Will take more than $1 billion from Calgary property owners
As your Mayor, my responsibility is to advocate for Calgarians and ensure that the decisions made at all levels of government are fair and transparent. This week, Calgary City Council approved the 2025 property tax bylaw, a necessary step to fund essential services like public safety, infrastructure, and community programs. But within this decision lies a troubling reality: the provincial government continues to shift its financial burden onto Calgarians, making you pay more without giving our city the support it deserves.
The Province’s Tax Shift
A property tax bill consists of two parts: The City’s municipal portion and the provincial portion. The municipal portion reflects the direction set by Council in November, but the provincial portion – determined unilaterally by the Government of Alberta – was only communicated to The City at the end of February.
This year, the provincial government raised its share of property taxes on Calgary homeowners by 15.6% – without consultation or input from those affected. The result? The average Calgary homeowner will pay approximately $240 more per year. While homeowners in Edmonton, for example, will see an increase of only $90. This imbalance is unjust and once again proves that Calgary is being used as a financial crutch for the province.
The True Cost to Calgary
It’s not just about the higher tax bills – it’s about where your money is going. While the province will collect over $1 billion from Calgarians property taxes in 2025, this money will not be directly reinvested in our city’s services and infrastructure. Calgarians contribute significantly to Alberta’s economic success, yet we do not receive our fair share in return. This means fewer resources for our communities, our public transit, and our emergency services.
A Bold Amendment
Recognizing the financial strain this puts on our city, I wrote an amendment that directs City Administration to calculate the cost of invoicing related to property taxes – including labour and materials – and submit an invoice to the Government of Alberta to cover its proportional share.
This invoice is projected to be approximately $10 million. Whether we’re talking about $100 or $100 million – I believe this is point of principle. This is about holding the province accountable for a $1 billion issue.
To put this in perspective, regardless of the figure on the invoice: What do additional dollars mean for our communities?
ONE: Repairing aging community association buildings
TWO: Expanding community gardens, skating rinks, and swimming pools
THREE: Supporting local programming that enhances the quality of life for Calgarians
Instead, that money is being spent collecting and administering taxes for the province – a job they should be doing themselves.
A Call for Fairness and Accountability
This invoice makes a powerful statement. Calgary, like 343 other municipalities in Alberta, is forced to collect provincial taxes without any reimbursement for the cost of doing so. This is inefficient, unfair, and an unnecessary administrative burden.
Councillor Andre Chabot made an excellent point during the debate: Why doesn’t the province collect its own taxes?
If there were a single tax collection system for Alberta, rather than each municipality handling it separately, it would be more efficient and less costly for everyone.
Moving Forward in Partnership
Calgary’s leadership today to invoice the province is about ensuring that Calgary is treated fairly by our provincial partner. We need a true partnership where decisions are made collaboratively, not imposed without discussion. We need a system where the financial burden is shared equitably, not offloaded onto cities like Calgary.
I want to assure you that I will continue fighting for fairness, transparency, and accountability. While we navigate these fiscal challenges, my commitment remains the same: ensuring Calgarians get the resources, respect, and reinvestment they deserve.