Mayoral candidate Grant Prior outlines mayoral platform
By Alexander Howey, October 16 2025—
Grant Prior is an independent candidate running for mayor in the upcoming municipal election.
Prior has had a diverse career, working as a directional driller in the oil and gas industry, a finishing supervisor doing construction in downtown Calgary and an operations director for three nightclubs in Los Angeles.
In an interview with the Gauntlet, Prior discussed how this wide range of work experience is to his benefit in municipal politics.
“I’ve worked with such diametrically opposed views — I feel like I can bridge the gap between them fairly easily,” he explained. “That gives me a good idea that I can work with anybody in city hall.”
Prior laid out his plan to ensure affordable housing is made available, proposing “taxing foreign investment” to provide relief for the working-class.
His platform includes proposing a 30 per cent tax on all properties purchased by foreign entities, and a yearly 20 per cent municipal tax increase on properties owned by foreign investors and corporations.
Additionally, he intends to freeze municipal taxes on all properties valued below $1.2 million and move ahead with rezoning, building the necessary houses in the “midding middle,” instead of expensive townhouses or rental apartments.
Prior’s economic plan aims to prioritize local businesses over the interests of large corporations.
“What is better for our community? One large corporation that takes a billion dollars and sucks it out of Calgary, or a thousand small businesses that make a million dollars each, and all that money is spent here?” said Prior.
Prior proposes a tax freeze for existing small businesses making under $2 million, and a three year freeze on municipal taxes for new businesses. Businesses based in Calgary will also be prioritized for city contracts.
Transit is a critical city program that students use daily for commuting to campus and getting to their jobs.
Prior’s platform regarding transit includes the extension of C-Train hours to 24 hours daily except Mondays and Tuesdays.
“I don’t know why we didn’t do that. That makes no sense to me,” Prior said, citing how they do this in Japan and some places in Europe.
Additionally, Prior plans to put research into the implementation of monorails and gondolas. He cited its cheaper cost and space efficiency.
“A train’s going to take you decades,” Prior stated. “You can build [a gondola] way faster than a train.”
Prior also expressed his frustration with the state of Calgary’s Green Line project.
“We’ve spent so much time and so much money and we’ve got nothing out of it,” said Prior. “It shows me the perfect idea of city mismanagement.”
He also discussed how homelessness and drug use has posed safety risks for transit users.
“If we can’t take care of our homeless people, then most destitute of us — we’re not getting good,” said Prior.
Prior has proposed that anyone detained for open drug use and vagrancy “will be given mandatory support into a detox/rehab facility.” Following that, they are to be offered housing, social work and job assistance.
Prior emphasized the importance of young people such as students being involved and voting in local elections.
“You should be involved in politics at a local level, because it affects you. Politics affects everything that we do,” said Prior.
While Prior’s platform is ambitious and rooted in a desire to simplify city governance, some of his proposals — particularly the high taxation on foreign investment and rapid transit overhauls — may face practical and legislative challenges.
His outsider perspective and hands-on experience across industries could bring a pragmatic lens to council, but his limited political background raises questions about how effectively he could navigate the bureaucratic realities of City Hall.
Prior’s focus on local economic revitalization and inclusivity could resonate with students — provided he can translate his unconventional ideas into workable policy.
To vote in Calgary’s municipal election, you must be at least 18 years old, a Canadian citizen and a resident of Calgary on election day.
On Oct. 20, voters can cast their ballots for the city’s next mayor, as well as the councillor and school board trustee representing their ward.
For information on where to vote and how to get involved, visit www.electionscalgary.ca.