Getting Help in Ward 7
Thanks for reaching out to the Ward 7 Office. We receive a wide range of questions every day and knowing where to start can save you time and help get issues resolved faster.
Understanding City Requests: A Quick Guide
Calgary is growing fast, and with so many services provided by different levels of government, it can be hard to know who to contact, when to contact them, and what to expect next.
This guide answers three of the most common questions we receive at the Ward 7 Office and explains what information to have ready so we can help as quickly as possible.
What Does a Ward Office Do?
Ward offices help City Councillors stay informed about issues affecting the communities they represent. Most inquiries we receive fall into one of two categories:
· Service requests
· Policy or bylaw requests
Service Requests
Service requests include things like:
· Potholes and road repairs
· Streetlight outages
· Parking permit concerns
· Other City service issues
If you contact our office about a service issue, our first question will likely be: Have you contacted 311?
Why Start with 311?
· 311 connects your request to the right City team.
Submitting a request through 311 ensures it is officially logged and directed to the department responsible for resolving it.
· 311 helps the City plan resources.
Requests are tracked in the City's system, helping identify trends and prioritize staffing, budgets, and repairs.
· 311 gives you a tracking number.
Every request receives a Service Request (SR) number that lets you check progress and follow up if needed.
How to Contact 311
You can submit a request by:
· Calling 311 from your phone
· Using the 311 Calgary app
· Visiting calgary.ca/311
If you've already submitted a 311 request and haven't received a response within the expected timeframe, send our office your SR number and the date you submitted it. We can follow up with Administration on your behalf.
Please note that service timelines vary depending on the issue and its urgency. Once we receive your SR number, it may take at least three business days for us to receive an update.
Policy and Bylaw Requests:
We also hear from residents about City policies, bylaws, and upcoming Council decisions.
You may want to:
· Share your views on an upcoming Council vote
· Suggest a bylaw change
· Recommend improvements to a City process
In these cases, we may provide background information, explain the Councillor's past positions, or share context that may be helpful. We may also suggest other organizations or levels of government that are better suited to assist.
Please note that we do not forward emails on behalf of residents.
Policy changes are decided by Council and generally require support from at least eight councillors to move forward. While the Ward 7 Office may already be working on an issue you raise, there may not yet be sufficient support to introduce a motion or bylaw change.
Who Should I Contact?
Not every issue falls under the City of Calgary. Depending on your concern, the right contact may be:
· The City of Calgary
· The Government of Alberta
· The Government of Canada
· Other agencies or organizations
The flow chart below can help you determine where to direct your inquiry.
Tip: For service-related concerns, contacting 311 first is often the fastest way to get your issue into the system and moving toward resolution.
Common Examples:
Below are three examples of requests we often receive and the typical guidance we provide.
Example 1: Parking Restrictions Changed on My Street
What we would share with you:
Parking restrictions are managed through City processes and studies. Councillors cannot directly change parking restrictions.
If you believe restrictions should be reviewed, submit a request through 311 and ask for a parking review:
1. Select Submit an Online Service Request
2. Choose Residential Parking
3. Select Add/Modify Parking Sign
If you submit a request, feel free to send us your SR number so we can track it with you.
Example 2: Construction Is Creating Parking or Debris Issues
What we would share with you:
Please report the issue through 311. You can call, submit an online request, or upload photos through the 311 app.
This ensures the concern is tracked and routed to the appropriate City department.
Once you receive your SR number, send it to us if the issue remains unresolved and we can help follow up.
Example 3: A Barrier, Sidewalk, or Other City Infrastructure Is Damaged
What we would share with you:
Please report the issue to 311 as soon as possible. Photos are helpful and can be submitted through the app.
After submitting your request, send us your SR number and we can assist with follow-up if needed.
Thank You!
We hope this guide helps explain how the Ward 7 Office works and how we can best assist you. Our goal is to help residents connect with the right people, understand City processes, and get answers as efficiently as possible. In most cases, starting with 311 for service-related concerns is the fastest way to get your issue into the City's system and moving toward resolution. Our office is always happy to help provide context, answer questions, and follow up when needed.
Thank you for taking the time to connect here to learn more—we look forward to hearing from you. For more information about recent changes to how Councillors interact with City Administration, please see the Government of Alberta's information on modernising municipal processes on the Alberta website.