Faculty of Law alum wins city council race for Ward 8

This October, Nathaniel Schmidt, JD’21, won the race for City Councillor of Ward 8 with 8,806 votes, over 1,000 more than the closest opponent.   

Since his time at the University of Calgary, Schmidt has had a range of experiences that he believes will be vital to serving the communities of Ward 8. From working at Legal Aid Alberta as a criminal defence lawyer, to his climate advocacy work sitting on the boards for Alberta Wilderness Association and Calgary River Valleys, his experience addressed some of the main concerns of the people of Ward 8, resulting in his election win.                                                                                                                                

“Having a background in law teaches you to think about processes and procedures in a very structured way, and that's a lot of the work you do within council,” he said.  

“When you work with low-income people, youth, and in criminal law, you really become aware of the challenges that people are facing and see the gaps in our systems at all levels of government.”   

His experiences in criminal law and environmental advocacy also contributed to shaping his priorities for Ward 8, giving him perspective on the various issues and needs within the community. His platform was based around 8 main initiatives:   

1. Building Strong Communities by Supporting Local Businesses and a Vibrant Downtown 
2. Transportation and Traffic Safety: A City That Moves Together 
3. Building a Resilient Calgary: Practical Solutions for a Changing Climate 
4. Main Streets: Improving How We Reinvest 
5. From Derelict to Destination: A New Future for Westbrook Station 
6. Public Spaces, Parks and Recreation: A Fair Share for Ward 8 
7. Public Safety with a Purpose: A City Where Everyone Feels Secure and Supported 
8. Housing Policy: Growing Together in Calgary  

According to Schmidt, during his time at UCalgary Law, he was encouraged to dig deeper into advocacy by his professors, giving him the permission he needed to do something with law that was more than just law.  

Shaun Fluker, Professor in the Faculty of Law, says the path towards politics was clear for Schmidt.  

“He has always showed enthusiasm and passion for public interest work in his JD studies, including environmental public interest work – which he has carried forward into his career as a lawyer prior to be elected in Ward 8,” said Fluker.  

As representative of some of the most longstanding and energetic neighborhoods in the city, Schmidt understands that ensuring these areas are thriving is key to Calgary’s future. Finding solutions to issues such as gaps in mental health and addiction supports, safety, housing needs, affordability, and climate issues are among his top priorities.   

Since starting in this position, Schmidt has been busy in budget meetings collaborating with his fellow council members. This year is the final year in a 4-year budget cycle, meaning council members need to get creative in order tomake predetermined priorities work towards the evolving needs of Calgarians.   

Schmidt has been vocal on his platforms to encourage members of the community to provide their input and ensure council is hearing what is important to Calgary residents.   

“Being available to engage with your constituents on a range of issues is important. There are a lot of commonalities within the wants of people in the ward. It’s really just about framing the conversations the right way, so everyone understands that issues such as better access to housing is something that benefits everyone,” he said.  

As he gets settled into this new chapter at City Hall, Schmidt is committed to being a voice for positive change in Ward 8. His initial policy work will set the tone for his term and members of his constituency will be eager to see how his priorities translate into real improvements.