Raj Dhaliwal

The proposed Westwinds development Calgary project has become one of the most debated topics in Ward 5. With a plan to add hundreds of new residential units near the Westwinds Superstore area, the proposal highlighted the challenges of balancing Calgary’s housing needs with the concerns of local residents. While some saw it as an opportunity to address housing shortages, others worried about the impact on infrastructure, green space, and community well-being. This blog explores the proposal, the reasons for community pushback, the role of representation, and the broader lessons that the Westwinds debate offers for Calgary’s growth. The Proposal and Community Concerns The Westwinds development Calgary plan envisioned transforming vacant open land into higher-density housing. This could have included townhouses, low-rise apartments, or mixed residential units designed to meet the city’s increasing demand for homes. However, the response from the community was overwhelmingly cautious and...

When we talk about affordable transit in Calgary , most people immediately think about the price of a bus or train ticket. But the truth is, affordability in public transportation is about much more than just the fare. It’s about how easy it is to reach a bus stop, how often that bus arrives, how quickly it gets you to your destination, and whether it’s reliable enough to count on every day. In a fast-growing city like Calgary, especially in communities across Ward 5, affordable transit means connecting people to opportunity. It means making sure everyone—students, workers, seniors, and families—can move across the city without breaking their budget or spending hours waiting at a stop. Why Affordable Transit Matters Think about your daily routine. If you rely on public transportation, the journey has to be simple, safe, and consistent. Otherwise, it’s tempting to drive a car—even though cars bring extra costs like fuel, parking, insurance, and maintenance. Affordable transit matters be...