The Calgary Party

Our Plan

A More Livable Calgary

Build Houses, Build Calgary

Download Toolkit

Our priority is housing first — and that means every City Hall decision, including infrastructure priorities, should flow from building vibrant, well-served communities. To get there, Calgary needs a City Hall that moves at the speed of our city’s ambition. We’ll modernize licensing and permitting, set strict approval timelines with automatic approvals if deadlines are missed, and launch concierge and one-stop business services to help owners navigate the system quickly and transparently. By cutting red tape and streamlining processes, we’ll unlock the business growth and infrastructure investment needed to support more housing and stronger neighbourhoods.

  • Make Housing Calgary’s First Priority 

    • All City decisions will be evaluated through the lens of housing, aligning policies, budgets, and departments around a single goal.

  • Faster, predictable approvals 

    • Implementing a 3-3-3-1 framework that cuts permitting timelines and brings certainty to builders and families alike.

  • Strategic Density 

    • Focusing new housing around transit corridors and job centres to support complete, livable communities

  • Smarter Suburban Growth 

    • Supporting thriving new communities like Silverton and Cornerstone with updated planning tools and modern infrastructure standards.

  • Restoring Vibrancy in Established Communities

    • Encouraging respectful, community-led density to revitalize aging neighbourhoods without losing their character.

More Pools, More Parks, More Possibilities

Download Toolkit

Calgary’s population is booming, but our recreation facilities, libraries, and parks haven’t kept up. Too many families are stuck on waitlists, driving across the city for activities, or relying on outdated infrastructure. The Calgary Party’s plan will invest in the spaces where Calgarians play, learn, and connect — ensuring every community has access to high-quality, accessible, and modern amenities.

  • Build the Facilities Calgary Needs

    • Dedicate a percentage of property tax and 25% of city surpluses to a stable Recreation Capital Fund for new builds, upgrades, and replacements.
    • Partner with non-profits, post-secondary institutions, and the private sector to co-fund projects and maximize investment.

  • Smarter, Long-Term Planning

    • Create a 10-year Recreation Infrastructure Roadmap to guide investment based on growth, equity, and community need.
    • Champion multi-use community hubs combining recreation, libraries, childcare, and cultural spaces to save costs and strengthen communities.

  • Library Access for Every Quadrant

    • Launch a Branch Library Growth Strategy to bring library service to every community, plus expand mobile and pop-up library options.
    • Increase funding for the Calgary Public Library to stabilize staffing, programs, and outreach.

  • Parks for All Seasons

    • Upgrade community sport hubs, add outdoor recreation amenities, and expand the urban forest — with a focus on underserved neighbourhoods.
    • Improve field maintenance, expand regional trail connections, and partner with local sports groups for shared investment in facilities.

Restoring Safety, Increasing Frequency of Service, and Building a Connected Calgary

Download Toolkit

It's time for City Council to make transit a priority and put riders first. We can do this by delivering on critical transit projects like the Green Line and new MAX bus rapid transit routes, increasing frequency of service along those routes and by restoring safety and public confidence in our transit system

  • Building a Bold Future

    • Building the entire Green Line — from south to north including restoring the downtown tunnel
    • Connecting our airport to rail. 
    • Expanding MAX routes across the city
    • Investing in smart upgrades like signal priority and real-time info to make service faster and more reliable.

  • A Transit System that Respects the Rider

    • Boost frequency and reliability so riders aren’t stuck waiting.
    • Improve connections with better pathways, signage, and bike parking.

  • Safety by Design 

    • Increase peace officer presence, improve lighting, and install more CCTV and help posts to deter crime and respond faster.
    • Support transit operators with safety measures and mental health resources.
    • Tackle root issues by linking safety, housing, and public health strategies — because safety starts before someone boards a bus.

  • Make using transit easier for the rider 

    • Boost frequency on LRT and MAX lines so riders never wait more than 10 minutes — 15 hours a day, 7 days a week.
    • Expand real-time tracking and alerts so riders can plan with confidence, even during delays.
    • Upgrade signage and station maps so getting around is simple and intuitive.

Fuel the Arts. Power Our City.

Download Toolkit

Calgary’s creative energy is one of our city’s greatest strengths, but too many artists are struggling to make a living while keeping our stages, galleries, and festivals vibrant. The Calgary Party’s plan puts artists, arts companies, and cultural spaces at the heart of our growth—so our cultural scene thrives from basement studios to world-class venues. We’ll invest in the people, spaces, and promotion that make Calgary a true arts city.

  • Invest in Calgary’s Artists

    • Increase funding to Calgary Arts Development (CADA) to keep Calgary in the top tier of arts funding in Canada.
    • Support operating costs for artist-run facilities, maintain the public art program, and create grants for non-arts businesses to hire artists.

  • Grow the Arts Market

    • Use City-owned infrastructure—like transit stations and public buildings—for arts promotion.
    • Fund Tourism Calgary campaigns to market Calgary’s arts scene to residents and visitors. 

  • Stabilize Resident Companies

    • Maintain operational funding for companies displaced during major renovations.
    • Expand flexible venues and pop-up spaces so performances can continue during construction.

  • Create More Affordable Studio Space

    • Expand the ‘Meanwhile Lease’ program to turn underused spaces into affordable studios.
    • Develop a new cultural hub focused on rehearsal and creation space, and repurpose City-owned buildings for arts use.

A More Prosperous Calgary

Small Business. Big Future.

Download Toolkit

Small businesses are the heart of Calgary’s economy—employing most Calgarians, driving innovation, and making our neighbourhoods vibrant. But too often, City Hall slows them down instead of helping them grow. The Calgary Party will cut red tape, protect businesses during construction, invest in main streets, and make Calgary the best place in Canada to start and grow a business.

  • Supercharge Calgary’s Main Streets

    • Accelerate Main Streets Program funding so more projects are completed faster and with less disruption.
    • Expand the program to include neighbourhood hubs that could benefit from improved infrastructure and economic activation.

  • Hold the City Accountable for Construction Impacts

    • Require a Small Business Impact Assessment and Construction Mitigation Plan for all major projects near business areas.
    • Launch a Business Disruption Compensation Fund and dedicated Small Business Liaison to support impacted entrepreneurs.

  • Invest in Small Business Spaces

    • Create Storefront and Interior Improvement Grants to help property owners upgrade older spaces and attract new tenants.
    • Offer matching grants of up to $50K for exteriors and $10K for public-facing interior improvements.

  • Fuel Entrepreneurship with the Calgary Entrepreneur Challenge

    • Provide $25K–$100K in growth capital plus mentorship for promising local businesses, with a youth entrepreneur stream.
    • Celebrate winners with a public pitch event and citywide promotion to attract customers and investors.

Enabling business opportunity and growth in Calgary

Download Toolkit

From food truck entrepreneurs to major developers, every business in Calgary deals with City Hall. Too often, those interactions are slow, unclear, and frustrating—bogged down by endless forms, delays, and confusing processes. Calgary must stop letting red tape stall progress and start being a place where good ideas get built fast. The Calgary Party will make City Hall a partner in business, not a barrier, with five bold steps to deliver faster, simpler, and more accountable service.

  • Modernize Licensing & Permitting

    • Launch an online portal with smart forms, real-time status tracking, and automatic notifications.
    • Use AI to speed approvals and cut down on errors and delays.

  • Meet Deadlines or Approve Automatically

    • Enforce the 3-3-3-1 timeline: 3 days, 3 weeks, 3 months, 1 year depending on project size.
    • If the City misses the deadline, approval is granted automatically.

  • Business Concierge Service

    • Provide one dedicated point of contact to guide businesses through City processes.
    • Offer hands-on help with permits, zoning, inspections, and follow-ups.

  • High-Visibility Business Desk

    • Set up a one-stop business counter at City Hall and pop-ups in commercial areas.
    • Give walk-in support, printed guides, and direct referrals to City staff.

  • Regulatory Review Task Force

    • Eliminate outdated, duplicate, or overly complex business regulations.
    • Streamline common permits for signs, pop-ups, patios, and more.

A More Secure Calgary

Building a safer, compassionate and vibrant downtown core 

Download Toolkit

Calgary’s downtown is the heart of our city — a growing residential, cultural, and economic hub — but rising challenges around homelessness, mental health, addictions, and safety demand the urgent, balanced, and accountable leadership our city has been missing.

  • Reforming municipal bylaws to enforce public behaviour standards 

    • A clear public spaces bylaw: ban open drug use & encampments, strictly enforce trafficking & property damage, and pair enforcement with outreach to housing and mental health supports.

  • Enhancing safety and accessibility on Stephen Avenue and the downtown core 

    • More safety & visibility: Boost police presence, add community hubs, and limit overnight camping downtown.
    • Cleaner & more accessible: Add drop-off zones, staffed public washrooms, and improve waste collection.
    • Faster reporting: Expand 311 for quicker response to issues.

  • Expanding support for the homeless and vulnerable populations

    • Permanent housing first: Expand yr-round housing and emergency facilities w/ support services.
    • Decentralized services: Spread supports across Calgary to reduce pressure on downtown.
    • Integrated crisis response: Co-locate mental health and addiction teams with CPS for 24/7 expert intervention.

Safe Streets, Strong Communities

Download Toolkit

Every Calgarian should feel safe walking, biking, or driving through their neighbourhood. Housing and community planning must put safety first, with streets designed for people—not just cars. The Calgary Party will bring back effective enforcement, expand proven safety tools, and design streets that slow traffic, prevent collisions, and encourage walking and cycling in every corner of our city.

  • Restore Automated Enforcement Where It’s Needed Most

    • Fight to restore Calgary’s authority to use photo radar and speed cameras in high-risk areas like school zones and major intersections.
    • Focus on prevention with clear rules, transparency, and deployment driven by safety data.

  • Expand Traffic Calming Across the City

    • Fast-track installation of speed humps, raised crosswalks, curb extensions, and traffic circles.
    • Add colourful crosswalks, mid-block crossings, and bike boxes to improve visibility and safety.

  • Scale Up Proven Road Safety Tools

    • Double “Your Speed” driver feedback signs in school zones and residential areas.
    • Expand transit signal priority on major corridors to improve flow and reduce conflict points. 

  • Design Walkable, Slower Communities

    • Require mixed-use zoning, narrower streets, and better sidewalks and bike lanes.
    • Reduce cut-through traffic in residential neighbourhoods to protect safety and livability.

A More Reliable Calgary

Building Faster, Smarter, and with Calgarians in Mind

Download Toolkit

Housing comes first — and that means every road, transit line, water main, and community space must be planned around where people live and work. Calgary is growing fast, but too often our infrastructure projects take too long, cause too much disruption, and miss opportunities to connect housing, jobs, and services. The Calgary Party will build a city that plans better, delivers faster, and keeps communities moving while we grow.

  • Faster Timelines, Less Waiting

    • Set ambitious but realistic deadlines, rewarding early completion and penalizing delays.
    • Conduct external audits to identify and eliminate bottlenecks in approvals and procurement.

  • Smarter Budgeting for Big Projects

    • Create a City-Wide Contingency Reserve to control costs and improve transparency.
    • Hold contractors accountable for staying on budget without inflating costs upfront.

  • Building Housing-Centred Infrastructure

    • Plan transit, roads, water, and utilities together to avoid duplication and cut costs.
    • Prioritize projects that unlock housing supply and connect people to jobs and services.

  • Reducing Disruption for Communities

    • Coordinate work so streets are only torn up once and projects move efficiently.
    • Set clear targets for noise, detours, and duration with strong community engagement.

A Better Way to Manage Calgary’s Water

Download Toolkit

Calgary’s water system is aging, leaking, and too often managed with short-term political thinking instead of long-term planning. One in every five litres of treated water is lost to leaks, driving up costs for residents and making housing more expensive. The Calgary Party will create an independent, publicly-owned water utility—run by experts, accountable to regulators, and built to deliver reliable service, fair costs, and long-term planning that puts housing affordability and water security first.

  • Put Housing at the Centre of Infrastructure Planning

    • Shift nearly half of current water infrastructure costs out of site levies, lowering the price of new homes.
    • Spread the cost of new pipes over decades through utility financing, reducing mortgage debt for first-time buyers.

  • Run Water Like ENMAX—Efficient, Reliable, Accountable

    • Create an independent, publicly-owned utility governed by experts and regulated for performance and cost control.
    • Use proven models like ENMAX and Edmonton’s EPCOR to improve service reliability and reinvest in long-term maintenance.

  • Fix Leaks and Prevent Breakdowns

    • Launch aggressive preventative maintenance and monitoring programs to stop failures before they happen.
    • Set measurable targets to reduce leakage from 22% to industry-leading levels, saving millions of litres annually.

  • Transparency and Public Trust

    • Present multi-year capital plans and full cost breakdowns to the public and regulators—no hidden charges in property taxes.
    • Conduct full due diligence with financial and risk assessments before transitioning to the new utility model.

A More Responsible Calgary

Calgary Builds Alberta. It’s Time Alberta Builds Calgary.

Download Toolkit

Calgary powers Alberta’s economy—from energy and tech to transportation and tourism—but our city is being held back by outdated rules, limited fiscal tools, and a provincial government that takes more than it gives. We need a new partnership that respects our contributions, keeps more of our tax dollars at home, and gives Calgary the freedom to deliver world-class services without interference from Danielle Smith. 

  • Keep More of Our Tax Dollars in Calgary

    • Retain a greater share of the property taxes collected here to fund local priorities like housing, transit, and community safety.
    • End the province’s practice of approving city-federal agreements, which causes needless delays and red tape.

  • Give Calgary Real Autonomy

    • Establish a modern municipal charter with flexible funding tools and clear decision-making authority.
    • Remove provincial interference in local planning, from transit lines to bike lanes.

  • Stop Downloading Without Dollars

    • Require the province to fully fund any programs or responsibilities it transfers to Calgary.
    • Audit and publicly report the cost impacts of provincial downloads on Calgary taxpayers.

  • Build a Stronger Partnership with the Province

    • Create formal collaboration mechanisms for long-term planning, infrastructure, and economic development.
    • Secure stable, predictable funding so the city can plan and invest for the future.