First-time council candidate Simisola Obasan is calling for a hospital in Airdrie, citing Sherwood Park’s facility as proof the city’s proximity to Calgary should not prevent it — and says she would “stand alone” or “walk away” from council if transparency is compromised.
Obasan, a triple-qualified lawyer and the first declared candidate in this year’s municipal election, said Airdrie’s growth demands a stronger healthcare infrastructure.
“Airdrie is the largest municipality in Alberta without its own hospital. With our growing population, we are in dire need of a hospital.”
She said that while municipalities do not run health facilities, they can still prepare for growth.
“Council cannot run hospitals, but we can ensure that the city is ready to meet the needs of this rapidly growing population.”
Obasan said she wrote to Health Minister Adriana LaGrange earlier this year, urging better access, and welcomed the March announcement of a second urgent care centre. But she added:
“There’s only so much that an urgent care centre can attend to.”
She pointed out that other Alberta municipalities, such as Three Hills (24/7 emergency department), Didsbury and Olds, have hospitals and/or emergency care facilities despite smaller populations.
In March, the province confirmed $2 million in planning funds for a new integrated primary and urgent care facility in Airdrie. Health Minister Adriana LaGrange said timelines depend on how quickly planning is completed, while Mayor Peter Brown called improved access to health care the city’s number one issue.
Obasan said her vision of success goes beyond bricks and mortar.
“For me, success would mean reduced emergency wait times, having more physicians available in Airdrie, expanding public health education in our schools and communities, and really measuring resident-reported outcomes, not just numbers on a page.”
She added that openness in decision-making is equally important.
“If council were to deliberately obscure decisions from the public, or bypass meaningful community consultation, or operate in ways that erode public trust — that is one thing I would have to stand against, even if it means standing alone.”
Airdrie’s population has more than doubled since 2012, rising from about 45,000 to over 90,000. According to the city’s 2024 census, the current total is 91,078, with a forecast of 132,120 by 2033.
Obasan said Calgary’s pull ensures that growth will continue.
“The bitter truth is that Airdrie’s close proximity to the big city Calgary makes it the next best option for anyone who wants to live in or near a big city, so Airdrie would not stop growing. What we have to do is to take a proactive approach to growth management, rather than kick back against growth.”
She argued that growth should be channelled into “complete communities.”
“When I say complete communities, I mean that within a walking distance you should be able to have access to schools, to grocery stores, to green spaces, to transit. Housing types that are mixed — not just detached, but also townhouses, apartments, seniors’ lodges — so that people of different ages and incomes can all live together.”
Affordable housing, she said, is one of the most pressing issues linked to that growth. She credited current council with progress through its 2024–2030 Affordable Housing Principled Action Plan.
Council endorsed that plan in June 2023, setting a target of 300 new below-market or low-end market homes within five years. The plan notes an urgent need for more than 2,000 homes for residents who are housing insecure, and outlines City roles as funder, partner, regulator and operator through Airdrie Housing Limited.
In September 2023, council also adopted the Enabling Housing Choice Project, aimed at immediate policy changes such as expanding secondary suites and streamlining approvals.
“I want to ensure that housing projects are designed thoughtfully, and are well-planned to support a healthier, safer, and more vibrant community.”
She highlighted council’s decision on secondary suites as one example of recent policy change.
“The expansion of permissions for secondary suites…is…is also a big win for Airdrie.”
Public safety, she added, also depends on decisions that may seem small.
“Did you know that the city established the 30-km city-wide residential speed limit since the 1980s, when Airdrie was still a small town of less than 10,000 people?”
“All of these things might look like they are minor on paper, but they contribute directly to safety concerns and quality of life.”
She said residents also raise concerns through daily anecdotes.
“A resident told me a few weeks back about how they spotted young kids throwing things into a pond in Bayview, and it raised concerns for her about fish habitat pollution.”
She linked that concern to the broader role of youth programs and community support.
“These programs help to channel energy, reduce crime, help youth make better choices, develop life skills, build leadership, and create mentorship opportunities that prepare them for adulthood.”
“The city of Airdrie also provides support to these organizations through the Airdrie Family and Community Support Services by providing grants and funding to help support all of their drives and initiatives, which is excellent, but this has however not proven sufficient to cater to the needs of the growing public.”
“But she added that demand continues to outpace resources.”
“The city does not necessarily have to directly provide most community support services. I am a proponent of smarter planning.”
She added that she tries to follow through on her own words.
“I’m one person who puts her mouth where her money is, and her money where her mouth is.”
She recalled a small but telling local issue.
“A tree stump had grown beneath the utility box. It had broken into the box, created a gaping hole by the sidewalk, and even posed a danger to residents, especially to young children.”
She used the example to pivot to her broader philosophy of conflict resolution.
“So to answer your question about what happens when voices conflict or when opinions clash, as they sometimes do, my role is not to pick winners or losers, but to seek a common ground and push for solutions that will set the greatest goal without leaving anyone behind. And it’s important to me that every voice is heard, as I’ve demonstrated so far in my community service.”
“If you do not wear the shoes, you do not know where it pinches.”
In February 2023, Airdrie City Council voted unanimously to join the Coalition of Inclusive Municipalities, a national network of nearly 100 cities that have pledged to improve social inclusion and eliminate discrimination. Mayor Peter Brown signed the official declaration at City Hall, with council naming Deputy Mayor Heather Spearman as Airdrie’s representative on the coalition.
“Residents need to see data-driven results that reflect a more inclusive and welcoming Airdrie.”
She said some parts of the city have been left behind.
“The facilities and amenities in the southeastern part of Airdrie are very limited.”
Survey results, she noted, echo those complaints. In the 2025 resident survey, satisfaction with parks, pathways and open spaces fell to 63 per cent from 70 per cent in 2022. The survey, conducted by Y Station Communications and Research, also showed a decline in overall quality-of-life ratings, which dropped to 68 per cent from 73 per cent in 2023.
“Revitalizing parks like Jensen park… will help to serve not only every demographic in southeastern Airdrie… It will even bring residents from across the city to enjoy its amenities and strengthen social connectivity.”
On infrastructure, she turned to roadwork and maintenance.
“It temporarily proves a pain for Airdrie residents, but it is important… we need to keep up with maintenance to lengthen and strengthen the lifespan of the roads that serve us on a daily basis.”
She said her decision to enter politics came after reflection.
“I first turned it down because I’d never seen myself in the political space. But when I considered my lived experiences here in Airdrie, I was convinced this is the next call to service for me.”
“I am committed to championing practical solutions that would reflect the shared values of every resident in Airdrie and meet real needs.”
Her campaign slogan, “So Safe,” captures her priorities.
“When I say ‘So Safe,’ it’s an acronym. It stands for: Safe Neighbourhoods, Optimal Healthcare, Support for Seniors and every demography, Affordable Housing, Fostering Infrastructural Growth and Development, and Equity and Inclusive Representation.”
“I want a council that listens to Airdrie residents, where policies we are making are informed by the true needs of Airdrie residents, not what we think they need.”
Obasan's legal expertise is in the field of immigration, corporate and business law. She serves on the City of Airdrie’s Assessment Review Board, is a faculty member at Bow Valley College, and is principal partner at Grandforth Legal Practitioners.
She has also received several recognitions, including Airdrie’s Volunteer Citizen of the Year award in 2023, an Immigrant of Distinction award in 2024 from Immigrant Services Calgary, the Community Leader of the Year Award in 2024 from the Diversity Awards, and a 2025 leadership award from the Airdrie Black Community.
Public register of candidates for the Airdrie election (As of August 22)
Nominated candidates
Candidates are featured in the order they submitted their nomination papers.
Mayor
No candidates have submitted their nominations yet.
Councillor
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Simisola Obasan
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Tomisin (Tomi) Adenipekun
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Chad Stewart
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Darrell Belyk
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Chris Glass
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Rekha Mehay
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Jay Raymundo
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Mo Fahad Shaukat
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Maulik Shah
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Anthony Morvillo
Notice of Intent to Run
The following individuals have officially filed a Notice of Intent to Run but have not submitted their nominations:
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Joshua Elo
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Matthew Kangal
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Ron Chapman
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Shaganpreet S. Sooch
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Dave Douglass
Key voting dates and locations
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Advance vote at the Town and Country Centre: Oct. 8, 11, 14 and 16
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Advance vote at City Hall (late night): Oct. 6–10, 4:30–10 p.m.
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Advance vote at City Hall (early morning): Oct. 14–17, 6:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m.
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Election Day: Oct. 20
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