This statement is attributable to Deborah Yedlin, President & CEO at the Calgary Chamber of Commerce
“The Calgary Chamber of Commerce is deeply disappointed by City Council’s decision to approve significant water utility rate increases for 2027–2030. While we recognize the need to invest in critical infrastructure, the rate and magnitude of these increases is excessive and places an unacceptable burden on Calgary’s business community. With 95 per cent of Calgary’s businesses being small and medium-sized enterprises, many simply cannot absorb additional costs without passing them on to consumers. This decision threatens Calgary’s competitiveness relative to other major Canadian cities, undermining our ability to attract investment, support local businesses and create jobs.
“Calgary’s businesses understand the importance of reliable water infrastructure, but Council cannot continue addressing infrastructure challenges by passing increasingly unsustainable costs onto businesses and residents. We are concerned Council has moved forward with increases of this magnitude without sufficiently exploring alternative funding mechanisms, identifying operational efficiencies or fully assessing the economic consequences for businesses and homeowners alike. Businesses are routinely expected to find efficiencies and manage costs, and municipal government should be held to the same standard. We urge Council and Administration to reconsider the pace and magnitude of these increases, pursue alternative funding sources, including provincial and federal support, and meaningfully engage the business community to protect Calgary’s long-term economic competitiveness.”
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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.
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