2026 budget: Administration works towards a 3.6 per cent tax increase to support Calgarians’ priorities
Administration intends to maintain a 3.6 per cent tax revenue increase for 2026—an amount that was originally approved during last year’s Mid-Cycle Adjustments to the 2023–2026 Service Plans & Budgets. Each year, adjustments are made to these plans to better respond to the evolving needs and priorities of Calgarians. This decision reflects The City’s continued focus on delivering essential services while maintaining affordability for residents and businesses.
“Administration’s intent to stay at a 3.6 per cent increase is a testament to The City’s continued commitment to serving Calgarians and managing costs in a disciplined and transparent way,” said Chief Administrative Officer David Duckworth. “We continue to act on what matters to Calgarians, keeping our services as affordable as possible and ensuring they receive the services they expect.”
The 3.6 per cent increase, equivalent to $88.2 million in additional revenue, will help address inflation, rapid population growth and rising service delivery costs. It also enables The City to maintain momentum on critical infrastructure projects and respond to the needs of a growing population.
Investing in what matters most
Recent public engagement, including the 2025 Spring Survey of Calgarians, highlighted four top priorities for Calgarians that will guide budget adjustments this year: housing, infrastructure, transit and public safety.
2025 high priority capital spending
Today, Council approved $96.34 million in capital spending for 2025 to address cost escalations for current projects and support additional maintenance and replacement projects. This funding helps ensure safe and reliable service delivery for Calgarians, covering essential areas like recreation, transit and public safety.
A clearer, more transparent budget
In response to Council’s call for greater simplicity and transparency, City Administration is preparing a new, more accessible budget for 2026. This document will feature a simplified structure, use plain language and better highlight how City dollars translate into services for Calgarians. Changes to how we budget will allow Administration to be more flexible in responding to Calgarians’ priorities as they change throughout the year.
“Our goal is to make The City’s finances more accessible and understandable for both Council and the public,” said Chief Financial Officer Les Tochor. “We’re building a budget that reflects the realities of today, while positioning Calgary for long-term success.”
What’s next
Over the coming months, City Administration will work closely with Council to refine the 2026 budget. A public preview will be shared in September, ahead of formal budget deliberations in November.
Later this fall, Calgarians will also have opportunities to provide direct input to Council through public submissions. “We want to continue hearing from residents about what matters most to them,” added Duckworth. “Their voices help shape the important decisions we make for our city.”
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