CAO Recruitment Sub-Committee Motion

Summary#

Calgary City Council passed Bylaw 19M2026, creating a Chief Administrative Officer Recruitment and Appointment Sub-Committee within the Executive Committee. City staff say its goal is to support the recruitment and appointment of the City’s next Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) and help with that person’s onboarding.

  • The sub-committee has four Executive Committee members, including alternate members. Council appointed Chabot, Yule and Wyness, with Tyers as an alternate, and named Yule as chair.
  • The members’ terms end 60 days after the permanent CAO starts, allowing the sub-committee to provide a Council-led onboarding and orientation.
  • City staff say the sub-committee will recommend candidates for Council to appoint as CAO and organize onboarding. It does not itself appoint the CAO.
  • This creates a committee within an existing Council committee, not a new independent agency.

What it means for you#

  • City government: Council now has a four-member sub-committee to support the CAO recruitment and appointment process. The report says the Executive Committee already had authority to refer reports on this subject to Council.
  • Residents and taxpayers: The decision does not directly change services, taxes, fees or residents’ rights.

Money#

City staff report no anticipated financial impact.

  • The materials provide no cost estimate or staffing details for the sub-committee.

What is unclear#

  • The supplied materials do not include the full text of Bylaw 19M2026. The detailed rules and procedures for the sub-committee are therefore not available here.
  • The materials do not explain how candidates will be assessed, or what steps the recruitment and appointment process will follow.
  • The report says public engagement was not required; it does not describe public involvement in the recruitment process.

Case for#

  • City staff say the sub-committee is intended to support an effective and efficient process for recruiting and appointing the next CAO.
  • A possible argument for the committee is that a small Council group can focus on recommending candidates and organizing the incoming CAO’s orientation.

Case against#

  • The available materials do not show the sub-committee’s detailed procedures or how it will assess candidates, making it hard to judge how the process will work.
  • Councillor Johnston voted against the bylaw and the appointment motion. The minutes do not state the reason.

Votes

Calgary City Council, item 9.3.2 (Establishment of a Chief Administrative Officer Recruitment and Appointment Sub-Committee, C2026-0496): That with respect to Report C2026-0496, the following amendment be adopted: That Recommendation 2 be deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following: - Appoint four Members of the Executive Committee, or alternative members of Executive Committee, to serve on the Chief Administrative Officer Recruitment and Appointment Sub Committee for terms expiring 60 days after the commencement date of…

For (100%)

Calgary City Council, item 9.3.2 (Establishment of a Chief Administrative Officer Recruitment and Appointment Sub-Committee, C2026-0496): That with respect to Report C2026-0496, the following be adopted, after amendment: That Council: - Give three readings to proposed bylaw 19M2026 to establish the Chief Administrative Officer Recruitment and Appointment Sub-Committee of the Executive Committee as a Committee of Council;

For (93%)
Against (7%)

Calgary City Council, item 9.3.2 (Establishment of a Chief Administrative Officer Recruitment and Appointment Sub-Committee, C2026-0496): That Bylaw 19M2026 be introduced and read a first time.

For (93%)
Against (7%)

Calgary City Council, item 9.3.2 (Establishment of a Chief Administrative Officer Recruitment and Appointment Sub-Committee, C2026-0496): That with respect to Proposed Bylaw 19M2026, the following amendment be adopted: That subsection 8. (1) be deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following: 8. (1) The Sub-Committee shall consist of 4 members of the Executive Committee, including alternative members of Executive Committee, appointed by Council.

For (100%)

Calgary City Council, item 9.3.2 (Establishment of a Chief Administrative Officer Recruitment and Appointment Sub-Committee, C2026-0496): That Bylaw 19M2026 be read a second time, as amended.

For (100%)

Calgary City Council, item 9.3.2 (Establishment of a Chief Administrative Officer Recruitment and Appointment Sub-Committee, C2026-0496): That Bylaw 19M2026 be read a third time, as amended.

For (100%)

Calgary City Council, item 9.3.2 (Establishment of a Chief Administrative Officer Recruitment and Appointment Sub-Committee, C2026-0496): That Council postpone Item 9.3.2, Establishment of a Chief Administrative Officer Recruitment and Appointment Sub-Committee, C2026-0496, to the Call of the Chair.

For (100%)

Calgary City Council, item 9.3.2 (Establishment of a Chief Administrative Officer Recruitment and Appointment Sub-Committee, C2026-0496): That with respect to Report C2026-0496, the following be adopted, after amendment: That Council: - Appoint Member Chabot, Member Yule, and Member Wyness of the Executive Committee, and Member Tyers as an alternative member of Executive Committee, to serve on the Chief Administrative Officer Recruitment and Appointment Sub Committee for terms expiring 60 days after the commencement date of employme…

For (93%)
Against (7%)