The Calgary city council has given the green light to a substantial funding increase aimed at maintaining and upgrading various city facilities. However, the decision’s timing has sparked criticism from some council members.
The motion, introduced by Mayor Jyoti Gondek, suggests using $20 million from the 2024 Enmax dividend surplus for maintenance and enhancements to community spaces and facilities under a city management program.
“This unexpected dividend won’t happen again next year,” Gondek stated during a press conference on Wednesday. “We’re making the most of it now to address necessary repairs.”
Enmax provided a record $103 million dividend last year, surpassing the city’s initial expectations by $46 million.
The mayor’s office shared a list of eight projects that will benefit from the funding, but they clarified that it doesn’t encompass all approved projects needing repairs or maintenance.
Included in these projects is an $8.5 million enhancement for the Prairie Winds Park wading pool, updates to Calgary Fire stations, safety improvements at Queens Park Mausoleum and Bowness wading pool, upgrades to recreational facilities, and repairs to Shouldice Park due to damage from last summer’s Bearspaw feeder main break.
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“These projects have been prioritized and identified for some time,” Gondek elaborated. “Now that the funds are confirmed, work can begin immediately.”
The mayor’s motion also allocates an additional $2.85 million for the Federation of Calgary Communities, which will support community association and volunteer-led projects across the city.
“This will enable us to undertake more substantial and impactful projects with the community,” stated Adam Schwartz, a community activator at the Federation of Calgary Communities.
The program, named ActivateYYC, funds initiatives that enhance the vibrancy and usability of underutilized spaces.
According to Schwartz, the funding will increase the program’s budget from $60,000 to $400,000 per year over the next three years.
“The improvements can range from something as simple as a gazebo or picnic table to vibrant murals that transform spaces into vibrant places,” he explained.
However, some city councillors from the Communities First party have expressed concerns about the timing of this funding move, accusing the mayor of “electioneering” as the next municipal election approaches in October.
During the discussion on Tuesday, some councillors attempted to delay the motion until the budget deliberations in November, but the effort was unsuccessful.
“There was no need for this to be so urgent; it could have been addressed during the budget process,” commented Ward 10 councillor and Communities First candidate Andre Chabot to Global News on Wednesday. “That’s why we view this as politically motivated.”
A statement from the party indicated that the funding decision was made outside the formal November budget discussions, with under 200 days until the next municipal election.
“We have an unpopular mayor attempting to distribute public funds to gain favor before the election,” stated Ward 13 Coun. and Communities First candidate Dan McLean in the press release. “While I don’t oppose any project on Jyoti’s list in principle, these choices should be made in November budget discussions.”
In response to the accusations of electioneering, the mayor defended her decision on Wednesday, stressing that the projects are urgent and cannot be postponed until the next construction season.
“I’m unclear as to why those councillors aren’t grasping that we must often make budget decisions outside of the usual budget cycles,” the mayor remarked. “Several of those councillors against this motion approved similar funding last year, and it was unanimously accepted by the council.”
Ultimately, Gondek’s motion was passed with a vote of 8-5, with councillors Sonya Sharp, Sean Chu, Terry Wong, Chabot, and McLean opposing it.
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