Big Changes Ahead: Calgary’s 2026 Budget and Your Wallet
In a move that has Calgarians checking their calculators, the City has officially proposed a 3.6% overall property tax revenue increase for 2026. But for homeowners, the bottom line is a hefty average 5.4% residential property tax hike next year.
This preliminary budget, released just weeks before the October 20th municipal election, is now the biggest campaign talking point. The city is proposing over $318 million in new spending, strategically focused on four pillars Calgarians prioritized: Housing ($78M), Public Safety ($61M), Transit ($59M), and Infrastructure ($68M).
The disparity between the 5.4% residential increase and the minor 1.3% commercial rise is the final stage of a multi-year tax shift. This shift was initiated to protect Calgary’s long-term business competitiveness by reducing the burden on non-residential properties, especially in the struggling downtown core. Homeowners are now picking up the slack, keeping the municipal tax ratio below the provincially legislated 5:1 limit.
Mayor Jyoti Gondek and city administration insist these massive investments—from pavement maintenance to transit service frequency—are essential to keeping up with our unprecedented population boom without letting service quality per capita collapse.
This proposal is a clear choice: pay more now to fund growth and address critical service deficits, or face potential cuts. Challenger candidates are attacking the 5.4% as evidence of excessive spending, while the incumbent team argues it's the necessary cost of a successful, growing city. The newly elected council will have the final say when they debate the budget in November.
In addition to property tax, utility rates (water, wastewater, and stormwater) are expected to rise by 3.8%—about an extra \$4.32 per month for the typical household—to cover crucial infrastructure upgrades.
For every Calgarian, the message is clear: the city is growing rapidly, and that growth has a direct price tag. Stay informed on the full budget details coming in November, and remember that your vote on October 20th determines who gets to wield the final budget pen.