Calgary Conversations

Finding a rental can be tough at the best of times. For Calgarians with pets, it’s even more challenging. More than half of Calgarians own a pet but only 10% of low-costmarket rentals allow them—forcing some residents to make impossible choices between housing and keeping their pet. The impacts reach beyond individual households. When pet owners are unable to find pet-friendly housing, animals can...

Hail season is back. Get practical tips and advice toprotect yourself, your property and community and stay safe this storm season. In this episode, Stacey Rector, Leader of Climate Resilience and Adaptation at The City of Calgary, explains why climate resilience matters, who’s most at riskfrom hail, and how The City is helping Calgarians handle extreme weather. Whether you are a business, homeown...

The City of Calgary is on a mission to replace the Bearspaw South Feeder Main, which we count on to deliver a significant amount of our water. General Manager of Infrastructure Services, Michael Thompson, talks about the construction progress on the feeder main replacement project and ongoing work to reinforce the current pipe and explains what Calgarians can expect in the year ahead.  This conver...

We're getting up to speed on the largest infrastructure project in Calgary's history: the Green Line LRT. Join us for a conversation with Wendy Tynan, director of the Green Line, as we break down the history, progress, and timelines shaping this major transit investment. Most importantly, we dig into why the Green Line matters—how it will make getting around easier, support growing communi...

Now that City Council has approved the 2026 Budget, what's next? On this episode of Calgary Conversations, we're sitting down with The City's Chief Financial Officer, Les Tochor, to break down the budget while learning more about what it means for Calgarians. 

It’s the most wonderful (and wasteful) time of the year. Just in time for the holiday shopping season, we’re talking trash with Sharon Howland and Grace Wark from Waste & Recycling Services. As Calgary sees a 25% increase in waste over the holidays, we’re learning some tips and tricks for more sustainable celebrations.

Calgary's go-to hotline for information is celebrating 20 years of service. Join us as we explore how 311 has grown and evolved over the years with Patti Scott, Acting Manager of 311. We'll also hear about some of the weird and wacky calls operators sometimes encounter, like when a student called in for homework help and more. 

With Calgarians heading out to vote on Oct. 20, what can they expect for the 2025 General Election?  On this episode, we’re joined by Kate Martin, City Clerk and Returning Officer, and Andrew Brouwer, Assistant Director of Elections, to find out what it takes to keep Calgary’s election running smoothly and safely. From the new local political parties to hand counting votes, we’re diving into what’...

We’re getting to know the Calgary’s Fire Department’s new Public Information Officer, Alex Kwan. Find out how Alex has been preparing for this important role, including learning American Sign Language (ASL) to better connect with members of the Deaf community. We’re also exploring recent trends in fire prevention as well as important tips for staying safe on the waterways.

With record population growth in the past two years, how are The City of Calgary and our housing partners addressing the housing crisis? In this episode of Calgary Conversations, we’re taking a deep dive into The City’s housing strategy with Reid Hendry, Chief Housing Officer and external partner, Bev Jarvis, Communications Director of Onward Homes. Find out what it takes to create more housing su...

With the 2025 G7 Leaders’ Summit and Rotary International Convention happening back-to-back, Calgary is stepping onto the global stage in a big way. In this episode of Calgary Conversations, Troy McLeod, G7 Corporate Director for The City of Calgary, and Alisha Reynolds, President & CEO of Tourism Calgary, share how these major events come together—and what they mean for our city.  From what v...

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...

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'...

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...

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 w...

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, conne...

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 Conver...