City requests $800M+ from feds for infrastructure, transit, recreation
Council committee endorsed shovel-ready projects including $190M for Bearspaw water main, $170M for recreation facilities, $80M for Blue Line LRT extension.
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Calgary City Council's infrastructure committee Friday endorsed a request to the federal government for over $800 million in funding for shovel-ready projects spanning water, transit, and recreation.
The proposed ask centres on three priorities: $190 million for the Bearspaw South Feeder Main, $170 million for five recreation facilities, and $80 million for the Blue Line LRT Extension.
The request is part of a letter the city submits annually for consideration in pre-federal budget submissions. This year's request emphasizes projects ready to break ground.
"Other levels of government have multiple different ways to bring money in from revenue perspective; the City of Calgary only has property taxes," said Ward 4 Coun. DJ Kelly.
Ward 11 Coun. Rob Ward noted that Prime Minister Mark Carney has signaled interest in investing in transit and infrastructure across Canadian cities. "Words are cheap, actions speak louder, so we'll see what they do," Ward said.
Some councillors view $800 million as a starting point. Coun. John Pantazopolous noted the city faces a $20 billion capital ask over the next four budget cycles and will need sustained government funding. He hopes council will remain flexible on priorities if other shovel-ready projects emerge and are not currently funded.
Kelly Cote, the city's manager of government relations, told council that letter-writing advocacy alone is becoming less effective. "What we are actually finding right now is the strength in relationship building," Cote said. If affirmed by full council, the request will be submitted to the federal government in July.