2025 Service investments
In November 2022, Council approved the 2023-2026 Service Plans and Budgets. This plan outlines the investments The City will make over four years to support Calgarians.
Each year, Council adjusts the original Service Plans and Budgets based on Calgarians’ priorities. This ensures we’re investing in the services that matter most.
Here are highlights of what we’re adding in 2025:
Infrastructure, maintenance and inspections
Calgarians want strong infrastructure that supports our growing city. We are investing in major projects to upgrade critical assets, ensuring we can meet current and future needs. These investments will enhance our water system, improve quality of life and maintain essential services for all.
- $782 million to upgrade wastewater facilities and $147 million to enhance water drainage (capital)
- $134 million to plan a new water treatment plant and $473 million for water distribution, including feeder mains (capital)
- $100 million to reinvest in our annual lifecycle and maintenance investment programs (capital)
- $37 million to increase landfill capacity and vehicles and address operational pressures at our composting facility (capital)
- $18.7 million to keep Inglewood Pool open for the next two years, rehabilitate recreational facilities and upgrade parks and playground amenities (capital, one-time operating)
- $10 million to maintain, repair or replace critical slopes, retaining walls and stairs (capital)
Housing, land use and local area planning
Calgarians need places to live and to call home. We’re investing in new and existing communities to increase the housing supply and address the housing shortage. By supporting redevelopment and planning for transit-oriented development, we are creating vibrant, connected neighborhoods that meet the needs of all Calgarians.
- $0.6 million to invest in new communities to enable the supply of 18,000 homes and support redevelopment in older communities in 2026, and $51 million over the next 15 years to support the development of new communities like Belvedere, Hotchkiss and Prairiesong (ongoing operating)
- $24.5 million to progress and plan for transit-oriented development (capital)
- $31.9 million for Belvedere-related Infrastructure, including Stoney Tr/Memorial Dr SE flyover and designing Max Purple (capital)
Public safety and downtown revitalization
Calgarians want a safer city. We are investing in public safety initiatives to enhance the well-being of all residents. Funding for police services, emergency response improvements and downtown safety measures will enhance safety across the city. Additionally, supporting those at risk of homelessness and addressing mental health and addiction issues will build a more inclusive and compassionate community.
- $8.2 million for Calgary Police Service to replace vehicles and acquire specialized equipment (capital), $10.5 million to add to our police service (ongoing operating) and $13 million for a new police training facility (capital)
- $4.7 million in 2025 and $1.9 million in 2026 to improve emergency response capabilities to meet rising demand (ongoing operating)
- $8 million for improving downtown safety by implementing Downtown Safety Leadership Table recommendations (one-time operating, ongoing operating) and $2 million to permanently fund better security for partners like the Library and Arts Commons (ongoing operating)
- $1 million to the Guns and Gangs Violence Action Fund Grant (one-time operating)
Transit and transportation
Calgarians have asked for better transit and transportation options. We are funding key projects to improve our public transit and roadways, making commuting more efficient and accessible. These improvements will reduce travel times, expand our transit network and keep it affordable.
- $30 million for improving pavement quality on roads, including high-speed corridors (capital)
- $24 million for preparing Green Line operations (ongoing operating and one-time operating)
- $19 million to continue supporting the Low Income Transit Pass Program (one-time operating)
- $16 million to widen Country Hills from Barlow Tr to 36 St SE (capital)
- $13 million to continue covering transit revenue shortfall, helping stabilize transit operations and improve service levels (ongoing operating)
- $10 million to continue the design and planning of the Blue Line extension to 88 Ave NE (capital)
How we fund these investments
Ongoing operating
Funds from The City’s annual budget that are allocated every year. It’s used to pay for delivering services to Calgarians. These funds come from property taxes as well as other revenues like user fees.
One-time operating
Funds from The City’s annual budget that are allocated once and won't repeat. It’s used to fund something for a short period of time. These funds primarily come from corporate reserves, funded through our annual operating variance.
Capital
Funds for new assets and facilities or upgrades to infrastructure that provide services to Calgarians. Examples include water pipes, roads, fire stations and recreation centres. The majority of these funds come from a combination of government grants, reserves and debt
Past investment summaries
2024 Investments
In November 2023, Council approved investments in the following areas, starting in 2024:
Infrastructure, maintenance and inspections
- Responding to inflation: $27 million to cover inflation costs and an additional $10 million for capital projects like libraries and recreation facilities.
- Playgrounds and parks: $6 million to upgrade community parks with new infrastructure, including accessible playgrounds.
- Library and community amenities in Symons Valley/Sage Hill: Additional funding to build the first phase of the Symons Valley Centre, including a 20,000 ft2 library.
Housing, land use and Local Area Planning
- Affordable housing crisis: $81.5 million to build 3,000 non-market homes and an additional $25 million to support housing for Indigenous and equity-deserving populations.
- Addressing problem properties: $1.2 million to assemble more situation response teams to address properties causing concerns for residents.
Public safety and downtown revitalization
- Safety at public transit stations: $17 million to improve safety at transit stations with 65 additional Transit Peace Officers.
- Support for vulnerable Calgarians: $10 million to provide emergency financial support to non-profits helping vulnerable Calgarians.
- Mental health and addictions: $6 million to support long-term partnerships addressing mental health and addiction issues.
- Enhancing Calgary Fire's emergency response: $3.4 million to hire more permanent frontline firefighter positions and staff a second Medical Response Unit.
- Reducing vehicle noise and improving traffic safety: $1.7 million to enforce vehicle noise and traffic safety bylaws with additional community peace officers and training.
Transit and transportation
- Blue Line extension and Airport Transit Connection: $19 million to develop the east leg of the Airport Transit Connection and extend the Blue Line from Saddletowne to 88 Avenue N.E.
- Keeping transit affordable: $6 million to keep transit fares lower and allow kids 12 and under to ride for free.
- Increased transit service: $4 million to make transit more reliable and accessible by increasing service frequency, extending operating hours and introducing On Demand services to more communities.
- North Central BRT and Green Line plans: $2 million in 2024 to enhance BRT Route 301 and $8 million annually to prepare for the Green Line LRT service.
- Safe pedestrian commutes: $2 million to improve pavement quality and deliver safe walking and cycling infrastructure.
- Pathways and bikeways: Starting in 2025, we’ll expand the pathway and bikeway network to provide safe and active transportation options.
Additional investments
- Communication between citizens and councillors: $1.6 million to increase ward resources and improve communication between citizens and councillors.
- Community connections: $1.2 million to train community groups and fund 10 community connector positions to enhance civic participation.
- $3.9 million to support increased Human Resources service demands and enterprise management systems.
- $276,000 to a third-party review of compensation for Councillors and Councillors’ assistants
2023 Investments
In November 2022, Council approved investments in the following areas, starting in 2023:
Infrastructure, maintenance and inspections
- Improving drainage: $180 million to enhance drainage and reduce flood risks.
- Enhancing City facilities and operations: $91 million for maintenance and increasing the operational efficiency of City facilities.
- New libraries: $26 million for new libraries in Walden, Belmont and Skyview.
- Upgrading recreation facilities: $47 million for upgrades and equipment replacements at aquatic, arena and leisure centres.
- Climate & environmental management: $33 million to further climate goals, $9 million to improve the environmental footprint of facilities and $47.8 million to achieve The City’s Climate Strategy.
- Investing in an industrial park: $150 million for the development of Great Plains Starfield Industrial Park.
- Other investments: $14 million for Waste & Recycling, $12 million for wastewater treatment, $11 million for parks and $8.7 million for IT solutions.
Housing, land use and Local Area Planning
- Providing safe affordable housing: $153 million to create new affordable housing units that are vibrant, accessible and inclusive.
- Enhancing City planning & policy: $19 million to protect heritage assets and $158 million to modernize local area plans and land use bylaws to help maintain housing affordability.
- Establishing an Indigenous Relations Office: $1.5 million to support Indigenous Relations initiatives.
Public safety and downtown revitalization
- Improving Calgary Fire response times: $34 million to improve response times, $10 million to support firefighters and response time performance and $50 million for four new fire stations and one relocation.
- Enhancing Calgary Police Service: $34 million to transform and reform police services and community programs and $77 million for new equipment, facilities and training.
- Upgrading 9-1-1 infrastructure: $51 million to update emergency response infrastructure.
- Mental Health & Addiction: $19 million to support community programming and partnerships for mental health and addiction.
- Downtown revitalization projects: Projects to improve Stephen Avenue, 8th Street SW, Olympic Plaza and more.
Transit and transportation
- Improving transit service: $559 million to replace 25 Ctrain cars and explore alternative fuel options for busses, $23 million to maintain service levels and improve frequency, $3 million to keep transit affordable service and $5 million for bus shelters.
- Streets and sidewalks: $18 million for street maintenance, $60 million for Mainstreets improvements and $93 million for major road and pavement repairs.
Additional investments
- Enabling city partners operations and programming: $12 million to support city partners' services and programs in our communities.
- Destination Calgary: $9.2 million to enhance Calgary's economic strategy and $5.8 million to boost its global reputation.