A Calgary resident has launched a petition to recall the city’s mayor.
On Jan. 30, Calgary’s city hall received a notice-of-recall petition from business owner Landon Johnston against Mayor Jyoti Gondek where if successful, could end her term.
Johnston spoke to media and said that he launched the petition because he doesn’t feel like Calgarians have much say in where their tax dollars are being spent, and to let all councilors know that “their jobs are not safe.”
In order for the recall petition to reach its next stage, Johnston has 60 days to collect physical signatures from at least 40 per cent of Calgary’s population, which is approximately 514,284 people.
If successful, it will be evaluated by city officials over a span of 45 days. If deemed sufficient after the evaluation, Gondek will be recalled and no longer be a member of city council. A byelection would follow to fill the mayor’s seat.
Gondek spoke to media and said the recall “came as a surprise” and that “it stings a little bit.” She also shared her concerns over the confidentiality of people giving their personal information to the petitioner.
