Calgary Minute: Issue 322

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

📅 This Week In Calgary: 📅

• The Executive Committee will meet on Tuesday at 9:30 am. Councillors will bring forward several Notices of Motion. Councillors Sharp and Chabot will call for an independent third-party review of the City of Calgary’s organizational realignment, which began in 2020 under the Rethink to Thrive strategy. The realignment created seven new departments to streamline services, but staff feedback highlighted issues like unclear roles, increased workloads, and concerns about well-being. Now, the City is still adjusting the structure, and the Motion argues there is limited evidence showing the realignment’s benefits to citizens. The proposed review would assess costs, staffing changes, staff challenges, achieved outcomes, and whether the new structure has improved efficiency. The motion seeks funding for this review during the November 2025 budget adjustments.
  
  
• Councillor Sonya Sharp will also introduce a motion to improve transparency around the compensation of Calgary’s Chief Administrative Officer (CAO). It calls for the public disclosure of the CAO’s total annual compensation, the full salary pay band, and a straightforward summary of Council’s annual performance review and any related compensation decisions. The proposal emphasizes that such disclosures should respect privacy laws while ensuring clarity for the public. Additionally, it directs Administration to communicate compensation decisions in plain language. This move aligns Calgary’s practices with those of major public and private institutions that routinely share executive pay details.
  
  
• Councillor Chabot will request a review of the operations and safety of the McKnight Boulevard and 68 Street NE intersection, a key junction in Calgary’s northeast transportation network. The motion highlights concerns over increasing traffic congestion and safety issues caused by rapid regional growth, including residential and commercial development, as well as increased airport traffic. Since connecting to Stoney Trail in 2010, this intersection has transformed into a major regional hub but now faces significant delays and public complaints. The motion requests a comprehensive assessment of the intersection’s current performance, the impact of proposed provincial changes to nearby highways, and identification of improvements needed. It also asks for recommendations on funding and prioritization for these upgrades, with a report due by mid-September 2025.
  
  
• Councillors Andre Chabot and Peter Demong will propose a motion to accelerate the replacement of poplar trees located within three metres of sidewalks in Calgary’s established neighbourhoods. Poplars, which make up about 19% of the City’s public trees, have aggressive root systems that often damage sidewalks, creating costly repairs and accessibility issues for residents. The motion requests a report by early 2026 recommending an accelerated replacement program that swaps these poplars with less invasive tree species, while maintaining the urban canopy by planting new poplars in more suitable areas. It also asks for an analysis of the financial impact of both tree and sidewalk replacements. Additionally, the motion calls for integrating poplar lifecycle planning into the City’s Urban Forestry Strategic Plan.
  
  
• Councillor Dan McLean will bring forward a motion to restart the annexation process for land between Foothills County and the City of Calgary to address housing shortages and infrastructure needs. The land, currently part of Foothills County but identified in the 2017 Intermunicipal Development Plan as part of Calgary’s growth area, could be developed into a new subdivision with approximately 3,500 homes. Previous annexation discussions stalled in 2023 after Calgary City staff advised there was sufficient land within existing boundaries to meet growth needs. McLean argues the land is a key “puzzle piece” to connect development areas and already has the necessary infrastructure, reducing costs for the City. The proposed subdivision would also be near a future LRT station, aligning with long-term transit plans. If McLean’s motion passes technical review and Council approval, a draft annexation agreement could be presented by early 2026. Foothills County officials say they are prepared to negotiate in good faith if approached.
  
  
• The Executive Committee will hear a briefing detailing that, as of December 31st, 2024, the City of Calgary held total reserves of $4.2 billion, slightly down from $4.34 billion in 2023. These reserves are divided into three main categories: operating reserves ($1.27 billion), capital reserves ($1.94 billion), and sustainment/combined operating and capital reserves ($992 million). Operating reserves mainly support one-time projects, budget stabilization, and emergency contingencies, with the Fiscal Stability Reserve comprising the majority and 70% of it already committed. Capital and sustainment reserves primarily fund approved projects and have substantial commitments, reducing their balances over time. The City also has $1.54 billion in uncommitted reserves available for Council’s discretion within the specific conditions of each reserve.
  
  
• City Council approved rezoning for a new development in Marda Loop that will include two 19-storey residential towers alongside a Co-op grocery store and underground parking. While some community members support the development for its potential benefits, others are concerned it will change the unique character and scale of Marda Loop. Some residents fear the towers will alter the neighbourhood’s charm and feel more like a high-rise condo district. Construction impacts on local businesses and residents were also discussed during a public hearing. After some debate, Council voted 13-1 in favour of approving the rezoning, with Ward 13 Councillor Dan McLean as the sole opposing vote. The development permit is still under review, with a decision expected from the Calgary Planning Commission in September.

🚨 This Week’s Action Item: 🚨

Fort Calgary was quietly renamed “The Confluence” last year - an unpopular change that left many Calgarians confused and annoyed.

Fort Calgary should remain a place that honours our shared history, rather than being a political battleground or marketing experiment.

Join us in standing up for our heritage - sign the petition to Bring Back Fort Calgary:

🪙 This Week’s Sponsor: 🪙

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