Calgary Minute: Issue 357

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

📅 This Week In Calgary: 📅

• Calgary’s second public hearing on the repeal of the blanket rezoning bylaw is set to begin today, with hundreds of residents expected to speak. As of Friday, the City had received 339 speaker requests, 69 panel requests, and 2,390 written submissions, with the meeting agenda totalling 6,804 pages. The hearing follows council’s 13-2 vote in December that started the repeal process for the 2024 policy, which allowed denser housing citywide as part of Calgary’s housing strategy. Critics argue the rezoning has increased traffic, strained infrastructure, and altered neighbourhood character, while supporters say it has helped address the city’s housing shortage. The policy enabled nearly 1,150 town and row house permits in 2025, and opponents of repeal warn that reversing it may not resolve infrastructure issues. Questions have also arisen about potential impacts on federal housing funding, as the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation requires zoning to remain inclusive of multi-unit developments. The hearing is expected to last several days, echoing the lengthy and costly process of the original bylaw discussion.
  
  
• A proposed expansion of GMC Stadium at Stampede Park aims to transform the venue into a multi-sport facility used year-round rather than just during the annual Calgary Stampede. Local advocates argue the upgrade would allow the stadium to host sports like football, soccer, and rugby while still preserving its role for rodeo events. The idea has been under discussion for several years, including during planning for a potential 2026 Olympic bid, and has support from stakeholders pushing for stronger sports infrastructure. The expanded venue could also serve as a future home for the Calgary Stampeders and provide space for community and amateur athletics. Proponents say the project would encourage youth participation in sports and strengthen Calgary’s reputation as an active, sports-focused city. They also emphasize the need for creative funding solutions, such as partnerships or revitalization levies (taxes), to make the project viable. 
  
  
• City Council unanimously approved a $609-million increase to the City’s 2026 capital budget to fund major water infrastructure upgrades, including replacing the Bearspaw South feeder main and expanding servicing in northwest Calgary. The plan relies on significant new borrowing, with $515 million in added debt capacity that will be repaid through future water rate hikes and levies. City Administration estimates the average household could see monthly water bills rise by 14%, starting in 2027. The funding supports a broader effort to strengthen the water system following past failures, including building a new feeder main and upgrading infrastructure. An additional $21.3 million in operating funds will also be used to hire around 100 staff and expand services like leak detection and metering. Officials say water utility spending is expected to exceed $1 billion annually within a decade, reflecting a major increase in infrastructure investment. While the borrowing bylaw has begun the approval process, final readings will occur after the required public notice steps are completed.
  
  
• Enmax’s dividend to the City of Calgary fell to $64 million in 2025, down nearly 40% from the previous year’s record $103 million, marking the first decrease since 2018. The utility implemented a new policy linking dividends to a 10-year earnings average, allowing more funds to be reinvested in Calgary’s electrical infrastructure and support long-term reliability. City officials emphasized that stability and sustainable planning are more important than short-term dividend amounts, with Mayor Jeromy Farkas highlighting value for ratepayers over the specific payout. Council allocated part of last year’s dividend to community amenity upgrades, while Enmax projects a modest increase to $66 million next year. Debate continues over the strategic value of Enmax’s US acquisition, Versant Power, with Farkas suggesting a sale could help fund local projects, though the company maintains it remains a beneficial investment. 
  
  
• The Alberta government will close the supervised drug consumption site in downtown Calgary at the end of June, ending nearly a decade of operations at the Safeworks site at Sheldon M. Chumir Health Centre. Public Safety Minister Mike Ellis and Mental Health and Addiction Minister Rick Wilson said the closure reflects a shift toward treatment and recovery programs, which they credit with reducing opioid-related deaths by 39% since 2023. The closure will be accompanied by an increase in 24/7 outreach teams, rapid addiction medicine services, same-day counselling, and nurse-led intake support. The government also plans to expand the Alberta Recovery Model with $350 million to establish 11 addiction recovery communities, four of which have already opened, with more expected this year. Critics of the change, including the opposition NDP, warn that closing the site could push drug use onto streets, creating safety risks and social disruption.

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