Calgary Minute: GamePLAN Advances, Cannabis Sales, and Eau Claire Demolition

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

This Week In Calgary:

• There will be a meeting of the Executive Committee on Tuesday at 9:30 am. Councillor Kourtney Penner will propose bylaw changes to allow cannabis sales at adult-only events, aligning City policies with provincial rules. She argues that cannabis and alcohol should have equal treatment, as both are legal substances. The Alberta government amended legislation in 2023 to permit temporary cannabis sales at certain events, but municipal approval is still required. The proposal will undergo a technical review before being debated at a future Council meeting.
  
  
• On Wednesday, at 9:30 am, there will be a meeting of the Infrastructure and Planning Committee. The Committee will receive a presentation on Water System Planning, the purpose of which is to share how the City plans for water system capacity and which infrastructure projects are underway to address growth and improve the Bearspaw South feeder main’s reliability. The Calgary Planning Commission will meet on Thursday at 1:00 pm to address several proposed land use amendments.
  
  
• The demolition of Eau Claire Market is underway, with work expected to continue for two months. While demolition was initially planned to make way for a Green Line LRT station, the latest alignment does not include a station at Eau Claire in its first phase. The City took possession of the site in May 2024 and is removing all aboveground and underground structures, including parking and landscaping. Harvard Developments, the site's last owner, plans to redevelop the area into a mixed-use, transit-oriented community.

Last Week In Calgary:

• The Community Development Committee approved the GamePLAN strategy, a 25-year blueprint for revitalizing and expanding the city's recreational facilities. The plan calls for up to $6 billion in funding, with an estimated annual cost of $200 million to $250 million, to address aging infrastructure and rising demand. If implemented, it would fund the construction and renewal of ice rinks, fieldhouses, athletic parks, and aquatic facilities, with a focus on equitable access across the city. Community sports groups and facility operators voiced strong support, emphasizing the benefits for participation, public health, and community engagement. Councillors highlighted recreation’s broader impact, including mental health benefits and crime reduction, as reasons to invest. If approved by this Council at a later meeting, the next City Council will be responsible for developing a funding strategy in 2026.
  
  
• The Community Development Committee also recommended that Council approve a bylaw imposing a $10,000 fine on tow trucks that stop within 200 metres of a crash scene without authorization. The proposal aims to prevent aggressive operators from overcharging motorists and interfering with first responders. City officials noted that predatory towing costs victims around $4,000 per incident - significantly higher than standard towing rates. The bylaw requires tow truck drivers to prove they were called by an officer, firefighter, or vehicle owner to avoid penalties. Industry representatives and the Alberta Motor Association are supporting the regulation, emphasizing the need to protect motorists and maintain professionalism. Council will make a final decision on the bylaw at an upcoming meeting.
  
  
• The Calgary Metropolitan Region Board (CMRB) has voted unanimously to cease operations following the Province’s decision to withdraw funding and make board membership voluntary. The Board, which includes Calgary and several surrounding municipalities, plans to officially shut down by May 1st and has requested the immediate repeal of the Regional Evaluation Framework and Growth Plan. This follows a similar decision by the Edmonton Metropolitan Region Board, which will end operations on March 31st. Despite the dissolution, Mayor Jyoti Gondek proposed a motion for CMRB members to meet before May to explore alternative regional planning strategies, which was unanimously approved.

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