They elected Canada's first Muslim Mayor!!
One day after his historic victory, Calgary mayor-elect Naheed Nenshi says he hopes his unlikely election is an inspiration to Canadians.
"My hope is that every kid waking up this morning in this great city and when their parents show them the newspaper or turn on the TV . . . every kid, regardless of background, regardless of faith, regardless of income said ‘Wow, in Canada and in Calgary, I can do anything,'" he told CTV News Channel Tuesday.
CTV news
There are people all over the country today who are shaking their heads in wonder. I read one newspaper call it a "tactonic shift" for the Province of Alberta. Everyone seems shocked! Except, I've been told by my friends from the city, the people of Calgary themselves! Their new Mayor spoke to the youth, those who hadn't voted in the past and those who felt they had no voice. He ran a campaign that used social networking, volunteers and grassroots organizing. He had no money but he's smart! A Harvard graduate. See anything familiar happening here? :)
He is a success story for new Canadians. Mr. Nenshi's parents emigrated to Canada from Tanzania when his mother, Nury Nenshi, was pregnant with Naheed. They settled in Toronto before moving to Calgary, where Naheed grew up. He attended Harvard University, and at the tender age of 22 was hired by McKinsey and Company, one of the world's top consulting firms. After about eight years at the company, he returned to Calgary to be with his ailing father. He has since worked for the United Nations, started his own business, and became a professor at Mount Royal University. He was a frequent commentator and columnist with a keen eye on civic affairs; this spring, he decided to throw his hat in.
Globe and Mail
Calgary is about oil, big business and cowboy hats. It's biggest yearly event is the Calgary Stampeed! It's also Conservative with a capital C! This win is HUGE! And for the establishment, it's scary. The Premiere of Alberta, Conservative Ed Stelmach, is already in hotwater and backtracking after an embarassing Twitter message following Nenshi's win from one of his backbenchers.
Calgary-North Hill Tory MLA Kyle Fawcett Tweeted last night: "Nenshi ... BIG mistake Calgary!"
Fawcett was all about saying he was sorry today.
"Last night I made a comment on Twitter about Mayor-elect Nenshi’s successful campaign in Calgary. In the comment I suggested that Calgarians made a mistake by electing Naheed. Upon reflection and discussion with my colleagues, including the Premier this morning, I apologize to the new Mayor and his supporters, some of whom I personally know and who have worked so hard to make our city a better place. As I indicated in a second twitter comment, Mr. Nenshi did run an excellent campaign and his hard work paid off," Fawcett said.
"In my time in public office, I have maintained that the citizens are always right, and it is clear that Mr. Nenshi has earned to right to be Calgary’s mayor. While I supported a different candidate, and Mr. Nenshi and myself might disagree on some policy matters, it was not my intent to question the democratic result of the election."
I like how he even admits that it was after talking to his colleagues that he saw the error of his ways. Was he not bright enough himself to see it was a poor political move??
He had the endoresment of the Calgary Sun newspaper but even The Calgary Herald is thrilled!
Calgary is in for an exciting new era led by a smart 38-year-old who knows finance and has strong ideas for organizational change at City Hall. We are very happy for Nenshi, whose vigour is contagious. He has fabulous potential. One could not ask for a better face to represent the "new" Calgary. Nenshi, the son of working-class immigrants, and the first Muslim mayor of a major city in Canada, represents a fresh start and a return to the optimism that has characterized this vibrant city from its very beginnings.
Calgary Herlad
But this election was closely watched by our federal leaders, The Conservative party and Prime Minister Stephen Harper.
Watching the returns of Mr. McIver closely were Stephen Harper’s Conservatives. The party’s veteran campaign duo of Sam Armstrong and Devin Iversen led Mr. McIver’s push. Along with Rob Anders, they’re credited as being experts in "deep mining" polling – identifying a conservative base, finding wedge issues, and driving those people to the polls. Mr. Harper congratulated Mr. Nenshi Tuesday morning, but his party's tried-and-tested approach was simply washed away by the broad coalition mobilized by Mr. Nenshi, who nevertheless congratulated his two rivals.
As my Calgary friends Facebook said this morning..."It is a new day in Cowtown"