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Kathryn Davies

@kaphryn.bsky.social

1.9K followers 710 following 210 posts

Cargo bikes, theremin, housing, law student at UCalgary. Co-founder at @moreneighboursyyc.bsky.social

Posts Media Videos Starter Packs

Reposted by Kathryn Davies

Rowan Wiebe @rowanwiebe.bsky.social · 2d

If you're affordable home plan is just decaying bungalows you actually have a slum plan

Kathryn Davies @kaphryn.bsky.social · 2d

Not only are the infill rowhouses much more affordable than new singles, but every additional new unit reduced competition for the older homes that are vacated by the people who occupy the new units. There is not such benefit when you replace an aging bungalow with a giant luxury single.

Kathryn Davies @kaphryn.bsky.social · 3d

I'm helping on a couple of party-affiliated campaigns (NOT for UCP-aligned candidates) and I've definitely seen some benefits, mostly around resource sharing and campaign support.

Kathryn Davies @kaphryn.bsky.social · 3d

I'll admit to being wary of the system, and I definitely don't trust the motivations, but I've seen a knee-jerk reaction to parties without a lot of thought to what they actually mean, or how they work in practice.

Kathryn Davies @kaphryn.bsky.social · 3d

There is a lot of scepticism in Alberta over the introduction of political parties by the UCP government. Our premier doesn't like the fact that Calgary/Edmonton keep electing non-conservative mayors and councils so the sense is that this is a move to give a leg up to her preferred candidates.

Kathryn Davies @kaphryn.bsky.social · 3d

Given Calgary's general conservative bent (especially in the suburbs), I'm not sure that entrenched parties would play the same way in Calgary as they would in Montreal.

But they have definitely lowered the barrier to entry for many candidates in this election.

Kathryn Davies @kaphryn.bsky.social · 3d

This video surprised me, and is very relevant to Alberta municipal elections happening this month.

Albertans are right to be wary of UCP meddling in municipal affairs, but I wonder if we're missing out with a wholesale rejection of a party system.

Oh The Urbanity! @ohtheurbanity.bsky.social · 9d

This video is a long time coming.

People always ask me: what makes Montreal so ambitious on urbanism? (At least for bikes and pedestrians.)

I've been thinking through this and asking Montrealers, and in this video I want to cover *part* of the answer.

The Secret of Montreal’s Urbanism Success

YouTube video by Oh The Urbanity!

Kathryn Davies @kaphryn.bsky.social · 5d

I get the antipathy toward a system that is obviously intended to shift council to the right, but I question the logic of boycotting a tool that has enabled some solid candidates, when the alternative would be far fewer progressive options. /3

Kathryn Davies @kaphryn.bsky.social · 5d

If you look at the list of independent candidates in Calgary, only wards 3, 7, 8, 9, 11 have viable independent progressive options. There are excellent progressive party-affiliated candidates in other wards, many of whom could not have run without the campaign infrastructure of a party. /2

Kathryn Davies @kaphryn.bsky.social · 5d

I don't disagree, but worth considering that nearly all
Calgary's progressive cllrs are not running again, which means we're starting from scratch in most wards. Combine this with funding rules that disadvantage independents, and it's become really tough to laungh an election campaign. /1

Kathryn Davies @kaphryn.bsky.social · 6d

Brian’s arts incubator fund also sounds familiar, where have I heard that before… 😁

Kathryn Davies @kaphryn.bsky.social · 8d

Paging @aztrumpet.bsky.social

Kathryn Davies @kaphryn.bsky.social · 28d

It seems indulgent, but on the other hand, when you don't make car payments... 🤷‍♀️

Kathryn Davies @kaphryn.bsky.social · 28d

Thank you for your wisdom!

Kathryn Davies @kaphryn.bsky.social · 28d

I want this, but we already have 14 bikes in our household, what should I do?

Kathryn Davies @kaphryn.bsky.social · 29d

I'm also supporting Heather, though I fully agree on ranked choice voting...

Kathryn Davies @kaphryn.bsky.social · Sep 13

Ward 7 could have been so easy. It's been demoralizing to watch things go off the rails due to petty politicking, classic progressive purity testing, and old grudges (and frankly, a ton of sexism).

Are we ever going to learn our lesson?

Annalise Klingbeil @annaliseak.bsky.social · Sep 12

Well, this is certainly predictable.
It's also avoidable. Progressives just repeating 2021 in Ward 7. 🤦 #yyccc

Kathryn Davies @kaphryn.bsky.social · 29d

Sad I didn’t make it to #YIMBYtown this year, but at least I can relive the magic through my coffee mug. @housingnowto.bsky.social @russilwvong.bsky.social @nzorach.bsky.social

Photo of a coffee mug that says YIMBYtown 2024

Reposted by Kathryn Davies

Alanna dB @whoalansi.bsky.social · Sep 13

Join us on Sunday, September 21, 2025 for our second Kidical Mass YYC ride. This family friendly bike ride will start at 10:30 am. Meet at Deville Coffee Kensington at 10 am and ride together through Sunnyside before heading over to Riley Park Playground.

Kathryn Davies @kaphryn.bsky.social · Sep 13

Ward 7 could have been so easy. It's been demoralizing to watch things go off the rails due to petty politicking, classic progressive purity testing, and old grudges (and frankly, a ton of sexism).

Are we ever going to learn our lesson?

Annalise Klingbeil @annaliseak.bsky.social · Sep 12

Well, this is certainly predictable.
It's also avoidable. Progressives just repeating 2021 in Ward 7. 🤦 #yyccc

Results from the 2021 Calgary municipal election in Ward 7 with Terry Wong in 1st and progressives in 2nd, 3rd and 4th place.

Polling for the Calgary municipal election in Ward 7.

Zoomed in polling for the 2025 municipal election in Ward 7 with Terry Wong in 1st and progressive candidates in 2nd, 3rd and 4th place. Election Day is October 20.

Reposted by Kathryn Davies

Ghouly Hoye 🇨🇦 👻 @hollyhoye.bsky.social · Sep 13

A well-deserved endorsement!

Calgary's Future @calgarysfuture.bsky.social · Sep 12

We’re delighted to announce our next endorsement for the 2025 municipal election: Heather McRae for City Council in Ward 7!

To learn more about Heather McRae check out our endorsement page: https://calgarysfuture.ca/endorsements/heather-mcrae/

#YYC #YYCCC #CalgarysFuture @hmcrae.bsky.social

Kathryn Davies @kaphryn.bsky.social · Sep 7

I think the bigger question is which mayoral candidate is best equipped to negotiate with the province?

Or is that even possible in this political climate? The best active transport plan is useless if the province can block it through legislation.

Kathryn Davies @kaphryn.bsky.social · Aug 30

"A municipality is a corporation."

- Section 4 of the Municipal Government Act

We are electing a board of directors in October.

Jerimy Earl @jerimyadamearl.bsky.social · Aug 26

McElroy is bang on.

City councils are not parliaments, which are designed to be antagonistic. City councils are boards of governance. Different rules and standards apply.

Justin McElroy 🇨🇦 @jmcelroy.bsky.social · Aug 26

Here's my video on why Vancouver's Integrity Commissioner ruled that Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim and his ABC Vancouver councillors violated the city's code of conduct

also i got some sun on grouse mountain yesterday and didn't go to our makeup studio before filming hahahaha whoops

Reposted by Kathryn Davies

Jerimy Earl @jerimyadamearl.bsky.social · Aug 26

McElroy is bang on.

City councils are not parliaments, which are designed to be antagonistic. City councils are boards of governance. Different rules and standards apply.

Justin McElroy 🇨🇦 @jmcelroy.bsky.social · Aug 26

Here's my video on why Vancouver's Integrity Commissioner ruled that Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim and his ABC Vancouver councillors violated the city's code of conduct

also i got some sun on grouse mountain yesterday and didn't go to our makeup studio before filming hahahaha whoops

Reposted by Kathryn Davies

Cailynn Klingbeil @cailynn.bsky.social · Aug 16

I wrote something for @theglobeandmail.com
www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/arti... #yycbike #yegbike #BikeTO #BikeHFX

Opinion: The premiers are using bike lanes as a political scapegoat

Safe cycling infrastructure saves lives, but sadly, many politicians are ignoring the facts

www.theglobeandmail.com

Kathryn Davies @kaphryn.bsky.social · Aug 15

She’s really the best…