Mayoral candidate Jaeger Gustafson strives to make Calgary a leader in industry, safety and education
By Hannah Caparino, October 16 2025—
The 2025 municipal election includes a wide array of candidates with platforms where Calgarians can inform themselves of each candidate. Jaeger Gustafson is a fresh face in Calgary’s political sphere, representing core values that appeal to the wider population.
Gustafson has a deep history in the medical field, while also co-founding the Yue-Gustafson School of Health Professions — a not-for-profit post secondary institution.
His campaign is based on four core values: health and liberty of individuals, strong and prosperous families, enterprise and government as service. The candidate is striving to make Calgary a home that is secure and a place for everyone.
Gustafson did not speak with the Gauntlet regarding his campaign.
The Office of Mayor Gustafson is broken into three sections titled “Represented Residents,” “Well Workers” and “Productive Partnerships.” Gustafson outlines his goals to better represent residents through focusing on health and safety of Calgarians, city services, taxes and advocating for more accessible post-secondary education.
One primary goal that Gustafson had laid out for the community is having a fully funded police force to ensure the safety of all Calgarians. He plans to provide better wellness services, recruitment and training and provide technology that allows officers to adapt to the situation.
Post-secondary education and the costs have been in conversation since institutions in Calgary had begun to implement rising tuition costs. Gustafson aims to breakaway from the rising costs by introducing the Calgary City Center University, with no tuition and assessments which require minimal fees. He proposes that access to university level resources and education in the heart of Calgary will create opportunities for Calgarians, equipping them with the skills and education needed to contribute to Calgary’s growing workforce.
Gustafson’s approach of providing Calgarians with support on multiple levels is through guaranteeing that the taxes that are being paid are directly contributing to services that will benefit all. His plan is to lower the Calgary property tax rate significantly, with the goal of 0.3 per cent for residential and one per cent for industrial and commercial by 2041. In doing so, individuals and businesses can thrive without the financial burden of infrastructure costs.
Calgary’s economic development was a point of significance as Gustafson plans to open pathways and partnerships that will boost Calgary’s economy. He plans to reinforce Calgary’s tourism industry and promote local business in high-traffic areas to continue supporting Calgarians at the ground level.
Another issue of contention that Gustafson plans to tackle as mayor is the levels of job security in multiple industries such as oil and gas. He highlights four resources that are integral to Calgary’s industry as listed on the webpage.
Starting with “People,” Gustafson explains that people are the lifeblood of Calgary’s workforce and economy.
Gustafson’s emphasis on water, more specifically water management and sustainability, is because it acts as a primary source for life and economic systems in Calgary.
“Energy” is in response to how Gustafson plans to utilize technology like thermal transfer technologies to create jobs, conserve the environment and reduce overall energy usage.
Gustafson plans to make Calgary to be a hub of information, sharing knowledge and research that can contribute to wider conversations.
These four pillars are meant to make Calgary a leading city in innovation, industry and knowledge.
Gustafson hopes to create better communication between the municipal government and the multiple unions. His focus on better communication between the transit union, the civic workforce and the Calgary Police Association. Forging a better relationship with the workforce of Calgary will provide the city with a more efficient labour force that can better serve Calgarians.
He believes the partnerships he aims to create will allow everyone to live comfortably and with all the required necessities, experience arts and culture and participate in contributing to the city in any capacity.
While Gustafson’s platform outlines an ambitious vision for Calgary’s growth, the scale of his proposals — such as creating a tuition-free university and drastically lowering property taxes — raises questions about feasibility within the city’s fiscal and jurisdictional limits.
His emphasis on education and workforce development would likely resonate with students and young voters, but without clearer implementation strategies or engagement with the academic community, it remains uncertain how effectively he could translate those ideas into actionable policies.
Gustafson presents an idealistic outlook that may appeal to voters seeking bold change, yet his capacity to navigate Calgary’s complex municipal landscape will ultimately determine whether those ambitions can move from vision to reality.
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.