Liberal MLA joins race for mayor

Calgary Liberal MLA Kent Hehr announced his candidacy Wednesday for the city's mayoral race in October.

"Calgarians need a mayor who will bring a fresh new vision to City Hall, not just continue the same old ideas," said Hehr in a news release. "Calgarians need a mayor who understands that smart growth is the key to our future success, not just growth at any price."

According to a poll conducted exclusively for CBC News by Return On Insight in April, 25 per cent of Calgarians want their next mayor and council members to be good financial managers.

"Calgarians need a mayor who understands that spending our money wisely is better, not just spending more money," said Hehr. 

Current aldermen Ric McIver and Joe Connelly, former alderman Jon Lord and urban chicken activist Paul Hughes are also running for Calgary's top job.

Mayor Dave Bronconnier announced in February he's not seeking a fourth term.

Calgarians go to the polls to elect a new mayor and city council on Oct. 18.

The Return on Insight poll surveyed 401 Calgary adults from April 10-14. The poll's margin of error is plus or minus 4.9 per cent, 19 times out of 20.