The proposed four-year budget focuses on the priorities of Calgarians and Council, value for tax dollars and maintaining reliable services. Affordability remains an important concern for Calgarians, alongside the need to invest in required services and infrastructure as Calgary continues to grow. The budget takes a balanced approach to these pressures through thoughtful investment in services, critical infrastructure and Calgary’s long-term needs. 

“Calgarians expect reliable services today and a city that is prepared for tomorrow,” said David Duckworth, Chief Administrative Officer. “We know affordability is important to Calgarians, and we also need to continue investing in the services and infrastructure that support a growing city. This budget is about balancing those pressures and making thoughtful choices that maintain the services Calgarians rely on today while preparing our city for the future.” 

For Calgarians, that means proposed investments that:  

         Maintain reliable services and infrastructure: 

• $1.7 billion: Upgrade the Pine Creek and Fish Creek wastewater treatment plants and invest an additional $616 million in water infrastructure to support reliable service and growth through the North and South Water Feedermains. 
• $420 million: Rehabilitate pavement to extend the life of Calgary’s roads. 
• $284 million: Invest in places where Calgarians gather, play and stay active through GamePLAN, including the Forest Lawn recreation facility replacement, Kingsland and Belmont athletic parks and The City’s portion of the Foothills Fieldhouse. 

• $66 million: Maintain arenas, aquatic centres and the Calgary Soccer Centre to ensure access to recreation facilities across the city. 

  Support safety and safe communities: 

• $192 million: Provide Calgary Police Service with the facilities, vehicles, equipment and tools needed to serve communities. 
• $102 million: Build new fire and emergency response stations — including facilities serving the downtown and Keystone areas — to help crews respond when Calgarians need them. 

• $94 million: Improve safety for people walking, wheeling, cycling and driving through the Mobility Safety and Speed Management Program. 

  Keep Calgary moving through transit and transportation: 

• $300 million: Purchase buses to support RouteAhead and maintain dependable transit service as Calgary grows. 
• $142 million: Build the 194th Avenue and Macleod Trail interchange to improve connections and traffic flow in south Calgary. 

• $71 million: Advance the Blue Line LRT extension from Saddletowne to 88 Avenue N.E. to improve transit access in northeast Calgary. 

  Accommodate growth and evolving neighbourhoods: 

• $59 million: Renew Village Square Leisure Centre so it can continue to provide recreation opportunities and serve northeast communities. 
• $47 million: Redevelop the Forest Lawn Civic Centre to support City services and community activity in east Calgary. 

For a full list of investments, visit calgary.ca/budget. 

The proposed budget includes $6 billion in operating expenditures in 2027 and $21 billion in recommended capital over four years, including $13 billion in new capital infrastructure. In 2027, it requires a 15 per cent increase in municipal property tax revenue from existing properties. For a typical single residential property, the estimated bill impact is an additional $37 per month for municipal property tax and $16 per month for water, waste and recycling, for a combined increase of about $53 per month. Individual impacts will vary based on property assessment and service use. 

“Calgarians have been clear that they want a safer city, reliable services and infrastructure that keeps up with our growth,” said Mayor Jeromy Farkas. “They also want us to respect how hard they’re working to make ends meet. This proposed budget is the starting point, not the final word. Council has some tough decisions ahead. We will be going through the numbers carefully, challenging assumptions and looking for savings. My priority is to protect the services Calgarians count on and address the infrastructure that has been neglected for too long. We need to make every dollar count.” 

Next steps in the budget process 

Starting today, Calgarians can submit written comments or register to speak at Council as part of the Public Submissions process. Public Submissions begin Nov. 23, giving Calgarians another opportunity to provide input directly to Council before final decisions are made. 

Council will begin deliberations on the proposed 2027–2030 Budget the week of Nov. 23, with final approval following debate. 

View the proposed budget and have your say at calgary.ca/budget. 

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For many Calgarians, the four‑year budget shapes everyday life. It influences how The City invests in services and programs residents rely on, including transit, roads, fire, police and infrastructure. Decisions made through this budget will impact how Calgary grows, adapts and delivers services over the next four years. 

That’s why this engagement is focused on hearing directly from Calgarians. Feedback will help Administration and Council better understand what residents value most and where they believe The City should focus its efforts as the budget is developed. 

“The four‑year budget guides how Calgary invests in the services and programs people rely on every day,” said Les Tochor, General Manager and Chief Financial Officer for The City of Calgary. “Hearing directly from Calgarians supports informed decision-making and helps ensure we develop a budget that reflects the needs of our city.” 

Engagement is designed to be easy and accessible. Calgarians can share their feedback: 

• Online by filling out a short survey on The City’s Engage Portal.
• In person at 14 pop‑up locations across the city, with one event in each ward. Calgarians can learn more about the budget process, ask questions and complete the survey on the spot. 

All feedback received through this engagement, alongside existing reports and research, will be used by Administration and Council as they develop and approve the 2027–2030 Business Plans and Budgets in November. A What We Heard report on engagement findings will be presented to Council mid-2026. 

Visit calgary.ca/budgetinput to take the survey or find a pop‑up location. 

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