Naheed Nenshi

Naheed Kurban Nenshi
Born	(1972-02-02) February 2, 1972 Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Occupation(s)	Politician, management consultant, columnist, university instructor
Years active	2004–present
Known for	36th Mayor of Calgary (2010–2021), Leader of the Alberta New Democratic Party (2024–present), Official Opposition leader in Alberta (2025–present)

Naheed Kurban Nenshi (born February 2, 1972) is a Canadian political figure who has led the Alberta New Democratic Party (NDP) since 2024 and has served as the official Opposition leader since 2025. He held the position of Calgary's 36th mayor for three consecutive terms, spanning from 2010 until 2021.

Nenshi holds a commerce degree from the University of Calgary and earned a Master of Public Policy from Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government. Prior to his political career, he worked as a management consultant, taught courses on non-profit management at Mount Royal University, and was a municipal affairs columnist for the Calgary Herald.

In the 2010 mayoral race, Nenshi secured victory with 39% of the vote, becoming the first Muslim mayor of a major city in Canada. He was re-elected in 2013 with an increased share of 74%, and again in 2017 with 51%. After completing three terms, he opted not to run in the 2021 election and was succeeded by Jyoti Gondek. Throughout his tenure, he was recognized as one of Canada's most well-regarded mayors.

In March 2024, Nenshi declared his intention to lead the Alberta NDP, winning the leadership on the initial ballot with 86% support and a total of 62,746 votes. He became a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) in June 2025 after winning the by-election in Edmonton-Strathcona, subsequently taking on the role of Opposition leader.

Early life, education, and career

Born in Toronto, Ontario, Nenshi grew up primarily in Calgary and Red Deer County. His parents, Kurbanali Hussein and Noorjah, are Ismaili Muslims of Gujarati Indian descent who immigrated to Canada from Tanzania.

He obtained a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Calgary in 1993, during which he served as President of the Students' Union. He then completed a Master of Public Policy at Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government in 1998. Following graduation, Nenshi worked with McKinsey & Company before establishing Ascend Group, a consulting firm serving clients across non-profit, private, and public sectors—including advising the United Nations on corporate citizenship initiatives. He also engaged with Canada25, a federal network supporting young professionals in public policy and leadership development.

In 2002, Nenshi authored "Building Up: Making Canada's Cities Engines of Growth and Magnets of Development," which emphasized strategies for retaining young talent and improving resource efficiency. Four years later, in 2006, he was the principal author behind "ImagineCalgary's 100-year plan."

Nenshi’s initial political attempt came in 2004 when he ran unsuccessfully for Calgary city council. In 2009, he co-founded Civic Camp—a platform encouraging active civic participation—and launched the "Better Calgary Campaign," a group focused on monitoring city hall operations. Concurrently, he taught non-profit management courses at Mount Royal University's Bissett School of Business and contributed municipal affairs columns to the Calgary Herald.

2010 election

His 2010 mayoral bid, branded the "Purple Revolution," was a groundbreaking campaign that harnessed social media to connect with voters from diverse political backgrounds. Initially, Nenshi trailed in third place with just 8% backing, behind alderman Ric McIver at 42% and media figure Barb Higgins at 28%. Despite facing criticism—including a public disagreement with Calgary Police Service chief Rick Hanson concerning policing expenses—Nenshi's popularity steadily increased.

As election day approached, polls indicated a three-way tie among Nenshi, McIver, and Higgins, each holding approximately 30% support among decided voters. His appeal was particularly strong among younger voters, a demographic reached effectively through his social media outreach. Ultimately, he won the mayoral race with 40% of the vote, finishing nearly 28,000 votes ahead of McIver.

During the campaign, on September 11, 2010, twenty of Nenshi’s campaign signs were defaced and a brick was thrown through his office window. These incidents occurred alongside racially charged emails and were widely interpreted as motivated by racial bias.

Nenshi’s election represented a pioneering use of social media in political campaigns and attracted global attention due to his unique background and religious identity. His victory also indicated a transformation in Alberta's political landscape and Calgary’s changing demographics, characterized by fostering voter engagement through meaningful two-way communication described as "politics in full sentences."

2013 election

At the start of his 2013 re-election campaign in September, Nenshi made public the list of his campaign contributors and encouraged his challengers to do likewise, underscoring his dedication to transparency within City Hall. He proposed cutting the $4,800 subsidy provided to home builders, aiming to save the city $33 million annually and address the $1.5 billion municipal debt accumulated over ten years. Advocating for free market principles in housing development, he supported developer levies as a means to finance suburban infrastructure. This strategy received backing from the Manning Centre for Building Democracy, which highlighted the importance of equitable tax responsibilities shared between developers and inner-city residents.

In October 2013, Nenshi collaborated with Councillors Andre Chabot and Gian-Carlo Carra to advance a redevelopment initiative originally proposed in 2008 by former Mayor Dave Bronconnier for International Avenue (17th Ave SE). The plan envisioned transforming the area into a major transit hub featuring a C-train line and rapid bus lanes outlined in Calgary Transit's 'Route Ahead' strategy, alongside urban renewal efforts including upgraded apartments and commercial properties. Councillor Carra, whose master's thesis examined urban decline in Forest Lawn, spearheaded efforts to rejuvenate that community.

Riding on widespread public approval, Nenshi achieved a decisive re-election victory and was promptly sworn into office again.

2017 election

During Nenshi's initial term, the duration of council mandates was increased from three to four years. On November 4, 2016, he declared his intention to seek a third term. By October 16, 2017, Nenshi had won re-election for a third term, securing more than half of the votes, although with a narrower lead compared to the previous campaign.

Housing

In early 2013, Nenshi's administration severed ties with Calgary’s chapter of the Canadian Home Builders' Association following criticism from its president who labeled city initiatives as a "suburban freeze." To tackle the housing deficit, Nenshi advocated for the legalization of "secondary housing," proposing uniform safety standards for an estimated 10,000 to 40,000 secondary suites within Calgary. One of his last moves in 2013 included eliminating the $4,485 rezoning fee for secondary suite applications.

That same year, a leaked recording revealed Shane Homes CEO Cal Wenzel discussing plans to influence municipal elections by raising $1.1 million and utilizing Preston Manning’s conservative foundation. Wenzel detailed tactics aimed at securing eight council votes favorable to industry goals, bypassing opposition linked to Nenshi’s popularity. In response, Nenshi initiated an investigation into potential election law breaches. Subsequently, Wenzel filed a $6 million defamation suit against Nenshi, accusing him of political smearing during the campaign. Wenzel argued that his remarks were misrepresented and objected to being likened to the "Godfather." The dispute was resolved out of court in December 2015, with Nenshi retracting certain comments and Wenzel acknowledging concerns about lawsuits deterring political discourse. Nearly $300,000 in legal fees incurred by Nenshi were covered through public donations.

Infrastructure and services

Soon after assuming office, Nenshi’s council embarked on major infrastructure projects aimed at enhancing Calgary’s appeal, including revitalizing the East Village with landmarks such as the New Central Library and the National Music Centre. These projects were mainly financed by the Community Investment Fund, which draws on tax revenues including an annual $42 million provincial refund.

The administration completed several public works started by former mayor Dave Bronconnier, such as extending the C-Train westward, constructing the Peace Bridge, and building a traffic tunnel leading to Calgary International Airport. Although Nenshi personally favored water fluoridation, his council in the second term voted to discontinue it.

Following revelations about excessive expenditures by former Enmax CEO Gary Holden—who raised his salary from $700,000 to $2.7 million before resigning in 2011 amid ethical concerns—Nenshi ordered an inquiry into corruption within the city-owned utility. Despite controversies including extravagant taxpayer-funded events, Holden received a $4.6 million severance package.

In 2011, Nenshi participated in the groundbreaking ceremony for Enmax’s Shepard Energy Centre, a $1.4 billion natural gas facility producing 800MW—over half of Calgary’s electricity demand—which became fully operational by March 2015 and integrated into Alberta’s power grid.

The administration pursued initiatives aimed at enhancing municipal governance and transparency through efforts described as "transforming government" and "cutting red tape," which resulted in saving citizens approximately 33,000 hours and $1.12 million in efficiency gains. In 2012, Nenshi actively sought public feedback to further optimize city services.

In 2013, city council passed a bylaw prohibiting smoking in playgrounds and other family-friendly environments. That year also saw Nenshi endorse the proposed Keystone XL pipeline, asserting that it could mitigate environmental risks associated with oil transportation despite facing opposition.

Transportation

Under Nenshi's leadership, the city introduced its inaugural bicycle lanes in the downtown area, setting a goal to establish 30 kilometers of cycling paths by the year 2020.

Towards the end of 2013, Calgary entered into a preliminary agreement with the Tsuu T'ina Nation to explore extending Stoney Trail through Tsuu T'ina territory as part of a ring road project. After more than five decades of discussions, the Tsuu T'ina community approved the proposal via an October referendum, exchanging 450 hectares of their land for 2,150 hectares of Crown land along with $340 million in compensation.

The "RouteAhead" strategy was unveiled by Calgary Transit, outlining a $13 billion plan over three decades to enhance transit capacity. To address peak-hour congestion, busy C-train stations were upgraded to support four-car trains. The city council authorized $200 million for purchasing 60 new four-car train sets to replace aging U2 trains dating back to 1981, thereby improving service frequency and reducing overcrowding.

In an effort to encourage public transit usage, Nenshi eliminated the $3 fee for park-and-ride facilities; however, a $70 monthly charge was later introduced for reserved parking spots.

2026 Winter Olympics

Following Toronto's withdrawal from the bid for the 2024 Summer Olympics, Nenshi expressed interest in Calgary hosting the Winter Olympics again in 2026. He engaged with local groups preparing a bid and adopted a cautious "wait and see" stance as they developed comprehensive plans.

In 2016, Calgary allocated $5 million to fund the Calgary Bid Exploration Committee tasked with evaluating the economic feasibility of hosting the 2026 Games. During the Rio 2016 Summer Olympics, Nenshi met with International Olympic Committee officials who reportedly responded positively to Calgary's potential bid.

Ultimately, the bid was abandoned after a local referendum where 56.4% voted against proceeding. The hosting rights were awarded to Italy.

2013 flood and reconstruction

In response to the catastrophic Southern Alberta flood of 2013, Nenshi took a leading role in boosting community spirit and encouraged residents to access mental health resources during recovery efforts. His leadership received widespread acclaim and inspired fundraising campaigns such as T-shirts bearing his image to support the Red Cross.

Together with the Calgary Herald, Nenshi co-published a book chronicling the flood’s impact; proceeds from this publication were directed to The Calgary Foundation's Flood Rebuilding Fund aiding affected individuals.

He appointed Gordon Stewart, former City transportation director, to manage reconstruction efforts. The flood resulted in damages estimated at approximately $250 million. Additionally, Nenshi established a panel comprising experts and community representatives tasked with recommending strategies for enhanced flood mitigation and future resilience.

City finances

The city embarked on a decade-long initiative aimed at consolidating the business tax with non-residential property taxes, as Calgary remained one of the last municipalities maintaining an independent business tax structure.

Tax increases had been occurring prior to Nenshi’s administration due to combined provincial and municipal decisions since 2007, funding projects such as C-train extensions. Annual increases ranged from 5–10% for city taxes and 3–8% for provincial taxes. Property tax rates rose by 33% during Nenshi’s first term and an additional 14.37% throughout his second term, generating dissatisfaction among residents.

Fiscal planning continued to be complicated by uncertain provincial and federal funding streams. Nenshi, along with other mayors, criticized the federal government for inadequate capital funding mechanisms for infrastructure projects compared to models in countries like the United States. Together with Edmonton mayor Stephen Mandel, he advocated for a municipal charter to clearly define provincial-municipal responsibilities; however, progress stalled amid provincial austerity measures that further pressured municipal budgets.

Despite these tax hikes, Nenshi asserted that Calgary’s tax rates remained among the lowest in major Canadian cities. Still, median property taxes increased by 52% between 2010 and 2016 under his leadership.

In December 2013, Nenshi projected potential annual tax increases of up to 5% over four years and emphasized the need for diversified revenue sources beyond property taxes—such as business taxation—to finance capital investments including transit upgrades. He noted that only provincial legislation could authorize fundamental revenue mechanisms.

City council sought public input regarding allocation of a $52 million surplus generated from over-collected property taxes in 2013. Proposed uses included rebates, neighborhood improvements, transit enhancements, business tax reductions, or debt repayment. Following the flood that year, council decided to direct these funds toward flood relief efforts despite cautions from groups like the Canadian Taxpayer Federation warning this might lead to permanent tax increases.

During budget deliberations in 2014, most councillors favored returning the $52 million provincial tax refund directly to residents.

Social issues

In 2011, Nenshi made history as the first mayor of Calgary to serve as grand marshal for Calgary Pride, the city's annual gay pride parade. Two years later, he officially declared a "Trans Day of Visibility" to highlight the difficulties encountered by transgender individuals in Calgary. That same year, together with Alberta Premier Alison Redford—the first Premier to act as grand marshal—Nenshi inaugurated the 23rd edition of the Calgary Pride parade. He extended an invitation to residents of Quebec, underscoring Calgary’s commitment to inclusivity and openly criticizing Quebec’s proposed 'Charter of Quebec Values' for conflicting with the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

At a 2014 event hosted by Calgary Economic Development, Nenshi pointed out the insufficient representation of ethnic minorities and women in senior municipal positions, observing that despite strong hiring practices, these groups encountered barriers to advancement.

During the 2017 opioid crisis impacting cities across Western Canada, Nenshi called on the federal government to designate Calgary as a pilot location for harm reduction initiatives tailored specifically to local circumstances.

He also oversaw centennial celebrations for several major city institutions—including the Calgary Public Library, Calgary Stampede, and Mount Royal University—supported by a $1.6 million grant from the federal government.

Under his administration, the official title of alderman was replaced with the gender-neutral term councillor.

Following his re-election in 2013, Nenshi instructed that during the 2014 Winter Olympics, Calgary City Hall should fly the rainbow pride flag as a statement against Russia’s anti-LGBT policies.

In alignment with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s 2015 reconciliation initiative, Calgary’s city council established the 'Calgary Aboriginal Urban Affairs Committee' to create a strategy addressing Indigenous social challenges. The committee produced the 'White Goose Flying' report, which supports the TRC’s recommendations for open dialogue about residential school abuses and inter-generational trauma.

Responding to public pressure in 2017, the Langevin Bridge spanning the Bow River was renamed Reconciliation Bridge, removing its association with Sir Hector-Louis Langevin, who played a significant role in establishing the Residential School system.

Further advancing reconciliation efforts, Nenshi participated in a drumming ceremony with Indigenous leaders to raise the Treaty 7 flag alongside provincial, national, and municipal flags outside City Hall.

Leader of the Alberta NDP (2024–present)

After weeks of speculation, on March 11, 2024, Nenshi declared his intention to seek leadership of the Alberta NDP. Although not previously a party member, he received special permission to enter the race.

Throughout his campaign, Nenshi advocated for allowing provincial members to opt out from joining the federal NDP. Nearly one year later, this policy change was ratified by party members.

On June 22, 2024, he secured victory on the first ballot with 62,746 votes (86%), becoming the party’s ninth leader and succeeding former Premier Rachel Notley.

Tenure

Half a year after assuming leadership, Nenshi pinpointed affordability, employment, health care, public safety, and education as crucial focus areas, while expressing criticism toward the United Conservative Party government for their lack of attention to these issues.

Nenshi stood against the federal consumer carbon tax introduced by Justin Trudeau’s Liberal administration, contending that it politically eliminated home oil heating. He also condemned the UCP’s seven-month suspension on renewable energy initiatives and has maintained a measured stance on federal plans for emission reductions.

Through op-ed contributions in the Calgary Herald, he advocated modifications to Bill C-59 and proposed approaches for Alberta amid escalating US-Canada trade disputes.

After revelations of mismanagement in procurement contracts at Alberta Health Services, Nenshi demanded a comprehensive public inquiry, an RCMP probe, and the removal of Health Minister Adriana LaGrange. He backed Peter Guthrie’s call for an immediate judicial investigation, accusing the Smith administration of concealing facts.

On May 3, 2025, at the party’s provincial convention, Nenshi secured 89.5% approval in a leadership review vote.

By-elections

Nenshi’s initial electoral challenge as leader occurred during the 2024 Lethbridge-West provincial by-election, which was won by the NDP candidate Rob Miyashiro. Nenshi did not contest that seat; instead, following Rachel Notley’s retirement, he declared his candidacy for her former constituency in Edmonton-Strathcona. On January 23, 2025, he was acclaimed as the NDP nominee without opposition. He was elected MLA on June 23, 2025, while the Alberta NDP maintained control of Edmonton-Ellerslie. Nenshi officially took office as MLA and was designated Leader of the Official Opposition on July 12.

Outside politics

In 2024, Nenshi took part in Canada Reads, championing the graphic novel Denison Avenue authored by Christina Wong and Daniel Innes.

Accolades

Nenshi was honored with the World Economic Forum's Young Leader award in 2011 in recognition of his innovative urban planning concepts. The following year, he received the Canadian Institute of Planners' President's Award for promoting transparency. In 2013, Maclean's ranked him as the second most influential Canadian after Prime Minister Stephen Harper.

In 2014, Elder Pete Standing Alone from Kainai First Nation bestowed upon Nenshi the Blackfoot name A'paistootsiipsii, meaning "Camp Moving Leader," symbolizing his leadership role in Calgary. That same year, he became the first Canadian mayor to be honored with the World Mayor award by the City Mayors Foundation.

In 2017, the Mosaic Institute named Nenshi 'Honorary Peace Patron' in recognition of his efforts to enhance Canada’s social cohesion.

Electoral record

2024 Alberta New Democratic Party leadership election

Candidate	Votes	%
Naheed Nenshi (X)	62,746	86.04
Kathleen Ganley	5,899	8.09
Sarah Hoffman	3,063	4.19
Jodi Calahoo Stonehouse	1,222	1.67

2017 Calgary mayoral election

Candidate	Votes	%
Naheed Nenshi (X)	199,122	51.41
Bill Smith	169,367	43.73
Andre Chabot	11,945	3.08

2013 Calgary mayoral election

Candidate	Votes	%
Naheed Nenshi (X)	193,393	73.65
Jon Lord	56,226	21.41

2010 Calgary mayoral election

Candidate	Votes	%
Naheed Nenshi (X)	140,263	39.61
Ric McIver	112,386	31.74
Barb Higgins	91,359	25.80

(Asterisk denotes candidate who withdrew but remained on ballot)

See also

• List of Harvard University politicians

External links

• Official website of Mayor Nenshi at City of Calgary (archived August 2018)