Summary#

Calgary City Council carried the appointments decision on May 26, 2026, by a 14–0 vote. It appointed public members to two committees, acknowledged members who serve because of their jobs, and directed the City Clerk to publish the appointments after appointees are notified and accept. City staff say public members bring skills and perspectives that support good governance and relationships with Calgarians.

• One person was appointed to the Calgary Salutes’ Friends of HMCS Calgary Subcommittee for the rest of a term ending at Council’s 2026 Organizational Meeting.
• Two people were appointed to the Anti-Racism Action Committee for two-year terms ending at Council’s 2027 Organizational Meeting.
• Council also adopted a confidential recommendation, but the available materials do not reveal what it says.
• Council acknowledged Commander Anna Kocot and Lieutenant Colonel Andrew Beauchamp as public members of the Calgary Salutes Coordinating Committee by virtue of their positions, and Ian Fleming as an administration member of the Multisport Fieldhouse Committee by virtue of his position.
• Council thanked Harjit Baumann, Denise Audrey Lienou, Veronica McHugh and Rhonda Thorne for their committee service. The appointment details and related confidential materials are to remain confidential.

What it means for you#

• People appointed to the committees: They can serve for the terms set out in the decision. Their names will be made public after they are notified and accept; the available material does not identify them.
• Calgarians: The decision does not create a new committee or public application process. City staff contacted reserve-list applicants to check whether they remained interested, available and eligible.
• Committee members and City staff: The two military members are acknowledged as non-voting public members under the Calgary Salutes Committee Bylaw. Ian Fleming is acknowledged as a non-voting member under the Multisport Fieldhouse Committee Bylaw.
• People whose appointments are confidential: Council directed that the closed-meeting discussions and specified attachments not be released, citing personal privacy and confidential evaluations.

Money#

City staff report no anticipated financial impact.

• The available material gives no cost estimate or details about any staffing or other resources required.

What is unclear#

• The confidential recommendation adopted by Council, and the identities of the appointees, are not available in the supplied material.
• Three Anti-Racism Action Committee members had resigned, but Council appointed two people; the reason the third position was not filled is not stated.
• The material does not explain how the confidential appointments were assessed beyond saying reserve-list applicants were contacted about interest, availability and eligibility.

Case for#

• City staff say public members bring skills, perspectives and expertise that contribute to good governance and strengthen relationships with Calgarians.
• The appointments draw on reserve-list applicants who were checked for continued interest, availability and eligibility, according to the report.

Case against#

• Keeping the names and selection details confidential limits the public’s ability to assess who was appointed and the basis for the selections.
• The report says three Anti-Racism Action Committee members resigned, while Council appointed two replacements; it does not explain the remaining vacancy.