In a move that has sent shockwaves through Calgary’s political landscape, confidential budget documents have been leaked, revealing a potential property tax increase of 20.2 per cent for 2027. This revelation has ignited a fierce debate among city council members, with Mayor Jeromy Farkas and Ward 14 Coun. Landon Johnston at the center of the controversy.
The leaked documents, obtained by Global News outline a series of spending requests that, if approved, would necessitate significant tax hikes over the next several years. The proposed increases include an 8.5 per cent hike in 2028, a 9 per cent increase in 2029, and an 8.9 per cent rise in 2030. However, city council has directed administration to narrow the scope of these requests within a 15 per cent property tax increase next year, followed by subsequent hikes of 12.5 per cent in 2028, 9 per cent in 2029, and 6 per cent in 2030.
Mayor Farkas Defends Budget Process
Mayor Farkas has maintained that the leaked documents represent a wishlist of spending requests rather than a finalized budget. He emphasized that the city council has not yet adopted any tax increase and that the final numbers will be determined after careful consideration of essential infrastructure and public safety needs.
“This is a wishlist. Everybody comes out of the woodwork around budget time and asks for all of the stuff,” Farkas stated. He highlighted his objectives to prioritize infrastructure and public safety, noting that the final budget will reflect these priorities.
Coun. Johnston Justifies Leak as Public Interest
Coun. Johnston who admitted to leaking the confidential documents, argued that releasing the information was in the public interest. He contended that the preliminary budget scenario revealed a council that struggles to say no to spending requests, potentially leading to excessive tax hikes.
“That’s not a wishlist — that’s a council that has trouble saying no,” Johnston said. He pointed to specific funding requests, such as the $44.3 million for infrastructure maintenance and the $16.9 million for additional Transit Peace Officers, as examples of non-essential spending that could be cut.
Johnston also defended his actions, stating, “I’m hardly the first person to release confidential information, I was just the first person not to be a coward about it.” He argued that the leak would prompt necessary discussions about budget cuts and fiscal responsibility.
Political Fallout and Legal Concerns
The leak has sparked criticism from other council members, including Ward 3 Coun. Andrew Yule who expressed disappointment and concern over the potential legal risks. Yule noted that the provincial government eliminated the municipal code of conduct in 2025, which complicates the enforcement of any repercussions for the leak.
“Every leak is inappropriate and every leak should be investigated, but without a framework to do that, we’re just left hanging,” Yule said. He emphasized the importance of maintaining confidentiality in budget discussions to protect third-party information and avoid legal penalties.
Mayor Farkas also expressed concerns about the legal risks associated with the leak, stating that the release of confidential information could expose the city to financial penalties. He defended the confidential nature of the budget discussions, highlighting the need for transparency in the final budget process.
The city council is set to deliberate the next four-year budget on Nov. 23 following the public release of the proposed spending plan in early November. As the debate continues, the leaked documents have brought to light the challenges and complexities of balancing fiscal responsibility with the needs of the city’s residents.
