Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has sparked controversy among Calgary’s mayoral hopefuls after issuing a mandate letter to her municipal affairs minister.

The mandate letter to Minister Dan Williams calls for reforms to local governance — including measures to curb rising municipal property taxes.

The timing of the letter, arriving mid-election campaign, has drawn criticism from several candidates who say the premier is overreaching.

Brian Thiessen, running under The Calgary Party banner, was particularly blunt in his response.

“The premier, if she wants to resign her seat and run for mayor of Calgary, then she should do that,” he said, accusing the provincial government of interfering in municipal affairs.

The mandate letter urges Williams to explore ways to “limit excessive municipal

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