Calgary Sun Letters, June 29, 2026: ‘Stampede a valuable tradition’

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Stampede math

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Those folks who complain about the 10 days in July when Calgary becomes Cowtown should give their heads a shake. Unless you have been a mushroom, you should know the Stampede has been a tradition for a long, long time, even before most of you were even a twinkle in your father’s eye. And if you decided to re-locate to downtown Calgary, you should have been aware of this annual event that puts Calgary on the map, and generates millions of dollars in revenue for people and businesses. There are many benefits from ‘The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth,’ and maybe a small lesson in economics is in order. There is something called ‘the multiplier effect.’ For a simple example of how it works, let’s use a figure of $100. For most people or businesses, if you make a hundred dollars, it all doesn’t go into your savings account. You earned it for a reason, and you are lucky if you can save 10% of it. The other $90 is used to pay the daily expenses to keep yourself afloat. And whoever receives that $90, is in the same boat. They spend $81 and save 10%. That leaves about $ 73 for the next recipients who, again, are lucky if they can hang onto 10%. So you see the progression of the original $100 as it filters its way through the system. It isn’t long before it has generated income for a lot of people. With a multiplier of eight, the original money generated an additional $550. Now project the $100 to the hundreds of millions of dollars that the Stampede generates, and you can realize the significant contribution the Stampede makes to the local economy. Now, if you down-towners want to generate some income, you can become an Air BnB for a couple weeks ,and go sponge off your brother-in-law in Airdrie, or take your annual vacation to avoid the crowds. So you city councillors should realize the benefits of the Stampede and do all you can to ensure it continues as it has for a long time, and maybe invest in some clean-up crews, who will, again, add to the economy.

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VERNE FRIESEN

(Thanks for the economics lesson, but don’t think many folks are questioning the value of Stampede)

Keeping roads safe

A recent report highlighted that a Cochrane RCMP officer has earned his seventh impaired‑driving watch award after removing 200 impaired drivers from our roads. Credit truly belongs where it’s due, this level of dedication is remarkable, and his efforts play a major role in keeping Alberta’s roads safer for everyone. While driving is a privilege rather than a right, too many motorists behave as though they own the road and everyone else is merely in their way. These behaviors are becoming increasingly common. Rolling through stop signs, ignoring right‑of‑way rules at four‑way stops, and other careless habits have become everyday sights. Enforcement alone can’t solve the entire problem, but our traffic officers continue to work tirelessly to manage the situation as best they can. Recognizing the commitment of officers who consistently go above and beyond is important, especially at a time when unsafe driving habits seem to be on the rise. Their work doesn’t just enforce the law, it protects families, prevents tragedies and reinforces the shared responsibility we all have when we get behind the wheel. Continued community awareness, respect for the rules of the road, and appreciation for those who uphold them will go a long way in making Alberta’s roads safer for everyone.

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ANAS KHAN, Beaumont

(The dedication is admirable)

Same responsibility

First Nations need to take a little responsibility for things they can control, such as housing. If they maintain their infrastructure instead of letting it fall into disrepair, the problem would be less. Water treatment plants for the reserves should be built, and First Nations people should be trained to work at and maintain them. If they fail in their responsibility to maintain their own infrastructure, don’t look to others to bail them out. They need to have the same responsibility as everyone else.

ROBERT MCDOWELL

(As a country we ought to, at least, have figured out the clean-water situation by now)

Prescription for trouble

$300 million of your hard-earned money has been squandered, wasted by the Trudeau/Carney government with their failed PrescribeIT. A program that was to make it easier for your doctor to send a prescription to your local pharmacy. It was a dud – less than 5% of doctors used the program. A parliamentary committee looking into the misuse of funds and where the money went has been shut down by the Liberals. The Canadian taxpayer will never know how the $300 million was spent and what it was spent on. The Liberals won’t do it and I have my doubts the Conservatives will do anything. What I’d like to see is a police investigation with the individuals involved and charges laid, and, if convicted, a substantial fine and prison sentence. Time to be served in a penitentiary.

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JEFFREY ANDERSON

(It seemed to be a mess from the beginning)

Attacks on Smith

The last few days have been challenging for Alberta Premier Danielle Smith. The allegations of her involvement in corruption schemes, alleged close ties to businessman Sam Mraiche, the main figure in a procurement fraud case, and the calls of the Assembly of Treaty Chiefs for a treason investigation create a negative backdrop for Smith in the lead-up to the referendum on Alberta separation. It seems Canadian authorities are going to extreme lengths trying to damage Smith’s leadership, to further evict her out of the post and prevent Alberta from leaving Canada. However, most of the allegations won’t hold water, and some facts are made out of thin air. Such actions by Ottawa are more likely to prompt Albertans to stand together and support their premier, as this pressure on Smith is no way different from what Alberta has experienced from Ottawa for decades. Attacks on Smith’s authority will not only fail to suppress separatism but, on the contrary, will strengthen it.

AIDEN WHITFORD, Edmonton

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(Smith’s supporters are likely to stick with her)

Problem with data centres

(Re: Jay Goldberg/ AI data centres) Clearly, Mr. Goldberg has not done his homework on AI data centres, and I’m sure his article title is accurate, in that ‘Politicians should embrace AI data centres,’ as most of them are as blinded by the same BS that Mr Goldberg is. I would gamble a significant amount of my income to bet not one politician being swooned by AI data centres benefits, would venture to visit communities in the U.S. or other countries, and look into the benefits or impacts on those local communities. Having worked on large scale construction projects, I can tell you the direct job impact on site would be less than 500 workers for no more than 18 months. Upon completion, there would be very little local employment impact as these centres would be managed from an office beyond the community they are in. Regarding community property tax benefits as a plus to the residents, is a joke unless those funds are going to be paid directly to the residents of that community. However, the big impact is on the massive electrical grid and potable water consumption of the surrounding communities required to operate data centres. Mr. Goldberg should read Empire of AI by Karen Hao, as well as many other interested journalists, and get a true understanding of the impact of data centres on a community. Yes, there is an uptick on our daily lives to a degree, but at what cost.

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RK LANGGUTH

(It’s certainly a double-edged sword)

Welcome break

I watched Barack Obama speak at the opening of his Presidential Centre in Chicago. How refreshing to listen to a talented speaker. He stressed democracy requires checks and balances, accountability, an independent judiciary, and a robust free press. He highlighted democracy is precious and fragile, and that core traditions such as the peaceful transfer of power are not Republican or Democratic but universal American values. Thanks, President Obama, for giving Canadians hope during these very trying times.

PETER J. MIDDLEMORE SR., Windsor, Ont.

(Not a fan of the current guy?)

Billions more

‘Developers are stuck. They don’t want to sell at a loss.’ So says globe-trotting former banker extraordinaire/Brookfield luminary – and part-time Canadian PM. Just back from another international junket, speaking in Vancouver, and flanked by housing disaster overseers David Eby and Gregor Robertson. All those unsold million-dollar-plus Vancouver-and-area condos… 2,500 or so. What to do about them? Let the market take its course as in the U.S.? Let prices drop to more affordable levels? Hell, no. This is Canada, under the stewardship of the Liberal deficit/debt champions. Mark Carney announced his government would fork over $3.2 billion for those unsold condos, refit them and release them as ‘affordable housing.’ Sweet deal for those developers who don’t fancy ‘selling at a loss.’ Another bad deal for Canadian taxpayers who will be, once again, footing the bill. Another $100 million for Hamas-riddled UNRWA in support of the ‘poor Palestinians.’ $25 (borrowed) billions for the new Sovereign Wealth Fund. More billions for the never-ending Ukrainian-Russia conflict. $500,000-and-counting for in-flight catering as The Rt. Hon. flits here and there, promoting himself, giving the same vapid speeches about the new world order’ and signing agreements more symbolic than substantial. What’s another billion here and there? Carney has already blown through the worst of what Trudeau managed as his ‘budget balanced itself.’ And Canadians, generations to come, will be shouldering the economic disaster created by more than a decade of Liberal ideology, corruption and incompetence.

BARBARA JESSIMAN, Calgary

(Easy to spend when it’s taxpayers money, apparently)

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