Gian-Carlo Carra will not seek fifth term this fall, after 15 years on city council

Ward 9 Coun. Gian-Carlo Carra says he will not seek re-election this fall, after 15 years on city council.

Carra, who was first elected in 2010, said in a statement in his monthly newsletter Friday he made his decision with "wistfulness, but also clear conviction and fierce pride."

An urban designer, Carra lists "transit, active modes, main streets, and industrial sector mobility improvements" as investments he's proud to have made during his time on council.

He also points to his efforts as the chair of emergency management, working with the city and the province to improve flood resilience. His ward was among those hit hard by a major flood in 2013.

Frustrated with politics

Carra says he is "deeply frustrated" with a UCP government decision that he argues "wiped out" years of work building collaboration with neighbouring municipalities toward "long-term, sustainable growth."

The UCP government last year decided it would stop providing funding for the Edmonton and Calgary growth management boards. Both those boards have since ceased operations.

Carra reflects that he sees the referendum on the 2026 Winter Olympics as a "dividing line" between two political eras, and lists losing the Olympic bid as the greatest disappointment of his political career.

In his statement to constituents, Carra also shared his concern with the current tenor of politics.

He argues elected officials are increasingly focused on "playing internal political games rather than engaging in the demanding, often unglamorous work of real-world governance." 

The upcoming election

Carra joins a number of sitting councillors not seeking re-election. That list includes Ward 14's Peter Demong, Ward 3's Jasmine Mian, Ward 4's Sean Chu, Ward 8's Courtney Walcott and Ward 12's Evan Spencer.

Calgarians will go to the polls on Oct. 20.