It was standing room only at the Blackfoot Inn Wednesday night during the launch of Calgary’s first municipal political party.
A Better Calgary (ABC) Party says it wants to bring City Hall “back to basics,” focus on essential services and common sense, champion accountability, transparency, and accessibility at City Hall for everyone, and empower Calgarians to get involved in their communities and actively participate in democracy.
The group says formal principles will be proposed and ratified at an annual general meeting (AGM).
ABC came to be thanks to Bill 20, which the United Conservative government says will improve local governance and transparency.
The bill, which also seeks to ban vote counting machines in provincial elections and give the province authority over local bylaws, has been the subject of criticism since it was first announced in April.
Alberta Municipalities, which represents the province’s cities, towns, and villages, has been vocal in its opposition to Bill 20, saying it wasn’t consulted and sets a “dangerous precedent.”
ABC says it is not associated with other groups or parties, including provincial or federal political parties.
Referring to itself as a “big tent organization” the group says it hopes to grow to thousands of members from a variety of backgrounds and interests.
Calgarians can become a member of the party with a $10 annual membership and a five-year founding member with a $100 donation.
Various reports indicate the party already has two members — Jon Horsman, a former UCP leadership candidate, and Cheryl Munson, a former public school trustee candidate and Project YYC volunteer.
Project YYC garnered attention during a campaign aimed at recalling Calgary Mayor Jyoti Gondek earlier this year, showing support for the cause launched by local businessman Landon Johnston.
No current council members have signed on to join the ABC, but Coun. Dan McLean believes this will be the first of many ahead of next October’s municipal election.
On its website, the new party says a board of directors will be elected at a founding convention.
CityNews has reached out to ABC for comment.
-With files from Phil Wood