Impatience.
And taxes? McIver wants to hold them to the rate of inflation. “The city needs money to operate, I get that, but there have been precious few tax increases held to rate of inflation.”
If he could wave a magic wand, he would get the southwest ring road completed, expand public transit, and ensure better access to the Calgary Airport. “If there’s one accident on the Deerfoot, you shouldn’t miss your flight.”
He’s a critic of the Calatrava pedestrian bridge. “The process didn’t meet the right level of scrutiny.”
Ironically, he got into politics after fighting a pedestrian bridge with neighbours. His group won and the bridge was put down river near Fish Creek Park. But the city’s contemptuous treatment of his group fired his political desire.
What keeps him up at night? Worrying how seniors on fixed incomes can afford to live in Calgary.
Greatest joy of the job? The little things that nobody hears about, McIver says, such as helping a senior constituent with a backed up sewer so she could hold Christmas dinner with family.
His conclusion: “I’m a fairly ordinary Calgarian.”
Other candidates are jumping into the race. Let the games begin.
– Janice Paskey teaches at Mount Royal University and is a volunteer with Westwood Hockey.
