May 2024 Newsletter

Hello Ward 14!

My team—Lois, Devin, Blair, and I—all hope you are doing well. Let’s get to it.

Blanket Rezoning

May is here. If you are coming to this column from the print edition of my column, you know I promised a debrief on blanket rezoning. Well, I knew there were a lot of people interested in the public hearing, but this has been an historic amount of interest.

The reason I am not updating on the result of the public hearing on rezoning is not that I have not yet gathered my thoughts. It is not because I have not had time. It is because the public hearing, which began on April 22, is still going—in May.

I will let you know when there is a result.

Use your water meter to check your home for leaks

Together, we can make every drop count during this drought. Using your water meter to check for leaks, inside and outside the home, is one way you can do your part to use water wisely and save yourself some money too.

Using your meter to check your home for leaks is easy:

1. Turn off all taps and water-using appliances – inside and outside your home.
2. Watch the flow register on the face of the meter. The register could look like a gear or a needle depending on the model of meter you have.
3. If it keeps turning, you have a leak somewhere in your house.
4. Check all water devices, such as your toilet, taps, humidifier, hot water heater and water softener.

To learn more about common sources of household water leaks, including some helpful repair tips, visit calgary.ca/waterguide.

Neighbour Day 2024

Neighbour Day is our city’s annual celebration of community connection. Held on the third Saturday in June, Neighbour Day is a step toward creating welcoming and inclusive communities where neighbours connect and belong every day of the year. Good things happen when you get to know your neighbours. They can add a friendly visit to your day, and you can lend a helping hand when needed. Social connection with neighbours reduces loneliness and isolation and builds strong communities where people feel they belong.

Celebrate Neighbour Day in your community on Saturday, June 15! You’re invited to get involved in this year’s event by organizing a block party with your neighbours. Block party and greenspace permits are free for Neighbour Day. Apply for your permits by May 31, 2024, at calgary.ca/NeighbourDay. Invite the Mayor, your Councillor, a police officer or book a fire truck to drop by your event. You can also enter to win one of several great prizes, including 30 minutes of live musical entertainment at your block party. 

If you’re participating in Neighbour Day on June 15, show us how you celebrated! Post your event photos to social media with the hashtag #YYCNeighbourDay. 

Visit calgary.ca/NeighbourDay to learn more.

Get to know the Green Line 

With main construction of the Green Line LRT kicking off later in 2024, Calgarians will have some questions. Calgarians want to understand what we are building. Where exactly will it go? How long will construction take? How much will it cost? And what do we get for this level of investment?

The Green Line is a project for Calgarians, being delivered by Calgarians. Phase 1 of the Green Line will span 18 kilometers from Shepard Station at 130 Ave S.E. to Eau Claire at the north end of downtown. With 13 stations, it will provide connections to the Red and Blue LRT lines and three MAX rapid bus routes. But how much will it cost? Currently, Green Line has $5.5 billion in funding to complete Phase 1, from The City, the Province, and the Federal government.

Main construction of tracks, stations, bridges, and tunnels will begin in 2024, and the project will take approximately six years to build. However, did you know that $400 million of early works construction is already completed or underway?

Phase 1 of the Green Line LRT is the largest infrastructure investment in our city’s history. Construction starts this year. We want Calgarians to know all about the Green Line and encourage you to learn more at calgary.ca/GreenLine.

Yard security: keep your dog safe

Securing your yard to prevent your dog from escaping is crucial for both your pet's safety and the well-being of your community. Not only does it ensure that your furry friend stays out of harm's way, but it also minimizes the risk of accidents with neighbours. Here are some measures to safeguard your yard:

• Inspect your yard perimeter for any existing gaps, holes, or weak spots in the fence or barriers. Reinforce these areas by repairing fences, filling in holes, or adding additional barriers like chicken wire or lattice. Ensure that gates are securely closed and consider installing locks or latches.
• Assess potential escape routes such as low-hanging branches or objects near the fence that could be used as leverage for climbing. Remove objects that could assist your dog in scaling the fence.
• Supervise your pet while they're outside and provide ample mental and physical stimulation to deter them from attempting to escape out of boredom or frustration.

Moreover, licensing your dog is not only a legal requirement but also aids in their safe return if they do manage to escape. Proper identification, including tags and microchipping, with current contact information significantly increases the chances of being reunited with your pet as well.

Securing your yard keeps your dog safe and contained and is part of responsible pet ownership. By taking proactive measures to prevent escapes, you're ensuring the well-being of your furry companion and fostering a safer environment for everyone.

Learn more at calgary.ca/petlicences.

Join the Partners in Planning (PIP) program

The Partners in Planning program offers an in-person opportunity to meet planners and learn how policies converge to guide The City's decisions and prepare for growth. Learn what planning and development policies and plans drive change in Calgary. Register for your spot at calgarycommunities.com/events.

Emergency Preparedness Week is May 5 – 11, 2024

Emergencies can happen anytime and anywhere. Knowing what to do before a disaster strikes can go a long way in assisting you, your family, and your community during an emergency.

Emergency Preparedness Week is May 5 – 11, 2024. This annual event takes place across Canada every May to highlight the importance of getting prepared for emergencies before they happen.

During Emergency Preparedness Week and throughout the year, Calgarians are encouraged to take steps to get prepared for emergencies to help minimize the impacts.

• Know the risks - learn about the types of hazards that can occur in Calgary and how you can better prepare for them.
• Stay informed – stay tuned to local and regional emergency alerts and other trusted sources of information such as local radio, television, and social media.
• Get prepared - every emergency is different, but having a plan will help you and your family know what to do and who to contact in different situations. Get started by downloading our emergency action plan, available in different languages at calgary.ca/getready.              

In addition to preparing yourself and your household for emergencies, building connections within your community can also help. Neighbours, co-workers, and friends often provide crucial support during times of crisis. Creating a network you can rely on during an emergency can help you and others in your network stay safe.

Visit calgary.ca/getready to learn more about how to prepare for emergencies, and the events taking place in the community during Emergency Preparedness Week.

Seniors’ Week explores the potentials of aging

Seniors' Week is celebrated annually across Alberta and it will be held this year from June 3 to June 9. It is a time to show appreciation for older adults and the significant contributions they make to our communities. They support their families and friends, volunteer their time and resources to various charities and play an essential role in making our communities better places to live.

The theme, Aging is More…, is deliberately open-ended to highlight the potential of aging. Seniors’ Week is not just for older adults, but it's a time when seniors-sector organizations, not-for-profits, businesses and Calgarians from all walks of life come together to organize fun, inclusive, cross-cultural, and multi-generational events in our city.

Get involved! Whether or not you choose to attend a Seniors’ Week event, Age-Friendly Calgary encourages you to celebrate aging in your own way. Help spread Seniors’ Week awareness with the social media hashtags #seniorsweek and #agefriendlyyyc.

Seniors’ Week events and updates will be posted at calgary.ca/seniorsweek. Be sure to visit one of the many events during the week!

--

Feel free to contact me any time. The best way to contact me is by visiting calgary.ca/contactward14 or calling (403) 268-1653.

Sincerely,

Councillor Peter Demong