Calgary Minute: Issue 319

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

📅 This Week In Calgary: 📅

• Council held a heated debate over defining its core responsibilities, sparked by a motion from some Councillors seeking clearer distinctions between municipal, provincial, and federal duties. The motion aimed to have reports to Council specify which level of government is responsible for each issue, highlighting concerns about the City focusing on matters outside its mandate. However, the motion was amended significantly and passed without support from its original sponsors. Some Councillors argued the public’s priorities, like affordable housing and transit, should shape Council’s focus regardless of strict jurisdiction. Others criticized the motion as a veiled effort to limit spending and avoid tax increases. Amendments included inviting Alberta Municipalities to assist in research and requesting better transparency on funding sources from other levels of government. We've been advocating for the City to focus on its core priorities since our inception - City Administration should give us a call - we'll explain it to them!
  
  
• Council approved amendments to the public behaviour bylaw that ban the open carrying of weapons and noxious substances in public spaces, aiming to improve safety downtown. The changes include prohibitions on items like knives, bats, and bear spray, with exceptions for religious customs and authorized events. While the motion passed 12-1, Councillor Terry Wong opposed it, arguing the rules don’t go far enough because concealed weapons and bear spray possession remain legal. Wong called for greater authority for police to confiscate such items, citing enforcement challenges and safety concerns from past incidents involving concealed weapons. City officials explained that banning possession outright would be impractical, as police cannot stop and search individuals without cause. Despite this, Calgary police and the Downtown Association support the bylaw, viewing it as a positive first step to address visible weapon-related safety concerns. Violations of the new rules will result in a $250 fine.
  
  
• The City of Calgary has decided to cancel its plan to pave the north parking lot at Edworthy Park and implement user fees after significant public opposition. The original $1-million project included fixing potholes, improving drainage, adding lighting, EV chargers, and proper parking stalls, with a proposed fee system charging after two hours of free parking. However, feedback from park users and residents showed a preference for keeping parking free, leading the City to withdraw the development permit. Instead, the City plans to make minor improvements using taxpayer funds, such as adding packed gravel, lighting, and curb stops. Plans to create overflow parking near the Point McKay condos were also shelved following resident concerns. Councillor Terry Wong noted that while these changes are on hold for now, future discussions could revisit them.
  
  
• Council endorsed a hail resilience program aimed at helping homeowners better prepare for future hailstorms, but did not allocate funding for it in the upcoming budget cycle. The program includes creating a network to support hail-related collaboration among government, insurance, and building sectors, as well as mapping hail exposure to guide planning and advocacy. The initiative follows severe hailstorms in 2024 that caused massive damage and insurance claims, particularly in the northeast. While most Councillors supported the program, one raised concerns about its focus on the northeast and questioned whether hail resilience should be a provincial or federal responsibility. A proposal to fund the program in the 2027-30 budget cycle was narrowly defeated. City officials stressed the importance of starting the program to develop practical solutions and build future support despite the lack of immediate funding.
  
  
• After nearly a year of delays due to political disagreements, construction of Calgary’s Green Line LRT has officially resumed with a groundbreaking ceremony for the southeast segment. The $6.25 billion project includes 16 kilometres of track, 12 stations, and other infrastructure, with completion expected by 2031 to serve an estimated 55,000 daily riders. The project’s restart followed a provincial reversal on funding after disputes over downtown tunnel versus aboveground alignments. The federal, provincial, and municipal governments are all contributing funding, with new governance structures to ensure collaboration and timely progress. Didn't they say that the last six times it went over budget, though?
  
  
• Starting July 16th, Calgary Transit riders using the My Fare app will be required to validate their electronic tickets at CTrain platforms before boarding. Riders must activate their ticket on the app and then validate it either on the platform or on a bus; day or monthly passes require scanning only on their first use. This change aims to reduce fare evasion and ensure proper use of e-tickets, with fines possible for those without validated proof of fare. The City has also approved other transit changes, including extending fare validity to two hours and adjusting ticket pricing.

🚨 This Week’s Action Item: 🚨

We don’t usually ask for donations in these Minute emails, but summer is a challenging time for non-profits like ours, and your support makes all the difference.

If you value the work we’re doing, now’s a great time to chip in and help us stay on track: