Calgary's New Era of Regional Collaboration

In the wake of the Calgary Metropolitan Region Board's (CMRB) dissolution earlier this year, Calgary is navigating the complexities of regional collaboration. Mayor Jeromy Farkas recently met with local leaders, emphasizing the need for collective action on critical issues like water, transit, and housing. This comes at a time when the city is experiencing significant growth, adding 75,000 residents in 2023 alone.

Historically, regional partnerships have been a contentious topic. The CMRB, established in 2018, aimed to foster sustainable growth and coordinated infrastructure investment. However, disagreements among member municipalities led to its closure in May 2025. Now, Calgary and its neighbors must rely on Intermunicipal Development Plans and Collaboration Frameworks to manage growth opportunities.

While Mayor Farkas champions regional teamwork, the path forward is fraught with challenges. Concerns about fairness in cost-sharing and Calgary's dominance over smaller municipalities persist. Yet, initiatives like "Invest Greater Calgary" aim to present a unified regional voice to attract global investment.

As Calgary seeks to balance growth with local autonomy, the question remains: Can regional teamwork truly make the area stronger, respecting the diverse needs of all communities involved?