Thanks to thoughtful and engaged citizens, the priorities of Calgarians are maintained in this year's budget adjustments: public services are protected while we maintain affordability.
Last week, Council approved adjustments to the City of Calgary's service plans and budgets, maintaining the services that matter most to Calgarians. Investments in infrastructure, public safety, transit and housing were approved within a 3.6 per cent tax increase for 2025, a fiscally prudent approach that keeps affordability in mind while ensuring critical services continue to deliver for Calgarians.
While other municipalities are seeking substantial tax increases (Edmonton: 8.1 per cent; City of Vancouver: 10 per cent), The City of Calgary is containing its tax increase to 3.6 per cent. This is in a context where the inflation rate is 3.5 per cent, and our population growing at a stunning rate of 4.9 per cent.
Calgary's property taxes have increased at a slower rate than other major Canadian cities. From 2020-2024, Calgary's average municipal property tax has increased 1.77 per cent. This is lower than Winnipeg (2.8 per cent), Ottawa (2.8 per cent), Edmonton (3.41 per cent), Toronto (4.07 per cent), and Vancouver (7.04 per cent). Council cut $60 million from the City budget in 2019, and the operating budget was reduced by a further $78.6 million in 2021-2022.
Key investments from these budget adjustments include:
- Funding the Low Income Transit Pass program and permanent base funding to Calgary Transit, stabilizing transit operations and improving service levels.
- Improving pavement quality in our road network.
- Accelerating the creation of transit oriented development at prioritized station areas across the city.
- Ongoing investment to support public safety in the downtown core, on transit and through the Civic Partner Community Safety Grant pilot program.
- Maintaining Community Safety Investment Framework funding.
- Rehabilitating recreational facilities by funding required maintenance and repairs.
Click through for more information on The City of Calgary's 2025 Budget Adjustments to the 2023-2026 Service Plans and Budgets.
