With a population of 1.5 million people, Calgary is Canada’s fourth largest city in the country, with no signs of slowing down. Since late 2021, Alberta has been the province of choice for both interprovincial migration and newcomers to Canada, with Calgary gaining 69,000 new residents in a single year between April 2023 and April 2024. This means about 200 people moving to our city each day.

Supporting such a large influx of individuals and families requires a growing and sustainable network of services. While it would be convenient, new Calgarians don’t arrive with infrastructure such as buses and roads; we must provide this critical infrastructure as people arrive and settle here.

The City of Calgary provides and maintains a range of essential services within a rapidly growing city, from transportation and housing to parks and recreation. As Mayor, I proudly lead City Council and Administration in ensuring appropriate funding for the critical infrastructure that facilitates the daily lives and future development of all Calgarians. 

Whether its clearing snow off major roadways within 24 hours of snowfall or performing essential summer repairs to address damage from colder weather, city roads require year-round maintenance. The frequent cycle of freezing and thawing in Calgary’s varied climate weakens the strength of busy roads, making them more susceptible to potholes.

As one of the biggest issues affecting the condition of our roads, city crews work efficiently during weather-permitting months to make necessary repairs. Since mid-August 2024, crews have repaired over 21,000 potholes with the help of an additional $8.9 million budget. This budget was reallocated by City Council from the 2023-24 Winter Maintenance Reserve Fund due to lower-than-expected snowfall. 

All communities within Calgary, whether new or established, deserve spaces to play, gather and connect. During budget adjustments in 2023, City Council invested $18 million over three years to transform parks and playgrounds. The Parks and Playgrounds Amenities Program (PAPA) has dispersed the Council investment across 20 projects, introducing a variety of new amenities and upgrades to communities across Calgary, including new and accessible playgrounds, disc golf courses, and soccer and cricket pitches. 

As more Calgarians are impacted either directly or indirectly by a lack of accessibility in public spaces, its critical that these shared areas meet the diverse needs of all community members. Creating inclusive playgrounds and Canada’s first ‘Dementia Inclusive Park’, with the help of Parks Foundation Calgary, exemplifies what it means to foster welcoming, safe, and engaging outdoor spaces for all Calgarians to participate and connect, regardless of ability or age.

Creating safe spaces for Calgarians loses its significance if the journey to them is dangerous. The City’s Pathway and Bikeway Network (5A) Program, established in 2022 with a current investment of $56.4 million, aims to provide Calgarians with safe access to different areas of the City through various types of transportation. The 5A Network – Always Available for All Ages and Abilities – serves as the guideline for developing the safety and connectedness of our bike and pathway networks across Calgary. 

Calgarians may have noticed new rectangular rapid flashing beacons at busy crosswalks in their neighbourhoods. With the touch of a button, pedestrians can activate a flashing sign that signals their presence to vehicles, day or night. Installing infrastructure, such as these beacons, will help increase Calgarians’ confidence to safely reach their destinations or explore the city.  

Calgary spans over 825 square kilometers, making reliable, safe, and consistent public transit systems critical. With over 153 different bus and LRT routes, Calgary Transit continues to expand, ensuring every Calgarian can access transit services. Significant investment goes into creating and sustaining bus routes, so it’s important they connect as many Calgarians as possible to their destination. In November 2023, City Council approved a $4 million increase to the base operating budget for Calgary Transit, aimed at improving frequency, safety, and consistency of service. 

In 2018, when I was Ward 3 Councillor, I advocated for the ‘Transit On-Demand’ program, which allowed Calgarians in specific communities to book a shared ride to nearby amenities or transit hubs for the same price as a bus ticket. In late August of 2024, this program will expand to four new zones. This initiative helps the City better understand commuting patterns and introduce public transportation in recently developed communities before adding fixed routes, ensuring our investments maximize efficiency and reliability. 

From the moment you wake up, The City of Calgary is providing you the essential services to move through your day. When you turn on the taps to brush your teeth, the city provides the water. Your commute to work or school, whether by car or Calgary Transit, touches city-paved roads. In your spare time on a sunny day, you might visit a city park or recreation facility. 

I understand that every decision made by City Council and Administration will impact Calgarians at some point in their day, which is why it’s crucial to get it right. As Mayor, I’m an advocate for all Calgarians, not just some. I’m committed to ensuring that the City provides everyone with the resources and amenities they need to lead healthy, safe, and fulfilling lives.