Calgary Minute: Fluoridation Delay, Transit Pilot, and Federal LRT Funding

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

This Week In Calgary:

• There will be a meeting of the Calgary Planning Commission on Thursday at 1:00 pm to discuss some land use amendment proposals. Otherwise, Council is in recess for the week.
  
  
• According to the City, the Safer Calgary operation, launched on February 17th, is showing promising early results in addressing crime and social disorder. In just over a month, the initiative has led to 230 charges, 1,464 arrest warrants fulfilled, and 1,060 tickets issued, alongside over 1,151 social service referrals. The program brings together police, peace officers, and community partners to focus on high-crime areas, particularly downtown and transit routes. Officers have dismantled 29 encampments and seized significant amounts of fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine. Authorities say the integrated approach strengthens public safety while addressing underlying social issues.
  
  
• Ottawa is committing $1.53 billion to the Green Line LRT, allowing the long-delayed project to proceed. While the federal government approved the revised plan, concerns remain over the City’s ability to fund the elevated downtown portion and its potential impact on property values and public safety. The Province argues the new alignment saves over $1 billion in tunnelling costs, extends the line by 76%, and adds five stations, but critics claim key costs were omitted. Some City Councillors are accusing the provincial government of political interference, saying the project has been delayed and costs have risen due to its involvement. Mayor Jyoti Gondek welcomed federal funding but criticized the province for pushing an alignment that she says will "destroy Calgary’s downtown." Despite ongoing disputes, tenders for the southern phase will go out this spring, and construction of the downtown segment is expected to begin in 2027.

Last Week In Calgary:

• Calgary Transit has launched a pilot program for two-car CTrain service on weekends and statutory holidays, aiming to reduce energy, maintenance, and operational costs while maintaining service levels. Weekend ridership averages 84 passengers per trip, significantly below the 400-person capacity of a two-car train, though numbers rise during special events. To accommodate high-demand occasions like concerts, Flames games, and the Calgary Stampede, additional “floater” trains will be added. The initiative is expected to lower energy consumption by 33% and extend fleet longevity while also improving security by simplifying patrols. Riders are encouraged to provide feedback, and if successful, the program could expand to non-peak weekday hours in the fall.
  
  
• Calgary officials have announced a delay in reintroducing fluoride to the city's drinking water, with the new timeline now set for the second quarter of 2025 instead of March. While fluoridation equipment has been installed at the Glenmore and Bearspaw water treatment plants, additional testing and inspections are required before activation. The project, costing approximately $28.1 million, involved retrofitting an existing structure at Glenmore and constructing a new facility at Bearspaw. Maintaining the system will cost about $1 million annually to ensure fluoride levels remain at the recommended 0.7 milligrams per litre.
  
  
• Council unanimously approved $28 million in funding to cover a budget shortfall for the police, caused by the loss of revenue from traffic fines. The City will use reserves to fill the gap, while also working to remove fine revenue from the police budget in the future. Some Councillors voiced concerns, with Councillor Jennifer Wyness arguing that removing photo radar has not improved safety. Councillor Jasmine Mian supported the motion but criticized the shift in funding responsibility to taxpayers. The Province has limited photo radar use to school zones, playgrounds, and construction sites, though Calgary hopes for exemptions in high-risk areas once applications open.

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