The price of stuff, finding a job and Canada's debt — some Calgary voters share what's on their minds

The spices and fashion shirts are well stocked in the narrow shop along International Avenue, but Ethio Afrik co-owner Daniel Asfaw says customers are still nervous, unsure if this pandemic is really on the way out.

Business is slow. That's what will be shaping his views as he looks at the various platforms and promises on offer this federal election campaign.

Asfaw is just one of 45 people CBC talked with so far in the federal riding of Calgary Forest Lawn, where CBC Calgary has been out getting an initial read on how the community is doing and what residents want candidates to talk about this election campaign.

The election was called Sunday for a vote Sept. 20.

"Major things are the economy and what's going on with COVID. People want to be safe. But at the same time, I see people are scared to spend money, whatever they have, because they don't know what's going to happen," said Asfaw.

"Convincing people they are safe, that will help a lot."

CBC News is here, in this central east Calgary riding, because it had the lowest voter turnout in Alberta during the 2019 federal election.

International Avenue is a busy place with a bus rapid transit lane running down the middle and dozens of small independent shops and restaurants mixed in with the larger big box chains. A chat here can start cheerful, but as soon as the conversation turns to the federal election, the tone often grows more discouraged.

If only the federal government could just freeze prices on everything to let people catch up, said Marty Levi, a senior going for a walk on a smoky Monday morning.

Some voters were angry, often at the amount of money being spent on COVID recovery and other projects, and the debt that will leave future generations. Other times, it was anger at the state of Alberta's oilpatch and a perception that Ottawa has not been doing all it could to sell Alberta's oil to the world.

Others seemed tired and worried about the ongoing pandemic and small business recovery. One mother worried people weren't ready for the federal income support to end, but added she's bothered by the number of people she knows who applied even though they weren't eligible.

Convincing people they are safe, that will help a lot.- Daniel Asfaw

Many people won't get vaccinated unless the government moves from carrots to sticks, said another man with a book under his arm outside the public library. Ending COVID should be top of mind this election, he said.

Outside the Dollarama on 36th Street and at a soccer camp in Marlborough, several people brought up inflation. They said gas prices but also sports equipment and even the price of cooking oil are out of line with the salaries people are making.

Back on International Avenue, six people here said they want a focus during this campaign on homelessness, drugs and a shortage of low-rent housing. Especially during the pandemic, many people have had a hard time making rent, mortgage and car payments.

One man, walking up the street after spending the night under a bridge, said getting the economy running better and securing more jobs has to be the top priority. A woman shopping at the Alex Community Food Centre said she has a friend now living in a campground to be able to afford rent with four walls this winter.

Drug use and social disorder are both increasing, said Terry Peterson, having a smoke outside the cafe Mom's Place.

"You've got people sleeping in boulevards. We had a guy living in a tent, for crying out loud, right on 17th Avenue in front of a Tim Hortons. Then when the tent burned down, people bought him another tent," he said. "There's a lot of people who are mentally unstable in this area, and that just seems to get pushed to the side and not looked after."

Meanwhile, Neil Kemp, a roofer having a beer with friends at The Spot, small neighbourhood pub at the east end of the Avenue, said he's angry this election is happening at all.

He thinks the election will distract people from the on-going work using ground penetrating radar at residential schools; he said no candidate will focus on the tragedy because it's not going to win votes.

"This was kids getting woken up to bury kids," said Kemp. "This is going to be a whitewash over residential schools."

What do you want the candidates to be talking about as they compete for votes in the federal election? Voters from across southern Alberta are invited to leave their thoughts here. We'll read them all and let that help shape CBC Calgary's coverage.

Watch for CBC Calgary on the ground in Calgary Forest Lawn throughout the campaign.