Calgary Chamber releases preliminary recommendations for City Council’s Municipal Service Plans & Budgets
Calgary, AB, July 15, 2026 – With Calgary set to hit a population of two million by the end of the decade, businesses are increasingly focused on the importance of the city’s infrastructure and services keeping pace. Ahead of City Council developing the 2027-2030 Municipal Services Plans and Budgets, the Calgary Chamber has released a preliminary report outlining the business community’s priorities, with core services, public transit infrastructure and community safety emerging as top concerns.
“Businesses are saying that it’s time to get back to basics,” says Deborah Yedlin, President & CEO at the Calgary Chamber of Commerce. “Recent challenges – from water restrictions following the Bearspaw South feeder main break to ongoing concerns about transportation infrastructure, including the proposed elevated Green Line downtown and the near removal of the Free Fare Zone – have reinforced the need for reliable essential services and infrastructure, which underpin the foundation of economic activity.”
A new survey of Calgary Chamber members, alongside insights gathered through several roundtables, found that over half of business respondents identify core services as their top priority, including roads, water systems, emergency services and other critical infrastructure. Concerns around public transit infrastructure have also increased substantially, with 46 per cent of respondents identifying it as a top priority – a 77 per cent increase over last year. Reflecting these priorities, the report recommends advancing an underground alignment for the Green Line, developing a plan to address the city’s estimated $49 billion infrastructure gap and investing in additional supports for vulnerable Calgarians while addressing safety concerns, among other recommendations.
“Although Calgary’s growth presents significant opportunity, it also requires deliberate investment and long-term planning,” adds Yedlin. “As businesses navigate economic uncertainty, rising costs and ongoing labour pressures, City Council has an opportunity to focus on the fundamentals that enable economic success. Strategic investments made today in infrastructure, public transit and community safety will help ensure Calgary can facilitate growth while supporting a thriving business community for decades to come.”
Recommendations
- Advance an underground alignment for the Green Line with long-term plans to extend the route North to 160th Avenue N.
- Develop a plan to address Calgary’s $49 billion infrastructure funding gap without overburdening residents and businesses through property tax increases.
- Create a police reporting app for online non-emergency reporting and real-time status updates.
- Invest in wraparound supports for vulnerable Calgarians, including non-market housing, day shelters, mental health, addictions and employment services.
- Rebalance property taxes through annual shifts to achieve a 60–40 residential/non-residential tax split.
- Develop a Nighttime Economy Strategy to grow Calgary’s culture, tourism and hospitality sectors.
- Increase funding for sport, recreation and cultural programs to meet the needs of a rapidly growing population.
Quick Facts
- In 2026, business respondents identified the following as their top priorities: core services (52%), public transit infrastructure (46%), community safety and wellbeing (40%), downtown revitalization (35%) and housing (32%).
- In 2025, business respondents identified the following as their top priorities: community safety and wellbeing (50%), core services (49%), housing (36%), downtown revitalization (30%) and tax reduction (28%).
– 30 –
About the Calgary Chamber of Commerce
The Calgary Chamber exists to empower our business community to advance a prosperous Calgary and Canada. As the convenor and catalyst for a vibrant, inclusive and prosperous business community, the Chamber works to build strength and resilience among its members and position Calgary as a magnet for talent, diversification and opportunity. As an independent, non-profit, non-partisan organization founded in 1891, we build on our history to serve and advocate for businesses of all sizes, in all sectors across the city.
Media opportunities
For media inquiries, please contact: [email protected]
