Website

http://www.evan-woolley.ca/

Bio

Born at The Holy Cross Hospital in 1980, my passion for Calgary is intertwined in some of my earliest memories. Since then, my career has spanned both private business and government. I gained experience in our energy sector while managing investor, community and government relations at Enerplus Resources. Tackling a range of portfolios including Energy, Post-Secondary Education and Affordable Housing in the public sector has given me a broader understanding of the many moving parts of our economy.
I am grateful to have been Ward 8 Councillor for the past four years, some of the work I’m proud of:

Ended the sprawl subsidy
Approved the Green Line
Made investments in infrastructure in every neighbourhood
Supported tax relief for businesses

I love Calgary and want to continue to make our neighbourhoods the best places they can be. If there’s one thing I’ve learned since becoming your Councillor, it’s that our neighbourhoods – and the people – are what make Calgary great.

Candidate Video

Survey

1. The City of Calgary could be more business friendly in tone and action.

   Yes

   How?

   It is the job of municipal government to facilitate an environment in which local business may succeed. I’ve demonstrated my commitment to this principle by supporting decreases to our property tax rate every year, including $45-million in tax relief for small business, which Chamber president Adam Legge has called “exactly what is needed right now.” This has had a positive impact on downtown businesses, and we need continue showing support and keep the ball rolling.

2. City government could be more efficient in program delivery and spending.

   Yes

   How?

   Finding efficiencies in City program delivery has been one of my priorities throughout the past term as Councillor and as Chair of the Audit Committee. Over the past year, my council colleagues and I challenged city administration to find as many efficiencies as possible, to reduce spending while maintaining service standards. I’m proud to say that we have worked together to implement over $345 million in cost reductions, which have allowed us to reduce the rate of property tax increases. Finding efficiencies is easier said than done, but my commitment to the zero-based budgeting program has led to undeniable results.

3. City Council needs a plan in place for managing the loss of revenue, that resulted from the drop in downtown business property values.

   Yes

   How?

   As part of Calgary’s inner city, the Beltline and Downtown Calgary has long contributed a disproportionately large share of the city’s tax base. Our Downtown, which previously generated 40% of the City’s non-residential tax revenue is now facing a one third vacancy rate, and we have taken measures to address this issue. Not only have we found $345 million in cost reductions, but the elimination of the “sprawl subsidy” has reduced operating costs further by encouraging more growth within existing neighbourhoods and better managing growth. We will continue to push to find even more efficiencies through the zero-based budget review program that was implemented during my term as Councillor.

4. City government could be more open and welcoming to new innovative ideas or business models.

   Yes

   How?

   The advantages of welcoming more innovative business models to the city is exactly why I championed the safe and legal operation of Uber and other ride sharing companies in Calgary. Calgarians told us they wanted more choice in transportation options and our openness to working with these companies delivered both consumer choice and economic growth Since my first Uber ride in in December 2016, the service has attracted 70,000 riders and close to 1,500 drivers. That’s my idea of success.

5. Regulatory barriers should be reduced and regulatory timelines shortened to allow businesses to create jobs faster.

   Yes

   How?

   To bounce back from the economic downturn, we need to continue to encourage more business development downtown. Reducing regulatory barriers and red tape will be critical to do so. After consultation with entrepreneurs, I’ve worked with city staff to identify regulatory changes that would have the most impact, and together we’ve managed to slash months from lengthy permitting timelines and reduce the burden of red tape for small business by tens of thousands of dollars each.

6. What is your top idea or policy for developing jobs, business, and the economy?

   If elected, I’ll continue to lead the City’s work on red tape reduction, prioritize infrastructure projects that have the highest return on investment and drive diversification of Calgary’s economy in key sectors, including financial services, logistics, agribusiness, creatives industries, the high-tech and green tech sector.