Listening to Calgarians: Public Safety Must Come First
Over the past months, I’ve hosted a series of town halls across Calgary Centre to hear directly from residents about the issues affecting their daily lives. One message came through clearly and consistently: too many people no longer feel safe in their own neighbourhoods, particularly downtown.
At these meetings, Calgarians shared personal stories — about avoiding evening outings, dealing with repeated vandalism, worrying about transit safety, and watching once‑vibrant commercial areas struggle under the weight of crime and disorder. Small business owners spoke about how property damage and break‑ins threaten their livelihoods, while residents raised concerns about rising costs tied to crime and a lack of accountability for repeat offenders.
These conversations shaped the statement I delivered in the House of Commons. Public safety is not an abstract policy issue — it affects where people go, how communities connect, and whether neighbourhoods feel livable and welcoming. Calgarians expect their concerns to be reflected in federal law and for victims, first responders, and communities to be put first.
“We do not have to accept this as the new normal.”
Greg McLean, M.P. – April 30, 2026
The video captures my remarks in Parliament, informed directly by what I heard at these town halls. I will continue listening, raising these issues in Ottawa, and pressing for meaningful action to ensure safe, normal neighbourhoods for Calgary families, workers, and businesses.
What We Heard — and What Comes Next
Alongside the town halls, residents were invited to share their views through an online survey on public safety and crime. The response was significant, and the message was clear.
Most respondents said they are concerned about crime in Calgary and in their own neighbourhoods, particularly downtown and near transit. Many described day‑to‑day impacts — from avoiding certain areas at night, to concerns about open drug use, vandalism, and repeat offenders cycling through the justice system. Small business owners and condo residents repeatedly raised the financial and personal toll of property crime and disorder.
What We Heard From Calgarians
(Anonymous Online Survey Results)
- 78% of respondents say they are worried about crime in Calgary overall
- 75% say they are worried about crime in their own neighbourhood
- 78% express support for tougher bail rules and detention for repeat or violent offenders
These results echo what was shared during recent town halls — that public safety concerns are widespread, affect daily life, and are driving calls for stronger accountability measures and better tools for law enforcement.
While views differed on the role and location of supervised consumption services, there was broad agreement on several points: communities should not be expected to absorb unchecked disorder; repeat and violent offenders should face stricter bail and sentencing consequences; and public safety must be treated as a core responsibility of government, not an afterthought.
This feedback directly informed the statement I delivered in the House of Commons. It also reinforces why I will continue pressing for stronger laws to protect communities, ensure accountability for repeat offenders, support treatment where it works, and put victims and public safety first.
Thank you to everyone who took the time to participate. These conversations — both in person and online — are shaping my work in Ottawa, and I will continue to report back as this issue moves forward.
Related Material
Official Handsard transcript of Greg’s Statement in the House.