Calgary has become the first major Canadian city to rescind its declaration of a climate emergency, following a 10-5 vote by city council on Wednesday. The decision reverses the symbolic measure passed by the previous council in November 2021, which was intended to signal the city's commitment to addressing climate change.
Reasons for Repeal
The motion to repeal was introduced by Couns. Landon Johnston and Andre Chabot, who argued that the declaration was purely symbolic and had not helped the city secure additional grant funding for climate initiatives. According to Johnston, the declaration created “a cloud” over climate resiliency programs, including flood and drought mitigation and habitat restoration. “We do not need a label or a symbolic gesture to do good things,” he said.
Support for Repeal
Ward 12 Coun. Mike Jamieson, who voted in favor, said declaring a climate emergency created unrealistic expectations, increased bureaucracy, and distracted from other priorities. He emphasized that Calgary, a city built on the oil and gas sector, should focus on practical solutions rather than symbolism. “Cancelling this declaration doesn’t mean we’re ignoring the environment. It means restoring balance,” Jamieson stated.
Opposition Concerns
Councillors who opposed the repeal, including DJ Kelly, Myke Atkinson, Raj Dhaliwal, Andrew Yule, and Nathaniel Schmidt, argued that the move sends the wrong message. Atkinson noted that the city’s climate dashboard shows it is lagging on carbon reduction targets, and a recent budget cut of $9 million to the climate department reflects a deprioritization of climate action. “The symbol of removing the declaration is a statement that you’re casting out into the world,” he said. Schmidt referenced an Angus Reid poll showing over 60% of Albertans view climate change as a serious threat, calling the repeal a step backward.
Broader Context
More than 600 municipalities across Canada have passed similar climate emergency declarations. Calgary’s decision to rescind its declaration marks a significant shift in municipal climate policy, with supporters arguing it allows the city to focus on tangible outcomes rather than symbolic gestures.
