City expands safety and wellbeing advisory

Summary#

Calgary Council passed Bylaw 25M2026 at third reading on July 28, 2026. It establishes the Community Safety and Wellbeing Advisory Committee, replacing the Social Wellbeing Advisory Committee’s terms of reference with a bylaw; City staff say this is needed to meet provincial requirements for establishing Council committees. The stated goal is to align the committee with the Safer Together plan and broaden its advice on community safety and wellbeing.

  • The existing committee members were appointed to the renamed committee for their existing terms.
  • The bylaw changes the committee’s mandate, responsibilities, membership composition and qualifications, but the materials provided do not give the full wording.
  • Council changed the number “28” to “26” in one bylaw provision; the materials do not explain what the number refers to.

What it means for you#

  • Calgarians: The committee advises Council and City staff. This decision does not itself create a new front-line service or change residents’ rights or eligibility for services.
  • Current committee members: They continue on the renamed committee for their existing terms.
  • Council and City staff: The committee’s advice will cover community safety as well as wellbeing, including advice related to Safer Together. The exact responsibilities and membership rules are not available in the supplied material.

Money#

The report says there is no anticipated financial impact and that existing operating funding will not change, but it provides no cost figures.

  • Council directed City staff to state estimated annual remuneration and support costs before third reading, and to outline budgets and costs at the committee’s annual Council meeting on boards, commissions and committees. A costs document was distributed at Council, but its figures are not included here.

What is unclear#

  • The full bylaw text is not included, so the committee’s exact powers, duties, membership numbers and qualifications cannot be verified.
  • The materials do not give the annual cost estimate or say whether the directed cost information was stated on the record.
  • City staff identified possible uncertainty about how the committee’s expanded role will fit with other advisory bodies and Safer Together implementation structures.

Case for#

  • City staff say provincial law requires Council committees to be established by bylaw, so replacing the terms of reference addresses that requirement.
  • City staff say the expanded scope could support more coordinated advice across prevention, risk intervention and incident response, in line with Safer Together.
  • Keeping the existing members for their current terms preserves committee membership during the change.

Case against#

  • City staff acknowledged that the expanded scope could cause uncertainty about the committee’s role alongside other advisory bodies and Safer Together structures.
  • The materials do not show the cost figures or the full rules that would let the public assess the committee’s updated membership and responsibilities.
  • Councillor Johnston voted against the final motion; the minutes provided do not state the reason.

Votes

Community Development Committee, item 7.3 (Social Wellbeing Advisory Committee Bylaw, CD2026-0398): That with respect to Report CD2026-0398, the following amendment be approved: That new Recommendations be added, as follows: - Direct Administration to state the estimated annual remuneration and support costs on the record before third reading of the proposed bylaw. - Direct Administration to outline budgets and costs when the Committee comes to the annual Regular Meeting of Council on Boards, Co…

For (100%)

Community Development Committee, item 7.3 (Social Wellbeing Advisory Committee Bylaw, CD2026-0398): That with respect to Report CD2026-0398, the following be approved, as amended: That the Community Development Committee recommend that Council: - Establish the Community Safety and Wellbeing Advisory Committee (formerly Social Wellbeing Advisory Committee) by giving three readings to the Proposed Bylaw xxM2026; - Appoint the members of the Social Wellbeing Advisory Committee to the Community Safe…

For (100%)

Calgary City Council, item 9.4.3 (Social Wellbeing Advisory Committee Bylaw, CD2026-0398): That with respect to Report CD2026-0398, the following be adopted: That Council: - Establish the Community Safety and Wellbeing Advisory Committee (formerly Social Wellbeing Advisory Committee) by giving three readings to the Proposed Bylaw 25M2026; and - Appoint the members of the Social Wellbeing Advisory Committee to the Community Safety and Wellbeing Advisory Committee for the existing terms.…

For (93%)
Against (7%)

Calgary City Council, item 9.4.3 (Social Wellbeing Advisory Committee Bylaw, CD2026-0398): That Bylaw 25M2026 be introduced and read a first time.

For (100%)

Calgary City Council, item 9.4.3 (Social Wellbeing Advisory Committee Bylaw, CD2026-0398): That Council amend Proposed Bylaw 25M2026 by deleting the number “28” in section 2(1)(g) and substituting the number “26” in its place.

For (100%)

Calgary City Council, item 9.4.3 (Social Wellbeing Advisory Committee Bylaw, CD2026-0398): That Bylaw 25M2026 be read a second time, as amended.

For (100%)

Calgary City Council, item 9.4.3 (Social Wellbeing Advisory Committee Bylaw, CD2026-0398): That Bylaw 25M2026 be read a third time, as amended.

For (100%)