Calgary aiming to support businesses affected by major construction projects
Global News
Calgary city councillors are looking for the best options to provide support for businesses affected by major construction projects across the city.
As the City of Calgary gets set for another busy construction season, leaders are working out a series of approaches to help make that work more friendly for local businesses.
On Wednesday, city councillors debated the best way to move forward with large construction projects while supporting businesses affected by the work.
It comes as the city embarks on an ambitious project to replace a large section of the Bearspaw south feeder main in Calgary — work that would normally take up to four years, according to Mayor Jeromy Farkas, will be completed in just a year.
Previous water main breaks along that pipe, as well as the new construction project, have disrupted and even permanently displaced some local businesses.
A report sent to the city’s Infrastructure and Planning Committee says the Business-Friendly Construction Policy “clarifies what Calgarians can expect from City-led construction projects,” setting clear objectives to guide how aspects like customer access are considered when construction projects are planned and put into action.
A one-time grant to support businesses in Marda Loop, named the Main Streets Business Support Grant, was piloted in 2024 to help those businesses prepare for construction disruptions — but the report found the program didn’t achieve its stated intent.
“Most businesses (71 per cent) self-reported using funds for general operating costs, while one-third used funds for intended business-led initiatives,” the report said.
However, any level of support comes with some risk.
Back in spring 2025, a vendor for an Ontario health agency was hit with a ransomware attack. It set-off weeks of confusion as officials tried to work out who was impacted.
With the Canada-U.S.-Mexico (CUSMA) free trade agreement up for renegotiation this year, 51 per cent of U.S. respondents told the survey they want no tariffs on Canada at all.
With New Brunswick's budget coming on March 17, people are worried life will soon get even harder when it comes to balancing their books due to a ballooning provincial deficit.
As part of Alberta's 2026 budget, the Historical Society of Alberta is set to lose all provincial funding.
Her departure follows the recent defection of three Conservative MPs in recent months.
At stake is the future of Kelowna Springs Golf Course on Penno Road, which sits on land owned by Delcini Development Corp.
Pete Hoekstra said after the meeting that he and David Eby "covered a whole range of issues that you would expect," but provided few details.
A new poll from Liaison Strategies found Chow had an 18-point lead over Coun. Brad Bradford, who was ahead of Premier Doug Ford's nephew, Michael Ford.
The LNG project in Kitimat, B.C., has exported five cargoes in the first 11 days of March, already exceeding half its total February volume, the LSEG data shows.
Toronto Public Health is asking people to ensure they're vaccinated if eligible to prevent transmission, with officials saying two doses will ensure proper protection.
Abbas Omidi is one of 28 ‘senior officials’ of Iran’s regime immigration officers have found in Canada.
Calgary Mayor Jeromy Farkas says he's hoping to get the province on board with increased funding for the city's low-income transit pass program.
The Town of South Bruce Peninsula announced the death of Wiarton Willie Tuesday and said the search for Willie's successor will begin soon.