BRIAN THIESSEN
FOR MAYOR
Calgary is in trouble.
For a decade, The Economist ranked us among the world's top five cities.
Today? We're eighteenth and falling.
We need strong, proven leadership at City Hall to get us back on track.
A Bold, Practical Vision for Calgary
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zxZMdGwmPRg
Meet Brian
Brian Thiessen didn't set out to become a politician. For thirty years, he has been solving complex problems—guiding Fortune 500 companies through crisis, building one of Calgary's most respected law practices, and reforming major civic institutions. But when the city he loves started feeling less like a place where anything was possible, Brian knew it was time to step up.
As Chair of the Calgary Police Commission (2016–2019), Brian transformed a $600-million organization, leading critical reforms that strengthened community policing and enhanced public accountability. His approach was shaped by his experience leading Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt as Managing Partner, building teams that delivered results and helping organizations overcome dysfunction during their most challenging moments.
Whether helping companies or employees in crisis, or chairing the board of Ronald McDonald House Charities Alberta, Brian's approach remained consistent: listen carefully, plan thoroughly, and execute decisively. In 2020, Calgary recognized that approach when Brian received the city's Citizen of the Year Award.
As Calgary faced mounting challenges—unaffordable housing, transit failures, infrastructure breakdowns, and a City Council more interested in political theatre than practical solutions—Brian saw the same dysfunction he'd helped organizations overcome throughout his career.
So Brian did what he's always done when faced with a complex challenge: he rolled up his sleeves and got to work. He stepped away from his successful practice and built The Calgary Party—a team composed of people from across the political spectrum focused on practical solutions rather than political games.
Brian will bring to the Mayor's office exactly what Calgary needs: proven ability to manage complex organizations, experience navigating political challenges, and a track record of delivering results when stakes are high. Most importantly, he brings a deep love for Calgary that drove him to leave behind a comfortable career to fight for the city's future.
Brian lives in Calgary with his wife and family. Now he's asking for the chance to help build Calgary's future.
Our vision is simple but ambitious:
- Put housing at the centre of every infrastructure and growth decision.
- Invest in parks, libraries, arts, and rec so every community thrives.
- Cut red tape and make City Hall work as hard as Calgarians do.
- Build a city where safety, affordability, and opportunity go hand in hand.
The Calgary Party isn’t just another option on the ballot — it’s a movement to deliver a city that reflects the ambition, grit, and creativity of its people.
Brian's Plan: A Bold, Practical Vision for Calgary
Calgary has always been a city that dares to think differently.
When others played it safe, we dreamed bigger. We transformed our riverbanks into the network of parks and pathways that is the longest in North America. We built light rail when skeptics said we were too small for rapid transit, and it now moves hundreds of thousands of Calgarians every day. We innovated with Plus 15s, creating a unique downtown experience that brings warmth and connection to our winters. And we showed the world who we are by creating the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth and hosting an unforgettable Olympic Games.
These achievements weren't accidents – they were born from our unwavering courage to embrace bold ideas and shape our own future. It's why we've earned our place among the world's top 5 most livable cities. When Calgarians see an opportunity to build something better, we seize it.
Today, we face new challenges that demand that same bold spirit. Our infrastructure needs renewal, our downtown needs revitalization, and our essential services – from snow clearing to recreation – need immediate attention. While our current council seems stuck in old ways of thinking, we know Calgary's greatest achievements have always come when we dare to move forward.
As thousands choose to make our city their home, we have an extraordinary opportunity to build.
This vision isn't just ambitious – it's achievable. But we won't get there through the politics of anger, fear and division that have crept into our city. We won't solve our housing crisis or grow our economy by clinging to the past or giving in to NIMBYism.
This is the Calgary we can build together – a city that honors its past while boldly embracing its future. Where every neighbourhood pulses with opportunity, where innovation drives prosperity, and where smart planning ensures our children inherit an even better Calgary than we found.
