Calgary Mayor Jeromy Farkas and Premier Danielle Smith traded barbs over the weekend, each accusing the other of playing 'fun police' as the Calgary Stampede approaches. The dispute centers on the city's noise regulations for Stampede music tents and the province's recent increase in minimum on-site liquor prices.
Mayor criticizes liquor price hike
On Sunday, Farkas took aim at the Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Commission's decision to raise minimum drink prices at bars and restaurants. In a social media post, he wrote: 'Looks like the fun police have struck again in Alberta, this time targeting people trying to enjoy a pint. This last-minute hike before Stampede will raise the minimum price of a beer from $3.20 to $5, a 60 per cent increase.' He argued the move would hurt local businesses and workers already facing higher costs.
Premier targets noise rules
The mayor's language mirrored Smith's criticism from a day earlier. On Saturday, the premier posted on X: 'Looks like the fun police have struck again in Calgary, this time targeting the Calgary Stampede music scene.' She claimed the city's reduced allowable noise levels and early show closures on weeknights would negatively affect hundreds of workers and create public safety and crowd-management problems.
Political back-and-forth
Smith's post shared a column by Penny Lane Entertainment CEO Paul Vickers, published by Postmedia on Friday. Farkas's response appeared to be a pointed retort to the premier's remarks, using nearly identical phrasing. The exchange highlights tensions between municipal and provincial governments over how to balance celebration with regulation during Alberta's biggest annual event.
With fewer than two weeks until the Calgary Stampede, both leaders are positioning themselves as defenders of fun, while accusing the other of overreach. The noise rule changes and liquor price increases are set to take effect during the Stampede, which runs from July 3 to 12.
