Calgary Minute: Issue 342

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

📅 This Week In Calgary: 📅

• Council has approved the 2026 budget, setting a 1.64% property tax increase. The increase is far lower than the 5.8% hike initially forecast, after Councillors cancelled a planned tax shift from homeowners to businesses and redirected $50 million in investment income to the operating budget. Council relied heavily on reserve funds - nearly $60 million from the fiscal stability reserve - to fund one-time spending and avoid deeper cuts. Amendments included higher transit fares for 2026, a $6-million boost for bus service, a $9-million transit security pilot, reductions to climate and environment spending, and new pedestrian-safety initiatives. A proposal to freeze taxes for 2026 was rejected. The budget passed 12-3, with final tax figures to be confirmed after assessments in January. Councillors Landon Johnston, Mike Jamieson, and Jennifer Wyness voted against the budget.
  
  
• The Executive Committee will meet Monday at 9:30 am. On the agenda are proposed updates to the City’s Reserves Policy. The City is seeking Council approval to revise its Reserves Policy, which governs the management, oversight, and use of reserve funds. The proposed amendments aim to enhance transparency, strengthen governance, and optimize the allocation of reserves to align with Council’s strategic priorities. Key changes include integrating reserve fund approvals into multi-year business plans and budgets, improving quarterly reporting, enabling collaborative pooling of funds, and allowing Administration to respond more quickly to emerging needs. Councillors are being asked to approve the revised policy and consider it at the December 15th meeting.
  
  
• Council has approved a $9-million pilot project to increase security on the CTrain during afternoon rush hours, targeting 12 stations with the potential to expand to 20. The program will use a combination of transit peace officers, private security guards, and social service workers to enhance safety and provide a visible presence for riders. Stations were chosen based on historical incident data, and the pilot is intended to complement existing safety measures rather than replace them. Council will review the pilot’s effectiveness in the third quarter of 2026, focusing on public perception and potential impacts on ridership. The initiative responds to rising concerns over transit safety, with violent incidents on Calgary’s transit system having increased significantly over the past decade. Previous safety strategies included a $15-million annual investment in peace officers and targeted security at high-risk stations. Supporters argue the project could encourage more people to use transit by creating a safer environment, while some Councillors question the need for additional spending at this time. The pilot is structured as a phased approach, allowing adjustments as new peace officers are hired and operational insights are gained.
  
  
• Calgary loses about 22% of its treated water each year due to leaks in its distribution system - a level that has remained above 20% for at least five years. A third-party review recommended stronger management practices, and the City has launched an accelerated water loss program to respond more quickly. The plan includes expanded leak detection, increased valve cycling, advanced metering infrastructure, and faster replacement of aging pipes. Calgary replaced 7,800 metres of water mains this year and aims to raise that to 10,000 metres next year and 15,000 metres annually afterward. With more than 5,400 kilometres of pipe, officials say leaks are difficult to locate, but reducing water loss is essential as treatment costs rise and drought risk grows. Alberta Municipalities has set a target for communities to cut losses to 10% by 2027.
  
  
• Calgary has been recertified as a “bird-friendly city” by Nature Canada, marking the City’s third certification and recognition for efforts to protect urban bird species. The designation reflects measures such as responsible pet ownership bylaws, bird-friendly urban design, habitat restoration, and public education initiatives. However, Bird Friendly Calgary notes more could be done, including reducing window strikes and mitigating artificial light impacts, particularly in high-rise areas and during migratory seasons. The group is also advocating for a dark-sky designation for Weaselhead Flats to protect nocturnal wildlife and is awaiting city approval. Meanwhile, Calgary’s 10-year biodiversity strategy ended this year, and a new strategy aligned with the City’s upcoming 30-year Calgary Plan is expected to be developed.

🚨 This Week’s Action Item: 🚨

🪙 This Week’s Sponsor: 🪙

This week's sponsor is you! We don't have big corporate backers, so if you like what you're reading, please consider making a donation or signing up as a monthly member.

Having said that, if you are a local business and are interested in being a sponsor, send us an email and we'll talk!