Calgary police in line for millions of dollars more as budget talks continue

Calgary councillors' ongoing lengthy budget conversation shifted topics to public safety in the city on Wednesday.

Calgary’s lengthy city budget discussions turned to public safety on Wednesday, with police set to receive millions of dollars more next year.

What’s proposed is for the Calgary Police Service’s operating budget to increase to $613 million in 2026, according to city documents.

It would be a net adjustment of $59 million more than this year.

“The next four-year cycle, we will have to increase our budget for the police substantially because they’ve been drastically underfunded under the last council,” said Dan McLean, councillor for Ward 13.

Twenty-one new police officers are already approved for next year.

“Over the last nine years, we have grown by 18 police officers per year,” said CPS Chief Katie McLellan.

“It’s a very, very low number for the amount of people that we have grown by in this city.”

Some of the increased funding will go toward fleet maintenance, roof repairs at two police stations and money for a new indoor gun range.

A big portion of that increased funding will go toward filling a $28-million gap caused by a loss of revenue when the provincial government banned photo radar in most locations.

“This is a shortfall that the province should not impose on us. So, yes, I would like to see that reversed,” said McLean.

Mayor Jeromy Farkas says he will bring forth a motion arising to ask the province to cover that funding shortfall.

Alberta’s transportation minister is not ruling it out.

“I’ve always been open to constructive conversations with municipal leaders, including Mayor Farkas, about ways we can work together to enhance road safety and ensure fairness for taxpayers,” reads a statement from Devin Dreeshen.

“Any discussions around fine revenue must stay focused on safety outcomes, not on replacing lost revenue.”

Council will have to approve its budget later this week.