Bell: Defund Gondek's climate emergency? Mayor hopeful Sharp vows to do it

Calgary city Councillor Sonya Sharp is making waves in the upcoming mayoral election by taking a stand against what she sees as a wasteful and misguided use of taxpayer dollars. Sharp is not talking about defunding the police, as some may assume, but rather defunding what she calls Mayor Gondek’s “infamous climate emergency.”

In late 2021, Mayor Gondek declared a climate emergency in Calgary, a move that was met with widespread criticism and backlash from the public. Many Calgarians felt that this declaration was unnecessary and a misallocation of funds. Despite this, city council approved millions of dollars for climate emergency initiatives, much to the dismay of residents.

Sharp, who is running for mayor, has pledged to strip these climate emergency dollars from the city budget if elected. She believes that the money would be better spent on core services like public safety, infrastructure improvements, and snow removal. Additionally, Sharp wants to ensure that any spending on reducing greenhouse gas emissions is cost-effective and in line with provincial goals.

During her campaign, Sharp has been clear that she did not support Gondek’s climate emergency declaration. She argues that she was pressured and bullied into voting for it and wishes she could take back that decision. Sharp believes that Calgarians are fed up with the theatrics of city hall and want a mayor who will focus on practical solutions and responsible spending.

As the election approaches, Sharp is determined to show voters that she is not like the current council and will prioritize their needs and concerns. She has had passionate conversations with residents who are tired of unnecessary regulations and wasteful spending. Sharp is confident that Calgarians are “waking up” and standing up for what they believe in.

In a time where trust in government is low, Sharp’s promise to defund the climate emergency and focus on essential services may resonate with voters looking for a change. If elected, she hopes to bring a new perspective to city hall and restore faith in local government.