by Harris Hanson
Our federal government in Ottawa controls immigration to our country. Canada is a big country with plenty of room. It is reasonable that our federal government bear the necessary costs of accommodating the new immigrants. It is offering money to municipalities in our provinces, with “Housing Accelerator” funding to bring in blanket legislation to revise their zoning, to allow for much higher density development. Is Calgary’s municipal government controlled by people who really want that money? Are they using our tax dollars to go through the motions of public engagement, in an attempt to validate that legislation, which they intend to push through, regardless of all the opposition from Calgary homeowners?
Did the homeowners in Canadian municipalities have any idea, at the time of their last elections, that the people elected would later use their positions to push through such legislation, regardless of the effect on the infrastructure, traffic, parking, parks, and enjoyment of their homes and residential neighbourhoods? Did such legislation go through in Edmonton before the homeowners there were paying attention and realized what to expect?
I believe that any rezoning process should take into account the characteristics of a neighbourhood, and not lump neighbourhoods, needing protection from further densification, in with all the others. I think Calgarians are in favour of facilitating truly affordable housing for high density projects near LRT stations, along major road/transit corridors, and in vacant or underutilized commercial sites. Smaller, minimalist style units, at these locations, would require minimal parking. That is what should be focused on, for people just starting out or having a hard time making ends meet. Those are not the people who would be living in expensive high rise residential buildings, or local neighbourhoods, should such construction be allowed by our City Council to occur at Glenmore Landing, despite the expected impacts traffic, parking, the Glenmore Reservoir water supply and its adjacent public park and pathways.
Residents of some municipalities in our country appear to have awoken to the risks of proposed city-wide densification legislation, in time to try to impress their elected representatives not to push it through indiscriminately. Our city council would be wise to follow the lead of city council in Windsor and to care about what homeowners say and the expected dramatic impacts on their quality of life. Their homes are usually their single biggest investment in life, chosen for the density and amenities reasonably expected in the neighbourhood.
If and where high-rise residential developments are permitted, we have to ensure that they are wisely located and have the desired effect of producing more affordable housing. As with other densification measures, thought must be given to the number of vehicles being added to local traffic, preserving local parks and green space and (in a world that is getting warmer) protecting our water supply.
Even before this densification legislation was proposed, Calgary was seeing serious problems with homelessness, aggravated by drug addiction/overdose/poisoning, which increased demand on our EMS and police services. With the people using homeless shelters having access to our rapid transit system, they were appearing in increasing numbers in and within easy walking distance of LRT stations. Our police had to hire 50 more officers and try to integrate with transit safety and social services in dealing with the increased demand on these systems.
The process is fuelled with reports by professional people with arguments to support those who would profit from the rezoning.
It seems that the same people at the City, who advocate for widespread high density rezoning, do so despite the opinions of the residents of the affected neighbourhoods, who are not provided with the reports or other information necessary to make such important decisions concerning these matters.
In Canada, we can accommodate immigrants. It does not have to be at the expense of our Glenmore Reservoir water supply, or the nearby parks, paths, and homeowners. The Alberta cities of Lethbridge, Medicine Hat, Grande Prairie do not have the same crowding as Calgary and would have been happy to take part in the Housing Accelerator program.
This is a time to support your local community association and make your concerns known to city council, whether or not you made a written submission before their April 15, 2024, deadline.
Click here to the Bayview Community News home page for the latest Bayview community updates.
Click here to the Palliser Community News home page for the latest Palliser community updates.
Click here to the Pumphill Community News home page for the latest Pumphill community updates.
