Cllr. Kelly addresses the 2026 provincial budget. You can see the entire video on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/shorts/cODeiKyRsfQ.
Hey, neighbour!
Yesterday the province delivered their 2026 budget for Albertans, and while I am glad that the province has continued to honour their commitments for projects underway, I am disappointed that we didn't see more new support.
I understand that these are tough economic times for the province, but the aspect of this budget that was most disappointing for me was that despite a $9.4B deficit, they imposed at 21 per cent increase in the provincial portion of your property taxes. Over the past two years has led to a compounding 35 per cent increase for our neighbours.
Clearly this is not sustainable.
On Tuesday during Executive Committee I am introducing a notice of motion that would see the City's finance department provide more details annually on the gap between what the City pays and what the province reimburses us for, in areas of shared responsibility. This motion will increase transparency for taxpayers, and will highlight where the province is downloading additional costs.
- Councillor DJ Kelly
On March 9, there will be a planned shut down of Bearspaw South Feeder Main so that essential reinforcement work can take place on six segments of pipe. As a result there will be four weeks of restrictions on outdoor water use.
More details on this work can be found at Calgary.ca/bpfmreinforcements.
Cllr. DJ Kelly wears a pink sweater from Education Matters to promote efforts to end bullying as part of Pink Shirt Day on Feb. 25, 2026. (Aryn Toombs / Ward 4)
Over the past week Cllr. Kelly and the Ward 4 team met with community associations, community leaders, and City of Calgary business units, as well as took part in Pink Shirt Day with his council colleagues.
Cllr. Kelly attended the Huntington Hills Community Association on Monday and Brentwood Community Association's meeting on Tuesday. He attended an event for Big Brothers Big Sisters on Thursday and met with Story Book Theatre on Friday. On Saturday he is scheduled to attend the Maskan Family Association Iftar Fundraiser in celebration of 10 years of community service, and the Sein Lok Society's Lunar New Year dinner.
Cllr. Kelly also provided remarks at the grand opening of the new North Hill Calgary Co-op on Thursday, which is located on the ground level of a new residential building along 16 Avenue NE.
During the week Cllr. Kelly and the Ward 4 team met with the Director of Mobility to continue advancing traffic and pedestrian safety for Ward 4 neighbours. Members of the Ward 4 team also took in a briefing on the Prairie Economic Gateway project, which promises to unlock billions in economic activity for Calgary through a new inland port connecting road, rail, and air service. Cllr. Kelly also had the opportunity to meet with the senior leadership of the Calgary Fire Department on topics of frontline operations and community risk reduction.
Agendas, live streams, and minutes for Calgary City Council meetings and committees can be found at www.calgary.ca/council/meetings/agenda-minutes.html.
On March 3, there will be an Executive Committee meeting to address three notices of motion and a number of items from administration and other committees. Cllr. Kelly will be introducing a notice of motion that asks administration prepare a report yearly to identify the funding gap between the Government of Alberta and the City of Calgary. This motion builds on the prior work undertaken by administration in 2023 and 2024 to provide similar reports for those years.
Committee members will debate a motion to establish a intermunicipal pathway system between Airdrie and Calgary largely on the Old North Trail, and east-west from Calgary to Cochrane on the Old Morley Trail. The motion is being put forward by Cllr. Yule and sponsored by Cllr. Kelly. Members will also debate a motion put forward by Mayor Farkas to report the annual salaries of named executive officers for the City of Calgary.
An update will be provided during the meeting on the Green Line construction progress as well as engagement that has been undertaken with the public on downtown segments of the line. Council will also receive a report on the viability of a funding increase for local improvement projects such as driveway crossings and alleyway paving. Executive will also receive the City's year-end report for 2025, and receive a performance evaluation check-in for the City's CAO for Q1 2026.
The meeting date has been set for the Public Hearing of Council to hear from Calgarians their thoughts on the planned repeal of citywide rezoning. Under the Municipal Governance Act (MGA) every land use change that occurs in Calgary requires that City Council hears from members of the public and considers their input before a vote is cast.
On March 23 you will have your say, and Cllr. Kelly wants to hear from as many neighbours of Ward 4 as possible. Please take the time to sign up today for that meeting at https://forms.calgary.ca/content/forms/af/public/public/public-submission-to-city-clerks.html.
Following the provincial budget announcement, the Ward 4 office wants to hear your thoughts on the future of Calgary's budget. Email your ideas, suggestions, or concerns to [email protected] or reply to this newsletter email.
Public notices for the entire city can be found on Calgary.ca. Each week we feature development permits which are currently being advertised in Ward 4.
BRENTWOOD — 3919 BRENTWOOD RD NW (DP2025-06741) — Temporary Use: Sign - Class C & E (Freestanding Sign, Digital Message Sign, 3 years)
CHARLESWOOD — 32 CHEYENNE CR NW (DP2025-06903) — New: Accessory Residential Building (garage), Backyard Suite (above garage)
WINSTON HEIGHTS/MOUNTVIEW — 630 27 AV NE (DP2025-04987) — New: Single Detached Dwelling (east parcel); Secondary Suite (basement)
Each week we feature a short list of new and interesting activities in Ward 4. Email [email protected] with suggestions.
Neighbourhood Planning Workshop for North Haven and Thorncliffe-Greenview
On Saturday, March 7, the North Haven and Thorncliffe-Greenview Community associations will be holding a joint two-hour mapping workshop to collaborate with University of Calgary students on future design ideas for these communities. More details on the Thorncliffe-Greenview Community Association's website.
Going Wild with Brian Keating at the Dalhousie Community Association
Join explorer and naturalist Brian Keating on March 26, for a captivating keynote presentation where he'll share his extraordinary experience swimming with humpback whales through engaging storytelling and live-narrated video segments. Tickets are available through the Dalhousie Community Association's website.