The Sprawl
@sprawlcalgary.bsky.social
Slow news for curious Calgarians. Subscribe to Sprawlcast, Calgary’s in-depth municipal podcast, wherever you listen to podcasts! sprawlcalgary.com
“I think the bottom line is whatever you pay attention to grows. And I think we were paying attention in sort of an anti-cynical way.” What we learned from covering Calgary's election—now that we have a little much-needed distance from it!
What we learned covering Calgary’s 2025 election | The Sprawl
Can local journalism be joyful? You bet.
www.sprawlcalgary.com
November 15, 2025 at 6:26 PM
“I think the bottom line is whatever you pay attention to grows. And I think we were paying attention in sort of an anti-cynical way.” What we learned from covering Calgary's election—now that we have a little much-needed distance from it!
"Think of it as Opening Day at city hall: the swearing-in of the new city council." Come for the baseball metaphors, stay for the deep dive on why it's so difficult to pinpoint Calgary's population, thanks to a dearth of census data. #yyccc
What is Calgary’s population, really? | The Sprawl
A surprisingly vexing question.
www.sprawlcalgary.com
November 1, 2025 at 3:49 PM
"Think of it as Opening Day at city hall: the swearing-in of the new city council." Come for the baseball metaphors, stay for the deep dive on why it's so difficult to pinpoint Calgary's population, thanks to a dearth of census data. #yyccc
NEW: Calgary election analysis! You have to go back a quarter-century, when Calgary's population had yet to crack a million, to find a mayor elected with so few votes, writes @klaszus.bsky.social. #yyccc
Calgary’s bizarre low-turnout, high-turnover election | The Sprawl
Relatively few Calgarians made big changes.
www.sprawlcalgary.com
October 25, 2025 at 4:17 PM
NEW: Calgary election analysis! You have to go back a quarter-century, when Calgary's population had yet to crack a million, to find a mayor elected with so few votes, writes @klaszus.bsky.social. #yyccc
Reposted by The Sprawl
For the past year, I've been doing an embedded "ethnographic" study of Calgary's election. As a consequence, I've mostly kept quiet about it. It'll still be months before I have qualitative results to share, but in the meantime, here are some results from our pre-election survey. #yyccc #yycvote
October 21, 2025 at 2:00 AM
Reposted by The Sprawl
Now that we have the result of the public school trustee elections, it is time to revisit this story by @sprawlcalgary.bsky.social www.sprawlcalgary.com/cbe-election... None of the candidates in this slate identified in the story were elected.
The push to ‘conservatize’ Calgary’s public school board | The Sprawl
Not a slate, candidates say.
www.sprawlcalgary.com
October 22, 2025 at 2:24 PM
Now that we have the result of the public school trustee elections, it is time to revisit this story by @sprawlcalgary.bsky.social www.sprawlcalgary.com/cbe-election... None of the candidates in this slate identified in the story were elected.
Reposted by The Sprawl
Sat down to watch the Ward 13 last ditch debate by @sprawlcalgary.bsky.social
I’m dying from Clearly Not Dan Maclean. I was assuming it old be more like a 1-1 interview The chosen former was so much better.
I’m dying from Clearly Not Dan Maclean. I was assuming it old be more like a 1-1 interview The chosen former was so much better.
October 19, 2025 at 9:41 PM
Sat down to watch the Ward 13 last ditch debate by @sprawlcalgary.bsky.social
I’m dying from Clearly Not Dan Maclean. I was assuming it old be more like a 1-1 interview The chosen former was so much better.
I’m dying from Clearly Not Dan Maclean. I was assuming it old be more like a 1-1 interview The chosen former was so much better.
The Sprawl started this candidate list last November. Now it's complete. Bios of all 122 candidates running in the October 20 election (including trustee candidates), with links to their websites. Pass it along to anyone who needs it! #yyccc
Meet the Calgarians running for mayor and council in 2025 | The Sprawl
Learn about your candidates!
www.sprawlcalgary.com
October 19, 2025 at 3:00 PM
The Sprawl started this candidate list last November. Now it's complete. Bios of all 122 candidates running in the October 20 election (including trustee candidates), with links to their websites. Pass it along to anyone who needs it! #yyccc
WE DID IT!! 🎉 All 14 wards in Calgary have now had election debates. We organized four of them because no one had. There are 20 candidates total in those wards and 16 showed up for our last-ditch debates—candidates from across the political spectrum. What a ride! #yyccc
A big win for local democracy in Calgary | The Sprawl
All 14 wards have now had election debates.
www.sprawlcalgary.com
October 18, 2025 at 3:37 PM
WE DID IT!! 🎉 All 14 wards in Calgary have now had election debates. We organized four of them because no one had. There are 20 candidates total in those wards and 16 showed up for our last-ditch debates—candidates from across the political spectrum. What a ride! #yyccc
Meanwhile in Ward 2... 🤔 #yyccc
Calgary Ward 2 debate is ‘a disservice to the community,’ says absent incumbent | The Sprawl
All candidates but Wyness participated.
www.sprawlcalgary.com
October 17, 2025 at 12:44 PM
Meanwhile in Ward 2... 🤔 #yyccc
Reposted by The Sprawl
Wiped out! The Sprawl put on two #yyccc candidate forums today on opposite ends of the city. Ward 3 with 6/8 candidates and Ward 12 with 5/5 candidates. Tomorrow is Ward 2 with 4/5 candidates. And Friday is Ward 13 with 1/2 candidates. Watch on The Sprawl's YouTube channel! 📸 @asadch.bsky.social
October 16, 2025 at 2:34 AM
Wiped out! The Sprawl put on two #yyccc candidate forums today on opposite ends of the city. Ward 3 with 6/8 candidates and Ward 12 with 5/5 candidates. Tomorrow is Ward 2 with 4/5 candidates. And Friday is Ward 13 with 1/2 candidates. Watch on The Sprawl's YouTube channel! 📸 @asadch.bsky.social
ALL SYSTEMS ARE GO! The Sprawl is livestreaming four candidate forums in wards that haven't had one, starting at 12pm today (Wed Oct 15) for Ward 3. Then we haul ass to Ward 12 for that forum this aft at 4pm! Tune in on our YouTube channel where you can watch live or later. #yyccc
Calgary Ward 3 Last-Ditch Debate
YouTube video by The Sprawl
www.youtube.com
October 15, 2025 at 4:36 PM
ALL SYSTEMS ARE GO! The Sprawl is livestreaming four candidate forums in wards that haven't had one, starting at 12pm today (Wed Oct 15) for Ward 3. Then we haul ass to Ward 12 for that forum this aft at 4pm! Tune in on our YouTube channel where you can watch live or later. #yyccc
Reposted by The Sprawl
Hey #yyc! If you can't get to the polls on election day, you can PICK UP a ballot from Elections Calgary anytime until Oct. 20, & bring it back. You have to request your ballot here:
sb.calgaryelections.ca
I wrote a comic about this for @sprawlcalgary.bsky.social. But I have some more thoughts. 1/7
sb.calgaryelections.ca
I wrote a comic about this for @sprawlcalgary.bsky.social. But I have some more thoughts. 1/7
October 15, 2025 at 12:06 AM
Hey #yyc! If you can't get to the polls on election day, you can PICK UP a ballot from Elections Calgary anytime until Oct. 20, & bring it back. You have to request your ballot here:
sb.calgaryelections.ca
I wrote a comic about this for @sprawlcalgary.bsky.social. But I have some more thoughts. 1/7
sb.calgaryelections.ca
I wrote a comic about this for @sprawlcalgary.bsky.social. But I have some more thoughts. 1/7
Reposted by The Sprawl
Another awesome reason to support @sprawlcalgary.bsky.social is @calgaryhester.bsky.social’s creative works! So much to learn about our city! 💚 #TheSprawl #Calgary #Election2025 #ABpoli #local #informative #ElectionComics
I've been writing #comics about #yyc election stuff for @sprawlcalgary.bsky.social! Sharing today's, because I loved learning about J. M. Miller. I visited his grave at Union Cemetery. His institutional memory must have been incredible!
Check out more election comics at sprawlcalgary.com! #yyccc
Check out more election comics at sprawlcalgary.com! #yyccc
October 14, 2025 at 2:24 AM
Another awesome reason to support @sprawlcalgary.bsky.social is @calgaryhester.bsky.social’s creative works! So much to learn about our city! 💚 #TheSprawl #Calgary #Election2025 #ABpoli #local #informative #ElectionComics
Reposted by The Sprawl
Can I tell you how indispensable @sprawlcalgary.bsky.social has been in its coverage of the Calgary election. Whether you are following it closely or not. Videos of numerous ward and mayoral forums. And there most valuable service, a campaign primer. www.sprawlcalgary.com/calgary-elec...
Meet the Calgarians running for mayor and council in 2025 | The Sprawl
Follow along with our candidate tracker.
www.sprawlcalgary.com
October 12, 2025 at 6:44 PM
Can I tell you how indispensable @sprawlcalgary.bsky.social has been in its coverage of the Calgary election. Whether you are following it closely or not. Videos of numerous ward and mayoral forums. And there most valuable service, a campaign primer. www.sprawlcalgary.com/calgary-elec...
Reposted by The Sprawl
I've been writing #comics about #yyc election stuff for @sprawlcalgary.bsky.social! Sharing today's, because I loved learning about J. M. Miller. I visited his grave at Union Cemetery. His institutional memory must have been incredible!
Check out more election comics at sprawlcalgary.com! #yyccc
Check out more election comics at sprawlcalgary.com! #yyccc
October 12, 2025 at 7:47 PM
I've been writing #comics about #yyc election stuff for @sprawlcalgary.bsky.social! Sharing today's, because I loved learning about J. M. Miller. I visited his grave at Union Cemetery. His institutional memory must have been incredible!
Check out more election comics at sprawlcalgary.com! #yyccc
Check out more election comics at sprawlcalgary.com! #yyccc
Reposted by The Sprawl
Incredible piece by the @sprawlcalgary.bsky.social & @klaszus.bsky.social. Amazing history. Bravo!
⁉️ Question ⁉️
Why did the City of Calgary have to loan the Flames $316 million until 2060? Couldn't Gary Bettman & the NHL (worth over $60 billion) loan the owners/CSEC the $316M over 35 years?
⁉️ Question ⁉️
Why did the City of Calgary have to loan the Flames $316 million until 2060? Couldn't Gary Bettman & the NHL (worth over $60 billion) loan the owners/CSEC the $316M over 35 years?
Calgary mayoral candidates are bickering about which arena deal was best—and who got fleeced. And an outgoing city councillor now says progressive councillors voted yes to the deal in 2023 "at great political cost." Here's how the deal got done. (Listen and/or read!) #yyccc
The truth about Calgary’s billion-dollar arena deal | The Sprawl
Campaign accusations abound. Here’s the real story.
www.sprawlcalgary.com
October 11, 2025 at 5:59 PM
Incredible piece by the @sprawlcalgary.bsky.social & @klaszus.bsky.social. Amazing history. Bravo!
⁉️ Question ⁉️
Why did the City of Calgary have to loan the Flames $316 million until 2060? Couldn't Gary Bettman & the NHL (worth over $60 billion) loan the owners/CSEC the $316M over 35 years?
⁉️ Question ⁉️
Why did the City of Calgary have to loan the Flames $316 million until 2060? Couldn't Gary Bettman & the NHL (worth over $60 billion) loan the owners/CSEC the $316M over 35 years?
Reposted by The Sprawl
I restarted my donation to @sprawlcalgary.bsky.social because if I’m going prioritize my donations I’m going to do it in support of democracy and I’m going to do it here in my community.
Everyone makes their own choice. This is mine.
I support slow journalism and hope you will too.
#yyc
Everyone makes their own choice. This is mine.
I support slow journalism and hope you will too.
#yyc
Four wards in Calgary haven't had election debates (Wards 2, 3, 12 and 13). The Sprawl has waited for others to organize debates in these wards. It hasn't happened. We're done waiting and are making a last-ditch effort to organize and livestream debates in these wards before Election Day. #yyccc
A last-ditch effort for local democracy in Calgary | The Sprawl
Help us do 4 more debates where they're needed!
www.sprawlcalgary.com
October 11, 2025 at 6:49 PM
I restarted my donation to @sprawlcalgary.bsky.social because if I’m going prioritize my donations I’m going to do it in support of democracy and I’m going to do it here in my community.
Everyone makes their own choice. This is mine.
I support slow journalism and hope you will too.
#yyc
Everyone makes their own choice. This is mine.
I support slow journalism and hope you will too.
#yyc
Reposted by The Sprawl
This is why local journalism is important. Thanks for seeing a need and filling it @sprawlcalgary.bsky.social !
Four wards in Calgary haven't had election debates (Wards 2, 3, 12 and 13). The Sprawl has waited for others to organize debates in these wards. It hasn't happened. We're done waiting and are making a last-ditch effort to organize and livestream debates in these wards before Election Day. #yyccc
A last-ditch effort for local democracy in Calgary | The Sprawl
Help us do 4 more debates where they're needed!
www.sprawlcalgary.com
October 11, 2025 at 3:55 PM
This is why local journalism is important. Thanks for seeing a need and filling it @sprawlcalgary.bsky.social !
Reposted by The Sprawl
Wow, there it is.
COUNCILLOR MIAN: “there were many of us around the table who struggled with the arena decision, right? We were like: This is a huge decision. It's a lot of money. And it was largely led by the Communities First folks.”
COUNCILLOR MIAN: “there were many of us around the table who struggled with the arena decision, right? We were like: This is a huge decision. It's a lot of money. And it was largely led by the Communities First folks.”
Calgary mayoral candidates are bickering about which arena deal was best—and who got fleeced. And an outgoing city councillor now says progressive councillors voted yes to the deal in 2023 "at great political cost." Here's how the deal got done. (Listen and/or read!) #yyccc
The truth about Calgary’s billion-dollar arena deal | The Sprawl
Campaign accusations abound. Here’s the real story.
www.sprawlcalgary.com
October 11, 2025 at 4:02 PM
Wow, there it is.
COUNCILLOR MIAN: “there were many of us around the table who struggled with the arena decision, right? We were like: This is a huge decision. It's a lot of money. And it was largely led by the Communities First folks.”
COUNCILLOR MIAN: “there were many of us around the table who struggled with the arena decision, right? We were like: This is a huge decision. It's a lot of money. And it was largely led by the Communities First folks.”
Four wards in Calgary haven't had election debates (Wards 2, 3, 12 and 13). The Sprawl has waited for others to organize debates in these wards. It hasn't happened. We're done waiting and are making a last-ditch effort to organize and livestream debates in these wards before Election Day. #yyccc
A last-ditch effort for local democracy in Calgary | The Sprawl
Help us do 4 more debates where they're needed!
www.sprawlcalgary.com
October 11, 2025 at 3:46 PM
Four wards in Calgary haven't had election debates (Wards 2, 3, 12 and 13). The Sprawl has waited for others to organize debates in these wards. It hasn't happened. We're done waiting and are making a last-ditch effort to organize and livestream debates in these wards before Election Day. #yyccc
Tonight we are livestreaming the Ward 1 forum in Bowness! Sold out but we're bringing it to you. Starts at 6pm. #yyccc
LIVE TONIGHT: Calgary Ward 1 candidate debate in Bowness | The Sprawl
Watch The Sprawl's livestream at 6 p.m.
www.sprawlcalgary.com
October 9, 2025 at 11:56 PM
Tonight we are livestreaming the Ward 1 forum in Bowness! Sold out but we're bringing it to you. Starts at 6pm. #yyccc
Reposted by The Sprawl
I’ve said it before & I’ll say it again (& I’ll likely say it at least 1 more after this); no one does local #journalism like @klaszus.bsky.social and the team at @sprawlcalgary.bsky.social Please support them as they’re doing such critical work & doing it excellently at that ⭐️ #Calgary #YYC #YYCcc
My work day is ending at 1:30 a.m. Lot of late nights these days. And early mornings too. Support @sprawlcalgary.bsky.social folks, we are going flat out to bring Calgarians the best election coverage we possibly can! sprawlcalgary.fundjournalism.org/donate/ #yyccc
October 9, 2025 at 7:19 AM
I’ve said it before & I’ll say it again (& I’ll likely say it at least 1 more after this); no one does local #journalism like @klaszus.bsky.social and the team at @sprawlcalgary.bsky.social Please support them as they’re doing such critical work & doing it excellently at that ⭐️ #Calgary #YYC #YYCcc
Reposted by The Sprawl
My 16-year-old daughter (off from school because of the teachers' strike) helped me make this video and negotiated the new Taylor Swift LP as compensation for her content creation skills. Which are superb, as you can see! #yyccc
CAPTIONS - Calgary's election now has parties; but who are they?!
YouTube video by The Sprawl
youtube.com
October 8, 2025 at 9:17 PM
My 16-year-old daughter (off from school because of the teachers' strike) helped me make this video and negotiated the new Taylor Swift LP as compensation for her content creation skills. Which are superb, as you can see! #yyccc
Reposted by The Sprawl
Calgary's election now has parties; but who are they?! youtube.com/shorts/4EK1y... via @YouTube From @sprawlcalgary.bsky.social
Calgary's election now has parties; but who are they?!
YouTube video by The Sprawl
youtube.com
October 8, 2025 at 8:45 PM
Calgary's election now has parties; but who are they?! youtube.com/shorts/4EK1y... via @YouTube From @sprawlcalgary.bsky.social
Ward 10 livestream about to start from the Calgary Marlborough Community Centre! #yyccc www.youtube.com/live/OYUnjpj...
Calgary Ward 10 Forum at Marlborough
YouTube video by The Sprawl
www.youtube.com
October 8, 2025 at 1:18 AM
Ward 10 livestream about to start from the Calgary Marlborough Community Centre! #yyccc www.youtube.com/live/OYUnjpj...