Calgary Mayor warns of $50-billion infrastructure deficit

Calgary Mayor Jeromy Farkas has announced that the city faces a $50-billion infrastructure deficit over the next decade. During a State of the City address, Farkas noted that decades of deferred decisions have left the city struggling to keep pace with rapid population growth.

To address challenges regarding affordability, public safety, and economic uncertainty, the mayor emphasized the need for investments in transportation, water systems, and recreation facilities. He cited the December 30 rupture of the Bearspaw feeder main as evidence of the urgent need for infrastructure upgrades.

Farkas stated that while the deficit is substantial, the city council aims to approach the upcoming four-year budget in November with “fiscal discipline.” He noted that the goal is to distinguish between essential needs and wants to find savings before requesting further increases from taxpayers. Preliminary budget documents suggest a potential property tax revenue increase of 20.2 per cent.