Calgary Minute: Issue 325

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

📅 This Week In Calgary: 📅

• Calgary Transit is set to add 120 new Canadian-made electric buses to its fleet, with deliveries starting in 2027 and all buses expected to be operational by the end of 2028. The purchase is supported by federal funding, including a $325-million grant announced in 2023, part of a nearly half-billion-dollar fleet transition aiming to decarbonize Calgary’s transit system by 2050. The electric buses will primarily serve shorter routes and peak times, accounting for about 10% of the City’s bus fleet once fully deployed. Calgary plans to build a new bus maintenance facility to accommodate the growing fleet, while retrofitting existing garages to support electric and other fuel types. Despite rising costs for electric vehicles, the City views this investment as beneficial for long-term sustainability and service improvement. Officials also noted that potential increased wear on roads from heavier electric buses will be manageable given their limited use and distribution across routes. We remain skeptical of the whole idea. St. Albert’s electric buses ran into early battery trouble and constant repairs, while Edmonton’s $82-million gamble on a now-bankrupt US supplier left them with buses that can’t handle a cold snap and spend more time in the shop than on the road. Calgary, of course, is confident it can do better…
  
  
• The Mayors of Calgary, Cochrane, Canmore, and Banff have jointly urged Prime Minister Mark Carney to designate a hydrogen-powered passenger rail line from Calgary to Banff as a national interest project under federal legislation. This proposed rail would run parallel to existing freight tracks, with stops in key communities, aiming to boost tourism, reduce highway congestion, and support economic growth. The project, supported by public and government stakeholders, aligns with the criteria of Bill C-5, which prioritizes infrastructure that promotes economic benefits, Indigenous collaboration, and environmental sustainability. The Mayors emphasize the need for a conventional rail line rather than high-speed rail, citing benefits like greater commuter flexibility, regional economic opportunities, and a better tourist experience along the scenic Bow Valley corridor. They say the rail would help to ease housing pressures in mountain towns by enabling easier commutes for workers.
  
  
• Mayor Jyoti Gondek has officially launched her reelection campaign with 75 days remaining before the October 20th municipal election. She highlighted her first-term achievements, including increased funding for public safety, infrastructure investments like the Green Line LRT, and efforts to build a resilient economy through initiatives like the Prairie Economic Gateway. Gondek emphasized transparency, promising to disclose all city contracts, publish a sunshine list of high-earning city employees, and improve budget disclosures. She has faced controversy and mixed public support, with polls showing significant disapproval at times during her term. Challenges included criticism over a failed Event Centre deal, a recall petition, and numerous other policy issues. Gondek is running as an independent. Other candidates, including former Councillors Jeromy Farkas and Jeff Davison, and current Councillor Sonya Sharp, are also in the race.
  
  
• The Marda Loop Main Streets project has been delayed again, now targeting completion in October 2025. Originally scheduled to finish last summer, the extended construction has taken a toll on local businesses. Several have shut their doors, citing significant losses from restricted access, lost parking, and disrupted foot traffic. The most recent closure is Doodle Dogs, whose owners blamed ongoing delays and worsening conditions. Frustration peaked earlier this year when a group of businesses filed a $75 million lawsuit against the City, claiming undue delays and extreme drops in customer traffic. Mayor Jyoti Gondek has called for another meeting between business owners and city officials to address ongoing concerns. She emphasized the need to listen and support small businesses during the final phase. City officials maintain that weather and utility work have caused setbacks, but say temporary walkways and other measures are in place. Grants of $5,000 were previously offered to help offset losses.
  
  
• A developer, QuadReal Property Group, plans to transform the last two surface parking lots in Calgary’s Eau Claire neighbourhood into a high-density residential complex featuring eight condo towers with retail spaces such as restaurants and cafes. The project covers a 6.3-acre site near Prince’s Island Park and has received unanimous support from the Calgary planning commission for rezoning and redevelopment. The proposal updates a similar 2014 plan, scaling back earlier ambitions like a hotel and grocery store due to current market conditions. The Eau Claire Community Association supports the plan but urges the city to prevent the creation of very small condo units, common in other cities. While some residents raised concerns about traffic and density, the developer assured that building heights will comply with sunlight restrictions to minimize shadows on nearby river pathways. The proposal will now move to Council for final approval in September. 
  
  
• Calgary has experienced a dramatic increase in remote video inspections (RVI) for residential and commercial projects, with bookings rising by nearly 1,300% in the first half of 2025 compared to last year. Since March, homeowners have been able to use RVIs, allowing Safety Codes Officers to inspect projects via video calls, providing feedback and approvals more quickly and conveniently. The City now averages about 877 virtual inspections monthly, helping to better manage demand and reduce wait times to between 5 and 30 minutes. While most inspections are still done in person, RVIs offer a flexible option for quicker approvals, especially for plumbing, gas, building, and electrical permits. Officers remain diligent during remote inspections to ensure thorough evaluations despite the limitations of video. The City sees this service as a useful tool to speed up project approvals while accommodating homeowners’ and contractors’ schedules.

🚨 This Week’s Action Item: 🚨

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