Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, seen with Prime Minister Mark Carney at last year's Calgary Stampede, accused the city of policing fun by requiring that live acts conform to a noise curfew.Jeff McIntosh/The Canadian Press
Strip away all the sound and fury – about city versus country, or fun police versus a good time – and ignore the attempt to turn new rules about noise at this year’s Calgary Stampede into a culture war. Wars involve winners and losers. What this is about is finding a way to live together.
The issue is how to balance the side effects of popular temporary entertainment venues with the quality of life of the thousands of people who have homes nearby.
No reasonable person believes that city living must be quiet. This space has argued against people trying to get the benefits of urban life while seeking to duck the related costs, which can include noise and development. However, it does not follow that any and all disruptions are acceptable.
The question in Calgary is not, should cities cater to those who live in them or to those who visit for a few days of revelry? Because both groups matter. Finding the correct balance requires, first, an honest assessment of the facts.
One, the Stampede is a quintessentially Alberta event that brings huge attention and tourism dollars to Calgary. Its success should be nurtured. Still, that does not mean anything Stampede-related gets a free pass.
We use the term “related” because the venues at the heart of the recent controversy are not on the Stampede grounds. They are a pair of 11-day music festivals held in tents closer to the downtown. They coincide with the Stampede but are private operations that require separate tickets.
To the ire of neighbours, these festivals have in recent years been allowed an exemption from the city’s normally mandated noise curfew. In February, in wake of growing complaints, council decided to remove the exemption. This was not sprung on the organizers at the last minute, as some of the commentary has alleged.
What were those new rules? Live acts must wrap up at midnight from Sunday through Thursday – 90 minutes earlier than last year. There were also reductions in maximum noise and bass levels. These rules seemed uncontroversial and uncontested until last week, when the head of the company behind Cowboys, one of the music festivals, penned a column slamming them.
“Many residents take great pride in living in a vibrant city with live events,” Paul Vickers wrote. “The question is whether Calgary can continue to support the events, jobs, tourism and cultural experiences required to drive economic growth, or are we fundamentally an anti-business city.”
Alberta Premier, Calgary mayor fight over noise bylaw ahead of Stampede
A pile-on ensued. Premier Danielle Smith accused the city on social media of “targeting the Calgary Stampede music scene” and implied she might get involved. Then federal Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre posted that, “Millions flock to the Stampede because IT IS FUN to stay up late and listen to loud music.”
Noise complaints are, along with potholes, one of the most local of local concerns. And Mayor Jeromy Farkas proved he was ready to defend his residents. First he shot back at “fun police” criticism by noting that the province had recently raised the minimum sale price of alcohol. And then early Tuesday morning he posted on social media a stinging video commentary.
“We’re talking about a few off-site tents that have been treating their neighbors like garbage,” he said.
Later on Tuesday, council agreed to permit an hour of “cool-down” music on speakers after performances end, though a majority voted down a motion to push the curfew later for the live acts themselves. Notably, councillors representing wards farther from the downtown tended to support later live music while central councillors were opposed. The people hearing this music are, after all, their constituents.
“The council has decided,” Mr. Farkas told the Calgary Herald, adding a dig at Ms. Smith: “If she thinks she can do better she can run for mayor.”
Canadian premiers have the power to treat cities largely as they choose. But Ms. Smith would be wise not to force her way on this issue.
The Stampede and its associated events are important to the culture and economy of Calgary. However, as the mayor notes, its success requires local buy-in. Residents must not get the sense that the event’s associated downsides are ignored by powers outside the city.
Calgarians will not be indefinitely receptive or hospitable if they feel partyers are being foisted on them. And that is a greater threat to the Stampede than any noise bylaw.