Ward 14 councillor leaks confidential budget showing potential 20.2% tax hike
Landon Johnston acknowledged releasing preliminary documents outlining steep property tax increases for 2027–2030, sparking conflict with Mayor Farkas over transparency.
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Ward 14 Coun. Landon Johnston acknowledged Thursday that he leaked confidential budget documents to Global News showing preliminary discussions about Calgary's upcoming four-year budget.
The documents outline more than 100 funding requests from city departments and partners totalling $510 million. If the city funded every request, municipal property tax revenue would need to increase by 20.2 per cent in 2027 — though Johnston stressed this figure is not an approved tax increase or part of any proposed city budget. The preliminary scenario also included 8.5 per cent increases in 2028, 9 per cent in 2029, and 9 per cent in 2030.
Johnston posted on X Wednesday confirming he shared the documents, writing "I can't keep being complicit in hiding things from Calgarians" and "I won't hide behind anonymity." He argued the release gives residents a chance to participate in budget debate before council votes in November.
"It is time for this council to stop turning taxpayers upside down and trying to shake out more money," Johnston said. "It's time we look internal. There's got to be cuts."
Mayor Jeromy Farkas pushed back Thursday morning, accusing certain council members of "rage farming" on social media. Farkas said the publicized figures represent a "wish list" that council will whittle down during the formal budget process, not a realistic tax proposal.
"Let's actually have a conversation about the real numbers, and there's no number to discuss at this point," Farkas said. "Everybody's coming out of the woodwork asking city hall for money, especially at a time when the provincial government is cutting back."
The documents were presented to council during a closed-door meeting on July 28, when council voted 8-7 to request a four-year budget preview from administration. Council is scheduled to debate the four-year budget later this fall. Johnston said if council removes him from in-camera meetings for the leak, "They're just going to be attacking the whistleblower rather than the problem."
Council hasn't adopted these figures as an actual budget proposal — are they only a preliminary planning scenario, or could they shape the real 2027-30 budget?
Johnston said he's 'hardly the first' councillor to leak confidential info — has council taken disciplinary action against previous leaks, and will Johnston face consequences?
We'll update this story as answers emerge.
The facts
What percentage property tax increase would result if Calgary funded all departments' budget requests?
A 20.2 per cent increase in 2027 would be needed if the city funded all 100+ funding requests totalling $510 million outlined in the preliminary budget documents.
When did Coun. Landon Johnston confirm he leaked the budget documents?
Coun. Johnston acknowledged the leak on Thursday, September 3, 2026, and posted confirmation on X on Wednesday, September 2, 2026.
What are the projected tax increases for 2028, 2029, and 2030 in the preliminary scenario?
The preliminary scenario included 8.5 per cent increases in 2028, 9 per cent in 2029, and 9 per cent in 2030.
When is council scheduled to vote on the four-year budget?
Calgary council is scheduled to debate the four-year budget later in the fall; Johnston specifically mentioned a November vote.
