Issue 39 October 16, 2026
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Ward 4 Cllr. D.J. Kelly, left, Ward 10 Cllr. Andre Chabot, and Ward 3 Cllr. Andrew Yule at the Forever Canadian rally at the BMO Centre on Thursday, Oct. 15, 2026.
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Hey, neighbour!
This Monday, Albertans have a choice to make: whether we reject the prospect of separation or descend into even greater uncertainty by choosing to prolong a potential decision to leave Canada. Make no mistake, the future of our nation is at stake. But as I said last night following the Prime Minister’s speech at the Forever Canadian rally in Calgary, you don’t have to take it from me; you can hear it directly from him. Confederation isn't a ledger of gives and takes; it is a promise. It is the foundation for a nation, a set of ideals that binds all Canadians together. In a world that has become more challenging and rife with dangers, where other nations seek to use their position to bully others into submission, we must, now more than ever, stand united at home and with neighbours abroad who share our values and goals for a more prosperous and peaceful future.
I also know that over the past several months, people have asked me why this is a Calgary issue, or even a Ward 4 issue. The answer is simple: Ward 4 is in Alberta, and it is in Canada. Whether Alberta is a part of Canada or not is an issue that affects every Canadian. It transcends the arbitrary lines of our city limits, and even those of our province itself. The division of powers between municipalities, provinces, and the federal government exists to provide efficient service to the people of this nation. Those divisions exist so that each government’s responsibilities to citizens are clearly defined, and so that those same citizens know where to turn to have their issues resolved. There is nothing efficient, responsible, or defined about separation.
Nor is separation a resolution of our grievances. Our province’s frustrations are real, and I share several of them, but separation doesn’t fix any of those issues. It is an abdication of our province’s responsibilities to our fellow Canadians over grievances that are better addressed through dialogue, leadership, and negotiation amongst peers. That is the same work Calgary City Council does every day as a body of peers representing all 14 wards of this city. What separatists are suggesting is akin to a city councillor leaving the meeting when they don’t get their way, rather than coming back to the table and making a stronger case for why their position is the right one for all. Staying at the table is what makes our solutions to issues stronger, our democracy stronger, our nation stronger.
Monday, October 19, is referendum day. Vote as though our country depends on it, because it does.
– Councillor D.J. Kelly
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Cllr. Kelly speaks to CBC and CTV Calgary on Thursday, Oct. 15, 2026. (Aryn Toombs / Ward 4)
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For a complete listing of news articles and videos Cllr. Kelly has been featured in since being elected, see djkelly.ca/dj_in_the_media.
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📻 Cllr. Kelly spoke on QR radio about the upcoming Nov. budget deliberations, and what Calgarians can expect next month when a draft budget is prepared for Calgary City Council.
📺 Cllr. Kelly was interviewed by CTV and CBC for the nightly news on the topic of changes to the responsible pet ownership bylaw, and how that will impact legal proceedings against owners who are charged by peace officers in Calgary.
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💧 Water restrictions will begin on Nov. 4 in order to allow for the safe completion of the new Bearspaw Feeder Main. Calgarians are being asked to help reduce water usage below 500 million litres per day as the old Bearspaw Feeder Main is shut down to connect the new feeder main. The restrictions will last approximately four weeks. For more information see Calgary.ca.
🚧 Construction on the McKnight Blvd and Edmonton Trail Water System upgrade will begin on October 16, and run until October 18 at the intersection of Edmonton Trail and McKnight Blvd NE. Drivers will be directed through this intersection using a signed route, and should expect delays. Expect pathway closures, as well as temporary lane closures. Neighbours who will be affected by temporary water service interruptions as a result of the work will be contacted directly by the City of Calgary.
♻️ The types of items you can recycle has increased. Starting this month, Calgarians can put new items like chip bags, toothpaste tubes, foam packaging, and aerosols into blue bins for recycling. For more information see www.calgary.ca/waste/residential/recycle-more.html.
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Cllr. Kelly writes a letter of condolence to the family of a long-time Ward 4 neighbour who passed away in September. (Aryn Toombs / Ward 4)
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On Tuesday, Cllr. Kelly attended the Intergovernmental Affairs Committee meeting. The Ward 4 team spent the afternoon preparing for Friday's town hall.
On Wednesday, Cllr. Kelly met with the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo on their capital planning requests for Calgary City Council. Following that meeting Cllr. Kelly attended the Infrastructure and Planning Committee meeting. In the afternoon Cllr. Kelly met with Calgary-Varsity MLA Dr. Luanne Metz on shared interests for Ward 4 neighbours. Cllr. Kelly and the Ward 4 team met with the command team from HMCS Calgary, as part of Cllr. Kelly's responsibilities as chair of Calgary Salutes.
On Thursday, Cllr. Kelly attended the Community Development Committee meeting, followed by a City of Calgary retirement gathering for Doug Morgan. Cllr. Kelly met with City administration and Cllr. Andrew Yule on the sports infrastructure strategic plan. During the evening Cllr. Kelly attended the Forever Canadian rally featuring Prime Minister Mark Carney and Mayor Jeromy Farkas.
On Friday, Cllr. Kelly did a radio interview with QR regarding the upcoming city budget. Cllr. Kelly travelled to Red Deer with Mayor Farkas during the morning to join the Prime Minister and the Premier of Alberta in encouraging everyone to vote for Canadian unity during Monday's referendum. The Ward 4 team met with the mobility business unit on the topic of the North Haven bus trap and traffic and pedestrian safety in NW Calgary. During the evening, Cllr. Kelly and the Ward 4 team held a town hall on the upcoming four-year city budget.
On Saturday, Cllr. Kelly will be speaking at the opening of the Veterans Walkway project along Memorial Drive.
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Agendas, live streams, and minutes for Calgary City Council meetings and committees can be found at www.calgary.ca/council/meetings/agenda-minutes.html.
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On Tuesday, Oct. 20, the Organizational Meeting of Council will be meeting to consider appointments of Standing Policy Committee members, chairs, and vice-chairs. Council will also consider council member and Administration member appointments to boards, commissions, and committees, along with wholly-owned subsidiary appointments.
The 2027 Council Calendar, Deputy Mayor Roster and Council Chamber seating plan will be debated by council. Members of council will also consider the designation of a chair for the Calgary Assessment Review Board, a chair for the Calgary Subdivision and Development Appeal Board, and public member appointments to the Water Utility Oversight Board.
Council will also be asked to approve public appointments to boards, commissions and committees, and appointments to Civic Partners. Members will receive briefings on council representatives to the 2026 Grey Cup and 2027 Quebec Carnival, and the 2026 public member recruitment campaign.
On Wednesday, Oct. 21, the Emergency Management Committee will be meeting to discuss the status of emergency preparedness report, focused on disaster risk.
On Thursday, Oct. 22 and Friday, Oct. 23, members of the Chief Administrative Officer Recruitment and Appointment Sub-Committee will be meeting to continue work on recruiting a new CAO for the City of Calgary.
On Thursday, Oct. 22, Calgary Planning Commission will be meeting to discuss two items in Ward 4, including land use item LOC2026-0114 for a requested change from R-C1 to R-CG at 1215 57 Ave NW in North Haven Upper, and land use item LOC2026-0014for a requested change from DC to C-N1 at 2202 Edmonton Trail NE in Winston Heights/Mountview. Items from wards 1, 2, 5, 6, 7, 9, 11, and 13 will also be heard. (No council members sit on the Planning Commission and so do not have a vote on these items. All land use items will move forward to the next Council Public Hearing for final decision.)
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New development permits that are in circulation for public comment or are in advertising for Ward 4. For all Ward 4 permits that are in circulation, or have been recently approved and are in advertising, see www.djkelly.ca/dp.
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BRENTWOOD — #210 4503 BRISEBOIS DR NW (DP2026-05565) — Change of use: instructional facility (C-COR1 f2.0h15) — Discretionary
DALHOUSIE — 5052 DALHART RD NW (DP2025-07163) — New: rowhouse building (1 building), secondary suite (4 suites) (R-CG) — Discretionary
EDGEMONT — 23 EDGEPARK WY NW (DP2026-05626) — Addition: single detached dwelling (main floor - north side) - building setback from side property line (R-C1) — Discretionary
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HIGHLAND PARK — 4004 CENTRE A ST NE (DP2025-04756) — New: multi-residential development (2 buildings), secondary suites 2 (M-C1) — Discretionary · Approved on October 8, 2026
HIGHWOOD — 516 40 AV NW (DP2026-00474) — New: multi-residential development (1 building), secondary suite (4 suites), accessory residential building (garage) (M-CG d75) — Discretionary · Approved on October 6, 2026
HUNTINGTON HILLS — 1007 HUNTERSTON PL NW (DP2026-03844) — New: accessory residential building (garage) - building height, separation from main residential building (R-C1) — Permitted with a Relaxation · Approved on October 8, 2026
ROSEMONT — #16 728 NORTHMOUNT DR NW (DP2026-04031) — Changes to site plan: pet care service (outdoor dog run) (C-COR2 f3.0h46) — Permitted with a Relaxation · Approved on October 8, 2026
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This new feature from Ward 4 Communications Lead Aryn Toombs shares visualizations of important statistics and measures that Cllr. Kelly uses in his decision making.
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🖼️ Federation of Canadian Artists Fall Art Show and Sale in Edgemont
Join the FCA at the Edgemont Community Association for their fall art show and sale, on Saturday, October 17, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Attendance is free. For more details, see www.fcacalgary.ca.
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🍻 German Canadian Club of Calgary Octoberfest
Take part in celebrating Oktoberfest with the German Canadian Club of Calgary and the Schlaraffia Rocky Mountania with a family friendly weekend of German culture, music, food, tradition, and a lot of fun. The event runs from 5 p.m. until late on October 23, 12 p.m. to 9 p.m. on October 24, and 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. on October 25 at 218 37 Ave NE. For more details see calgarygermanclub.ca/pages/events.
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Nutmeg, a calico and white cat, Diaz and Darling are animals available to be adopted through the City of Calgary's Animal Services. (City of Calgary)
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See https://www.calgary.ca/our-services/animal-services.html to learn more on how to adopt one of these animals. If this newsletter has prompted you to adopt an animal from Animal Services, send Cllr. Kelly an email at [email protected].
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Diaz — tan Boerboel, 5 years, neutered male — reduced adoption fee · waiting since August 10, 2026
Annie — brown and black German Shepherd Dog mix, 4 years, spayed female — reduced adoption fee · waiting since September 6, 2026
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