Small businesses are the heart of Calgary’s economy—employing most Calgarians, driving innovation, and making our neighbourhoods vibrant. But too often, City Hall slows them down instead of helping them grow. The Calgary Party will cut red tape, protect businesses during construction, invest in main streets, and make Calgary the best place in Canada to start and grow a business.

• Supercharge Calgary’s Main Streets
  • Accelerate Main Streets Program funding so more projects are completed faster and with less disruption.
  • Expand the program to include neighbourhood hubs that could benefit from improved infrastructure and economic activation.
• Hold the City Accountable for Construction Impacts
  • Require a Small Business Impact Assessment and Construction Mitigation Plan for all major projects near business areas.
  • Launch a Business Disruption Compensation Fund and a dedicated Small Business Liaison to support impacted entrepreneurs.
• Invest in Small Business Spaces
  • Create Storefront and Interior Improvement Grants to help property owners upgrade older spaces and attract new tenants.
  • Offer matching grants of up to $50K for exteriors and $10K for public-facing interior improvements.
• Fuel Entrepreneurship with the Calgary Entrepreneur Challenge
  • Provide $25K–$100K in growth capital plus mentorship for promising local businesses, with a youth entrepreneur stream.
  • Celebrate winners with a public pitch event and citywide promotion to attract customers and investors.