Sprawlcast

Paying For It: Calgary Developers Face New Scrutiny

hello@sprawlcalgary.com (The Sprawl) — Sat, 21 Mar 2026 08:19:10 +0000

A slowdown on sprawl? New councillors consider it as Calgary city hall reckons with a looming $49 billion price tag for infrastructure over the next decade.

Should Calgary Press Play On A Future Olympics Bid?

hello@sprawlcalgary.com (The Sprawl) — Sat, 14 Feb 2026 07:05:00 +0000

After opposing Calgary 2026, Mayor Farkas considers 2038. We speak with the mayor about what changed—and ask city councillors what they think about the prospect of another Calgary Winter Games.

Why Calgary Said No To The 2026 Olympics

hello@sprawlcalgary.com (The Sprawl) — Mon, 9 Feb 2026 11:00:00 +0000

A decade ago, under Mayor Nenshi, city council started work on a bid for the 2026 Winter Olympics. It went downhill from there.

How Urban Sprawl Is Stretching Calgary Transit To The Max

hello@sprawlcalgary.com (The Sprawl) — Wed, 17 Dec 2025 08:00:00 +0000

With 40+ new communities being built on Calgary’s outskirts, city hall is struggling to reach them all with services, including transit. We look at how Calgary's new city council is tackling an old problem.

What We Learned Covering Calgary's Election

hello@sprawlcalgary.com (The Sprawl) — Sat, 15 Nov 2025 07:14:35 +0000

Can local journalism be... joyful? You bet it can. Sprawl editor Jeremy Klaszus catches up with roving election reporter Asad Chishti to reflect on Calgary's 2025 election and why we covered it the way we did.

The truth about Calgary’s billion-dollar arena deal

hello@sprawlcalgary.com (The Sprawl) — Sat, 11 Oct 2025 06:17:12 +0000

Mayoral candidates are bickering about which arena deal was best and who got fleeced. The Sprawl dug into how the $1.2B deal for Scotia Place—which has city hall putting up $853 million—got approved by council with no public debate. (Most of this episode originally aired in 2023.)

Calgary At 150: The Forgotten Anniversary

hello@sprawlcalgary.com (The Sprawl) — Sat, 21 Jun 2025 06:40:00 +0000

Fort Calgary's anniversary has traditionally been celebrated as the city's "birthday" but this time city hall isn't celebrating. Is this historical awareness—or amnesia?

The Story And Struggle Of Calgary's Urban Forest

hello@sprawlcalgary.com (The Sprawl) — Sat, 26 Apr 2025 07:00:00 +0000

Calgary’s urban tree canopy coverage is among the lowest in Canada. We dig into why—and what city hall is doing about it.

The Deerfoot Divide

hello@sprawlcalgary.com (The Sprawl) — Sat, 22 Mar 2025 06:30:00 +0000

In the 1970s, a new freeway cut one side of Calgary off from the other. We dig into why the city remains divided when it comes to amenities and infrastructure on each side of Deerfoot Trail.

The Battle Of Glenmore Landing

hello@sprawlcalgary.com (The Sprawl) — Sat, 15 Feb 2025 07:52:40 +0000

We dig into a 60-year fight against density by the reservoir shores in southwest Calgary. It's a saga about class, conservation and community politics. History is repeating itself at Glenmore Landing—but with some new twists.

How The UCP Is Rejigging Calgary’s Next Election

hello@sprawlcalgary.com (The Sprawl) — Sat, 7 Dec 2024 08:00:00 +0000

Will municipal parties strengthen local democracy or undermine it? We speak with some of the candidates and parties that will be on the ballot—and dig into how the 2025 election will be different.

The Politics Of Property Taxes

hello@sprawlcalgary.com (The Sprawl) — Sat, 9 Nov 2024 08:00:00 +0000

City hall's decision to close Inglewood's swimming pool left many Calgarians scratching their heads. We dig into why city council cut inner-city pools in the first place after oil prices crashed a decade ago.

The Tycoons Reshaping Calgary-Area Transit

hello@sprawlcalgary.com (The Sprawl) — Sat, 28 Sep 2024 13:40:52 +0000

When it comes to rail projects in Alberta, the Green Line is one piece of a larger puzzle. We dig into who's been setting the agenda when it comes to these projects—and to what extent they are complementary or competing with each other as Calgary city hall's Green Line plans collapse.

The Downsizing Of Calgary's Green Line

hello@sprawlcalgary.com (The Sprawl) — Sat, 10 Aug 2024 06:21:05 +0000

A week after the groundbreaking for the new Flames arena, city hall cut the Green Line nearly in half. We dig into the Green Line's delay-plagued history—and how one city megaproject has affected the other.

The Fragility Of Calgary's Water Supply

hello@sprawlcalgary.com (The Sprawl) — Sat, 13 Jul 2024 14:00:49 +0000

Where does our water come from—and how is climate change altering that water source? We zoom out from the feeder main that broke in June, following a drop of water from the Rocky Mountains and glaciers west of Calgary, into the pipes beneath our feet, and out the taps in our homes.

The Real Costs Of Calgary's New BMO Centre

hello@sprawlcalgary.com (The Sprawl) — Sat, 8 Jun 2024 12:56:16 +0000

City hall went big—and is feeling the pinch. We dig into what it really cost to build a new convention centre building and what it means for the city's finances.

Bill 20 And Danielle Smith's Municipal 'Power Grab'

hello@sprawlcalgary.com (The Sprawl) — Sat, 18 May 2024 12:45:00 +0000

It's not unusual for Alberta governments to tinker with municipal election laws. But Bill 20 is far more than the usual tinkering. We dig into the evolution of municipal elections in Alberta and look at what Bill 20 means for local democracy in Calgary—and beyond.

The Rumble Over Rezoning in Calgary

hello@sprawlcalgary.com (The Sprawl) — Sat, 13 Apr 2024 12:30:00 +0000

Should neighbourhoods set their own direction? Should city hall impose it from the top down? Or is there a role for both? We go to Inglewood, Calgary's oldest neighbourhood, in search of answers.

The Nuances Of NIMBYism

hello@sprawlcalgary.com (The Sprawl) — Sat, 23 Mar 2024 13:59:08 +0000

As the debate about blanket rezoning heats up in Calgary, we dig into the Sprawlcast vault for a deep-dive on NIMBYism. Full transcript on our website at sprawlcalgary.com.

Undermined: Canmore's Struggle To Curb Sprawl

hello@sprawlcalgary.com (The Sprawl) — Sat, 17 Feb 2024 14:00:00 +0000

As the Bow Valley gets filled with development, a critical wildlife corridor is being threatened. We dig into Canmore's effort to resist two new housing projects that are expected to nearly double the town's population. This episode is Part 2 in a Sprawlcast series about Three Sisters Mountain Village, and is a collaboration with The Narwhal. Drew Anderson contributed research and reporting.

Undermined: The Long Fight Over Canmore's Future

hello@sprawlcalgary.com (The Sprawl) — Sat, 3 Feb 2024 13:00:00 +0000

Coal mining drove Canmore's economy for nearly a century. But as the Canmore Mines struggled in the 1970s, speculators saw a new business opportunity in what was then called the Canmore Corridor: tourism. This episode is Part 1 in a Sprawlcast series about Three Sisters Mountain Village, and is a collaboration with The Narwhal. Drew Anderson contributed research and reporting.

Jeromy Farkas, Jyoti Gondek & Calgary’s Upside Down Politics

hello@sprawlcalgary.com (The Sprawl) — Sat, 18 Nov 2023 13:30:00 +0000

Two years ago, progressives were rooting for Jyoti Gondek to defeat Jeromy Farkas in the race for mayor. But numerous Calgarians who voted for Mayor Gondek have found themselves in agreement with Farkas more recently—and disappointed by the mayor on files like the arena deal. We speak with both Farkas and Gondek, looking at what's changed since the last election and what's taking shape for the next one.

The Real Costs of Calgary's Arena Deal

hello@sprawlcalgary.com (The Sprawl) — Sat, 14 Oct 2023 12:30:00 +0000

We dig into a deal that's less transparent—and far more expensive—than the 2019 one. We also follow up with with city councillors who campaigned against more subsidies for the Flames, but voted "yes" to hundreds of millions more.

The Fight Over Calgary's Housing Plan

hello@sprawlcalgary.com (The Sprawl) — Sat, 23 Sep 2023 12:15:00 +0000

City council approved a new housing strategy—but the rumble over rezoning is still to come. Hear for yourself what Calgarians and council members had to say during an epic three-day meeting.

Calgary City Council's Hesitation On Housing

hello@sprawlcalgary.com (The Sprawl) — Sat, 9 Sep 2023 12:30:00 +0000

In June 2022, city council created an affordable housing task force—and then balked at its recommendations, particularly on upzoning.

A Time To Pause

hello@sprawlcalgary.com (The Sprawl) — Sat, 29 Apr 2023 14:16:56 +0000

An update on The Sprawl—and Jeremy Klaszus's TED Talk on the case for quiet journalism.

The Confluence: As Long As The Rivers Flow

hello@sprawlcalgary.com (The Sprawl) — Sat, 15 Apr 2023 13:55:33 +0000

The Hollowing Of The Calgary Herald

hello@sprawlcalgary.com (The Sprawl) — Sat, 18 Feb 2023 19:06:51 +0000

For the first time in its 140-year history, the Calgary Herald has no fixed address. But the paper has been in slow decline for decades. What do we lose when the city’s largest newspaper is decimated?

Hark! A Year-End Sprawliday Special

hello@sprawlcalgary.com (The Sprawl) — Sat, 17 Dec 2022 15:31:08 +0000

Team Sprawl gathers by the (metaphorical) fireside to reflect on the year that was—and to look ahead. Featuring Ximena González and Sam Hester.

Game Over: How Calgary Killed Its Primary Transit Network

hello@sprawlcalgary.com (The Sprawl) — Sun, 27 Nov 2022 13:30:00 +0000

It was supposed to be the foundation of Calgary's transit system: CTrains and buses arriving every 10 minutes. But it didn't last long. We dig into what happened—and what's next.

The Battle of Banff Trail

hello@sprawlcalgary.com (The Sprawl) — Sun, 6 Nov 2022 13:00:00 +0000

To thwart densification, two residents of the northwest Calgary community of Banff Trail fight developers and the City of Calgary in court. Their case against multifamily housing is built on a little-known planning instrument from 1952—and is being closely watched outside the neighbourhood.

The Case For Zoning Reform

hello@sprawlcalgary.com (The Sprawl) — Sat, 8 Oct 2022 11:15:00 +0000

Zoning shapes our lives. But for many of us, this powerful tool remains hidden and confusing. Jeremy Klaszus speaks with Sara Bronin, a Cornell University professor and director of the National Zoning Atlas in the U.S., about why zoning matters—and how to better understand it. This episode begins with a quick crash course on the history of zoning in Calgary: —How zoning bylaws were created in the 1930s to protect property values —How Calgary's growth pattern was established in the 1950s, then entrenched —How city hall shied away from changing zoning in the '60s and '70s, instead embracing a status quo that perpetuated car-reliant sprawl In my conversation with Sara Bronin, we discuss: —The hidden ways zoning affects our lives socially, economically and environmentally —How zoning 'kills housing by a thousand cuts’ —How requirements like parking minimums further perpetuate sprawl Please support in-depth Calgary journalism by becoming a Sprawl member! Sign up at sprawlcalgary.com

City Council's Tormented 'Yes' To More Suburban Sprawl

hello@sprawlcalgary.com (The Sprawl) — Sat, 17 Sep 2022 08:00:00 +0000

After fast-tracking five new communities this summer, council members grapple with whether or not to go through with it in light of their own climate policies.

Mayor Gondek's Push To De-Politicize Suburban Growth

hello@sprawlcalgary.com (The Sprawl) — Sat, 10 Sep 2022 10:00:00 +0000

This summer, city council approved a climate strategy and fast-tracked more new suburban communities. Now Mayor Jyoti Gondek wants city administration—and not council—to be the ones deciding whether or not future communities get built.

'I'm A Bad Boy': The Stephen Carter Story

hello@sprawlcalgary.com (The Sprawl) — Wed, 20 Jul 2022 16:00:23 +0000

Some love him. Some hate him. But for better or worse, Stephen Carter has altered Alberta politics. Journalist Taylor Lambert digs into the many ups and downs of Carter's career: his business debts, his politics, his graceless departures from three chief-of-staff roles, and his many grievances.

Inside Calgary's New Climate Strategy

hello@sprawlcalgary.com (The Sprawl) — Sat, 11 Jun 2022 06:26:22 +0000

In July, Calgary city council is slated to vote on a new climate strategy. But will this one be any different than past plans that have been passed—and then ignored? This episode features interviews with Christine Laing of the Calgary Alliance for the Common Good and Tony Snow of the Calgary Climate Hub.

Leroy Little Bear On Blackfoot Metaphysics And Climate Change

hello@sprawlcalgary.com (The Sprawl) — Sat, 30 Apr 2022 10:00:00 +0000

Dr. Leroy Little Bear, the renowned Blackfoot scholar, on the differences between Western and Blackfoot understandings of reality—and how they intersect with climate change.

Who's Policing The Calgary Police?

hello@sprawlcalgary.com (The Sprawl) — Sat, 16 Apr 2022 11:05:00 +0000

Jeremy Klaszus speaks with Councillor Courtney Walcott, who sits on the Calgary Police Commission. Why has the thin blue line patch become such a flashpoint—and what's really beneath the controversy?

Digging Beneath The NIMBY Label

hello@sprawlcalgary.com (The Sprawl) — Sat, 12 Mar 2022 10:14:34 +0000

Today marks four years of Sprawlcast. We observe the occasion by revisiting our first—and possibly best—episode, a deep dive on NIMBYism. What do we miss when we apply that label too hastily? We peel away the NIMBY label and go underground to see what lies beneath.

The Gifts And Challenges Of The Suburbs

hello@sprawlcalgary.com (The Sprawl) — Sat, 5 Mar 2022 07:11:59 +0000

Jeremy Klaszus visits Mahogany in the city's deep southeast for a conversation with Councillor Evan Spencer. They discuss the idea of “abundant community,” how to build connections in new neighbourhoods, and the realities versus the myths of the suburbs.

Taking On Racism In The Classroom

hello@sprawlcalgary.com (The Sprawl) — Sat, 26 Feb 2022 15:31:32 +0000

Jeremy Klaszus speaks with Iman Bukhari and Michelle Casten Magbanua about a gap they saw in Alberta classrooms—and how they mobilized to fill it. Iman Bukhari is founder and CEO of the Canadian Cultural Mosaic Foundation. Michelle Casten Magbanua is a teacher.

How Alberta's Political Culture Is (And Isn't) Changing

hello@sprawlcalgary.com (The Sprawl) — Sat, 12 Feb 2022 07:51:40 +0000

Jeremy Klaszus speaks with Jared Wesley, a University of Alberta political scientist who leads the Common Ground project. They discuss political polarization, what an Albertan looks like, the rise of white nationalism, and that tricky question of what to do when your family or friends are sympathetic to political views you find abhorrent.

Welcoming the Stranger with David Goa

hello@sprawlcalgary.com (The Sprawl) — Sat, 27 Nov 2021 16:18:48 +0000

Jeremy Klaszus speaks with David Goa, a religious scholar who lives in Edmonton's Old Strathcona neighbourhood, about the need for difference and conviviality—rather than homogeneity—in communities.

What Can We Learn From Vancouver's Commercial Drive?

hello@sprawlcalgary.com (The Sprawl) — Sat, 20 Nov 2021 14:40:41 +0000

On Commercial Drive, people from all walks of life rub shoulders with one another on lively sidewalks. Jeremy Klaszus speaks with longtime community member Zakir Suleman to find out more about what makes this many-layered neighbourhood work.

Cultivating Neighbourliness in East Village with Lisa Murphy Lamb

hello@sprawlcalgary.com (The Sprawl) — Sat, 6 Nov 2021 13:38:42 +0000

Jeremy Klaszus sits down with Lisa Murphy Lamb, director of Loft 112, to explore how she has welcomed—and been welcomed by—her neighbours in East Village.

Calgarians Rejected Fearful Populism. Now What?

hello@sprawlcalgary.com (The Sprawl) — Sat, 23 Oct 2021 13:26:31 +0000

A conversation with three of Calgary's next city councillors: Jasmine Mian (Ward 3), Courtney Walcott (Ward 8) and Kourtney Penner (Ward 11).

The Need for an Indigenous Gathering Place in Calgary

hello@sprawlcalgary.com (The Sprawl) — Sat, 2 Oct 2021 10:00:00 +0000

Jeremy Klaszus speaks with John Fischer, co-chair of the Indigenous Gathering Place Society of Calgary, to find out more about the project—how it's taken shape, and why it’s needed.

Six Mayoral Hopefuls on Growth and the Green Line

hello@sprawlcalgary.com (The Sprawl) — Sat, 18 Sep 2021 09:00:00 +0000

It's municipal election forum season! Six mayoral hopefuls are asked about the costs of new communities and the future of the Green Line. This episode features audio from the Calgary Real Estate Board mayoral forum on September 14. Featuring Jan Damery, Jeff Davison, Jeromy Farkas, Brad Field, Jyoti Gondek and Grace Yan.

The Future of Live Music in Calgary

hello@sprawlcalgary.com (The Sprawl) — Thu, 29 Jul 2021 15:41:30 +0000

A summer mini-episode! The shared experience of live music gives a sense of togetherness. But as venues and artists struggle through a tough stretch, is there an opportunity to rebuild the performing arts sector for the better? Featuring Jaxon McGinn, Miranda Martini, Maud Salvi, Kerry Clarke and more.

We Interview PM Justin Trudeau (Plus: Shane Keating)

hello@sprawlcalgary.com (The Sprawl) — Sat, 10 Jul 2021 16:33:46 +0000

Our absent-minded city hall reporter gets locked outside a big LRT announcement in Calgary—and then lands an interview with the Prime Minister. Also in this episode: Jeremy Appel's exit interview with Calgary Councillor Shane Keating, who considers himself the "father of the Green Line." Become a Sprawl member today and support our independent newsroom! Sign up at sprawlalberta.com

Two Indigenous Activists On Why They Fight

hello@sprawlcalgary.com (The Sprawl) — Sat, 5 Jun 2021 08:20:22 +0000

Mekwun Moses and Cheryl Baptiste live in different cities, and they’ve never met in person. But that didn’t stop the two women, both in their early 20s, from organizing a vigil to mourn the 215 victims of the Kamloops Indian Residential School. Sprawl deputy editor Hamdi Issawi speaks with Moses and Baptiste about their relatively recent foray into activism. This episode contains content about residential schools that may be triggering. Support for survivors and their families is available at the Indian Residential School Survivors Society. Please call 1-800-721-0066 or 1-866-925-4419 for the 24-7 crisis line.

Groundhog Day on the Green Line

hello@sprawlcalgary.com (The Sprawl) — Sat, 1 May 2021 06:01:10 +0000

In the run-up to Calgary's 2017 election, the Green Line became an election issue when mayoral candidate and former PC president Bill Smith proposed halting the project. Now the UCP has put construction procurement on pause. With the project mired in endless delay and politicking, it all feels very familiar.

Druh Farrell on 20 years in city politics

hello@sprawlcalgary.com (The Sprawl) — Sat, 10 Apr 2021 07:00:00 +0000

Since she was first elected in 2001, Calgary Councillor Druh Farrell has pursued an unabashedly progressive vision for the city's future, fighting for projects such as affordable housing, the Green Line and the Peace Bridge—often in the face of intense opposition. Jeremy Appel, The Sprawl's municipal politics reporter, sits down with Farrell for a wide-ranging interview about the highs and lows of her career—and what's ahead for both her and the city.

Corb Lund on Alberta's coal fight

hello@sprawlcalgary.com (The Sprawl) — Sat, 27 Mar 2021 07:00:00 +0000

Miranda Martini speaks with Alberta musician Corb Lund about why he chose to speak up about coal mining in the Eastern Slopes—and what's next in that struggle.

An Interview With Rachel Notley

hello@sprawlcalgary.com (The Sprawl) — Wed, 10 Mar 2021 07:15:00 +0000

Jeremy sits down with Alberta NDP leader Rachel Notley to discuss the province's changing political landscape, universal basic income, the case for a PST—and more.

The Longest Playground Zone in Calgary

hello@sprawlcalgary.com (The Sprawl) — Sat, 30 Jan 2021 07:10:10 +0000

In the fall of 1990, drivers hit three pedestrians on Elbow Drive in the span of a week—including a seven-year-old boy. It ignited a decades-old debate about speed limits and led city hall to create a long and contentious playground zone. We tracked down the boy's parents, and a former community organizer, to learn what happened. Support independent Alberta journalism! Sign up as a Sprawl member at sprawlcalgary.com.

Carving Out Space for Stories of Hope

hello@sprawlcalgary.com (The Sprawl) — Sat, 19 Dec 2020 07:24:58 +0000

Outrage sells. But what do we miss when we only focus on the latest outrage? Jeremy speaks with Calgary journalist Christina Frangou, Sprawl assistant editor Ximena González and comics artist Sam Hester about the stories we need right now. Plus: Sprawl municipal affairs reporter Jeremy Appel explains how the Alberta government has welcomed "dark money" into civic elections.

The Freest Province in Canada

hello@sprawlcalgary.com (The Sprawl) — Sat, 21 Nov 2020 09:01:53 +0000

As COVID-19 cases surge in Alberta, Kenney doubles down on "personal responsibility"—ignoring doctors and echoing the rhetoric of Republican governors in the U.S. Call 587-885-3139 to share why you support The Sprawl. If you're not a member yet, join at sprawlcalgary.com!

Here We Go Again: Calgary Developers Push for More

hello@sprawlcalgary.com (The Sprawl) — Fri, 30 Oct 2020 08:23:25 +0000

Calgary has an oversupply of housing and a budget crunch. But developers are lobbying hard to build another batch of costly communities on the city's outskirts. Become a Sprawl member today! sprawlcalgary.com

The Silence of Jason Kenney

hello@sprawlcalgary.com (Jeremy Klaszus, Hadeel Abdel-Nabi) — Sat, 10 Oct 2020 08:21:22 +0000

Why has Alberta's premier been so quiet on racism? We hear from the Black and Indigenous Alliance, among others. Featuring an interview with Heather Campbell, co-chair of the Alberta Anti-Racism Advisory Council. Help the Sprawl hire another journalist by signing up as a Sprawler—and we'll send you our new zine! Sign up at sprawlcalgary.com.

The Albertans Who Are Leaving

hello@sprawlcalgary.com (The Sprawl) — Sat, 12 Sep 2020 14:14:14 +0000

After a year and a half of UCP rule, some Albertans are choosing to leave the province and build their lives elsewhere. Hadeel Abdel-Nabi sits down with Dr. Tehseen Ladha, an Edmonton pediatrician, to find out why she's eying the exits. Hadeel also shares why her friend, Adeel Khan, is leaving. Become a Sprawl member today to support independent Alberta journalism! Sign up at sprawlcalgary.com.

We All Could Use A Little Good News

hello@sprawlcalgary.com (The Sprawl) — Sat, 29 Aug 2020 04:49:51 +0000

The Sprawl relies on readers and listeners to crowdfund its independent Alberta journalism. Become a Sprawl member today by pitching in just a few dollars a month!

The Jason Kenney We Need Right Now

hello@sprawlcalgary.com (The Sprawl) — Sat, 8 Aug 2020 06:05:12 +0000

The Sprawl relies on readers and listeners to crowdfund its independent Alberta journalism. Become a Sprawl member today by pitching in just a few dollars a month!

A Fair Ride: Equity and the Green Line

hello@sprawlcalgary.com (The Sprawl) — Fri, 12 Jun 2020 14:08:33 +0000

Whose voice matters at Calgary city hall—and whose doesn't? Amid calls for anti-racist action in every segment of society, including urbanism, we take a deeper look at who the Green Line is for.

Cheryl Foggo on Black Life in Alberta

hello@sprawlcalgary.com (The Sprawl) — Sat, 6 Jun 2020 14:41:21 +0000

"The grief that I've experienced in the last week is very familiar." Cheryl Foggo has been writing about racism and Black life in Alberta for more than 30 years—as an author, playwright and filmmaker. Jeremy and Cheryl discuss the history of Black people in Western Canada, and Foggo's upcoming myth-busting documentary on John Ware. Features music by Miranda Martini.

Green Line at the Crossroads

hello@sprawlcalgary.com (The Sprawl) — Sat, 30 May 2020 08:03:24 +0000

On June 1, the Green Line goes is going before a Calgary city council committee—yet again—amid public debate over whether the LRT project should go ahead or not. We look at what's at stake and the politics behind it.

Racial Disparity and the Cargill Outbreak

hello@sprawlcalgary.com (The Sprawl) — Tue, 12 May 2020 09:29:38 +0000

In Alberta, as elsewhere, people of colour are bearing the brunt of COVID-19. "Why isn't there a voice among community members, among Canadians, defending these workers?" asks Marichu Antonio, executive director of Action Dignity.

The Shandro Fiasco

hello@sprawlcalgary.com (The Sprawl) — Thu, 9 Apr 2020 10:36:03 +0000

Alberta Health Minister Tyler Shandro has doubled down on his fight with the province's doctors—and misused his power to threaten and intimidate his critics. We look at the fallout.

Plan It Calgary, 10 Years Later

hello@sprawlcalgary.com (The Sprawl) — Sat, 7 Mar 2020 09:00:22 +0000

In 2009, city council approved Plan It—a long-range blueprint to shift growth into established neighbourhoods and introduce more transportation choice. But a decade later, we're falling short on key targets—and moving backwards on transit.

Paying For It: Calgary's 14 New Communities

hello@sprawlcalgary.com (The Sprawl) — Tue, 11 Feb 2020 08:00:01 +0000

In July 2018, a month after passing a new climate plan, Calgary city council approved 14 new communities on the city's outskirts. But the housing market has slowed, and now city hall is bracing for a shortfall of $57-million—and counting—as developer levies fail to keep up with infrastructure costs.

SLICE: Calgary Womxn's March

hello@sprawlcalgary.com (The Sprawl) — Fri, 17 Jan 2020 07:22:30 +0000

Adora Nwofor and Shifrah Gadamsetti are organizing the fourth annual Calgary Womxn's March on Saturday, January 18. This year they're rolling out something new: an afternoon of post-march civic conversations at the Central Library. Jeremy speaks with Adora and Shifrah about what's in store—and why it's needed now.

Corner Store

hello@sprawlcalgary.com (The Sprawl) — Mon, 13 Jan 2020 08:00:04 +0000

Fariza Thraya and her husband bought Stanley Jones Grocery in 1987. It was a tough business then; it's even harder now. Today a new couple runs the century-old Renfrew store, and Fariza's grandson hopes to make it a busy neighbourhood hub once again.

Steve Allan and The Push For Calgary's Arena Deal

hello@sprawlcalgary.com (The Sprawl) — Sat, 23 Nov 2019 08:30:12 +0000

Before Premier Jason Kenney handed Steve Allan a plum $290,000 gig, Allan pushed for a new Flames arena—while also calling for a halt to the Green Line. We continue our investigation into how city council prioritized an NHL arena over the biggest transit project in the city's history.

Hands Off The Arena! But Fine, Gut The Green Line

hello@sprawlcalgary.com (The Sprawl) — Tue, 5 Nov 2019 08:00:19 +0000

The story of how Calgary city council prioritized a new NHL arena over the Green Line, helping the UCP jeopardize the biggest public transit project in the city's history. This is Part 1.

The Oil and Gas Workers Who Want Change

hello@sprawlcalgary.com (The Sprawl) — Mon, 7 Oct 2019 20:02:15 +0000

Working as a boilermaker in the oilsands, Lliam Hildebrand started exploring how his skills might fit into the burgeoning renewable sector. Today Hildebrand heads up Iron & Earth, a worker-led non-profit that focuses on renewable energy training and "upskilling" so workers can make the transition. We also hear from Alison Cretney of the Energy Futures Lab, a group trying to depolarize dialogue about energy in Canada.

This Is A Park For Everybody

hello@sprawlcalgary.com (The Sprawl) — Fri, 6 Sep 2019 04:33:51 +0000

As Alberta's UCP government reviews supervised consumption sites, we look at what these places mean for the people who live in and around them. Full transcript at www.sprawlcalgary.com.

Green Line Revisited (Part II)

hello@sprawlcalgary.com (The Sprawl) — Wed, 17 Jul 2019 08:45:02 +0000

The Green Line drama continues. Two years after city council approved the final Green Line alignment, Councillor Jyoti Gondek wants to revisit it. Meanwhile Councillor Evan Woolley is calling for a pause on the project. We take a closer look at what was originally decided and why—and how new changes could affect the project, for better and worse.

Green Line Revisited (Part 1)

hello@sprawlcalgary.com (The Sprawl) — Mon, 8 Jul 2019 08:28:52 +0000

Is Calgary's Green Line being derailed? City admin is wary of tunnelling under downtown, as planned. Meanwhile, a group of well-connected businessmen are lobbying to halt the project. And Premier Jason Kenney continues to cast doubt on the soundness and scope of the project. We take a closer look at what's going on.

These Calgarians Are Taking On Climate Change

hello@sprawlcalgary.com (The Sprawl) — Wed, 12 Jun 2019 13:11:51 +0000

Jeremy speaks with Calgarians who are taking climate action in different ways, pushing for systemic change while also making their own changes on a small scale.

In Part 1 Jeremy speaks with Sharon J. Riley, The Narwhal's Alberta reporter, about forest fire smoke and the concept of ecological grief—and how it can be a motivating force. In Part 2, Jeremy goes to city hall to meet the teenagers who lead the Calgary Youth Climate Strike every Friday. In Part 3, local business owner Janine Vangool decides to add to her monthly bill by phasing out plastics.

The Segregated City

hello@sprawlcalgary.com (The Sprawl) — Thu, 9 May 2019 03:49:00 +0000

Calgary has become the most income-unequal city in Canada, with Calgarians increasingly being sorted into different parts of the city by income. We take a closer look at what's changed since the 1970s, when most neighbourhoods were middle-income—and take a tour of the 3 distinct cities that have emerged within the larger city of Calgary.

God, Gays & GSAs

hello@sprawlcalgary.com (The Sprawl) — Sun, 31 Mar 2019 07:05:00 +0000

UCP leader Jason Kenney set off a culture war in the middle of an election campaign. He also says his views on LGBTQ2+ rights have changed. So what does real change look like? Taylor Lambert interviews Laurie Moore, who squared off against Kenney when they were both students at the University of San Francisco. In Part 2, Jeremy interviews activist Pam Rocker, who works to build affirming faith communities in Calgary.

Oh Alberta

hello@sprawlcalgary.com (The Sprawl) — Wed, 20 Mar 2019 07:14:00 +0000

What's beneath the recent craziness of Alberta politics? Melanee Thomas, a political science professor at the University of Calgary, has a hypothesis on that. Jeremy speaks with her after Rachel Notley calls the election.

The Li-Wen Podcast!

hello@sprawlcalgary.com (The Sprawl) — Sun, 10 Mar 2019 23:44:00 +0000

Part 1: We hand over the mic to Grade 9 students in the pop up newsroom for a special report on racism. Part 2: Jeremy speaks with activist Donna Clarke, an organizer with the Renters Action Movement (RAM).

Building the New Calgary (Sprawlcast Live!)

hello@sprawlcalgary.com (The Sprawl) — Wed, 6 Feb 2019 23:22:00 +0000

Where is Calgary headed next—and what do we have going for us right now? A conversation between Sprawlcast host Jeremy Klaszus, author Shaun Hunter ("Calgary Through the Eyes of Writers"), urban planner Francisco Alaniz Uribe (assistant professor and co-director of The Urban Lab at the U of C's Faculty of Environmental Design) and Ward 3 Councillor Jyoti Gondek. This episode was recorded at the new Central Library on February 2, 2019.

The Year of Curiosity

hello@sprawlcalgary.com (The Sprawl) — Fri, 4 Jan 2019 17:07:00 +0000

We begin 2019 by asking: how can we have better political conversations? And what role does journalism play? Jeremy speaks with American journalist and Atlantic contributor Amanda Ripley, who has been investigating how to revive complexity and curiosity in tense times.

'The Work Is Not Over'

hello@sprawlcalgary.com (The Sprawl) — Wed, 28 Nov 2018 01:19:00 +0000

On Nov 26, Calgarians took the mic at city hall to share their stories, knowledge and wisdom on everything from climate change to poverty to main streets. In doing so they illuminated what Calgary could do next.

SLICE: Mr. Olympics

hello@sprawlcalgary.com (The Sprawl) — Mon, 12 Nov 2018 20:04:00 +0000

The Sprawl sits down with Mayor Naheed Nenshi to discuss his role in Calgary's Olympic pursuits. Why did he refrain from championing the bid early on—and what's changed?

Also: the city can't afford all the mega-projects on the horizon and Olympics consistently go over budget. How would Calgary keep its Games truly lean and mean?

An Olympic Plebiscite Primer

hello@sprawlcalgary.com (The Sprawl) — Wed, 7 Nov 2018 12:35:00 +0000

We get you up to speed before the November 13 Olympic plebiscite, taking a closer look at the funding deal on the table—and what it could mean for Calgary's future.

Union Cemetery

hello@sprawlcalgary.com (The Sprawl) — Mon, 10 Sep 2018 07:02:00 +0000

Many of Calgary's early pioneers are buried here. We visit at night to pay tribute to our journalistic hero, Bob Edwards. Then we find out why hundreds of people gather here every September for a new Calgary tradition of honouring the dead.

Beyond the Big Blue Ring

hello@sprawlcalgary.com (The Sprawl) — Mon, 13 Aug 2018 07:13:00 +0000

Jeremy learns to love Calgary's most roundly-ridiculed piece of public art. Calgary artist Alana Bartol walks the city limits. This episode was partially recorded at a d.talks forum on public art in June, and also features Ciara McKeown, Iman Bukhari, Dan Jacobson and Michelle Reid.

Arena Revisited

hello@sprawlcalgary.com (The Sprawl) — Mon, 2 Jul 2018 23:27:00 +0000

After getting into a Twitter spat with Councillor Jeff Davison over city council's enthusiasm for a new NHL arena, Jeremy sits down with Davison to hash it out in person.

The Streetcar That Wasn't

hello@sprawlcalgary.com (The Sprawl) — Mon, 28 May 2018 02:08:00 +0000

Forest Lawn was built on the promise of connectivity: a streetcar line from Calgary to Chestermere. Instead, the community got 17 Avenue SE—which, by the 1970s, had become an unsightly auto-centric thoroughfare.

This summer 17th Avenue, a.k.a. International Avenue, is being substantially remade with wide sidewalks, dedicated BRT bus lanes and public art.

We investigate the street's dramatic transformation.

Rethink 17th

hello@sprawlcalgary.com (The Sprawl) — Mon, 14 May 2018 13:01:00 +0000

One of Calgary's most popular streets is getting a facelift this summer. But does the $44-million revamp of 17 Ave SW go far enough—or is it a missed opportunity? We go investigate, coffee in hand.

SLICE: The Olympic bid lives on

hello@sprawlcalgary.com (The Sprawl) — Tue, 17 Apr 2018 03:18:00 +0000

City council just voted 9-6 to continue pursuing an Olympic bid. In our first Sprawlcast Slice, we take you beyond the headlines and let you listen in on highlights of the debate.

Dodging the Question (Olympics)

hello@sprawlcalgary.com (The Sprawl) — Mon, 9 Apr 2018 06:02:00 +0000

We talk #Calgary2026 with city councillor Jyoti Gondek (no, she's not the one doing the dodging).

When city council first approved exploring another Olympics, Mayor Naheed Nenshi called the decision "a risk that could have enormous payoffs." But nearly two years later, with a $30M bid corporation planned, council is still skirting the big question: should Calgary bid?

In the absence of an answer, confusion, miscommunication and frustration have filled the void.

We retrace council's steps and speak with Councillor Gondek about where things have gone sideways on this file—and how to get them back on track.

NIMBY City

hello@sprawlcalgary.com (The Sprawl) — Mon, 12 Mar 2018 22:44:00 +0000

Not In My Back Yard. We call people NIMBYs when they fight against basement suites, bus lanes or condo towers in their neighbourhoods. But what do we miss when we apply that label too hastily? We peel away the NIMBY label and go underground—literally—to see what lies beneath.