City boards appoint public members, keep names confidential

Summary#

Calgary City Council approved appointments to two City boards. City staff say the appointments are meant to fill vacancies; Council’s motion keeps the appointees’ names and application materials confidential until the appointees are notified.

  • Council appointed a Public Member to the Assessment Review Board for the rest of a term ending December 31, 2026.
  • Council appointed a Public Member to the Calgary Planning Commission for the rest of a term ending December 31, 2027.
  • Council directed the City Clerk’s Office to release the appointees’ names publicly after notifying them. The recommendation and application materials must remain confidential.
  • Council acknowledged the late Joy Stuber’s service and thanked Public Members Chris Hardwicke, Shane Moore and Laura Sullivan for their service.

What it means for you#

  • Calgarians: The decision changes membership on two City boards, not residents’ rights, taxes, fees or services directly. The appointees’ names are to be released after they are notified.
  • Board applicants and members: The two appointments were made from reserve-list applicants, according to City staff. The motion does not disclose the appointees’ names or qualifications.
  • Combative Sports Commission: City staff reported that the commission recommended leaving a separate vacancy open until Council’s 2026 Organizational Meeting. That was not included in the carried motion.

Money#

City staff reported no anticipated financial impact.

What is unclear#

  • The appointees’ names and application details are not public in the supplied material; the motion says names will be released after notification.
  • The confidential materials prevent the public from seeing the recommendations and the basis for them.

Case for#

  • City staff say reserve-list applicants confirmed they remained interested, available and eligible to serve.
  • The appointments fill vacancies on the Assessment Review Board and Calgary Planning Commission for the remainder of set terms.

Case against#

  • The recommendation and application materials remain confidential, limiting the public’s ability to assess the appointees’ qualifications or how they were selected.
  • The decision was carried 15–0, and the supplied material records no objections or public submissions.

Votes

Calgary City Council, item 9.3.2 (Resignations and Appointments to Boards, Commissions and Committees, C2026-0594): That with respect to Report C2026-0594, the following be adopted, after amendment: That Council: - Appoint the individual recommended in Confidential Attachment 2a as a Public Member of the Assessment Review Board for the completion of a term to expire on 2026 December 31; - Appoint the individual recommended in Confidential Attachment 3a as a Public Member of the Calgary Planning Commission for t…

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