Best Politician: Mayor Naheed Nenshi
Since 2010, Mayor Nenshi has been one of Calgary’s favourite politicians and has been recognized across North America for being the continent’s first Muslim mayor of a large city. Throughout his political career, he has endured three elections, winning 39 percent of the vote in 2010, 74 percent of the vote in 2013 and 51 percent of the vote in 2017. Nenshi battled through targeted vandalism and email attacks while also playing a tremendous role in re-igniting Calgary’s spirit in his response to the 2013 flood and reconstruction projects.
Everything that Calgary is and has become can be somewhat attributed back to Mayor Naheed Nenshi. Although he certainly has his share of critics, he has continued to help guide Calgary through various challenges and has been praised for his decisions in high-pressure situations. Since becoming mayor, Nenshi has received a Young Leader Award in 2011 from the World Economic Forum, the President’s Award from the Canadian Institute of Planners in 2012, is the first Canadian to win the World Mayor prize from the City Mayors Foundation in 2014 and received the Honorary Peace Patron Award from the Mosaic Institute in 2017. To this day, you will still find Mayor Nenshi campaigning for a better tomorrow at Calgary city hall. We are proud to present the Best Politician award to him for another year of dedicated service.
FIRST RUNNER UP: JEROMY FARKAS
SECOND RUNNER UP: JASON KENNEY