Supporting Calgary as a Leader in Film

I’ve spent over a decade in the film industry, and while that’s not a typical path to politics, it’s helped me deliver real results for Calgary.

While serving on City Council, I learned The Last of Us was scouting filming locations. I called a contact at HBO, asked what it would take to bring the production here—and we got it done.

Bringing The Last of Us to Calgary helped make it not only our City's story, but an Alberta story. I love to look back on how we evolved from a crumbling film industry to where we are today, being part of the change that turned it all around right here in Calgary... 

For me, both passion and opportunity drove me to say 'we need to re-establish the film industry in Calgary'. The then-NDP government had turned Alberta's incentive program into a grant, which killed the film industry overnight. To get that back, it required three things: incentive, infrastructure and talent. 

I was able to work with the new UCP government to get the incentive program back on the table and approved by the Alberta government. I then convinced City Council to buy back the film centre from the province; they effectively handed over the keys. I established a board through Calgary Economic Development and with the help of other key players, we got the film industry reignited in Calgary. 

The Last of Us created hundreds of jobs for Calgarians, from technicians to construction workers. It was a win for our economy and our city’s creative future. It is the largest television production to be filmed in Alberta, and has the highest viewership of an HBO debut season.

What an incredible story for our City. I am so proud to have been a part of that. 

As mayor, I’ll keep building opportunities like this—not just in film, but in sports, music, and the arts.