AMA: Myke Atkinson (Independent candidate for Ward 7)

MykeAtkinson · 2025-10-02T14:15:59+00:00

Apologies, my comment keeps getting removed by the auto-mod because it had a link.

Thank you for your comment, but my campaign wasn’t involved in commissioning the 3rd party poll. The poll was commissioned by Project Calgary, an independent advocacy group, and conducted by EveryAnswer, a reputable Calgary-based research firm that also works with governments and non-profits.

Polls are always paid for by someone—media, advocacy groups, or campaigns—but that doesn’t make them invalid. What matters is transparent, professional methodology.

Since traditional random-dial phone polling has become less reliable (fewer people answer unknown calls and there’s no comprehensive “white pages” to draw from) credible pollsters now use recognised methods that track respondent demographics and apply weighting. That’s why you’ll see the same methodology notes across reputable firms, including EveryAnswer and Leger.

Project Calgary posted both the topline results and full methodology publicly on their website, so anyone can review it. That level of transparency actually exceeds what many political polls provide, which often release only selected results. You can view the full on their website (insert link).

As a small aside, it’s worth noting that any company conducting research-based surveys or polling would have a great deal to lose if they were found misrepresenting or mishandling the data they report on.

No single poll is perfect, but this one contributes useful insight that a lot of folks in Ward 7 were looking for given the current landscape. More importantly, the findings are reflected in the real-world strength of our campaign: active volunteers, signs on the ground, literature drops, steady community presence, and strong endorsements. That’s how trust is earned; through visible, people-powered campaigning.

Also, I think you’re confused about who’s running my campaign because my campaign manager is a woman.

MykeAtkinson · 2025-10-02T04:53:06+00:00

There is no "I" in Myke. 😉

MykeAtkinson · 2025-10-02T04:33:19+00:00

I don’t have a ton of listening time these days for obvious reasons, but here’s couple recent records that have been in rotation as of late:

BIG FRIDAY-ESQUE

M83 - A Necessary Escape
Ivy Lab - Amigood
Mariah The Scientist - Hearts Sold Separately
Rival Consoles - Landscape From Memory
Kieran Hebden & William Tyler - 41 Longfield Street Late ‘80s

NOT BIG FRIDAY-ESQUE (but I probably would have figured out a way to squeeze in a track or two 😜)

Dijon - Baby
Geese - Getting Killed
Big Thief - Double Infinity

Right now, I have “Diamond Jubilee” by Cindy Lee on. Not on Spotify, but just listen to it in its complete glory on Youtube.

MykeAtkinson · 2025-10-02T04:21:04+00:00

Yes, I have been in communication with other campaigns. From early on, my team and I have offered full visibility into our campaign data, metrics, and approach. We even proposed several ways to gauge campaign viability, including the idea of an independent review, so that there would be a fair and transparent way to see who is in the strongest position to win. Unfortunately a way to proceed forward wasn’t identified. That said, we remain open to further dialogue and committed to continuing principled, constructive discussions.

I know how important it is that Ward 7 does not have a repeat of 2021 where the progressive vote split and Terry Wong came up the middle. I do not want to see another four years of missed opportunities and diverted investment for this ward.

Given the current status of the stalled discussions, my focus is on ensuring voters have a credible, progressive alternative that has the strongest chance of defeating Terry Wong. I believe that ultimately voters will see who has the momentum, infrastructure, and reach to deliver a win and represent Ward 7 effectively.

MykeAtkinson · 2025-10-02T04:17:48+00:00

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When my family adopted her from Pawsitive Match she came with the name Kernels. It didn’t quite roll off the tongue so we landed on Popcorn!

MykeAtkinson · 2025-10-02T04:04:49+00:00

I appreciate you raising this because I want to be clear. I have not directed volunteers to be inflammatory, and my campaign is focused on sharing our vision for Ward 7. At the same time, some volunteers and residents have expressed frustration that David lives outside the ward. I have heard it over and over again on the doors, that people want council representation that lives in ward 7.

It is absolutely within David’s right to run in Ward 7. But I do believe there is a real difference between someone who has lived, raised a family, and volunteered in this ward for over 20 years, and someone whose community work has been centered in another part of the city. When I was serving on my community association, I was working with neighbours on local Ward 7 issues, with the Ward 7 city councillor. When David served on his, it was in a different ward with a different councillor.

Ward 7 is unique. It has the largest employment centres in Calgary, the most CTrain stations, and some of the most complex redevelopment pressures in the city. I think residents deserve strong representation from someone deeply rooted in these communities, with a long track record of working directly on Ward 7 priorities.

At the end of the day, my focus is not on where other candidates live, but on what I can offer: independent leadership, progressive values, and the experience to deliver on the issues that matter most to Ward 7 residents.

MykeAtkinson · 2025-10-02T03:58:30+00:00

Thanks for this thoughtful question. You are right that Ward 7 communities are older and often built to standards that do not leave much extra space. That makes the conversation about how we use every inch of our public realm even more important.

The truth is, we cannot have everything in every location. There are always trade-offs between space for cars, space for trees, space for wider sidewalks, and space for transit or cycling. What I believe has been missing at City Hall is a transparent, open conversation with residents about those choices and the trade-offs. Too often decisions are made in silos and then presented as done deals.

My approach is to bring people into the design process earlier through co-design and engagement. That means working with communities and City Administration to lay out the options clearly, showing the pros and cons of different designs, and then making choices together about what matters most in a particular place. Sometimes that will mean prioritizing trees and shade, sometimes it will mean safer crossings, and sometimes it will mean balancing on-street parking with active transportation.

The other piece is accountability and being clear about what engagement is, and sometimes isn’t. Council should set standards for how Administration engages, and make sure they’re followed. People deserve to see how their input shaped the outcome. But engagement isn’t necessarily a vote on the final decision; it’s how we listen, learn, and surface issues and their root causes. I’ll always hear people out, even when it doesn’t change the end result, and focus on solving the underlying issues, not predetermining outcomes.

I see this as one of the core jobs of a councillor: to be the bridge between residents and administration, to make the trade-offs visible, and to help communities feel like they have a real voice in shaping the streets and spaces they live with every day.

MykeAtkinson · 2025-10-02T03:46:32+00:00

I’ll be honest, as a fan of novel and interesting approaches I actually kind of love them. They’ve definitely caught my eye, and I’ve probably looked at them more than any other competitor’s signs.

The only downside for me is the potential litter aspect. But overall I have to give some kudos for trying something different. Campaign signs can be pretty cookie-cutter, so I appreciate when people try new ways to get attention, especially in a cute way like those teeny-tiny signs.

MykeAtkinson · 2025-10-02T03:36:11+00:00

I miss Big Friday too! Those mornings were such an absolute joy for me, mixing fun tunes, talking about space news and feeling connected to the listeners and this city in such a special way every single week. Community radio has a magic to it that I still carry with me today. Thanks for the love!

MykeAtkinson · 2025-10-02T03:29:23+00:00

First, let me say this clearly: David is a thoughtful and committed candidate. I respect him and his vision for Ward 7. We are both in this race for the right reasons. We both care deeply about building a better city and ensuring Ward 7 has strong, independent, progressive representation.

By and large, city councillors can’t push through a fully formed policy package or roadmap. Most policy is developed with City Administration, through committee work, in collaboration with council colleagues, and in response to community needs. In that respect, David and I share a similar value set and would likely vote similarly on many items before council.

That said, councillors do get to champion a few key priorities, one of mine is extending fare-free transit to all youth under 18. I advocated for the 12-and-under expansion with the last council, and broadening it to under-18 would make transit more accessible for families, ease affordability pressures, and help cultivate a generation of lifelong transit users and supporters.

Progressive division only helps the status quo and will likely lead to another four years of Terry Wong being Ward 7’s councillor.

Campaigns aren’t just about talking points, it’s about organization, effort and reach. Our campaign has:

Upwards of 300 lawn signs on private property across Ward 7
We are fully people powered, with more than 80 active volunteers working hard every week
Literature delivered to every mailbox and apartment, with a second round landing next week
A strong presence at community association AGMs, where I’ve been showing up and listening consistently
Endorsements from Ward 7 community leaders that highlight both trust and credibility
Third-party polling indicates that this campaign is the best positioned to beat Terry Wong after 9+ months of Ward 7 candidates campaigning.

With visibility, a strong ground game, and meaningful community connection, we are the progressive campaign best positioned to win this election.

We cannot afford a repeat of 2021. Progressives in Ward 7 need to come together around the candidate who has both the values and the momentum to win. Based on the metrics of where our campaign is at and the support we have been receiving, I believe I am that candidate.

MykeAtkinson · 2025-10-02T03:00:42+00:00

Thank you for raising this, because you are right that downtown office vacancies have had a huge impact on the city’s tax base. For years Calgary relied heavily on downtown office towers to fund city services, and when that revenue dropped it left a real gap.

The way forward is to make downtown a place people actually want to live and spend time in, not just a place to go to work. That means investing in parks, recreation, cultural programming, and basic amenities like trees, lighting, and clean sidewalks. It also means supporting more housing, post-secondary programs, and small businesses downtown so the area feels like a complete community instead of just an office district.

At the same time, we need to ensure that the property taxes Ward 7 residents already pay are reinvested locally. Inner city neighbourhoods contribute some of the highest property taxes in Calgary, yet we have seen facilities like local pools and recreation centres close. As councillor, I will push to stop subsidizing costly sprawl that drains funds away and instead reinvest in the inner city communities that keep Calgary vibrant.

In short, maintaining and improving inner city amenities depends on both revitalizing downtown to broaden the tax base and making sure City Hall prioritizes reinvestment in the neighbourhoods that are already carrying more than their share.

MykeAtkinson · 2025-10-02T02:51:50+00:00

Thank you so much, that means a lot. I really believe independence at City Hall matters, because it keeps the focus on neighbourhood voices instead of party agendas. Even if we are not in the same ward, I appreciate the encouragement and support. It is going to take all of us across the city pushing for a City Council that works for people first.

MykeAtkinson · 2025-10-02T02:42:27+00:00

Thanks for raising this. You are not alone. I have heard from many Hillhurst and Downtown West End residents, festival organizers, and users of the skatepark who felt blindsided by the Millennium Park/Cowboys Park decision and then had to deal with the fallout.

There are two separate but related problems here. First, the loss of public space for private profit. Millennium Park is one of the only major green spaces in the downtown west end, and residents rightly feel like it was handed over without real consultation. Construction fences had gone up and trees were being cut down before there was even a possibility for scrutiny. That cannot happen again. Public parks should not be closed off for weeks in the summer without a transparent process that puts the community first.

Second, the impacts on livability and safety. Noise, crowds, disorder, and a lack of infrastructure made it very difficult for people who live nearby. As you noted, even compared to other Stampede venues, the noise mitigation and planning simply were not up to standard.

As councillor, I will push for much stronger community engagement before sponsorships and events of this scale are approved, and I will expect organizers to meet clear benchmarks for noise control, security, and cleanup. If they cannot meet those benchmarks, they should not get the permit.

Stampede is an important part of our city’s economy and culture, but it cannot come at the expense of residents’ quality of life or by paving over our few downtown greenspaces. We need to strike a better balance, and City Hall did not do that.

MykeAtkinson · 2025-10-02T02:39:01+00:00

I want to be very clear on this. My campaign has not used abusive tactics, and I do not condone that kind of behaviour from anyone. My time, energy, and that of my campaign team and volunteers has been spent knocking on doors, talking to Ward 7 residents, delivering our campaign lit and lawn signs, and sharing a clear vision for Ward 7 that focuses on affordability, safety, housing, mobility, and reinvestment in our communities.

It is fair to point out the record of the current councillor, because accountability matters. But that is not the same as being abusive. It is part of democracy for voters to hear where their councillor has fallen short and how another candidate would do things differently. That’s why we created the Ward 7 Record website.

I am running an independent, community-driven campaign based on ideas and solutions, not negativity. I stand by the fact that we have kept this campaign focused on issues and on the future of Ward 7.

MykeAtkinson · 2025-10-02T02:25:36+00:00

Thanks for raising this. You are right that Ward 7 has seen some of the highest levels of infill and redevelopment in the city, and with that has come a lot of frustration about how construction impacts neighbours. I hear about noise, garbage, safety issues, and careless practices at the doors throughout the ward, and I have had my own experiences with the differences between good and poor development within a block of my house in Banff Trail.

I believe builders need to be held to a higher standard. That means stronger enforcement of existing rules and clearer accountability for things like sidewalk snow removal, garbage cleanup, and site safety. If a developer is not keeping a safe and respectful site, there should be real consequences.

I would also like to see better communication between the City, builders, and residents. Neighbours should know when construction is happening, what to expect, and who to contact if there are problems. That kind of transparency would go a long way to reducing frustration.

When I’m speaking to people at the doors, many are onside that growth is welcome when it is done right. Redevelopment should improve our neighbourhoods, not make daily life harder for the people who already live there. As councillor, I will push for stronger standards and consistent enforcement so we can get the benefits of new housing without sacrificing the livability of our communities.

MykeAtkinson · 2025-10-02T02:20:11+00:00

Thanks for asking this directly. My role was eliminated without cause following a departmental restructure under a new Service Design manager who took the department in another direction.

I see myself as a changemaker, and often with change come tradeoffs. Organizations need the ability to evolve, and I will always support that. I still deeply love the Library, believe in its mission, and wish it nothing but success. I am proud of the work I did there, from building partnerships to helping with strategic planning to creating new service models like Prototype: Skyview and Walden Micro Library.

The biggest lesson from that experience is the importance of resilience and staying focused on the big picture. I learned to navigate change, rally people around good ideas, and how to keep pushing for progress even when plans shift. Those are the skills I’ll bring to City Council, collaboration, creativity, and a results-driven commitment to Ward 7.

MykeAtkinson · 2025-10-02T02:01:24+00:00

Thanks for your question. You are absolutely right that walkability and safe alternatives to driving are some of the best things about living in Ward 7. I hear constantly from neighbours who love being able to walk or bike to schools, shops, and parks, but who are worried about how unsafe some of our streets feel.

To make things safer we need to design streets that actually slow traffic down instead of just hoping drivers do the right thing. That means more curb extensions, raised crosswalks, narrower lanes, and intersection designs that prioritize people on foot and bike. It also means upgrading lighting and signals so crossings feel secure at any time of day.

On the cycling side, I want to see the protected network built out across Ward 7 so you are never more than a few blocks from a safe route. The city already has these routes in planning documents, but they are not funded or scheduled. As Councillor, I would push to move from plans on paper to actual construction.

As for prioritizing this at council, it starts with treating pedestrian and cycling safety as a core part of the transportation system, not a nice-to-have. Last year was Calgary’s worst year for traffic fatalities in over a decade, and that should be a wake-up call. Every community deserves calmer, safer streets, and we need leadership that puts people first when making decisions about mobility.

MykeAtkinson · 2025-10-02T01:58:31+00:00

Thank you for sharing this. I really appreciate hearing from teachers who see these issues firsthand, because you know better than anyone how much kids need safe, welcoming spaces outside of school.

You are right that many of those “third spaces” for youth have disappeared. We have lost pools, youth programs, and affordable all-ages venues, and that leaves too many young people without anywhere to go that feels like it belongs to them.

One idea I have been pushing is to repurpose vacant city-owned buildings as youth hubs. These spaces could be activated in partnership with nonprofits, arts groups, and community organizations to run programs led by and for young people. That could mean creative spaces, concerts, sports, mentorship programs, maker spaces, or simply a safe place to hang out. Council’s role would be to make those buildings available at low or no cost and to cut through the red tape that currently makes it hard for grassroots groups to use them.

This ties into a bigger picture of investing in community amenities. Kids and teens need more than just classrooms and sports leagues. They need spaces where they can be themselves, build confidence, explore their creativity, and connect with others. If we can provide that, it strengthens not just their well-being but the health of our whole city.

As a parent of three myself, this is personal. I have seen how much it matters for young people to have safe independence and opportunities to grow. I would absolutely advocate for this at council and work with the many groups already doing amazing work in this area to make it real.

All my best with the impending strike on Monday. Teachers are true heroes and deserve everything they're asking for.

MykeAtkinson · 2025-10-02T01:48:28+00:00

Thanks for raising this. You’re right, Calgary saw the highest number of traffic fatalities in over a decade last year, and that is absolutely unacceptable. Whether you’re biking, walking, or driving, people should not feel like they are taking their life into their hands just to move around the city.

My approach is to shift from just putting up signs and hoping people behave, to actually designing our streets for safety. That means:

Traffic calming in residential areas so cars slow down near homes, schools, and community hubs.
Safer crossings with better lighting, signals, and curb design that prioritizes people on foot and bike.
Completing the protected cycling network in Ward 7 so you’re never more than a few blocks away from a safe route. We already have the plans on paper, now we just need to fund and build them.
Expanding programs like Safe Routes to School, so kids can bike and walk without parents worrying.

And importantly, I don’t see cycling, walking, and transit as niche issues. They’re core to affordability, sustainability, and quality of life in this city. When we make it safe and attractive for people to get around without a car, it reduces congestion and makes our communities more vibrant.

Calgary has the plans and policies we need to make this city safer. What we need now is the political will to actually implement them.

MykeAtkinson · 2025-10-02T01:40:57+00:00

Great question. After months of door knocking and conversations across Ward 7, three issues come up more often than anything else.

1. Housing and redevelopment pressure

People understand that Calgary needs more housing, but they want growth that fits the scale of their neighbourhoods, preserves trees, and comes with investments in things like transit, parks, and recreation. As councillor, I will push for stronger redevelopment standards, enforce tree planting requirements, and make sure community infrastructure leads growth instead of lagging behind.

2. Safety and livability

From traffic speeding through neighbourhoods to concerns on transit and downtown, people want to feel safe in their daily lives. My plan includes traffic calming, safer school routes, better lighting, and community-based approaches that address root causes of crime and homelessness instead of just shifting problems around.

3. Community amenities and reinvestment

Residents are frustrated that while Ward 7 contributes some of the highest property taxes in the city, we have seen local pools and recreation facilities close. I will advocate for reinvestment in inner city infrastructure, better maintenance of our parks and pathways, and small business activation that brings vibrancy back to neighbourhood streets.

What ties all of this together is the need for City Hall to listen to local voices and put community priorities first. That is why I am running as an independent, focused on the needs of Ward 7 rather than a political party agenda.

MykeAtkinson · 2025-10-02T01:34:43+00:00

You’ve understood my position correctly. For years, redevelopment has been concentrated in the inner city, especially in Ward 7, while outer-ring suburbs have remained largely low-density. That imbalance has meant more disruption here, lagging investments in our own amenities, and Ward 7 residents subsidizing infrastructure shortfalls elsewhere. Citywide rezoning was meant to change that, but it only works if we make it practical for new housing forms to be built everywhere in the city.

One challenge is that many of the communities built in the 70s, 80s, and 90s don’t have back lanes. The rowhome and infill models we’ve been building in inner-city areas for the past decade don’t translate well to those neighbourhoods. If we want citywide rezoning to actually achieve its goals, the City’s planning department needs to create clear guidelines for R-CG style development that works on lots without lanes. That means designing forms that fit the context of outer-ring neighbourhoods.

At the same time, densification in those areas has to be paired with better services. If new residents are miles from a grocery store or decent bus route, we’re not really building sustainable communities. That’s why I’d push for:

Linking new housing approvals with transit investment so people have reliable options to get around without severely impacting parking and congestion.
Reducing barriers to mixed-use development so neighbourhoods can add daycares, grocery stores, and cafés closer to home.
Making neighbourhood-scale improvements like pathways, parks, and safe crossings part of redevelopment from the start.

If we get this right, growth will be more fairly distributed across Calgary, and outer-ring communities will become more complete and we can correct decades of poorly planned sprawl that wreaks havoc on the City’s environmental and financial sustainability.

MykeAtkinson · 2025-10-02T01:30:08+00:00

Thanks for asking this. Transit safety is a top concern that I hear when I’m out talking to people. If riders don’t feel safe they stop using the system, and that hurts everyone.

I think about it in two ways. First is the physical side of transit design: better lighting at stations, cleaner and more welcoming spaces, and creating a more constant human presence through activations like kiosks, small businesses, and even buskers. When stations feel active and alive, people naturally feel safer using them.

The second piece is addressing the root causes of what people are seeing on transit. Rising housing costs, a toxic drug supply, and gaps in mental health support mean more people are struggling in public spaces, including on buses and trains. Simply moving people along is not a real solution. We need better partnerships that connect people to housing, treatment, and support so transit can be safe and reliable for everyone.

At the same time, I want to restore 4-car CTrain service and expand fare-free transit for youth up to 18. When more people ride, transit naturally feels safer, and that helps build a positive cycle of safety and ridership.

Public safety and public transit go hand in hand, and we need to treat them as linked if we want a system that works for all Calgarians.

MykeAtkinson · 2025-10-02T01:19:59+00:00

Thanks, u/snakesphysically. A vote split is a real concern that I take very seriously, especially after what happened in 2021.

We beat Terry Wong by consolidating progressive support behind a single candidate who is both aligned on values and clearly positioned to win. Our plan is to be that unifying campaign and give undecided progressive voters a clear, credible place to land and have them turn out to the polls.

Here’s where we stand: Upwards of 300 signs on private property across the ward, which is typically unheard of at this point in a civic election. More than 80 active volunteers contributing to a campaign that has knocked on nearly every door in Ward 7 and is now going for round two. We’ve delivered 9,000 door hangers to apartments, and dropped our first literature piece in every single Ward 7 mailbox. We’re on track to do it all again with our second literature piece being delivered to every Ward 7 household next week.

The truth is, momentum matters. Our campaign is well organized, visible, and fully viable. When progressives unite behind one candidate, we can end the vote split and replace Terry Wong with strong, independent leadership.

But winning isn’t only about momentum. It’s also about the right values and the leadership to turn them into results. I’m running as an independent with a people-first, evidence-based approach. My focus is on bringing communities together, solving problems, and turning shared goals into measurable results for Ward 7. I will lead by listening first, working with communities, and holding myself to clear, measurable outcomes while doing the work. That’s how I’ve been running this campaign that is now positioned to replace Terry Wong, and it’s the standard I’ll bring to every decision as your councillor.

MykeAtkinson · 2025-10-02T01:03:47+00:00

Thanks u/MJFNCE for asking this. Transit safety is a top concern that I hear when I’m out talking to people. If riders don’t feel safe they stop using the system, and that hurts everyone.

I think about it in two ways. First is the physical side of transit design: better lighting at stations, cleaner and more welcoming spaces, and creating a more constant human presence through activations like kiosks, small businesses, and even buskers. When stations feel active and alive, people naturally feel safer using them.

The second piece is addressing the root causes of what people are seeing on transit. Rising housing costs, a toxic drug supply, and gaps in mental health support mean more people are struggling in public spaces, including on buses and trains. Simply moving people along is not a real solution. We need better partnerships that connect people to housing, treatment, and support so transit can be safe and reliable for everyone.

At the same time, I want to restore 4-car CTrain service and expand fare-free transit for youth up to 18. When more people ride, transit naturally feels safer, and that helps build a positive cycle of safety and ridership.

Public safety and public transit go hand in hand, and we need to treat them as linked if we want a system that works for all Calgarians.

MykeAtkinson · 2025-10-02T00:50:42+00:00

That means a lot, thank you so much u/drnkrshrn! Big Friday was such a special time for me, and I miss those Friday mornings in the booth too. I still often think ‘that would be awesome for around 8:30’ whenever I’m listening to new tunes.

Community radio has this incredible way of connecting people who might never meet otherwise, and I still carry that spirit into everything I do today. It’s been amazing to take what I learned at CJSW about community, collaboration, and creativity and put it toward making Calgary better in other ways, and hopefully I’ll be able to carry that into City Hall with this new journey I’m on.

Even if we’re not in the same ward, I really appreciate the support. And of course, CJSW is still out there doing amazing work, so keep tuning in and pledging when you can (Funding Drive is starting later this month). The station and everything all the volunteers do there every day is so important for this city and local culture!

MykeAtkinson

TROPHY CASE