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Aryn Toombs @aryn.bsky.social · 5h

Just 7 days to go until Oct. 20, voting day in Calgary.

Aryn Toombs @aryn.bsky.social · 10h

In responses to LWC, both sitting councillors Sonya Sharp (who is running for mayor) and Dan McLean (who is running again for councillor) say that the $87 billion is being funded by taxpayers.

Both sat in the council meeting where they were told this was not so at the end of term.

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Aryn Toombs @aryn.bsky.social · 10h

The $87 billion climate cost has always been, very clearly so, a long-term cost to the economy and not a direct City of Calgary cost to taxpayers—in fact many stories, and admin have pointed this out.

But some candidates keep using this number to campaign on.

livewirecalgary.com/2025/10/13/8...

Is there an $87 billion Calgary climate strategy funded by city taxpayers? Y/N... Candidates respond - LiveWire Calgary

Since the climate emergency declaration on the heels of Calgary’s 2021 municipal election, an $87 billion cost claim has been the rallying cry of opposition to the city’s climate strategy. Only, as re...

livewirecalgary.com

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Aryn Toombs @aryn.bsky.social · 2d

Thus far, a total of 10.7% of the electorate in Calgary has turned out to the advance polls.

And in a change of pace for an advance polling period that has been less utilized than 2021, today set the record for Day 6 voting with 22,144 people casting their ballots.

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Reposted by Aryn Toombs

LiveWire Calgary @livewirecalgary.bsky.social · 3d

No evidence that poll workers provided misinformation to voters says City of Calgary, despite claims from one trustee that electors were denied ballots in the Ward 3 & 4 race for public school trustee.

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No evidence of misconduct at polls says City, after misinformation claims raised by trustee candidate - LiveWire Calgary

In an email sent to supporters on Oct. 10, incumbent Wards 3 and 4 Public School Trustee Laura Hack said that misinformation was being provided to voters at polls, saying that she had withdrawn from…

livewirecalgary.com

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Reposted by Aryn Toombs

Paul Fairie @paulisci.bsky.social · 12d

Albertans: if you're looking for a COVID vaccine, remember to check the list of medical conditions that qualify you for Phase I (it's more inclusive than I'd have guessed). You can book the appointments through MyAHSConnect.

Eligible underlying medical conditions
cerebrovascular disease
chronic liver diseases
chronic lung diseases
chronic kidney diseases
cystic fibrosis
diabetes mellitus, type 1 and type 2
disabilities (for example, Down syndrome, learning, intellectual, or developmental disabilities; ADHD; cerebral palsy; congenital disabilities; spinal cord injuries)
heart conditions (for example, cardiomyopathies, coronary artery disease, heart failure, etc.)
mental health disorders (limited to: mood disorders, including depression; schizophrenia, spectrum disorders)
obesity
pregnancy
tuberculosis
Eligible immunocompromising conditions
cancer (currently receiving treatment)
HIV infection
primary immunodeficiency diseases
solid organ or blood stem cell transplant
use of corticosteroids, other immunosuppressive medication or CAR T-cell therapy

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Aryn Toombs @aryn.bsky.social · 3d

I suspect that’s a big factor, but also people were advance voting in 2021 due to the pandemic.

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Aryn Toombs @aryn.bsky.social · 3d

Lower than 2021. Late nights and chart making are not a good mixture.

Aryn Toombs @aryn.bsky.social · 4d

To date some 54,622 Calgarians have cast their ballots at advance polls. On Oct. 9, 14,500 ballots were cast.

This remains higher than in 2013 and 2017, but lower than 2017.

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Reposted by Aryn Toombs

LiveWire Calgary @livewirecalgary.bsky.social · 4d

Ward 4 is an open seat for the 2025 election and there are three candidates vying for your vote. Our candidate survey helps you cut through the noise on their priorities and positions on the top Calgary issues. Read it here. #yyc #calgary #yycvote

Calgary election 2025: Three vie for Ward 4 open seat; here's where they stand on the top issues - LiveWire Calgary

From the southern wards to the north, there’s an open race in Ward 4, where the seat is now vacant after former councillor Sean Chu opted not to run again in the 2025 Calgary municipal election. One…

buff.ly

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Reposted by Aryn Toombs

LiveWire Calgary @livewirecalgary.bsky.social · 4d

Missed last night's Calgary mayoral debate? We have the full video along with what the candidates wished they had a chance to say, but didn't get a chance to on stage.

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Barbs traded at Calgary mayoral debate as candidates head into final days of campaigning - LiveWire Calgary

To say that there has been a lot of debate this campaign would be an understatement, with a dozen forums, debates, and even a Jeopardy-style game show for mayoral candidates to participate in. But…

livewirecalgary.com

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Aryn Toombs @aryn.bsky.social · 5d

Over 40,100 Calgarians have gone to the polls during advance voting over the past three days.

It remains well below 2021's municipal election which saw advance polls used because of the pandemic, but ahead of both 2013 and 2021.

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Reposted by Aryn Toombs

LiveWire Calgary @livewirecalgary.bsky.social · 5d

The City of Calgary says there's a nearly half-billion-dollar gap in funding due to provincial or federal offloading of responsibilities. Here's how mayoral candidates would address it. #yyc #calgary #yycvote

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Aryn Toombs @aryn.bsky.social · 5d

Conservative premiers, including Alberta's, ask the federal government to withdraw their intervention in the Bill 21 fight heading to the Supreme Court, saying that Ottawa is overstepping their constitutional right to overstep constitutional rights.

Conservative premiers call on Ottawa to back down in Supreme Court case on notwithstanding clause

Ottawa’s proposal threatens national unity by seeking to undermine provincial sovereignty, premiers say in letter

www.theglobeandmail.com

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Reposted by Aryn Toombs

LiveWire Calgary @livewirecalgary.bsky.social · 5d

The survey responses in the Ward 13 election duel provide a clear distinction between candidates. Check out what they had to say. #yyc #calgary #yycvote

buff.ly/fOSnJMO

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Reposted by Aryn Toombs

LiveWire Calgary @livewirecalgary.bsky.social · 6d

The Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo offers the first behind the scenes look at their Animal Care Centre in a decade
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Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo offers rare sneak peak behind the scenes at Animal Care Centre - LiveWire Calgary

The Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo opened the doors at its Animal Care Centre for the media for the first time in a decade, as part of a behind-the-scenes tour for International Veterinary Technician…

livewirecalgary.com

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Reposted by Aryn Toombs

LiveWire Calgary @livewirecalgary.bsky.social · 6d

We're kicking off ward election coverage in Ward 11, where there's a hot race brewing for that seat. PLUS: Check out each candidate's responses to our revealing survey questions. Who do you align with?

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Calgary election 2025: Ward 11 candidates have their say on the top issues - LiveWire Calgary

Ward 11 is one of the hotly contested races in Calgary’s municipal election, largely driven by a rematch between incumbent Kourtney Penner and challenger, Communities First candidate, Rob Ward. …

livewirecalgary.com

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Aryn Toombs @aryn.bsky.social · 6d

On this topic, a recent Freakonomics interview with Canadian author Dan Wang on why China is building these massive projects while the US stalls was fascinating—and also insightful as to the pitfalls of both approaches.

freakonomics.com/podcast/chin...

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Aryn Toombs @aryn.bsky.social · 6d

In the interest of transparency, I voted for the people I thought would best represent the ward I live in, and the mayor I thought would best represent Calgary given what I know about the City of Calgary.

😏

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Aryn Toombs @aryn.bsky.social · 7d

Day of advance voting in Calgary saw 14,442 advance ballots cast. Lower than 2021, but higher than 2017.

Cumulative vote count for the seven days of advance voting for 2013, 2017, 2021, and to date for 2025 below.

Cumulative advance voting counts for 2013, 2017, 2021, and 2025 (up to Day 1 of voting for 2025).

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Aryn Toombs @aryn.bsky.social · 7d

Day one of advance voting in the Calgary municipal election, and I’m happy to report I did my civic duty by casting my ballot. This year on the vote bus, which has returned from a pandemic hiatus to provide a mobile advance poll for all Calgarians.

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LiveWire Calgary @livewirecalgary.bsky.social · 7d

Some want the status quo, some a full repeal, others seek property owner amnesty on Calgary's citywide rezoning. What happens after Calgary's municipal election? #yyc #yycvote #calgary

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What does a potential repeal of citywide rezoning look like after Calgary's election? - LiveWire Calgary

When it was approved in May 2024, Calgary’s citywide rezoning bylaw instantly became the wedge issue prospective 2025 city council candidates were looking for. Surveys had citizens split 60/40, with…

livewirecalgary.com

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Aryn Toombs @aryn.bsky.social · 7d

ICYMI (unlikely as that is): Ahead of today's teachers strike, tens of thousands of teachers, students, and parents rallied in both Calgary and Edmonton.

livewirecalgary.com/2025/10/06/t...

Tens of thousands of teachers rally across province ahead of strike - LiveWire Calgary

Tens of thousands of teachers across Alberta, including more than 2,000 in Calgary, rallied ahead of the start of a province-wide teachers strike set to begin on Oct. 6. The main message of the rally ...

livewirecalgary.com

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Reposted by Aryn Toombs

Sean @seandunn.bsky.social · 8d

Class sizes, core subjects metro school boards, until the UCP stopped measuring in 2019.

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Aryn Toombs @aryn.bsky.social · 8d

I’ve covered dozens of protests at the provinces’s southern office at the McDougall Centre, but today’s teacher rally was by far the largest by a measure. Truly massive turnout for teachers to express their anger at the government.

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