Summary#
On October 20, 2026, Calgary City Council carried a decision to nominate Councillor McLean for appointment to the Saddledome Foundation’s Board of Directors. The nomination is for a three-year term ending at Council’s 2029 Organizational Meeting; the Foundation, not Council, makes the appointment.
- Council made an exception to section 5.6.3 of its board-appointments policy to nominate McLean.
- Council kept the closed-meeting discussions and confidential candidate materials confidential.
What it means for you#
- Calgarians: This is an appointment decision, not a new public service or program. It does not directly change residents’ rights, fees, or services.
- Saddledome Foundation: It receives Council’s nomination of McLean for appointment to its board. The decision does not itself appoint McLean.
- Council: The decision keeps the discussions and candidate materials confidential under the cited privacy and confidential-evaluation rules.
Money#
City staff reported no anticipated financial impact.
- The materials give no estimate for the time or other resources needed to support the nomination or board role.
What is unclear#
- The decision does not explain why Council made an exception to section 5.6.3 of its appointments policy.
- The materials do not say when the Foundation will decide whether to appoint McLean or what happens if it does not.
- The decision does not set out the duties, pay, or expenses for this board role.
Case for#
- City staff say public members can bring skills, perspectives, and expertise to boards and strengthen relationships with Calgarians.
- City staff report that the vacancy arose because a current public member’s term was expiring. The nomination fills that vacancy if the Foundation appoints McLean.
Case against#
- Council made an exception to its appointments policy, but the decision does not explain why. That leaves the reason for departing from the policy unclear.
- Councillor Chabot voted against the decision. The supplied materials do not give a reason for the vote.