Will you work with us to develop a job strategy that limits contracting out of entry-level positions at the city and provides employment opportunities for youth and equity-seeking groups so that they can earn a fair living wage, develop workplace skills and gain job experience?
Rajesh Angela: Yes - Reinstate Public Entry-Level Roles: Advocate for reducing outsourcing of entry-level positions to restore public sector pathways for long-term careers.
🔹 Youth Employment Programs: Partner with local organizations and schools to create mentorship, internship, and apprenticeship programs tailored to Calgary’s youth.
🔹 Equity Hiring Initiatives: Push for inclusive hiring practices that prioritize candidates from underrepresented communities, supported by anti-bias training and transparent recruitment.
🔹 Living Wage Standards: Support policies that ensure all city jobs—direct or contracted—meet living wage benchmarks.
🔹 Skills Development Hubs: Promote the creation of community-based training centers that equip job seekers with practical skills aligned with city needs.
Danny Ng: Yes - Keep more entry-level work in-house at the City. Grow paid internships and trainee jobs in Parks, Transit, and Recreation.
Use City purchasing to push for living wages, local hiring, and fair chances for all.
On big projects, set agreements that reserve apprentice spots for youth, newcomers, and under-represented groups.
Remove barriers with help for transit, childcare, and safety gear.
Recognize skills earned abroad with simple micro-credentials.
Track results on a public dashboard: hires, retention, and wage growth.
Atul Chauhan: Yes - Our city should be a place where young people and equity-seeking groups get a fair shot at good jobs. To make that happen, I’d work to keep entry-level jobs in-house instead of contracting them out, so they come with fair pay and benefits.
I’d also push for more partnerships with schools, colleges, and community groups to open doors for youth, giving them pathways like internships, apprenticeships, and on-the-job training. And it’s important we make sure the City’s hiring is fair and inclusive, so everyone has the chance to build skills and experience.
At the end of the day, this is about more than filling jobs, it’s about helping people get started, build confidence, and set themselves up for a better future.
Jaspriya Johal: Yes - Prioritize seeking skills and talent from within the communities, the jobs aim to serve. Each community is unique, so it is essential the talent and voices come from the communities.
Andrew Yule: Yes - One of the big areas that needs work in Ward 3 for youth employment is better transit connectivity. Our youth are limited in their employment opportunities to where transit can get them reliably and that radius is not very far. I'd like to expand our BRT transit network in North Central Calgary to bring jobs in reach to those who need it.