This budget represents a clear commitment to the people of Calgary. We held the line on the 3.6% budget increase promised in 2022—well below inflation and population growth. It wasn’t easy, but we made thoughtful, strategic choices to balance affordability with delivering the services Calgarians value most.

The work we did this week wasn’t about choosing the simplest path—it was about doing what’s right. As a Council we had some very difficult and fiery discussions, and we made tough choices—choices that will help the City meet today’s needs while planning for Calgary’s future.

There were some councillors who advocated for deeper budget cuts to further reduce the property tax increase, which sits at $8 a month for the average homeowner. But when it came to identifying meaningful savings, there were no significant cuts proposed that wouldn’t sacrifice critical services—services that are especially vital for low-income Calgarians or those relying on mental health supports.

At the end of the day, there were no hidden buckets of money in the budget. We kept it as lean as possible while ensuring we continued to invest in public safety, infrastructure, and affordability.

Yes, we did dip into our rainy-day fund, but that’s exactly what those dollars are set aside for. This is not the year to add to Calgarians’ tax burden any further. But it is critical that we still invest in priorities, including:

The Calgary Police Training Centre, ensuring public safety remains strong.

Recreation facilities, including keeping the Inglewood Pool open and investing in community spaces for families.

As well we used Reserve for Future Capital, to add $20 million in funding to fix Calgary’s potholes and pave our roads, addressing a key concern for Calgarians.

Through the 2024 City of Calgary budget process, I’m proud that as a council we:

  1. We protected mental health funding because supporting the well-being of Calgarians is foundational to a strong community.
  2. We invested in safety, ensuring our officers are equipped to protect Calgarians with the highest level of preparedness, and downtown safety measures are taken now.
  3. We protected communities and recreation investing in the City’s recreational facilities for families, like Village Square Leisure Centre.
  4. We preserved support for affordable housing the Secondary Suites Incentive Program, recognizing that safe, affordable housing options are critical during a housing crisis.
  5. We protected low-income supports, including the Low-Income Transit Pass and low-Income recreation access, ensuring that affordability remains at the forefront of our budget decisions. These programs are vital for helping Calgarians access the services and opportunities they need to thrive.
  6. We had an important discussion about advocating to the provincial and federal governments on behalf of Calgarians. While we continue to push for reliable and stable funding from other levels of government, we also recognize our responsibility to protect and support Calgarians in the meantime. There is only one taxpayer and I will insist that we take care of Calgarians.

Through the robust and healthy discussions, we’ve had over the past two days, Council demonstrated that we can debate passionately while working together to deliver a budget that reflects Calgarians’ values and priorities. This is democracy in action—a clear sign of the strength of municipal council independence.

Unlike other orders of government, where decisions can be influenced by political party platforms, here you saw thoughtful deliberations and vote splits based on individual Councillors’ careful consideration of their colleagues’ ideas. This allows for decisions made with Calgarians’ best interests at heart, not driven by party lines.

This budget is about balancing today’s needs with tomorrow’s opportunities, ensuring Calgary remains an affordable, safe, and vibrant city for all.