Summary#

Council Services Committee carried a motion 5–0 to receive City staff’s update on civic engagement work for the corporate record. The decision does not approve a new program or direct further action; the report describes work already underway, aimed in part at expanding public education and communication about local government and ways to take part.

• City staff report that the City Clerk’s Office launched an “Our Local Government” website page and a self-guided Municipal Complex tour for 2025–26, with support for school visits to the Council Chamber.
• Elections Calgary adjusted its 2025 election communications to include information about local government and participation.
• The City and Equal Voice Calgary run the annual She Governs program for young women and gender-diverse youth. The City Clerk’s Office also organizes recruitment for the City’s 81 boards, commissions and committees.

What it means for you#

• Calgarians: The report describes existing ways to learn about local government, tour the Municipal Complex and take part in City decision-making. The committee’s decision does not create a new public service or guarantee access to a particular program.
• Students and youth: School groups can attend Municipal Complex tours with City Clerk’s Office support. She Governs offers a Model Council meeting and speakers’ panel.
• People interested in City boards: The City Clerk’s Office runs an annual recruitment campaign. The report does not change who is eligible to apply.

Money#

City staff report no anticipated financial impact.

• The report gives no cost estimate or staffing breakdown for the activities described.

What is unclear#

• No publicly available information on how many people used the website, tours or election materials, or whether the activities met their goals.
• The report does not set out further steps or say whether these activities fully implement the Ward Boundary Commission’s recommendation.

Case for#

• City staff say the activities respond to the recommendation to expand education and communication about Council, municipal government and public participation.
• The reported work offers several ways to learn or participate, including self-guided tours, school visits, She Governs and recruitment to City boards.

Case against#

• The report provides no results showing how many people the activities reached or whether they improved civic knowledge or participation.
• Without those results, it is difficult to judge whether the reported work is enough to meet the recommendation’s aim.