This is the official website for Gian-Carlo Carra, City Councillor for Ward 9 in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
The Forest Lawn Community Association has partnered with the Parks Foundation to bring a new amenity to the area! The design will be accessible for all ages and a variety of user groups. The park will offer opportunities for play, rejuvenation, gathering, and physical activity. New amenities in the park might include a sport court, seating, and community gathering area, and pathways. The hope is to begin work on this park this summer.
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March 31st is Transgender Day of Visibility, a day dedicated to recognizing the resilience and accomplishments of transgender and gender-nonconforming people. On this day, we celebrate the lives, experiences, contributions, diversity, and beauty of transgender and gender-diverse people, and commit to protecting trans voices, trans lives, trans happiness, and safety.
There will be a city-wide Drag Day of Solidarity happening on April 1st! With nearly 40 local businesses hosting all-ages and 18+ events all over Calgary and Okotoks, there has never been a better (or easier time) to show your love and support!
After the success of the 2022 urban hen pilot project that allowed 100 people to keep backyard hens, The City of Calgary is pleased to announce the official launch of a much-anticipated program recognizing urban hens as licenced pets under the updated Responsible Pet Ownership (RPO) Bylaw.
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Ward 9 is working on a new map, sharing the story of the unique and diverse voices that make our great Ward 9 neighbourhoods thrive.
So - we want to know: who in your life embodies true community spirit? Who is working tirelessly to help their neighbours? Who shows up whenever they’re needed? Who is laying the groundwork to make life better for themselves and the people in their community?
We are looking to showcase a diverse group of people that live, work, and volunteer in Ward 9, including people with different cultures, abilities, backgrounds, and life experiences.
If you or someone you know feels a passionate connection to your Ward 9 community and is willing to share a little bit about yourself for an opportunity to be highlighted through our various Ward 9 communication channels, we want to hear from you!
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The City of Calgary Youth Employment Centre (YEC) is hosting the 24th Annual Youth Hiring Fair on Thursday, April 6, 2023, at the Big Four Building, Stampede Park, from 1:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
The event hosts 80+ employers and attracts over 5000+ job seekers looking for part-time, full-time, permanent, and seasonal jobs.
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Earlier this month, our office received an email from a 12-year-old resident sharing their support for the GreenLine LRT.
This email sparked a further conversation with its young author, but it also reminded us of an essay of support that we shared back in June of 2020, when the future of the GreenLine was a little less clear: The GreenLine is the backbone of Calgary’s best future.
We figured now would be a great time to include an update to that original essay, and share how we can best support the GreenLine going forward.
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The Pathway and River Cleanup is an annual event involving thousands of volunteers who generously donate their time to help clean up Calgary. The 2023 Pathway and River Cleanup is May 5 – 7, 2023.
Returning volunteers from 2022 may register from Feb 15 – March 8, 2023 and are contacted directly.
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In response to ongoing and escalating threats, intimidation, and violence aimed at the safety and freedom of our 2SLGBTQIA+ community, Calgary City Council has approved the Safe and Inclusive Access Bylaw (C2023-0279).
This bylaw aims to strike a balance between providing safe and inclusive access to public services and respecting the right to protest.
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Our friends at Highfield Regenerative Farm recently shared a few great events coming up aimed at helping Calgarians learn to grow food in our sometimes fickle climate. If you are an avid and experienced gardener, someone new to gardening, and not totally sure where to start, or consider yourself somewhere in the middle, these events are for everyone!
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Join Youth en Route, 12 CSI & Calgary Police Service for the world video premiere of Preventing Bike Theft.
Thursday, March 9th, 2023 beginning at 7 PM
At the GREATER FOREST LAWN 55+ CENTRE
3425 26 AVE SE
Acknowledgment of the Land
Introduction of Cast and Production team
Introduction of invited guests
Welcome from YER and 12CSI
Crime prevention team, Calgary Police Service
Next steps for reducing bike theft in Calgary
Media Availability
Refreshments
Last fall, The City of Calgary started repairs on the IC9A outfall, located on the east bank of the Western Headworks Canal near the intersection of 26 Street S.E. and 24 Avenue S.E.
The final phase of construction will begin starting the week of March 6 and is expected to take three weeks to complete. Work will be done Mondays through Saturdays, from 7:30 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.Last fall, The City of Calgary started repairs on the IC9A outfall, located on the east bank of the Western Headworks Canal near the intersection of 26 Street S.E. and 24 Avenue S.E.
The initial phase of construction will begin starting the week of March 6 and is expected to take three weeks to complete. Work will be done Mondays through Saturdays, from 7:30 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.
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EWCA is currently looking into the possibility of putting in a community fridge at the Hall to complement their Little Free Pantry for nonperishable items. Community Fridges are spaces where anyone can access free, quality food that would otherwise go to waste, connect with others, learn about the environmental impact of food waste, and share knowledge and skills.
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Vendor applications are now being accepted for the Penbrooke Meadows Spring Spectacular happening on Saturday, May 6th from 10am-4pm!
If you’re a local artist, artisan, or maker looking for an in-person selling opportunity, this event might be the perfect place for you!
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Ward 9 is home to some of the absolute best and most diverse mixed-use neighbourhoods in the city. Abundant multi-cultural food producers and restaurants, innovative urban farming leaders, and thoughtful community resources all working together to improve food security and reconnect Calgarians to our local food system.
But there are also food challenges associated with poverty and accessibility that have continued to worsen as the cost of living and inflation persistently outpace wages.
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Trees are an intrinsic part to the quality of life in Calgary. They provide a myriad of environmental benefits. They also contribute to positive mental well being. Trees help us connect with our communities.
Calgary’s tree canopy coverage is currently at 8.25%, this includes trees planted on both public and private property. The City is working to grow and expand our tree canopy coverage to 16%.
You can help through the annual Branching Out program. Trees are provided by the City of Calgary to residents at no cost.
Urban Forestry recognizes an immediate need to increase tree canopy on private land within our city. We have seen canopy loss on private land over the past 10 years. In efforts to support this direction, this year there will be 2000 trees given away to residential homes within the City of Calgary city limits.
Program registration opens on Monday, February 13 at 9:00 am.
Registration will be based on quadrants to help manage the increased number of applications this year. Your registration date is based on the quadrant in which your property sits. Registration for each quadrant will be open for 2 weeks, beginning on the dates below. You will not be able to register for a tree before the times specified below.
Northwest Calgary: February 13 - Update: Registration closed. All trees have been requested.
Southwest Calgary: Begins February 28.
Southeast Calgary: Begins March 15.
Northeast Calgary: Begins March 30.
Each quadrant will be allocated 500 trees.
Each resident will be able to register for up to 3 trees.
You must complete the “Right Tree, Right Location” E-Learning module at the bottom of this page to access the registration form.
Tree allotment is based on a first-come-first-served basis. Tree inventory is often fully allocated soon after registration opens.
There are a limited number of trees given away each year and a limited number of species. For more information on each of these species go to Top Tree Species for Calgary.
Species that will be available for the 2023 Branching Out program include:
Early Gold Pear
Gladiator Rosybloom Crabapple
Golden Spice Pear
Lodgepole Pine
Paper Birch
Ponderosa Pine
Royalty Flowering Crabapple
Siberian Larch
Spring Snow Crabapple
Trembling Aspen
Ussurian Pear
For info on how to plant and care for your tree, visit Citizen Owned Trees at calgary.ca/trees
Want to plant a tree? Here's where to start: learn about tree types that work for you, choose the right location - and plant it safely in your yard.
View the quick reference guide.
Remember to 'dial/click before you dig' a hole to plant your tree. A locate request will show you where utilities are located. Contact Utility Safety Partners by phone 1-800-242-3447 or online at utilitysafety.ca.
Highfield Regenerative Farm is recruiting for a new Advisory Committee! Over the past several years, Highfield Regenerative Farm has worked hard to create an active community urban farm hub to inspire Calgarians to engage with their local food system and promote composting and soil health. They are excited to support their ongoing growth with a panel of experts to help stay on track, and successfully execute their mission and vision.
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The team at Youth Centres of Calgary (YCC) in Ogden recently welcomed the Ward 9 office into their space to see first-hand the meaningful work they are doing to lift up and support youth in our city.
YCC identified youth between the ages of 10-15 as a demographic that is most vulnerable to negative influence, as well as an age group that is generally underserved. By creating a home-like, after-school-focused youth centre that provides free, non-denominational, and inclusive programming, YCC is able to foster resilience and self-confidence through mentoring, homework help, food, games, sports, and music.
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Using the recommendations from our consultant and feedback from participants in Phase 1, we have drafted Heritage Incentives for your feedback. The incentives focus on three main areas:
Uses – the type of activity, business or residence allowed on a piece of land or within a building.
Development size – how much land a building can cover on a certain parcel or piece of land (lot coverage) and how large additions can be.
Procedures – include notice posting requirements, permit requirements and fees.
If a character home is demolished, the proposed Heritage Incentives will no longer apply to the property. For a property owner to take advantage of the proposed Heritage Incentives the character home must remain on the property.
Share your feedback today!
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Want your kids to eat more healthy food? Then let them cook in the kitchen!
Studies show kids eat better when they are able to touch and cook their food. Learning cooking skills also helps boost their overall confidence.
Register kids aged 8-12 for this FREE 8-week cooking class starting Friday, February 10th 1.30-3.30 pm. Priority is given to families in Great Forest Lawn living on a low income.
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We’re currently in the second phase of the Greater Forest Lawn Communities Local Area Planning project and some great conversations and engagement have already taken place with working groups and local community associations.
Opportunities for the public to get involved are open from January 17 to February 12, 2023.
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