At a Glance - Week of September 10
Calgary Proposes $1.2B Provincial Budget Request
The City of Calgary is preparing to request more than $1.2 billion from the province for water infrastructure, transit, recreation and other priorities in Alberta’s 2027 budget. The draft submission includes up to $448 million for transit projects, $418.1 million for water and wastewater infrastructure and $320 million for the first phase of the city’s long-term recreation strategy. The submission could still be revised and requires council approval before being sent to the province.
Additionally, preliminary municipal budget documents indicate that property tax revenue would need to increase by 20.2 per cent if council approved all operating funding requests currently under consideration. Calgary Mayor Jeromy Farkas stated: “We’re going to consider everybody’s asks, but we’re going to be funneling that down specifically for essential infrastructure, specifically for public safety, and the investments to be able to catch up particularly in those areas that will save money in the long run.”
Mail-In Ballot Demand Surges Ahead of Referendum
Elections Alberta is preparing for potentially record-breaking turnout in the province’s October 19 referendum, with polling suggesting participation could reach 85 per cent. Applications for mail-in ballots have surged to approximately 290,000, nearly five times the number requested during the 2023 provincial election. To manage the volume and avoid delivery delays, Elections Alberta has moved the application deadline to September 25.
Officials also clarified that voters who received an outdated declaration requiring them to state why they could not vote in person may cross out that section without affecting their ballot. Alberta NDP house leader Christina Gray seized on the confusion to reiterate her party’s criticism of the referendum: “To be clear, this is entirely Danielle Smith’s fault,” Gray said. “She is responsible for calling this unneeded, unasked-for referendum that has caused damage in our province and so much confusion.”
Province Invests $320M in Lethbridge Cardiac Care
The province is investing $320 million to redevelop the cardiac catheterization lab at Chinook Regional Hospital in Lethbridge and expand its intensive care and cardiac care units. The project will increase the hospital’s combined ICU and cardiac care capacity from 20 to 54 beds. Design work is beginning this month with construction expected to start in October 2027.
As the hospital serves patients from across southern Alberta, the investment has broad regional importance and comes as Lethbridge is expected to be competitive in the next provincial election. Minister of Infrastructure, Martin Long, commented: “Chinook Regional Hospital plays a vital role in delivering health care across southern Alberta. By investing in this facility, we’re helping more Albertans get the services they need, when they need them most.”
Family Violence Grant Applications Open
The Government of Alberta is investing nearly $15 million through three grant streams to expand supports for people experiencing family violence. Funding will support community-based services, facility modernization and stronger regional collaboration through the Emergency Family Violence Services program. Application deadlines vary by stream, falling between September 29 and October 15.
Minister of Children and Family Services, Searle Turton, commented: “Family violence has devastating impacts on families, and I want Albertans to know that help is available. Through these grants, we are increasing access to supports that are responsive to the needs of Albertans experiencing family violence wherever they live, while strengthening the organizations doing this important work.”