Calgary Construction Association’s Commentary on the City of Calgary’s 2026 Budget Adjustments

City Council’s 2026 Budget Adjustments reflect both the scale of Calgary’s growth pressures and the urgency of investing in infrastructure, housing, and community well-being. For Calgary’s construction industry, which is responsible for building the foundations of a growing city—the decisions made this week matter. They will shape how quickly and effectively Calgary can respond to population growth, rising infrastructure demands, and the need for safe, resilient communities.

Strengthening Calgary’s Infrastructure Backbone

Council’s approval of $201 million in additional infrastructure spending signals continued commitment to the essential systems that keep Calgary moving. This includes investment in:

• Roads, intersection upgrades, and streetlighting
• Parks, playgrounds, and public facilities—including security enhancements and refined capital planning for the historic Beltline YMCA
• The Northeast Athletic Complex: a much needed investment in the City’s recreation and vibrancy;
• Improvements to the Plus 15 network

These projects directly support economic activity, construction jobs, and long-term quality of life for Calgarians. Importantly, these adjustments accompany the City’s previously committed $1.1 billion in water infrastructure investment, which remains critical to supporting growth and safeguarding reliability.

For industry, the message is clear: Calgary is continuing to build for the future. Predictable capital investment is essential for business confidence, workforce planning, and ensuring the construction sector can continue delivering high-quality infrastructure on schedule.

Accelerating Housing Supply Through Faster Approvals

Council’s decision to allocate $106 million toward expanding affordable housing is a meaningful step toward unlocking urgently needed supply. Calgary’s construction industry stands ready to support:

• A 260-unit affordable housing development in Southview
• The continued success of the office-to-residential conversions in the downtown core
• Servicing and enabling infrastructure for the “Glacier A North” growth area

With record population growth, the most important factor now is speed. Calgary must sustain predictable, efficient approval timelines and ensure that permitting, inspections, and required infrastructure can keep pace with demand.

 

Investing in Mental Health and Community Supports

Council’s continued support for the Community Mental Health Framework—which helps sustain the CCA’s Workforce Resilience Program, including the Tailgate Toolkit—is deeply appreciated.

With a ratio of suicides to workplace fatalities in construction sitting at roughly five to one, ongoing investment in accessible, workplace-appropriate mental-health supports is essential. Stable funding ensures these programs remain active at a time when they are needed most.

A Capital Budget Built for Today’s Demands and Tomorrow’s Growth

The City’s 2026 capital budget totals $3.8 billion, part of a multi-year plan to build, repair, and modernize the infrastructure Calgarians rely on every day—from fire stations to recreation centres to major mobility projects.

This level of investment underscores a central truth:
City-building is not a cost—it is an economic strategy.

Infrastructure spending fuels job creation, supports local businesses, enhances competitiveness, and ensures Calgary remains an attractive place to invest and build.

Ongoing Challenges and the Road Ahead

While the 2026 adjustments represent progress, this budget also marks the final year of the previous Council’s four-year budget cycle. As Calgary prepares for its next multi-year budget for 2027–2030, our industry sees both challenges and opportunities ahead.

We know too well that the most pressing challenge remains the labour shortage, which risks slowing project delivery and limiting Calgary’s ability to respond to rapid population growth. In the year ahead, the Calgary Construction Association will work closely with Council to ensure sustained funding for partners like Calgary Economic Development, whose mandate to attract and retain skilled workers is essential to meeting the city’s construction and housing needs. Ensuring the stability of these programs is not optional—it is foundational to Calgary’s competitiveness.

Equally urgent is the City’s $7-billion-plus infrastructure deficit, a number that continues to grow as Calgary expands. Roads, bridges, recreation centres, water systems, and public facilities face mounting pressure from unprecedented population growth. Addressing this deficit will require a long-term, whole-of-government strategy: predictable funding, innovative financing tools, and collaborative planning with provincial and federal partners. The upcoming four-year budget cycle is a critical window to establish that path.

Calgary is a city in motion. But continued momentum will depend on the choices made in the next year—choices that ensure the workforce is available, the funding is aligned, and the infrastructure deficit is not allowed to widen.

Conclusion

The Calgary Construction Association welcomes the City’s thoughtful approach to balancing fiscal responsibility with necessary investment in infrastructure, housing, and community well-being. As the City transitions into its next four-year budget cycle, our industry stands ready to work with Council and Administration to deliver the infrastructure, homes, public spaces, and city-building projects that define Calgary’s future.

Calgarians expect progress. Industry is prepared to deliver it.