Black Lives Matter march in Calgary, June 3, 2020. Photo credit: Jon Yee
Today was day one - and the public hearing portion - of budget discussions at City Council. Your presentations were a success, with public hearing opened and closed by Calgarians supporting the Community Safety Investment Framework. Additionally, almost forty percent of people speaking to Council today made passionate and smart cases for why the reallocation of the budget to support this framework is necessary.
With three days left in budget discussions, we need to keep the pressure on City Council to show that Calgarians support the framework, a plan to address gaps in:
- crisis services for individuals, their families and support networks
- outreach services
- emergency response system in Calgary, including any gaps in racially and culturally appropriate services.
The Defund2Fund Coalition represents approximately 15 groups and nearly 2,000 Calgarians who support a reduction of the CPS budget, to be reallocated throughout our communities. We have published detailed research on why we must defund the police and fund our communities now. The Community Safety Investment Framework is a modest first step to rebuild trust and to begin to rectify systemic barriers in the lives of Black, Indigenous, other racialized communities and 2SLGBTQ+ people.
We need you to email Council today to fund the Community Safety Investment Framework
We need to keep pushing for a few more days to make sure that Council funds the Community Safety Investment Framework. The vote will be close and every single email makes a difference. Click the box below to email City Council to show your support:
Key Messages
You can also Call council at 403-268-2430. Personal messages are always best, but we suggest the following key messages for our supporters’ budget submissions to Council (more information on key messages):
1. The police must reallocate at least 5% of their budget - Council must direct the Calgary Police Service to reallocate at least 5% of their current 2020 budget to communities, as approved by Council on November 3.
2. The police must keep their promise to reallocate their existing 2020 budget - The Calgary Police Service must keep their promise to reallocate a portion of their current $401 million budget, and not simply forgo future budget increases.
3. The police must tell us how they spend our money - The Calgary Police Service must be more transparent and release their itemized line-by-line budget.
Sending an email today will help us push for the Community Safety Investment Framework on behalf of all Calgarians!
We need your help!
1. Email City Council and ask them to vote for the Community Safety Investment Framework
Tell your Councillor that you support the Community Safety Investment Framework, and that you want them to vote YES!
A personal approach works best, but don’t forget to tell them that:
- The Community Safety Investment Framework is necessary
- The framework will identify potential ways to address gaps in its services for Calgarians in crisis, including any gaps in racially and culturally appropriate services
- Council must direct the Calgary Police Service to reallocate at least 5% of their current 2020 budget to communities, as approved by Council on November 3.
- The framework will inform the Calgary Police Service’s stated commitment to reallocation of a portion of its budget to help Calgarians in crisis.
Be sure to add something personal!
2. Call City Council and ask them to vote yes to the Community Safety Investment Framework
Most councillors are currently working from home but you can still leave them a voicemail by calling 403-268-2430. If you’re not sure what to say, include the ideas above!
3. Help us reach 2,500 signatures on our petition
Share this message with at least three friends and family members and ask them to sign our petition.
Thank you for joining us in taking action!