Calgary police seek budget boost, 100+ new officers as deliberations week begins

Calgary City Council kicked off its budget deliberations week on Monday, starting the process of debating what will be funded in the city's four-year budget, and much of the first day focused on investments in public safety.

During the afternoon session at city hall, council heard that the Calgary Police Service may be in line for 110 new officers and a budget boost of $34 million. Additionally, the service is seeking $77 million in capital projects, which include a new gun range. 

Chief Const. Mark Neufeld said he hopes the funding will lead to Calgarians noticing a difference on the street, as public safety is among residents' top concerns. 

"I think, ultimately, that'll make things better," he said. "I think, like all front line services, I think our folks are tired and depleted." 

The Calgary Fire Department is also looking for a large reinvestment after several years of budget cuts. The service is hoping to add 180 new firefighters and build four new fire halls on the city's outskirts. 

"We are starting to see some cracks appear right now in terms of sustaining our service," Dongworth said, adding that the strain could become even more apparent if the department experiences a predicted 80,000+ calls in the next year. 

"That would be about a 33 per cent increase in call volume," he said. 

Dongworth also wants another $9.6 million to improve the fire service, but it'll be up to council to include it in the city's budget. 

Civic groups also asking for more funds

Earlier Monday, council also heard from several civic partner organizations, each of which tried to make the case for why they deserved more funding from the city. 

While the overall spending in the new four-year budget is being increased, there still isn't enough money to fund every civic group and their various projects. 

Instead, council must decide on how to allocate funds so as to help the city achieve its long-term goals, which include revitalizing the downtown core and boosting the city's reputation as a destination. 

The head of Tourism Calgary, Cindy Ady, told council that her organization needs an additional $2 million a year to help attract major meetings and conventions to the city, especially as the expanded BMO Centre is set to open in 2024, doubling the city's convention capacity.  

But in order for the city to capitalize on that significant capacity increase, funding is still needed to attract groups to fill the convention centre. According to Ady, $2 million in funding from the city would translate into almost $70 million in economic return. 

"It's just the right thing to do," she said. "We're about to open [the BMO Centre], and we want to do this city proud." 

Other organizations, such as Sport Calgary, Parks Foundation Calgary and Contemporary Calgary, presented before council asking for more funding and highlighting various projects. 

Many of the groups said they needed a boost following the difficulties of navigating the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Tough choices ahead 

City administrators are asking council to approve a 4.4 per cent property tax increase for next year, and an average 3.7 per cent increase each year until 2026. Hikes to transit fees have also been proposed. 

LISTEN | Ward 9 Coun. Gian-Carlo Carra comments on city's ongoing budget talks:

The councillors are tasked with striking a balance between funding agencies, organizations and projects that citizens depend on and value, all while weighing the additional tax burden on residents, who are already dealing with rising prices on daily goods due to inflation. 

According to Male, the top responses from a recent survey of what Calgarians want to see addressed in the city were: 

• Infrastructure and traffic (31%).
• Crime and safety (27%).
• Recreation and parks (19%).
• Transit (18%).
• Poverty, homelessness and affordable housing (16%).

On Tuesday, the council will hear from members of the public on what they think should be funded in the budget. After that, councillors will begin deliberating before moving forward with a motion.

Voting on a motion is expected Thursday or Friday.