It’s quite clear when you talk candidly with Mayor Dave Bronconnier about the city of Calgary, how passionate our civic leader is about this city.
So what is it about Cowtown, or the Heart of the New West, or the Stampede City that he says makes us a cut above the rest?
Without hesitation, the mayor leaves little doubt what makes Calgary tick: it’s the people, he says.
“Calgary is one of the most special places in the world, simply because of the people that live here,” said Bronconnier, himself a third generation Calgarian.
“We’ve got people who believe in protecting the environment, we have people who believe in business; entrepreneurs sharing and building.”
The mayor notes how Calgarians have been heralded for their work on events such as the ’88 Winter Olympics, the Calgary Stampede and the 2008 Junos — and how citizens can raise $52 million for the United Way.
“They have built what started out as a humble place. Just take a look at the skyline 25 or 30 years ago and where it is today.”
It’s a commitment to one another and the community that the mayor sees navigating Calgary safely through turbulent economic times.
“I think why Calgary has been so successful, its economy has been second to none for the last decade,” he said.
As its current steward, Bronconnier said he’s committed to Calgary remaining a world-class city.
“The city council has a vision, believe it or not, and we’re sticking to it,” he said. “People want to migrate to a city where its community leaders have a vision for the city and where it invests in the future of the city.”
