Calgary Minute: Bus Garage, Water Restrictions, and a Large ENMAX Dividend

Calgary Minute - Your weekly one-minute summary of Calgary politics

This Week In Calgary:

• There will be a Strategic Meeting of Council this morning at 9:30 am. Council will receive a report that outlines the schedule and approach for revising the 2023-2026 Service Plans and Budgets. A key change is shifting from a service-based budgeting model to one aligned with the City's organizational structure. Administration also plans to make budget documents easier to read, provide a city-wide perspective, and include financial comparisons with other cities. The goal is to ensure a more accessible and understandable budgeting process, particularly for the newly elected council in October.
  
  
• On Tuesday, at 9:30 am, there will be a Regular Meeting of Council. The agenda includes the 2025 Calgary Awards Recipients, 2025 Local Improvement Projects, and a report on the impacts of photo radar restrictions. The report suggests that the restrictions will result in a “revenue shortfall” of up to $28 million in the Calgary Police Service budget in 2025. The Calgary Police Commission is requesting that Council provide funding to match the shortfall and support the removal of fine revenue from the police budget as soon as practical.
  
  
• Calgary is revising its outdoor watering rules, moving away from proposed annual restrictions that would have limited lawn watering to two days per week. The new recommendations would allow residents and businesses to water new trees, shrubs, and edible crops, as well as wash cars and windows during lower-level restrictions. The amendments, which were unanimously endorsed by the Executive Committee, also address water use for construction and municipal cleaning. The final decision now rests with City Council.

Last Week In Calgary:

• Calgary announced plans to address its housing shortage and revitalize downtown by adding 1,100 new homes through three residential developments and the conversion of two vacant office buildings. The City is contributing $20 million to these projects under its Downtown Development Incentive Program, which aims to attract private investment and combat office vacancy. The new developments include high-rise residential towers, while the office conversions will provide over 400 rental units, including upscale and premium options. Mayor Jyoti Gondek said the initiative is part of Calgary’s broader efforts to transform downtown into a vibrant, 24/7 community. Additional conversions are expected in 2027 and 2028 which will create another 800 housing units.
  
  
• ENMAX reported a record dividend of $103 million in 2024, surpassing $100 million for the first time. The company's comparable net earnings grew by 8% to $343 million, driven by increased transmission and distribution revenues, customer growth, and higher energy consumption. The City says that the company’s financial growth benefits Calgarians, as the City remains ENMAX’s sole shareholder.
  
  
• It was announced that Calgary's new South Central Bus Garage will replace the Victoria Park facility and double transit storage capacity, but it will also force the closure of the Wild Rose Motocross Association (WRMA) track. The motocross facility, which has operated since the 1960s, welcomes over 20,000 visitors annually and is Calgary’s only off-road riding space. The City argues that the selected site is essential for transit expansion as Calgary's population grows, but WRMA says the loss will devastate the motorsports community. Despite discussions over the past two years, a co-location agreement was not feasible, and City officials say leaseholders were given advance notice. While the City has not yet designed the bus storage facility, WRMA representatives hope to secure support for a relocation before they are required to vacate.

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