The next city council could be asked to return fluoride to the city’s water supply. What is your position on this?

97 per cent of water in this city is not used for drinking. Young children are the population that see the most benefit from fluoride.

We should focus our fluoride efforts in schools and recreation facilities where the cost will be lower and the benefits will be higher.

Occupation:

Investor. Political/volunteer experience: Board member

What is your motivation for seeking a seat on city council?

I am running for mayor because I do not agree with how the city spends our tax dollars. We need to reduce property tax, re-plan the Green Line to the airport, and make sure that every dollar spent is in the best interest of Calgary citizens.

Describe your leadership style:

I lead by example and I personally pledge to donate 50 per cent of my salary each and every month to local Calgary charities and non-profits.

What do you consider the single most important issue facing Calgarians, and what should be done about it?

We cannot continue to raise taxes on Calgary citizens. We can reduce property tax by diversifying our revenue streams and increasing the cost of business for foreign, large, profitable corporations that operate within the city. I plan to use those funds to directly offset the burden of property tax on residential homeowners and small business owners.

What are the three most important issues in your ward, and how would you address them?

1. Re-plan to the Green Line to connect our international airport.

2. Reduce property tax by charging large, foreign, profitable companies to do business in Calgary.

3. Work to reduce compensation for city hall executives and lead by example by donating 50 per cent of my salary each and every single month.

Do you support the city’s downtown revitalization strategy? Where should funding and programs be focused?

Yes. Funding should be focused on converting vacant office space into affordable housing.

What innovative project or job creation measure can you propose to aid Calgary’s post-COVID economic recovery?

Building the Green Line Transit project to the airport will facilitate better tourism, more trade shows, and easier business travel to and from our city

What should city council do to keep young adults from leaving Calgary?

We need to build an environment where growing and exciting companies want to do business here. This can be done through lower property tax, better grant funding, and an easier permit process for events and fundraisers.

We need to build a city where people can find a good job and enjoy their evening and weekends with arts and culture.

* All candidate Q&As have been edited for clarity and brevity. 

*Original article online at https://calgaryherald.com/news/local-news/zac-hartley-calgary-mayoral-candidate