Bonnie Devine
Bonnie Devine might be best known in the city as an activist who, along with her husband Jason Devine, organized the Anti-Racist Action Calgary group. Devine is a stay-at-home mother of four and former provincial Communist Party candidate for the riding of Calgary-East, where she finished last in 2004 and 2008 under the name Bonnie Collins.
Devine’s campaign promotes the elimination of all transit fees within two years alongside the immediate elimination of all park and ride fees, an increase in subsidized housing and a shift of property taxes away from residential to business. Devine also promises, if elected mayor, she would donate half of her pay to the Calgary food bank.
More information on Devine can be found at bonniedevine.com.
Barry Erskine
Barry Erskine threw his hat in the ring on nomination day, surprising many despite rumours of his desire to return to politics. Erskine was a five-term alderman in Ward 11, winning the seat by acclamation in 2004 but abruptly dropping out of the race in 2007. He resurfaced months later as an independent candidate in Calgary-Elbow in the 2008 provincial election, where he finished fourth. Erskine also co-hosts the radio show “Let’s Talk Gardening,” on-air for more than 25 years on AM 770.
Erskine has yet to develop a platform or any campaign materials but in his years as alderman he focused his abilities on the formation of the Constructed Wetlands Task Force and initiatives to conserve the Elbow River valley. He also assisted in establishing shelters for the homeless and temporary accommodations for women, such as the Calgary Women’s Shelter and the Calgary Native Women’s Shelter.
Erskine does not have a campaign website.
Oscar Fech
is a general contractor who has owned a construction business in Calgary since 1961. During that time, Fech developed a reputation as a fervent city hall observer whose antics during council sessions caused him to receive a one-year ban. He’s only recently been allowed to attend again.
Fech declared his candidacy by interrupting an August 29th mayoral forum to announce he was running and should be part of the debate. Fech claims his business experience in both Canada and the U.S. gives him the necessary leadership skills to be mayor. His campaign handout expresses a desire to ensure the City of Calgary is held accountable to the taxpayers.
Fech does not have a campaign website but can be reached at oscar.fech@shaw.ca.
Sandra Hunter
Hunter is a 55-year-old disabilities agent who has released no information about her campaign.
Her contact information is listed as 403-246-0120 online.
Gary Johnston
Gary Johnston is a legally blind former rail worker who spent 32 years with CP rail before retiring. Johnston lived in British Columbia until four years ago when he, according to his campaign handout, relocated to Calgary in pursuit of his “love and adoration for a beautiful lady that lives here.” Johnston decided to run for mayor after an elderly Calgary woman convinced him he “had nothing to lose and a lot to gain for the benefit of all.”
Johnston says Calgarians can look forward to a three-fold promise of more commitment, accountability and responsibility if elected. Johnston views these three guiding principles as a familiar thread when people try to achieve common goals. His policy is honesty and straightforwardness.
Johnston does not have a campaign website, but can be reached on his cell at 403-202-1092.
Dan Knight
Dan Knight is a self-employed computer consultant who has lived in Calgary for over 13 years. Knight describes himself as passionate about the political process and sees Calgary as “a vast, diverse, talented, educated, innovative, hard-working and playing group of citizens that value humility, fiscal responsibility and compassion in their leaders.”
If elected Knight would look to establish annual plebiscites, a weighted voting system that integrates a “non-vote” or “protest vote” and a website where Calgarians can cast non-binding votes on significant motions before Council. Knight espouses ideology of fiscal responsibility whereby “spending money wastefully is wrong [and] cutting spending for the sake of cutting is equally wrong.”
More information on Knight can be found at knightformayor.ca.