The Green Line LRT has always been more than just a transit project; it’s a transformational initiative that could redefine quality of life for Calgarians and help shape the future of our city, especially downtown.
That’s why it’s incredibly concerning that Calgarians have yet to see the new downtown alignment being proposed by the Government of Alberta. There’s also no accompanying financial summary being presented publicly on this new alignment, and the terms of reference for the working group are also deemed confidential by the Province.
The Government of Alberta was provided the consultant’s report and financial summary on December 2, 2024. Yet, Calgary City Council did not receive the materials – marked confidential – until the evening of December 13, 2024. This has made it impossible for us to share anything with residents, businesses and building owners downtown and in the Beltline.
I’m calling on Premier Smith and Minister Dreeshen to release the design and finances of this new alignment publicly, while protecting for any commercial sensitivity. We cannot proceed without full transparency and without hearing from Calgarians. The citizens of Calgary must have a say in what kind of legacy we leave behind with this LRT project.
Calgarians deserve a say when a proposal will change the very fabric of the downtown core. This is a design that would forever change the streetscape of Calgary’s treasured downtown and Beltline communities, in an effort to save money. This is particularly concerning as our downtown revitalization efforts are paying off and Calgary is being commended for this work.
The Province’s proposal requires street level or elevated parts of the LRT network through downtown and the Beltline, which may result in sterilization of street-level businesses and noise issues for offices adjacent to the raised line. There will also need to be consideration for or elimination of several downtown Plus 15 pedestrian walkways.
We have only one opportunity to get this right. Politics must be set aside, and we need to make informed, thoughtful decisions that will benefit Calgarians today and for generations to come. As such, I am committed to ensuring that our discussions are guided by the principles of collaboration, transparency, and public engagement.