Several signs advertising an effort to oust Calgary’s mayor from office are being removed due to a bylaw infraction, city officials have confirmed. The City of Calgary stated that the size and locations of the signs violate the Temporary Signs on Highways Bylaw 29M97, which regulates temporary roadside signs in the city. The petition to recall Mayor Jyoti Gondek was launched by Landon Johnston, a local business owner, in February, with the requirement of gathering over 514,000 signatures by April 4 to be successful.
The signs were placed by Project YYC, a group assisting Johnston in gathering signatures for the recall petition. A document obtained by Global News revealed that the group aims to create a “big tent coalition” to elect “common-sense conservative” mayor and councillors in the next municipal election. Mayor Gondek has accused the group of collecting personal information through the signatures to build a database of support for a municipal political party. However, a spokesperson for Project YYC denied these allegations, claiming that the city’s removal of the signs was based on partisan interference and that the signage regulations should be more applicable than the temporary sign bylaw.
Project YYC criticized the city for the removal of the signs, calling it “disappointing but not surprising.” They expressed frustration with the lack of written explanations from the city’s legal department regarding their interpretation of the relevant bylaws and campaign guidelines. Roy Beyer, recall campaign co-chair for Project YYC, stated that without such explanations and knowledge of the responsible city managers, they could not have their legal counsel respond appropriately. Johnston, who met with Gondek and paid Project YYC $3,000 for the signs, emphasized that if they are in the wrong spot, they should be moved. The city has removed nearly 2,000 non-compliant signs of various types since January.
The city’s statement about the removal of the signs highlights the ongoing enforcement of bylaws regarding signage, including permissible size and location. Violations of the bylaw may result in fines, and continued offenses could lead to further enforcement actions. Project YYC’s recall campaign and efforts to gather signatures for the petition have been met with challenges and accusations but continue to push forward. The group maintains its stance that the city’s legal department should provide written explanations for their decisions and interpretations of the relevant bylaws.
The controversy surrounding the recall petition and the removal of signs highlights the complexities and challenges of political campaigns within municipal jurisdictions. The involvement of various stakeholders, including the city, petition organizers, and elected officials, adds layers of complexity to the process. As the recall petition deadline approaches, the tensions between Project YYC, the city, and Mayor Gondek are likely to continue, raising questions about the regulation of political activities in Calgary. The outcome of this dispute may have implications for future recall efforts and political campaigns in the city.
