Calgary Talks

On October 19, 2026, Albertans will take part in one of the largest referendum exercises in Alberta’s history.

But what exactly is a referendum? Why is Alberta holding one now? What are the ten questions Albertans will be asked to vote on—and, most importantly, how can you make sure your voice is heard?

In this special Calgary Talks episode, Adeel Raza takes us through the Alberta Referendum 2026 in simple and practical terms. He looks at Alberta’s recent referendum history and then explains what voters can expect this October—from the structure of the ten separate, numbered and colour-coded ballots to Election Day voting, advance voting and voting by mail through a Special Ballot.

With ten questions, Elections Alberta says approximately 45 million ballots will be printed and at least 60,000 election workers will be required to deliver and count the vote. The scale—and significant public cost—of this referendum makes informed participation particularly important.

Advance voting will take place October 13–17, while Election Day is October 19, with polls open from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Albertans choosing to vote by mail should pay particular attention to the deadlines: Special Ballot applications now close September 25, and completed ballots must be received by Elections Alberta by 5:00 p.m. on October 16.

This episode is not about telling you how to vote. It is about understanding the questions, understanding the process, and recognizing our civic responsibility to participate.

A referendum gives citizens an opportunity to make their voices heard directly. Whatever your views may be, take the time to understand the questions, make an informed decision, and exercise your right to vote.

Your province. Your voice. Your vote.

🎙️ Calgary Talks | Court Ellingson – From Community Development to the Alberta Legislature

Every leader has a story, and for Court Ellingson, that story began long before politics.

Born in Victoria, British Columbia, Court moved to Calgary during his high school years. His early life was shaped by watching his father—a retired Navy officer—transition into farming and beekeeping before later serving in municipal politics as a councillor. Growing up during the economic challenges of the 1980s, Court witnessed firsthand how high interest rates, rising equipment costs, seed prices, and fertilizer expenses placed enormous pressure on farming families. Those early observations gave him a deep appreciation of how government decisions directly affect people’s lives.

Driven by that understanding, Court pursued a Business degree, worked extensively with non-profit organizations, and spent time in Indonesia, where he experienced community development in action within different democratic systems. He later completed a Master’s in Community Economic Development, building a career focused on helping municipalities attract investment, support local businesses, and create thriving communities.

Throughout his journey, Court worked with municipalities across Canada, city agencies, entrepreneurs, community organizations, and stakeholders to promote economic growth while addressing challenges such as homelessness and community well-being. As a Vice President of Strategy and Economic Development, he developed a simple but powerful philosophy:

“You cannot separate community from economic development.”

Today, as the MLA for Calgary-Foothills, Court brings decades of firsthand experience in community building, economic development, and public service to Alberta’s Legislature.

In this episode of Calgary Talks, Court Ellingson reflects on the experiences that shaped his leadership—from his childhood on the farm to his work with communities across Canada, and ultimately, his journey to becoming an MLA.

Let’s listen to his story.

From Alaska to Mexico: Forrester Nolan’s Journey of Adventure, Purpose & Perseverance

Australian backpacker Forrester Nolan joins Calgary Talks to share the remarkable story behind his extraordinary journey—cycling all the way from Alaska to Mexico. Beyond the miles and mountains, Forrester reflects on his life story, the challenges that shaped him, the motivation that keeps him moving forward, and the lessons he’s learned from meeting people and embracing different cultures along the way.

Join us as we explore the mindset of a modern adventurer and discover how courage, resilience, and a passion for exploration can inspire us all to pursue our own journeys—one step, or one pedal, at a time.

🎙️ Calgary Talks | Episode 2: Giving Back, Growing Forward

What does it truly mean to be part of a community?

In this episode of Calgary Talks, Saqib Jalil reflects on the transformative power of community engagement and volunteerism. From his early days as a newcomer to Calgary to serving with organizations such as the Calgary Food Bank, the University of Calgary Senate, and the Alberta Cancer Foundation, Saqib shares how volunteering shaped his personal and professional journey.

His message is simple yet powerful: Volunteer hours are not just about giving back to your community—they are about giving back to yourself. Through service, we build meaningful connections, develop leadership skills, gain confidence, and create a stronger, more compassionate society.

Join us for an inspiring conversation on why every one of us has something valuable to contribute—and why the greatest reward of volunteering is often the person we become along the way.

Coming Soon on Calgary Talks | Court Ellingson, MLA for Calgary-Foothills

Every leader has a story—a journey shaped by challenges, setbacks, decisions, and purpose.

In this upcoming Calgary Talks series, we sit down with Court Ellingson, MLA for Calgary-Foothills, for an open and thoughtful conversation about his personal journey, the lessons that have shaped his leadership, how he navigates criticism, what keeps him motivated, and the legacy he hopes to leave behind.

We also explore one of Alberta’s most talked-about issues today: the growing conversation around Alberta separation. What factors are driving separatist sentiment? What are the concerns many Albertans are expressing, and how does he see the path forward?

Join us for an honest discussion on leadership, public service, Alberta’s future, and leading with purpose.

Stay tuned—new episodes are coming soon on Calgary Talks.

From Karachi & Multan to Calgary: A Journey of Courage, Persistence & Opportunity

Every successful career has a story that begins with a dream.

In his first episode of Calgary Talks, Saqib Jalil, CPA, CA shares his inspiring journey—from his childhood in Karachi and later in Multan, Pakistan, studying at Bahauddin Zakariya University, teaching at IBA Karachi, and building a career in Pakistan’s financial sector, to taking a leap of faith and moving to Calgary, Canada.

Remarkably, he secured his first professional job in Canada on just the 35th day after arriving. His story is one of resilience, preparation, and believing that new beginnings are possible.

Let’s hear, in his own words, how determination and continuous learning helped shape his journey.

Watch Episode 1 of Calgary Talks with Saqib Jalil.

Calgary Talks | From Curiosity to the United Nations

One application. One opportunity. One decision can change your life.

Every remarkable journey begins with a single step. In this inspiring episode of Calgary Talks, Moazima Rizwan shares how a simple childhood fascination with her father’s work in mapping and geography grew into an extraordinary journey from the University of Calgary to the United Nations.

What began with uncertainty after high school turned into a passion for Geography, GIS, and real-world problem solving. From studying in Italy and Greece through a prestigious international scholarship, to conducting research with First Nations communities, developing advanced web mapping tools, and gaining industry experience, Moazima embraced every opportunity that came her way.

Her biggest breakthrough came when she took her father’s advice: “If you don’t buy the lottery ticket, you have zero chance of winning.” She applied for a UN internship despite believing she wasn’t qualified. Months later, she was selected, travelled on a diplomatic visa, and developed web mapping tools for the UN Crisis Centre. Her work later supported crisis mapping used by the United Nations Secretary-General—an achievement that few students ever experience.

Today, her accomplishments have earned her a fully funded Master’s scholarship at the University of Calgary, recognition during her graduation ceremony, and the honour of representing more than 38,000 University of Calgary students at a major university event.

🎯 Her message to students and young professionals:
Don’t wait until you feel ready. Apply. Participate. Connect. Stay informed. Embrace technology. The world is changing rapidly—and those who seize opportunities today will shape tomorrow.

This is a story of courage, curiosity, resilience, and the power of saying “Why not?”