Publication date: Jul 05, 2022 • 3 hours ago • 1 minute read • 35 comments Mayor Jyoti Gondek speaks at Calgary city hall on November 8, 2021. Photo by Azin Ghaffari/Postmedia
Content of the article
Calgary Mayor Jyoti Gondek began Tuesday’s council meeting with an informal request for an official title.
Content of the article
Before question period began, Gondek asked councilors and city administration to stop using the title “your worship” when referring to her. “I find it clumsy and colonial, frankly,” he said. “And so, in my efforts to exercise my personal responsibility in terms of reconciliation, I would greatly appreciate it if council members, administration members and members of the public — if for me — would feel comfortable using Mayor Gondek.” He said the official title has been struck down by the federal government and is a tradition, but said he is not breaking any rules by asking staff and council to stop using it. Gondek said she checked with city officials before making her request. He found that there is no policy or statute that says the title must be used. It’s just tradition.
Content of the article
“It really has British colonial roots,” he said. “And at a time when we’re struggling with how to take action on reconciliation, this is my small part.” The mayor acknowledged that this is a formal procedure, and may in some cases need to be used. Gondek also acknowledged that the habit can be hard to break for some, as demonstrated by community services director Katie Black, the first member of the administration to reach out to her after the request. “Oh damn, I’ve been working so hard not to say your worship. And then that’s the first thing I do,” said Black, who then apologized to the mayor and quickly moved on. Godek credits Mayor Sandra Masters of Regina for spearheading the withdrawal of the title. Like Gondek, Masters was the first female mayor elected to lead her city. She asked for the title to be removed during her first meeting as mayor in November 2020. [email protected]: @brodie_thomas
