Building trust through action: How Council’s Strategic Priorities will shape Calgary’s next chapter
CALGARY – As Calgary prepares for the 2027–2030 budget and continues to grow toward a city of two million residents, the choices made today will help shape Calgary’s next chapter.
In a new episode of Calgary Conversations, Mayor Jeromy Farkas joins host Jose Rodriguez for a timely conversation about how Council’s Priorities will shape the city’s next four years, and what it takes to move from aspirations to measurable action.
From trust, transparency and accountability to affordability, public safety and essential infrastructure, the conversation explores how Council’s Strategic Priorities will help guide decisions, investments and trade-offs as The City develops its 2027–2030 business plans and budgets.
“Trust isn’t something government gets to declare; it’s something we earn,” said Mayor Jeromy Farkas. “Calgarians want to know their concerns are being heard, their tax dollars are being spent wisely and decisions are being made responsibly. These priorities help us stay focused on what matters most and, ultimately, Calgarians should be able to see and feel the results.”
Council established six priorities to provide focus and direction for the next four years:
- Reliable & Sustainable Infrastructure
- Safe City
- Functional Transportation Network
- Community Livability & Well-being
- Balanced Growth & Evolving Neighbourhoods
- Trusted & Collaborative Government
Using Trusted & Collaborative Government as a lens, the episode explores how all six priorities connect to the services and issues Calgarians experience every day.
Mayor Farkas reflects on lessons from the Bearspaw South Feeder Main break and how the experience reinforced the importance of reliable infrastructure, planning for the future and communicating openly with Calgarians.
The conversation also looks ahead to the 2027–2030 budget and how Council will balance affordability with the investments needed to support a growing city.
“Budgets are ultimately about choices. We can’t do everything at once,” said Mayor Farkas. “Council’s priorities give us a framework for those decisions and help us focus investments where they can have the greatest impact for Calgarians.”
The episode also explores how Calgarians will know whether progress is being made. Council’s Strategic Priorities will help guide The City’s business plans, budgets and decision-making over the next four years, with progress measured through reporting, public dashboards and performance measures.
For Mayor Farkas, accountability means being clear about what success looks like, showing progress and being open about where more work is needed.
“The measure of success isn’t the plan itself; it’s what gets delivered,” said Farkas. “People shouldn’t have to take our word for it. They should be able to see and feel the results.”
As Calgary grows, public input will continue to help inform the choices ahead and how The City balances service expectations, infrastructure needs, affordability and long-term growth.
Join the conversation. Watch or listen to Episode 23: Building trust through action: how Council’s Priorities will shape Calgary’s next chapter at Calgary.ca/CalgaryConversations, YouTube or Spotify.
Learn more about Council’s Priorities on calgary.ca.
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