Calgary Minute: Issue 358

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

📅 This Week In Calgary: 📅

• Calgary is considering major changes to its zoning rules as part of an ongoing debate over repealing citywide rezoning, including a proposal to ban mid-block rowhouses in certain areas. The changes would limit rowhouse and townhouse developments to the ends of blocks, reduce allowable density, lower building heights, and tighten rules around lot coverage and setbacks. The changes would be in addition to repealing the citywide rezoning, and supporters argue these changes respond to community concerns about parking, overcrowding, and neighbourhood fit, particularly in established areas. However, builders warn the revisions could make some projects financially unviable and drive up housing costs. The public hearing portion of the meeting will likely wrap up sometime today, meaning today could be the last chance for people to speak (see below for details on how to do so).
  
  
• The RCMP is conducting a corruption investigation involving Calgary City officials, executing search warrants last week at the homes of former Mayor Jyoti Gondek, former Councillor Sean Chu, and current Ward 10 councillor Andre Chabot, though apparently none of these three are the actual target of the investigation. The investigation reportedly stems from allegations of corruption connected to a business, though details have not been disclosed to protect the integrity of the probe. Chabot stated he was unaware of the investigation’s specifics and was not questioned, insisting he has nothing to hide. The Calgary Police Service initially received a related complaint in October 2025 and referred the matter to the RCMP, whose Federal Policing Northwest Region unit is handling the case. The RCMP have stressed the need for information to be limited while the investigation remains ongoing, but experts say this lack of transparency is unusual and concerning.
  
  
• Calgary is approaching the end of its latest water restrictions, which were imposed while crews repaired the Bearspaw feeder main, though officials caution the city isn’t completely out of the woods yet. Construction crews have backfilled the nine reinforced pipe segments and are preparing to repave affected roads, with refilling of the pipe happening over the last few days using 22 million litres from the Bearspaw Water Treatment Plant. Once refilled, water samples will be tested for safety before reconnecting the pipe to the system. Despite water usage falling below the City’s 500-million-litre target for two consecutive days, officials continue to urge residents to conserve 25 litres per person daily through shorter showers, limited toilet flushing, and full loads for laundry and dishwashing. Lane closures remain in place as work continues on a replacement pipe to strengthen the system after recent catastrophic breaks. The City remains on track for the roughly four-week restriction period projected for spring, with further updates expected sometime today.
  
  
• Two pilot projects at the Calgary Drop-In & Rehab Centre - the Encampment Shelter and Vicinity Outreach programs - are set to conclude at the end of March as federal funding from the Unsheltered Homelessness and Encampments Initiative expires. The Encampment Shelter provided temporary space for people in encampments, successfully finding permanent housing for 60 of the 108 participants, while the Vicinity Outreach program focused on connecting with individuals in the surrounding area who were not using other services. Sandra Clarkson, the Drop-In Centre’s executive director, highlighted the programs’ success but noted ongoing support for the remaining participants is still needed. Core shelter operations will continue unaffected, though provincial funding cannot cover the shortfall left by the federal program due to a projected $9.4-billion deficit. The federal initiative, launched in 2024, aimed to expand transitional housing and support for people experiencing homelessness following the pandemic. Clarkson indicated the Centre will advocate for reinstating the programs or creating similar alternatives to continue supporting vulnerable populations.
  
  
• Calgary is expanding its annual Branching Out tree giveaway next month, offering 10,000 free trees - double last year’s total - to encourage growth of the city’s tree canopy. Residents can request up to two trees and must attend a mandatory e-learning course on safe planting and tree care before picking them up. The program provides a mix of canopy, conifer, and ornamental species, though fewer varieties are available this year to ensure fair access. Trees are distributed by quadrant, with more allocated to the northeast and southeast, though advocates say the program could better address tree equity, as some areas have less than 2% canopy while others exceed 30%. The City is also piloting an extension to include commercial, industrial, and condominium properties. Overall, the initiative aims to increase Calgary’s canopy from under 10% toward a 16% goal by 2060 while encouraging private landowners to participate in urban greening.

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