Mayor Nenshi Challenges us to do 3 Things for Canada

Mayor Nenshi challenged audience members to do three things for Canada this year in honour of the country’s sesquicentennial - the idea is to commit three acts of service or kindness that will benefit our communities in some way. He also encouraged Canadians to focus on the success of others. “We need to open up opportunities as best we can so that everyone has the ability to participate,” he said. “My neighbour’s strength is my strength.”

During a Q&A session, the audience asked the mayor his ideas for championing diversity, welcoming more immigrants, and getting more Canadian citizens involved in civic engagement. The event was attended by community members, government and civil society leaders, media and academics.  A reception following the event gave audience members a chance to capture photos with the mayor and continue the conversation on a range of topics.

Mayor Nenshi was elected as Calgary’s 36th mayor in 2010 and re-elected in 2013. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce Degree (with distinction) from the University of Calgary and a Master’s in Public Policy from the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University, where he studied as a Kennedy Fellow. Prior to serving as mayor, he was the country’s first tenured professor in the field of non-profit management at Mount Royal University’s Bissett School of Business. Mayor Nenshi is running for re-election in October 2017.

The event was sponsored by The Walrus, and is part of the Ismaili Centre Canada 150 series, a collection of lectures and events commemorating Canada’s 150th anniversary. It was also a collaboration between the Communications Portfolio and the Youth and Sports Board, which are both part of the Ismaili Council for Ontario.