Ward 3 Perspectives on the 2026 Provincial Budget
- Apr 14
- 5 min read
City Council has formally approved the 2026 property tax bylaws that sets the 2026 property tax rates. The recently released provincial budget was the final piece required by The City of Calgary to calculate the tax rates to produce 2026 property tax bills.
There are three inputs that determine the 2026 property tax rate and bill:
In November, Council adjusted and approved its 2026 Budget after hearing from residents about the need to keep costs down and maintain essential services. To help Calgarians manage rising living costs, Council approved a reduction of the proposed 3.6 per cent property tax increase to 1.6 per cent and invested in key areas including infrastructure, transit, public safety and housing to support a growing city.
The second input required was the assessed value of all Calgary properties. The total assessed value of Calgary properties is used to calculate the tax rate, while an individual property’s assessed value is used to calculate the tax bill. Property Assessment Notices were mailed January 14, 2026.
The final input required was the provincial budget release. This determines the amount of property tax that will be sent to the Province. For 2026, the provincial portion increased by $212 million. This represents a 20.4 per cent increase. In total, Calgary will remit over $1.2 billion in property tax to the province; the highest amount of any Alberta municipality classified as a city on a per capita basis.
The estimated change for the typical single-family home assessed at 706,000 in 2026:
The City: $49 per year increase or 1.8 per cent.
The Province: $338 per year increase or 21 per cent.
Property tax changes depend on the property type and value. Calgarians can get an estimate of their 2026 property tax bill today, including a breakdown of where their tax dollars go, by visiting calgary.ca/taxcalculator.
The City will mail property tax bills in May and payments are due by June 30, for those who pay a lump sum once a year. The City also has a Tax Instalment Payment Plan (TIPP) that allows owners to pay in monthly instalments. For more information visit calgary.ca/TIPP.
Impact of the Provincial Budget on Ward 3
In response to the release of the provincial budget and its impact on Calgary homeowners, Councillor Yule wrote a letter to several Ministers and Members of the Legislative Assembly involved with Ward 3 and the development of the recent provincial budget.
In the letter, Councillor Yule acknowledges the welcome investments while raising a number of pressing concerns shared directly by residents, including:
New school funding. Appreciation for planning funding allocated for Carrington Elementary and Country Hills K-9.
Education property tax increase. Concern over the 21.05% increase, amounting to approximately $338 for the typical Calgary homeowner, and a call for greater transparency on how those dollars benefit local communities.
FCSS and low-income transit support. Urging stronger provincial investment in Family & Community Support Services and the low-income transit pass program to keep pace with population growth.
Health infrastructure. Calling for funding toward a new hospital or urgent care facility in north central Calgary, where land has already been set aside and the need continues to grow.
Transit and the Green Line. Emphasizing the need for provincial partnership on the Green Line LRT north leg and the 144 Avenue BRT to address longstanding capacity pressures in Ward 3
Prairie Economic Gateway. Highlighting the regional economic opportunity of this rail-served industrial development initiative, projected to generate $7B+ in economic activity and 30,000+ jobs
Read the full letter below.
Dear Ministers and Members of the Legislative Assembly,
As Calgary City Councillor for Ward 3, I am writing on behalf of the residents I represent to share both appreciation and considerations regarding the Province of Alberta's most recent budget.
First, I would like to express sincere gratitude for the allocation of planning funding for two new schools in Ward 3: Carrington Elementary and Country Hills K-9. These investments are welcome and necessary as our north central communities continue to experience remarkable growth. Families in these neighbourhoods have been advocating for educational infrastructure for years, and this announcement represents an important step forward.
At the same time, I must share concerns I am hearing directly from residents. The 21.05 percent increase to the provincial education property tax, representing approximately $339 for the typical Calgary homeowner, is significant. What I consistently heard at the doors in Ward 3 is that residents are not opposed to paying their fair share, however, they want greater clarity on how their tax dollars are directly benefiting their communities. Transparency and tangible local impact matter deeply, especially during a time when affordability pressures remain extraordinarily high.
I am concerned about the absence of full support for Calgary's Family & Community Support Services (FCSS) funding and low-income transit pass program. As vital forms of income support, meaningful provincial investment that keeps pace with population growth is essential if Calgary is to meet the demand for these programs. While the funding allocated to date is sincerely appreciated, additional support is urgently needed. Residents across Ward 3 and throughout Calgary rely on affordable public transit and FCSS services to access employment, education, and essential social services, and as costs continue to rise, maintaining that accessibility for our most vulnerable neighbours becomes ever more critical.
Additionally, Ward 3 has long been identified as a priority location for a new hospital or urgent care facility. Land has been earmarked, yet no funding allocation was included in this budget. With thousands of new residents moving into north central Calgary, and with patients travelling from neighbouring communities such as Airdrie, the need for expanded health infrastructure is pressing. This is a necessary amenity for our growing region and one that requires renewed provincial attention.
Continued provincial partnership on transit is also vital. Ward 3 is home to some of the highest ridership in Calgary's transit network, and as a result, north central Calgary has experienced capacity pressures for decades. Progress on the north leg of the Green Line and the 144 Avenue BRT project is critical to connecting Ward 3 residents to the CTrain network, supporting economic growth, and relieving congestion. I would strongly urge the Province to work collaboratively with the City of Calgary and the federal government to get the full build-out of the Green Line LRT back on track. Provincial support for these priorities is instrumental in delivering the meaningful mobility improvements our communities have long needed.
Finally, I want to highlight the importance of provincial support for the Prairie Economic Gateway initiative, a first-of-its-kind collaboration between the City of Calgary and Rocky View County to enable rail-served industrial development and economic diversification in our region. Leveraging the existing CPKC rail network, the Gateway is projected to generate over $7 billion in economic activity and more than 30,000 jobs across the Calgary region over the next decade. The City of Calgary is eager to work with the Province on a meaningful funding commitment to help bring this nation-building project to its full potential.
While there are elements of this budget that are genuinely welcome, significant gaps remain that impact the daily lives of Ward 3 residents. I am hopeful that we can work collaboratively to address them, with a shared commitment to ensuring north central Calgary receives the infrastructure and services needed to support its continued growth and prosperity.
I look forward to ongoing dialogue and partnership as we work toward that goal.
Sincerely,
Andrew Yule
Ward 3 Councillor, City of Calgary
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