Calgary Minute: Issue 348

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

📅 This Week In Calgary: 📅

• Calgary has lifted all water restrictions after repairing the ruptured Bearspaw South Feeder Main, which had left residents and businesses conserving water for over two weeks. Mayor Jeromy Farkas emphasized that while this is good news, the repair is temporary and the main must be fully replaced within a year - a project he likened to a "moon shot." Civil engineering experts say completing the replacement in 12 months is ambitious but feasible, though delays could occur. Many Calgarians expressed relief at being able to resume normal water use but remain cautious about potential future breaks. The refill of the repaired section alone required water equivalent to nine Olympic-sized swimming pools. Mayor Farkas took full responsibility for addressing the system’s vulnerabilities, following a 2024 independent review that highlighted long-standing infrastructure risks. Officials warn that temporary restrictions may return during spring and fall maintenance.
  
  
• Ward 2 Councillor Jennifer Wyness is criticizing an independent review into the Feeder Main break, calling it an expensive summary of previously commissioned reports produced at the wrong time. Wyness also took issue with the report being rushed to council with little time for review, describing the process as poor governance driven by crisis politics. The nine-month, $2-million review concluded that the City neglected water infrastructure for years and recommended creating an independent oversight board and potentially corporatizing water services. While council has unanimously asked administration to explore implementing the recommendations, Wyness warned against fast-tracking major governance changes without proper due diligence. The panel’s chair defended the work, saying it was thorough and stressed that immediate action is still needed to address Calgary’s aging water infrastructure.
  
  
• The Alberta government will conduct its own review of Calgary’s water system following the repeated failures. Municipal Affairs Minister Dan Williams requested extensive documentation from the City, dating back to 2004, including infrastructure plans, council records, and reports from previous water main breaks. Mayor Jeromy Farkas confirmed the City will comply and provide all requested documents, emphasizing transparency. Experts say the focus should shift from blame to securing funding and resources to upgrade infrastructure. Premier Danielle Smith suggested future provincial oversight could be linked to funding for the city’s water system.
  
  
• Mayor Jeromy Farkas has announced changes to his office leadership and named a new Mayor’s Advisory Council, which includes former mayoral candidate Brian Thiessen. Zoe Addington will take over as Chief of Staff, bringing experience from senior roles in provincial government, the Calgary Chamber of Commerce, and federal politics. Outgoing Chief of Staff John Larsen will move into the role of Chair of the Mayor’s Advisory Council. The Advisory Council is made up of business, community, and civic leaders, including Thiessen, former Calgary Stampeder Jon Cornish, and longtime civic volunteer Heather Forsyth. Farkas said the Advisory Council is meant to provide practical, community-focused advice to support decision-making at City Hall. The changes also include the departure of Deputy Chief of Staff Michael Solberg, who is returning to the private sector.
  
  
• Calgary’s Green Line LRT is being designed to handle extreme winter conditions by applying lessons learned from the Red and Blue lines, as well as from snowy cities like Oslo and Stockholm. The new low-floor Urbos 100 light rail vehicles will operate on ballasted tracks, use gas-powered switch heaters, and undergo climate-chamber testing to ensure doors, propulsion, and power systems function in cold weather. Regular inspections, indoor maintenance, and snow and ice management will further protect infrastructure and trains during winter. Unlike previous projects, the Green Line trains were designed first, with infrastructure built around them to reduce operational issues. Low-floor LRVs are intended to improve accessibility, integrate smoothly into the urban environment, and reduce construction costs, and feature safety designs that minimize injury in collisions.

🚨 This Week’s Action Item: 🚨

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