CALGARY – Mayor Naheed Nenshi gave his first state of the city address on Tuesday at the annual event at the Palliser downtown.
The mayor reconfirmed two key election promises – the airport underpass and secondary suites remain top priorities for Nenshi who says they need to be addressed immediately.
It’s been a turbulent process, but Nenshi insists the airport tunnel be built before the new runway begins construction in April a move that should have been acted on years ago.
“If we had good planning in the past then this would have just been budgeted for and it would have been in the system,” he said.
“Unfortunately, right now we find ourselves under the gun and it has to be built this year.”
Nenshi contends if the underpass isn’t built now, it never will be.
Nenshi also told Rotarians that legalizing secondary suites is a main goal this year noting his best guess has up to 80-thousand people living in illegal suites with no protection from unsafe living conditions.
“Legalizing secondary suites in every neighbourhood in the city is just the right things to do.”
Susan McGoey, who has multiple sclerosis, is championing the mayor’s call for change. She spent a year and thousands of dollars convincing the city to let her put in a secondary suite.
Nenshi says three simple rules will make it easier for landlords and safer for renters.
“They have to meet all fire and building codes, there must be a parking spot off street provided unless the home is within 500 metres of a rapid transit station and the owner has to live there – it’s that simple.”
Political analysts give the former professor high marks for his first 100 days in office but say challenges remain.
Council is expected to vote on the airport underpass on Monday.
The mayor hopes for a vote on secondary suites in early March.
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