Week in Review: 2026 Budget Edition

Following nine very full days of mid-cycle budget adjustments, council has delivered several meaningful wins while also reducing the projected tax increase for residents and businesses. Throughout this process, the priorities that Ward 3 residents raised during the campaign remained front and centre - improved transit, strengthened community safety, and stronger investment for our growing communities.

Below are some of the key highlights:

Lowering the Projected Tax Increase

Through a variety of cost savings measures and allocation of investment income, council was able to reduce the planned tax increase from 3.6% to 1.6% - a reduction of roughly two thirds.  For the average single-family home, this lowered the anticipated increase from around $13.00/month to around $4.50/month.

Business Tax Shift Cancelled

The previous plan to shift 1% of business taxes onto homeowners in a single year has been cancelled. Beginning in 2027, the shift will instead occur gradually at 0.25% per year over eight years. A balanced tax share between residents and businesses is important for a strong and stable city and making this change slowly will help keep adjustments predictable and manageable for both homeowners and businesses.

More Investment in Transit

Transit funding remains a significant challenge, especially in Ward 3, where investment has not kept pace with rapid growth and rising ridership. This budget includes several important steps to strengthen frequency, expand route coverage, advance fleet procurement, and maintain key affordability measures such as the low-income transit pass and free transit for children under 12. Council also approved a modest transit fare increase of an additional 10 cents for 2026. While fare changes are never easy, the additional revenue will support improvements to service levels, route coverage, and transit safety at a time when system demands continue to grow faster than available capital.

Pedestrian Safety Enhancements in Ward 3 & Across Calgary

Council unanimously supported the continuation of the Rapid Flashing Beacon crosswalk program, first launched last term to improve pedestrian safety at high-priority locations. This program funds two upgraded crosswalks in every Ward, allowing communities to work with their Ward office to identify where these safety improvements are needed most. Additional investments were also made in the City of Calgary’s Vision Zero mobility safety strategy.

A Commitment to Public Safety

This budget strengthens frontline emergency services across Calgary. It provides needed funding to Calgary Police for recruitment, mental health supports for officers, fleet upgrades, and facility repairs. For Calgary Fire, it adds new mechanics and training officers, along with a new fire engine to serve our growing communities. Additional investments include downtown and transit safety initiatives, and upgrades to the 911 system, improving overall emergency response logistics.

Continued Mental Health & Addiction Support

Much of the social disorder we’re seeing in our city stems from mental health and addiction challenges. Programs like day spaces, community court, and funding for civic partners like Alpha House all work together to connect people with the services they need while reducing the strain on police, bylaw, and healthcare. By investing in these front-line supports, we can help people stabilize, strengthen community safety, and reduce the pressure on our emergency systems citywide.

Investing in Calgary’s Recreation Future

A commitment was approved to advance the first two phases of the Northeast Athletic Complex, a future multi-sport recreation facility in Saddle Ridge (accessible to Ward 3 residents via Airport Trail, and closer than other field facilities in the northwest). Additional funding was also allocated for planning and design upgrades at eight recreation facilities identified as priorities in GamePLAN, the City’s new 25-year strategy to expand and maintain athletic and recreation amenities across Calgary.

Affordable Housing & Infrastructure Upgrades

Council prioritized expanding affordable and non-market housing incentives, including ongoing support the for downtown office-to-residential conversion program. Key infrastructure investments include road and intersection upgrades, streetlight improvements, enhanced funding for parks and playgrounds, and essential repairs to the Plus 15 network.

These thoughtful and targeted investments will better support important improvements across the city in the year ahead. Thank you to everyone who came out to the Ward 3 budget town hall, spoke to council during budget week, or shared written feedback with our office. Your input helps us better understand the priorities of Ward 3 and strengthens our advocacy for the investments our communities need.

You can read more about our Budget Town Hall recap, including question submitted by Ward 3 residents HERE.

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Councillor Yule's Voting Record | 2026 Budget Amendments

During budget deliberations, councillors had the opportunity to bring forward amendments to the budget recommendations from City Administration. In the interest of transparency, the following is a list of each amendment, along with Councillor Yule’s position on it and the rationale behind his vote.

Overall Direction   

Cancel the tax shift from business to residential

Motion Passed: Unanimous | Vote: Yes

Begin a 0.25% tax shift per year, for 8 years, beginning 2027

Motion Passed: 8-7 | Vote: Yes

These motions adjusted a previous plan to shift 1% of business taxes onto homeowners in a single year and instead, gradually shift the tax rate at 0.25% per year over eight years. A balanced tax share between residents and businesses is important for a strong and stable city and making this change slowly helps to keep adjustments predictable and manageable for both homeowners and businesses.

Reduce Investment Income allocation to Reserves by $50M, to 1.6%

Motion Passed: 11-4 | Vote: Yes

This Motion reduced the total amount of revenue deposited into the Investment Income account and moved it to Reserves in order to increase the amount available for the amendments below without compromising the standing of our reserves or forcing an increase in property taxes to fund initiatives.

Lowering the Overall Tax Revenue Increase Through Known Strategies

Move the Mental Health and Addictions funding from operating to one-time

Motion Passed: 9-6 | Vote: Yes

This Motion changed the categorization of the Mental Health and Addictions funding from ongoing operating spending to one-time spending for the next year. This allows the City to advocate to the Provincial Government to share more of this responsibility in the next budget. It does not cut funding for the program.

Reverse the Transit Fare Freeze, resulting in an increase to transit fares

Motion Passed: 8-7 | Vote: Yes

Calgary Transit is facing significant financial pressures, with ridership demand far outpacing available investment. Increasing transit revenue is necessary to maintain service and support a growing system. Reversing the fare freeze is a small but important step toward bridging this widening gap.

Eliminate Free Transit for Children under 12  Motion Failed 7-8 | Vote: No

I voted against this motion because it would have disproportionately impacted some of our most strained residents while providing very little return in property tax relief. That said, the discussion highlighted real concerns around age verification and the difficult position this can place transit operators in. I look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues and Calgary Transit to find thoughtful, workable solutions going forward.

Eliminate the Downtown Free Fare Zone

Motion Failed 6-9 | Vote: Yes

Similar to eliminating the transit fare freeze, this measure would have modestly increased transit revenue at a time when demand continues to outpace investment. I supported this motion as a small step toward improving the long-term financial sustainability of Calgary Transit. Going forward, I would like to investigate what a tiered fare zone in Calgary could look like. 

Creating One-Time Capacity

Reallocate $40M from the Downtown Office Conversion Program as:

• $25M for the Conversion Program Motion Passed: 10-5 | Vote: Yes

• $10M for Downtown Affordable Housing Program Motion Passed: 8-7 | Vote Yes

• $5M into Fiscal Stability Reserve Motion Passed: 12-3 | Vote: Yes

The Downtown Conversion Program was a heated debate. While the primary purpose of the program is to increase the tax base in the downtown in light of the high levels of corporate vacancy, there were many concerns about whether these units were affordable for Calgarians and worth the City’s investment. As a compromise, we kept some funding for the conversion program, moved some funding specifically toward affordable housing, and moved a small amount into reserves for future use.

Eliminate the Downtown Office Conversion Program completely  

Motion Failed: 6-9 | Vote: No

I voted against this motion because growing and strengthening our downtown tax base is essential to preventing uncontrolled tax increases for residents. A strong, vibrant downtown helps offset the cost of services across the city, including in suburban communities. After several years of significant downtown vacancy, equivalent to roughly 12 Bow Towers, the office-to-residential conversions allow us to recover lost value by replacing vacant commercial space with homes. This program has delivered an exceptionally strong return on investment, roughly 7 to 1, and remains well worth continuing.

Eliminate funding for the Barron Building Conversion Project

Motion Failed: 6-9 | Vote: No

If the Barron Building conversion is not funded, the site is likely to remain stalled, with scaffolding in place, growing into a neighbourhood safety concern. Redevelopment would bring new homes and active retail to the area, delivering far greater economic and community benefit than leaving the property dormant.

Remove Calgary Police Service Reserve Funding for Fleet and Helicopter

Motion Failed:1-14 | Vote: No

I voted against this Motion as City Administration and CPS made it clear that these funds are essential for maintaining their fleet and helicopter. Public safety is a concern for Calgarians, and I do not intent to restrict essential funds for our frontline services.

Remove the funding from Planning and Development for the Foothills Annexation Motion Failed: 1-14 | Vote: No

This work began under the previous Council, and removing funding mid-process would have halted progress and wasted resources already invested. Maintaining funding allows the City to complete the work underway and make informed, long-term decisions rather than abandoning the process partway through. 

New Capital Spending Using Existing Capacity

Increase the capital budget by $13M, funded from corporate capital grants, to secure funding for top three improvements at Memorial Drive and 5th Ave Flyover, 16th Ave and 68 ST NE, and McKnight Boulevard and 68th Street NE.

Motion Passed: Unanimous | Vote: Yes

Calgary’s roads aren’t in great shape. I felt it was important to make immediate investments in improving our road quality.

Approve Glacier A North Growth Application and commit $24M from Offsite Levies for an emergency response station  

Motion Passed: 9-6 | Vote: Yes

Glacier is a new community planned for NW Calgary, just west of Ward 3. Because North Central Calgary does not have a current permanent fire station, I was happy to fund one nearby that will help CFD meet its response time goals better in Ward 3.

Draw $3M in capital funding from the Reserve for Future Capital and Lifecycle Maintenance for the Parks and Playgrounds Amenities Program

Motion Passed: Unanimous | Vote: Yes

I did not want to wait until the four-year budget to begin making investments in our outdoor recreation and play spaces. Ward 3 has many older playgrounds on the list to be upgraded, and this boost to funding will kickstart that work.

New Base Operating Spending

Allocate $6M in operating funding to Operational Services for Calgary Transit to invest $1M into the Primary Transit Network and $5M into the base/local network

Motion Passed:13-2 | Vote: Yes

I ran a transit-forward campaign and know just how much work our transit network needs to be able to deliver reliable and frequent service. Our ridership has surpassed pre-pandemic levels, and our City continues to grow rapidly. These much-needed investments will help maximize our current transit routes, and we can plan for new and improved routes in the 2026 four-year budget.

Specified Reduced Operating Spending

Eliminate $9M from the Climate and Environment Operating Budget

Motion Passed: 9-6 | Vote: No

I am willing to examine and scrutinize the spending profile of various departments. However, across the board cuts to the Climate and Environment team would affect the administering of already over-subscribed programs like the Rain Barrel Program, Clean Energy Improvement Program, and other programs that help homeowners make their homes more energy efficient and save on future costs.

Eliminate $2M from “Supporting Delivery of the Home is Here Strategy”

Motion Failed: 7-8 | Vote: No

With the rezoning reconsideration coming to Council this month, I felt this motion was a premature cut to an office that is currently undertaking work across Calgary. Once specific changes are brought to the previously passed Housing Strategy, we can take a detailed look at areas of spending within the Housing Office. Until then, I remain amenable to persuasion regarding the future of rezoning and the Housing Strategy.

Reducing the 2026 ongoing operating budget of the following departments:

• Chief Administrator's Office ($180,000);

• Chief Operating Office ($800,000);

• Corporate Planning & Financial Services ($2,170,000);

• People, Innovation & Collaboration Services ($4,675,000); and

• Law, Legislative Services & Security ($1,675,000)   Motion Failed: 5-10 | Vote: No

These cuts were proposed as across the board cuts, with no specifics about positions, work, or departmental goals. I do not support hasty, last minute, blanket cuts to departments that will result in unknown job and program cuts. If we are going to cut internal budgets, we should know exactly what we are proposing to defund and why.

New One Time Operating Spending

Allocate $9M from the Fiscal Stability Reserve for enhanced CTrain safety

Motion Passed: 9-6 | Vote: Yes

As we continue to invest in transit, ensuring rider safety must remain a priority. Peace Officer pilot programs have proven effective, and this motion expands their reach to more hours and more parts of the system, helping make transit safer and more reliable for everyone.

Allocate $750K for Platform Calgary from the Fiscal Stability Reserve

Motion Passed: 9-6 | Vote: Yes

Platform Calgary delivers a substantial return on investment for Calgarians. As Calgary’s home for innovators, it supports local founders, helps startups launch and scale, and strengthens our tech and innovation economy. This investment helps attract private capital, create high-quality jobs, and grow a diverse, resilient economy—ensuring public dollars leverage far greater economic activity and long-term benefit for our city.

Allocate $150K for the Dermot Baldwin Way Cleaning program 

Motion Passed: 14-1 | Vote: Yes

Downtown residents, commuters, and users of the Drop-In Centre all deserve a clean and safe environment. Bringing back this cleaning program will help keep residents, workers, and our most vulnerable safer.

Allocate $1M for the Washroom Attendant Program at Devonian Gardens, Century Gardens Park, and Central Memorial Park

Motion Passed: 12-3 | Vote: Yes

Public washrooms are a fantastic accessibility tool for all of us, especially our aging populations, people living with disabilities, and those unhoused who need access to basic hygiene. These spaces should be kept clean and safe for all to use, which is what the bathroom attendant program accomplishes.

Allocate $900K for the National Music Centre

Motion Failed 4-11 | Vote: No

This request did not come with specific reasoning that mandated the urgency of it. The National Music Centre is a wonderful art hub in our City, but the funding request was not substantive with evidence for the need or cost.

Allocate additional funding for the Calgary Fire Department:

• Engine: $4.5 million ongoing operating, funded from property taxes, and $2.2 million capital (P044_D02), funded by corporate capital grant;

• Training Coordinator - $230,000 ongoing operating, funded from property taxes;

• 4 training officers - $860,000 ongoing operating, funded from property taxes; and

• 6 mechanics - $900,000 ongoing operating, funded from property taxes Motion Passed: Unanimous Vote: Yes

As Calgary grows, our first responders are working hard to keep pace. Their requests are essential to increasing their frontline workers, maintaining their fleet, and meeting their response time goals.

New Capital Spending

GamePLAN Investments:

• $65M for the Northeast Athletic Complex Motion Passed: Unanimous | Vote: Yes

• $28.7M to advance the following priorities: Shouldice Athletic Park, Forest Lawn Civic Centre Phase 2, Umoja Community Mosaic Soccer Field, New Brighton Athletic Park field, Southland Leisure Centre, Belmont Recreation Centre and Athletic Park, Kingsland Athletic Park, Rocky Ridge Fieldhouse Motion Passed: Unanimous Vote: Yes

• $3M for the West District YMCA and Library Motion Passed: 14-1 | Vote: Yes

Almost all areas of the City are lagging in recreation access, including Ward 3. GamePLAN is a strategy that sets out to meet recreation needs across Calgary, and has done great work to identify where we need to prioritize what types of buildings based on community demand. I am happy to support a new NE Athletic Complex that will serve our communities and more, as well as the initiation work for several other priority facilities. When the full GamePLAN Strategy comes to council next year, I am committed to supporting more recreation needs in Ward 3 specifically.

Cllr Yule’s Motion - Allocate $2M from corporate capital grants for two lighted crosswalks (AKA RRFBs) per ward, to be informed be safety data and community and Councillor input

Vote Passed: Unanimous | Vote: Yes

I was happy to bring this Motion forward. Pedestrian safety is a major concern across the entire city, and we’ve had an unfortunate record year of collisions and deaths. This will enable two additional lighted crosswalks per ward. There are several locations in Ward 3 I’m looking into right away and will update soon as to which will be chosen.

Allocate $11.45M for purchasing Transit Buses

Motion Passed: 8-7 | Vote: Yes

I am committed to strengthening our transit system, and additional buses are urgently needed. Because bus procurement takes years, acting now helps us stay ahead of growing demand and avoid future service shortfalls. Waiting until demand outpaces capacity would only create bigger challenges down the line.

Allocate $7.5M from Fiscal Stability Reserve for the Vision Zero Pedestrian Safety Improvements

Motion Carried: 13-2 | Vote: Yes

As mentioned before, pedestrian safety is a major concern across our City. I heard from hundreds of residents that this was an important matter to them, and this council committed to investing in pedestrian infrastructure. You can read more about what Vision Zero is here.

Allocate $1M from Future Capital and Lifecycle Maintenance for the Historic Beltline YMCA’s deferred maintenance

Motion Carried: 9-6 | Vote: Yes

Many of our city’s oldest buildings are in dire need of maintenance and potentially fully renovation. The “Old Y” serves as a community hub for several non-profit organizations doing great work across Calgary. Supporting this request means they can keep their lights on for another year as we plan ahead for future options.

Allocate $300K for the National access Arts Centre from Future Capital and Lifecycle Maintenance for improvements on accessibility

Motion Passed: Unanimous | Vote: Yes

Similar to the item above, there are many older facilities serving our community that are in need of upgrades. This specifically will help cover accessibility upgrades for those seeking building access.

Reserve Transactions

Allocate $8M from the Fiscal Stability Reserve to the Heritage Investment Fund and Heritage Calgary Reserve Fund

Motion Passed: 9-6 | Vote: Yes

This motion seeks to strengthen support for owners of privately owned historic properties, addressing some of the ongoing issues we’ve seen with deterioration and demolition of heritage properties, and helping protect these important pieces of our city’s history for the future.

Amendments Requiring Unspecified Cuts

Offset the cost of the approved 1.6% tax increase in budget adjustments and savings, resulting in a 0% tax increase

Motion Failed: 5-10 | Vote: No

This Motion requested across the board cuts to all areas minus a few. Without being explicit about how and where to cut, I felt this motion would result in arbitrary budget cuts and job losses that were not based on evidence.

No Cost Amendments

Advocate to the Provincial Government for restoring traffic fine revenue to CPS

Motion Passed: Unanimous | Vote: Yes

Direct City Administration to prepare a scoping report on establishing a Standing Policy Committee to provide oversight regarding: Finance, Budget and Corporate Services

Motion Passed: 10-5 | Vote: Yes

Advocate for the Provincial Government to take over the costs of administering the Low income transit pass Motion Passed: 14-1 | Vote: Yes

Collaborate with the Real Estate Sector Advisory Committee (RESAC) to review the Terms of Reference for the Downtown Incentive Program Motion Passed: Unanimous | Vote: Yes

Direct City Administration to commence scoping work to support a zero-based review program Motion Passed: Unanimous | Vote: Yes

Advocate for the Provincial Government to incorporate and fully fund the Community Court Program Motion Passed: 13-2 | Vote: Yes