The City of Calgary releases preview of 2026 Budget, focused on Calgarians’ priorities
CALGARY - Today, Administration released a preview of the proposed 2026 Budget, offering Calgarians and Council an early look at planned spending, priorities and financial impacts ahead of formal budget deliberations in November.
The 2026 Budget preview reflects what Calgarians said matters most: Housing, Public Safety, Transit and Infrastructure. These proposed investments go above and beyond the original budget, representing additional funding to address the evolving needs and priorities of Calgarians. In 2026, over $260 million in additional spending (one-time operating, ongoing operating and capital) is being proposed to support these important areas.
Additional funding includes:
- Housing: $78 million to support continued investment in affordable housing, including a 260-unit project in Southview and support for downtown office-to-residential conversions.
- Public safety: $61 million towards downtown safety initiatives recommended by the Downtown Safety Leadership Table, including daytime resources and outreach for vulnerable Calgarians, investments in 9-1-1 operations and funding for Calgary Police.
- Transit: $59 million to increase service frequency, fare affordability programs and maintenance and safety upgrades.
- Infrastructure: $68 million for investments in pavement, streetlights, parks, facilities and the Plus 15 network to maintain service quality. An additional $1.1 billion is planned for water infrastructure. Work is ongoing for major projects like the Green Line and Event Centre.
Combined, we’re proposing $4.6 billion in operating spending and $3.6 billion in capital investments for 2026.
Calgary continues to grow faster than most major Canadian cities, with population growth outpacing national averages. This growth is increasing demand for city services and infrastructure, making strategic planning and investment more important than ever.
“We know Calgarians are feeling today’s economic challenges, which is why we are focused on investing in what matters most to Calgarians,” said David Duckworth, Chief Administrative Officer. “This budget balances affordability with the demands of a growing city, allowing us to continue to deliver high quality programs and services that meet the needs of our community.”
The proposed 3.6 per cent increase in tax revenue from existing taxpayers for 2026 was previously approved by Council. For property owners, the 3.6 per cent increase will result in a 5.4 per cent property tax increase on average for residential properties and 1.3 per cent increase for non-residential properties. These figures reflect a shift in tax responsibility to support a more business-friendly environment while balancing affordability for residents. Utility rates are also expected to rise by 3.8 per cent for the water, wastewater and stormwater portion of a typical residential bill. What this means in dollars for the typical home will be shared with the proposed budget in November, once preliminary 2026 property assessment values are available.
“We know Calgarians are feeling the pressure of today’s economy,” said Les Tochor, Chief Financial Officer. “By staying true to the original four-year plan and taking a disciplined approach to financial management, we’re ensuring essential services are maintained while using limited resources effectively to meet the needs of a growing population, without adding extra strain on taxpayers.”
To make the budget easier to understand, The City has simplified the document and released it early to support transparency and informed decision-making. The new format also reflects a shift from service-based budgeting to department-based budgeting, approved by Council in June 2025. This change makes it easier to connect spending to results and priorities.
This year marks the final adjustments to the original 2023-2026 Service Plans & Budgets that were originally approved by Council in 2022. The City updates its budget annually to respond to changing conditions and priorities, while staying aligned with long-term goals.
Have your say
Starting this week, Calgarians are invited to have their say on the proposed 2026 Budget. This feedback will help inform Council’s decisions and ensure the budget continues to reflect the needs and priorities of the community.
The full budget will be formally presented to Council on November 10, with public deliberations beginning November 24. Calgarians can view the budget preview, register to speak or submit comments at calgary.ca/budget.
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