City council members in Calgary look to commission an unbiased examination of the administration's restructuring plan.
In the lead-up to the upcoming municipal election, Councillors Sonya Sharp and Andre Chabot, both running for re-election under the Communities First party banner, have proposed an independent review motion to scrutinise the internal workings of Calgary city hall, particularly focusing on the organisational realignment that began in 2020.
The purpose of this review is multi-faceted, aiming to assess various aspects of the restructuring, including the financial costs incurred, new positions created, impacts on staff, and the measurable effectiveness and benefits of the realignment. The review will provide clarity on whether the restructuring has achieved its intended goals and improved city hall's operations.
The driving force behind this motion stems from a desire for transparency and accountability within city hall's operations. Councillors Sharp and Chabot have expressed dissatisfaction with the information provided thus far, with Councillor Chabot mentioning that previous answers have been "soft." They seek clear data and insights to understand whether the realignment is working as intended, addressing both the financial and operational impacts on the city's bureaucracy.
This initiative reflects broader concerns about the efficiency and effectiveness of city hall's administration, as well as a need for more open communication about the outcomes of major organisational changes. Calgary mayor Jyoti Gondek, who is also running for re-election, has expressed interest in evaluating the motion to see if there's merit behind the call for an independent review of the city hall administration's realignment.
The motion, which does not specify who will conduct the independent review, will undergo a technical review at a committee meeting on July 22 before heading to city council as a whole for a final say. If approved, the independent review is expected to be completed by the end of 2026.
Notably, the city's chief administrative officer, David Duckworth, oversaw the restructuring of city administration, which began in 2020 and resulted in the creation of seven new city departments. However, concerns have been raised about potential silos between some city departments, with Councillor Sharp expressing her apprehensions in this regard.
Some question the timing of the move, with the next municipal election in Calgary scheduled for October. Nevertheless, Councillor Chabot defends the timing, stating that it's important for Calgarians to feel confident that their council is doing their due diligence to ensure the city is operating efficiently and effectively, especially leading up to the election.
Lori Williams, an associate professor of policy studies at Mount Royal University, has stated that the motion proposed by Councillors Sharp and Chabot appears to be a criticism of the existing system and a campaign statement rather than an effort to address the real problem. However, the city administration has stated that it is open to "continuous learning and improvements" and welcomes any findings the review may highlight if council decides to approve it.
As the election approaches, this independent review motion adds another layer of intrigue to the political landscape of Calgary, with both Councillors Sharp and Chabot vying for re-election and the city administration under scrutiny. The outcome of this review could significantly impact the future direction of Calgary's city hall administration.
The independent review motion proposed by Councillors Sonya Sharp and Andre Chabot aims to bring transparency and accountability to Calgary city hall's operations, focusing on the 2020 restructuring's financial costs, new positions, staff impacts, and effectiveness.
The review also intends to address concerns about potential silos between city departments and provide clarity on whether the restructuring has achieved its intended goals, serving as a key political issue ahead of Calgary's municipal election.
