Calgary Hearld OP-ED: Action for today, vision for tomorrow – a path to affordability for Calgary

Jeff Davison is a former councillor and a declared mayoral candidate for the 2025 civic election. Photo by Brent Calver /Postmedia Network

How much more can Calgarians be expected to endure? Rising costs, economic uncertainty and housing affordability are already placing immense pressure on families.

Now, city council has decided to impose a 5.5 per cent property tax increase on homeowners, adding approximately $96 per year to the bill for an average single-family home. This decision feels entirely disconnected from the realities of everyday life in Calgary.

For condo owners, the burden is even heavier. With an average tax increase of 10.5 per cent, many will approximately pay a total of $1,370 next year. For residents already struggling to keep pace with rising living expenses, this approach is unsustainable and unfair. Calgary cannot continue down this path.

City leadership must not rely on ever-increasing tax burdens as a default solution to budget challenges. Real leadership means making tough, strategic decisions that prioritize affordability without compromising the essential services Calgarians depend on. That’s why I am committed to a four-year tax freeze — an achievable and necessary step to bring immediate relief to families, seniors and young professionals.

This commitment is more than a campaign promise. It’s a recognition that Calgarians are already being squeezed by inflation, rising utility costs and housing pressures. Asking them to pay even more without demonstrating clear value for their money erodes trust in government and fails to address the root of the problem: inefficiency in how the city operates.

Instead of reaching deeper into taxpayers’ pockets, we need to get back to the basics. Cities exist to serve their residents, and budgets should prioritize core services. Public safety, affordable housing, mental-health support and well-maintained infrastructure are not optional — they are foundational to a thriving city. Yet, far too often, municipal budgets are padded with costly, non-essential projects that offer little benefit to the average person. Every dollar spent on these initiatives is a dollar not spent addressing the challenges that matter most.

A four-year tax freeze is not about cutting back; it’s about focusing forward. This focus is not just sound financial policy — it’s a blueprint for building a sustainable and affordable city. Residents expect potholes to be fixed, streets to be safe, and basic services to work. Everything else must come second.

It means re-evaluating non-essential spending, finding efficiencies in operations, and working smarter with the resources we have. It’s about asking hard questions: Are our spending priorities aligned with the needs of residents? Are we allocating funds to the areas that deliver real impact?

The reliance on tax hikes to solve every budget shortfall is a failure of leadership. Dipping into reserves while simultaneously raising taxes is a short-term fix that leaves residents paying the price for poor planning.

Affordability is not a luxury — it’s a necessity. Renters, in particular, often feel the ripple effects of property tax increases, as landlords pass those costs down the line. This is why I am committed to ensuring that renters, homeowners and businesses alike are not overburdened by rising costs. A tax freeze protects everyone by stabilizing costs and fostering a more predictable economic environment.

To make this happen, we must also forge stronger partnerships with provincial and federal governments to secure critical investments. Collaboration is key to addressing Calgary’s most pressing needs, from affordable housing to enhanced mental-health services. These partnerships are not just opportunities — they are obligations if we are to build a city that works for everyone.

Soon, Calgarians will face an important choice about the future of our city. Will we continue to raise taxes year after year, eroding trust and affordability? Or will we choose a better path, one that focuses on fiscal responsibility, core services and a brighter future for all?

It’s time for leadership that listens to the challenges residents face every day and acts decisively to make life better. It’s time for Calgary to move toward a future where families thrive, businesses grow and young people see opportunity — not insurmountable costs.

Jeff Davison is a former councillor and a declared mayoral candidate for the 2025 civic election.