Canada Day Fireworks Debate
Cllr. Penner then went to Twitter where she stated that for the city to bring back fireworks would be “actively anti-racist” and to have fireworks would be “upholding colonialism and racism.”
Councillor Penner's City Bird Initiative: Priorities in Question
If you think this was a joke you would be mistaken. Many Calgarians are paycheck to paycheck, but that is not the priority of this Cllr. and that she wanted the world to know “that we are a bird enthusiastic“.
While the pothole that you hit everyday to work will not be filled you had the choice of blue jay, the red-breasted nuthatch, the black-capped chickadee, the northern flicker and the black-billed magpie.
Controversy Surrounding the Dismissal of Mayor Gondek’s Chief of Staff
When Mayor Gondek was elected, she hired Stephen Carter to be her Chief of Staff. Three months later he was fired from her office, but not before he was given a $104,166.65 in severance.
Two Cllrs. filed complaints about him, one Cllr. called him a bully, and another Cllr. said that his behaviour was a pattern. Other sources who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said he was bullying and intimidating.
Cllr. Penner however was “disappointed” to hear Carter had been let go. “I didn’t see what a couple of my colleagues reported. That wasn’t the relationship that I had,” she said.
I am sure her colleagues who faced bullying behaviour were not “disappointed” to hear Carter had been let go.
Inconsistent Housing Policies: Zoning Changes vs. Rent Caps
In March 2023 she wanted the province to enact rent caps. This failed ideology has been thoroughly repudiated by economists as a failed policy.
So, its build everything, everywhere and this will create more supply, and lower rents prices. But if she had her rent caps in 2023, if you did build a property for rent, regardless of market prices (which should fall under blanket rezoning according to her), cost of building, and the need to repay the bank loan – your rent will be decided by the government.
So, you would have no say in what is built; and for those that do build they will decide the rental price.
Makes total sense.
Councillor Pay Increases while they vote to increase your property taxes
The average Calgarian is struggling paycheque to paycheque, but not City Councillors. They are paid bi-weekly on schedule, and before taxes make $120,000.00 a year.
In 2022 Cllrs. received a 1.6% raise, in 2024 it was 2.41% – but Cllr. Penner has voted to increase your property taxes every year since being elected. When was the last time you received a yearly COLA?
Controversy Over Investigation of Councillor Carra: Tensions Rise in City Hall
When Cllr. Carlo Carra was being investigated by the Integrity Commissioner for not disclosing a $300,000.00 stake in a property. Cllr. Wyness wanted to ask CPS to investigate. From Rick Bell:
Cllr. Wyness: “I am deeply disappointed in my colleagues who are allowing him to skate,” says the rookie councillor, who adds there are more questions than answers, including the question of whether Carra did or did not break the law.
“It appears you’re trying to protect your friend,” she tells some of the council seat-warmers.
Kourtney Penner objects. Penner is the councillor Ward 11 elected to replace Jeromy Farkas. She is so far from Farkas politically she is in another solar system. “There’s a lot of speculation on the behaviour of our colleague you have no evidence for,” says Penner to Wyness.
“That’s why I want to refer it. That’s why I want to refer it,” says Wyness, of going to the cops and the province.
Penner isn’t done. “To say we are voting on lines of friendship is absolutely uncalled for.”
Councillor Penner Supports Voting Rights for Permanent Residents Amid Provincial Opposition
Cllr. Penner voted with Cllr. Walcott’s NOM that permanent residents should be able to vote.
Minister of Municipal Affairs Ric McIver posted on X stating that “Only citizens of Canada can vote in municipal elections.”
Cllr. Penner responded, saying the province should not be “gatekeeping.” The province has to manage multiple files for millions of people and must stay focused on the issues of the day. Cllr. Penner believes the biggest issues facing Calgarians is not cost of living, crime on the LRT line that goes through the heart of her Ward but the need to have permanent residents have a say in municipal elections.
Oh, Cllr. Penner is paid $120,000.00 a year.
Councillor Pay Increase: A Vote Against Wage Freeze Amidst Rising Taxes
When Cllr. McLean brought a NOM forward to freeze Cllr. pay. It failed 9 – 6. Cllr. Penner voted against the wage freeze. The COLA increase in 2024 for Councillors was 2.41%.
The average Calgarian is struggling paycheque to paycheque, but not City Councillors. They are paid bi-weekly on schedule, and before taxes make $120,000.00 a year. This is the same Cllr. that voted every single year to increase your property taxes, and in 2022 and 2024 received a COLA increase.
She votes to raise your taxes and gets a pay increase. Cool.
Union Backing and Tax Hikes: Councillor Penner's Financial Support and Voting Record
Cllr. Penner was promoted by Look Forward Calgary, and by Calgary’s Future.
Calgary’s Future is funded by CUPE 37/38 and had $1.7 million in the bank before the start of the 2021 municipal election. This union is all for larger wages and benefits for their workers, that is fine, but they are paid by taxpayers, and while you struggle paycheque to paycheque, Cllr. Penner and government employees are paid bi-weekly with no fear of missing a bill payment.
Cllr. Penner has voted for every property tax increase since being elected in 2021. In 2025 there will be no doubt that she will be once again backed by Unions with big pockets to continue to support their calls for more tax dollars being directed to their members benefit.
Bag Fee Backlash: Councillor Penner's Defence Amid Public Outrage
Calgarians are being taxed on everything, and in the spring of 2024 when you would go to McDonalds for a coffee and muffin on route to work, you had to pay 15 cents for a bag. Many were caught off guard. As one Calgarian said: “I know 15 cents is not a lot of money, but on top of everything else nowadays, getting quite pricey to live here. It really is.” We agree.
There is a limit to people’s patience and Council hit the final nerve. The backlash was swift, and many Cllrs. decided to repeal the bylaw. The final vote was 12 – 3. Cllr. Penner knows better than you and voted to keep it.
She then said: “There is a group that has decided to make this an issue, and they’ve asked other people to make it an issue as well,” Penner said. “There are those who are enraged and outraged because that’s what someone told them to be.”
It is not that you are being taxed, penny pinched and feel like you cannot get ahead of the bills – it’s that you are being controlled.
Rezoning Without Public Input: Councillor Penner’s Stance Against a Plebiscite
Cllr. Penner represents Ward 11, and it is under pressure from the changes coming to it from re-development. Some good, some bad.
Cllr. Penner voted yes to blanket rezoning even though many community association in her Ward wrote letters saying they do not support it. She knows better than them.
She voted with the Mayor and approved the blanket rezoning changes. This means you do not get a say on any changes to your community.
When Cllr. McLean tried to give Calgarians a say on this matter in a plebiscite, as it impacts everyone and for many of us the purchase of a home is the biggest decision we make in our lifetime and how our communities are shaped matters.
Cllr. Penner voted against the plebiscite. You are not capable of making a decision on zoning, it is to complex. This is the same argument made when a group opposed the 2026 Olympic bid, it was to complex of an issue for such simple minds to have a plebiscite – only they should have the vote. They do not want you to have a say, because they know the outcome will be no.
2024 Property Tax Hike: Councillor Penner Defends Increase Amid Economic Struggles
Many Calgarians are struggling to keep the bills paid and keep their heads above water. It seems everyday there is a new tax, a new fee, and this Council is there to add to that stress. Remember the $.15 bag fee?
Your property tax bill in 2024 was 7.8% higher and it was supposed to be 3.4% but Council decided to add on more items to the budget. Cllr. Penner said in response to this:
“The tax increases are not affecting our most vulnerable Calgarians. For the most part, our most vulnerable Calgarians don’t even have a home to pay taxes for,” said Ward 11 Councillor Kourtney Penner. “This budget is asking those who have a bit more to help those who have a little bit less.”
Only problem is many Calgarians are struggling and there is nothing more to give. Next year it will be another tax increase, likely 6.4% in 2025.
Every year you have a ‘little bit less’ and are expected to pay a ‘little bit more.’ This is not sustainable.
Oh, but Cllr. Penner received a pay increase in 2024 – did you?
Biggest offenses to Calgarians:
Increasing your Taxes
Has voted YES to property tax increases since being elected.
voting YES to blanket Re-Zoning
You do not get a saw now in how your community is built.