Managing City finances

Managing City spending

Keeping municipal government affordable

Over the past decade, Calgary has grown rapidly—now recognized as one of Canada’s fastest-growing major cities with a population increase of nearly 25 per cent. This surge, combined with the highest inflation rates since 1982, has created significant challenges in meeting the rising demand for City services.

Despite these pressures, Calgary has consistently managed its Total City Operating Expenditures responsibly. Since 2015, spending has remained at or below the combined rate of population growth and inflation—benchmarks often recommended by taxpayer groups and business advocates. This disciplined approach has allowed the City to maintain essential services while keeping pace with growth, even as economic conditions have become more complex.

The chart below illustrates how operating expenditures by both The City and the Provincial government compare to the combined growth of population and inflation at the municipal and provincial levels.

Click to expand image.

While keeping property taxes affordable has benefited Calgarians, it has also made it increasingly challenging to maintain City services at previous levels. As a result, overall satisfaction with City services has declined—from 76 per cent in 2018 to just 61 per cent in 2025, according to the Survey of Calgarians. This shift highlights the growing tension between affordability and service quality as Calgary continues to grow and evolve.

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Our finances

Working hard to ensure Calgarians receive outstanding value for their property tax dollars. Learn how it all comes together.

Calgary comparison

How our property tax and utility charges measure up nationally.

City employees

Managing our head count despite Calgary’s growing population.

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