The City of Calgary is already subsidizing the buildout of 41 new communities. Adding 11 additional new communities would cost taxpayers a further $23-million annually in operating costs, equivalent to a 1.5% tax increase. (Image Source: CBC)
Vote to subsidize 11 new communities coming back to Council in 2022
The vote to subsidize 11 new communities to the tune of $23-million annually will be coming back to Calgary’s next City Council in 2022. After a wave of public outcry in November 2020, City Council followed Administration’s recommendation and voted to reject all 11 applications given the oversupply of housing on the market due to the 41 new communities already approved for development. Council did, however, invite all the applicants to re-apply after the upcoming October 18th municipal election in 2022.
11 new communities would cost taxpayers additional $23-million annually
Adding 11 additional new communities would cost taxpayers a further $23-million annually in operating costs, the equivalent of a 1.5% tax increase.
Suburban developers will be asking the next City Council to approve and subsidize 11 more new communities in 2022.
Spiralling cost of previous 14 new communities approved in summer 2018 estimated at upwards of $57-million
In July 2018, Calgary City Council approved 14 new communities on the city's outskirts despite recommendations from City Administrators to only approve eight. But the housing market demand forecast by the developers never materialized leaving taxpayers with a whopping tab upwards of $57-million to cover the operating costs.
The Calgary Firefighters Association has warned City Council against approving more new communities because the city continues to spread out further and further while the fire department’s budget shrinks. Adding new communities continues to spread important services like the Fire Department thinner and thinner to the detriment of existing communities.
The 41 new communities already approved by Council are anticipated to provide enough capacity to fill demand for new single-family homes to at least 2032 and multi-unit homes to 2036.
We Need Your Help!
1. Sign the petition
Help us surpass 1,000 signatures on our petition calling on City Council to reject the pitch by suburban developers to further burden Calgary taxpayers with more subsidies for 11 more new communities.
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2. Share this story
Forward this story to your friends, family and network by email and social media.
3. Vote for City Council candidates that will say 'no' to more sprawl subsidies
Calgary's municipal election is coming up on October 18th. Sprawl subsidies spread the City's finite operating resources from established neighbourhoods to new, yet to be populated communities. Vote for candidates who clearly state they will not further burden taxpayers with more sprawl subsidies.