Calgary Minute: Issue 359

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

📅 This Week In Calgary: 📅

• The Public Hearing on blanket rezoning was paused Thursday evening and will resume on Tuesday, with the City still accepting speaking and written submissions. Ward 14 councillor Landon Johnston noted that recent submissions and public comments largely support repealing the bylaw. You can still register to speak at the public hearing on blanket rezoning, but you'll need to do so quickly!
  
  
• A proposed 24-hour McDonald’s drive-thru in Calgary’s Canyon Meadows has been cancelled after strong community opposition, according to Ward 13 Councillor Dan McLean. Residents raised concerns about traffic congestion, safety, noise, litter, and potential social disorder, particularly given the site’s proximity to schools, an aquatic centre, and daycares. A petition opposing the project gathered over 830 signatures, and hundreds attended a town hall to voice objections. McLean said the outcome demonstrates the effectiveness of public engagement, noting that corporate representatives from McDonald’s also attended meetings. While the fast-food project will not proceed, the Councillor expressed hope that another business will eventually occupy the long-vacant site, which has been empty for over a decade.
  
  
• Calgary has lifted its latest round of water restrictions, allowing residents to resume normal indoor and outdoor water use after more than three weeks of conservation measures. The restrictions, in place since March 9th, were necessary while crews repaired nine deteriorated sections of the Bearspaw south feeder main, which supplies roughly 60% of the city’s drinking water. Construction was completed a week ahead of schedule. During the shutdown, Calgary relied primarily on the Glenmore water treatment plant, and restrictions also applied to nearby communities, including Airdrie, Chestermere, Strathmore, and Tsuut’ina Nation. While these reinforcements improve the system temporarily, Mayor Jeromy Farkas cautioned that the Bearspaw main is still “terminally ill,” and another round of water restrictions is expected this fall to connect the replacement pipe. The replacement project remains on track for completion by year-end, with microtunnelling already underway. 
  
  
• The Calgary Fire Department saw a sharp increase in substance-related calls in 2025, responding to over 4,700 incidents - a more than 60% rise from 2024 - with many requiring critical medical interventions. Fire Chief Steve Dongworth highlighted that firefighters are now regularly dealing with social disorder, overdoses, homelessness, and encampments, reflecting a dramatic shift from the 1990s. January alone saw a 138% increase in overdose calls compared to the previous year, partly due to unpredictable drug potency. Overall, the department handled over 92,200 emergency incidents in 2025, with call volume already trending upward in 2026. To address this, the department is working with Emergency Health Services to redirect calls where firefighters’ expertise is less critical, potentially reducing call volume by 15%. Rapid population growth, densification, inflation, and supply chain delays have created further challenges, prompting expectations of a significant budget request this fall to support staffing, medical response units, and aerial fire trucks.
  
  
• Mayor Jeromy Farkas is challenging the Alberta government over property tax increases, noting that nearly half of local tax bills are directed to the province. Farkas states the provincial portion has risen 57% over four years, with the latest 21% hike adding approximately $339 to Calgary households. He calls for the Province to fulfill Premier Danielle Smith’s previous suggestions of a fair deal for municipalities. In response, Municipal Affairs Minister Dan Williams maintains the government is focused on core services, using these taxes to fund an $8-billion school accelerator program and $10.2 billion in operational funding. While Williams expressed openness to discussing alternative revenue streams, he emphasized that education funding remains a priority. Farkas is seeking greater transparency regarding tax distribution while maintaining a functional working relationship with provincial leaders.

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