Calgary’s Proposed 2027-2030 Budget Is Now Available
The City of Calgary has released its proposed four-year budget for 2027–2030. It’s a plan for how the City intends to keep services running and build for a growing population.
It’s important to note that this is a proposal, not a final decision. What Council ultimately approves could look very different.
This budget is built around three things: the priorities Calgarians and Council have raised, getting value for tax dollars, and keeping everyday services dependable. Administration believes these recommendations work to balance two competing pressures - residents feeling the squeeze on affordability, and our growing city still needing major investments in infrastructure and services.
What this could mean for your household
The proposed budget includes $6 billion in operating expenditures in 2027 and $21 billion in recommended capital over four years, including $13 billion in new capital infrastructure.
For Council to approve the budget as it stands would require a 15 per cent increase in municipal property tax revenue from existing properties in 2027. For a typical single-residential home, the City estimates about $37 more per month in municipal property tax and $16 more per month for water, waste, and recycling. That’s roughly $53 more per month combined.
What comes next
Now the real work begins.
Council’s role: Council now has to take the proposal put forward by City Administration and decide what actually goes forward. That means going through line by line, asking tough questions, testing assumptions, and looking for savings. This is a starting point, and Council has some difficult decisions ahead.
Setting priorities: Not everything in the proposal will carry the same weight. Councillors have to decide what matters most to our communities and what can be phased, scaled back, or delayed. We’ll keep hearing from residents, and your priorities will help shape those choices.
Making amendments: Council can (and will) change what is being proposed. Items can be adjusted, reduced, added, or removed during the debate process.
Balancing service against cost: The central question is how to protect the services people count on, and fix infrastructure that has waited too long, without asking households to carry more than they reasonably can. Council’s job is to find a balance that is both responsible now and holds up over the next four years.
A commitment to you: Affordability is front of mind for all of Council as work continues on the budget. Councillor Yule is committed to working through each ask carefully and in good faith, with the goal of keeping costs as low as possible while still delivering the services and infrastructure our city requires. These are not easy choices, and they deserve time, thoughtfulness, scrutiny, and community input. We’re grateful to everyone who has already weighed in, and we’ll keep working to make sure every decision is well considered and reflects what matters most to our growing communities.
How you can get involved
Attend the Ward 3 Budget Town Hall on November 19. We’ll walk through what’s being proposed, answer questions, and hear about which priorities matter most to your community. Learn more and RSVP.
Complete the Ward 3 budget survey. It’s a simple way to share your thoughts and feedback before decisions are made.
Submit written comments or register to speak at Council during Budget Week. Learn more and share your comments.
Council deliberations begin the week of November 23, with final approval following amendments and debate.
Whether you’re most concerned about affordability, transit, safety, recreation, or the pipes and roads we all rely on, now is the time to share.
Investment Highlights
Services you can count on: Reliable water, well-maintained roads and public facilities and fewer disruptions to everyday life.
$1.7 billion to upgrade the Pine Creek and Fish Creek wastewater treatment plants.
$616 million in additional water infrastructure, including the North and South Water Feedermains to support reliable service and Calgary’s growth.
$420 million to rehabilitate pavement and extend the life of Calgary’s roads.
$284 million through GamePLAN for places where Calgarians gather, play and stay active, including the Forest Lawn recreation facility replacement, Kingsland Athletic Park, Belmont Athletic Park and The City’s portion of the Foothills Fieldhouse.
$66 million to maintain arenas, aquatic centres and the Calgary Soccer Centre so Calgarians can continue to access recreation facilities across the city.
A city where you feel safe: Safer streets, public spaces and transit, with dependable help when emergencies happen.
$192 million to provide the Calgary Police Service with the facilities, vehicles, equipment and tools needed to serve communities.
$102 million to build new fire and emergency response stations, including facilities serving the downtown and Keystone areas.
$94 million to improve safety for people walking, wheeling, cycling and driving through the Mobility Safety and Speed Management Program.
Easier ways to get around: Connected sidewalks and pathways, dependable transit and smoother everyday journeys.
$300 million to purchase buses to support RouteAhead and maintain dependable transit service as Calgary grows.
$142 million to build the 194 Avenue and Macleod Trail interchange, improving connections and traffic flow in south Calgary.
$71 million to advance the Blue Line LRT extension from Saddletowne to 88 Avenue N.E., improving transit access in northeast Calgary.
Welcoming places to enjoy life: Well-maintained parks and public spaces where people can be active, connect and belong.
$295 million to renew parks and playgrounds and care for Calgary’s urban forest.
$87 million for Civic Partners to support libraries, sport, arts and culture, tourism, economic development and community programs and facilities.
Neighbourhoods that grow with you: Homes, shops, services and transit closer together, with infrastructure that keeps pace with growth.
$109 million for housing partners, $36 million for non-market housing and $18 million for Indigenous housing projects that will help expand housing options and support a range of housing needs across Calgary.
$59 million: Renew Village Square Leisure Centre so it can continue to provide recreation opportunities and serve northeast communities.
$47 million: Redevelop the Forest Lawn Civic Centre to support City services and community activity in east Calgary.
Eight new community Growth Applications with the potential to enable more than 16,000 new homes
Public dollars you can trust us to manage: Responsible spending, clear accountability for results and partnerships that help your tax dollars go further.
$13.6 million to modernize 311 through critical software replacement and ongoing support, improving service tracking, customer updates and access to City services.
For a full list of investments, please visit calgary.ca/budget.
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