Summary#

Council passed Bylaw 29M2026 at third reading on July 28, 2026. It amends two existing bylaws governing the Calgary Assessment Review Board and the Licence and Community Standards Appeal Board, changing tribunal fees from January 1, 2027. City staff say the goal is to balance affordable access to complaint and appeal processes with the tax support needed to run the tribunals.

• The changes affect fees for the two tribunals; the supplied materials do not state which fees change or their new amounts.
• The changes are scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2027.
• Council approved the motion 14 to 1, with Councillor Johnston opposed. The three readings were each carried 15 to 0.

What it means for you#

• People and businesses using these tribunals: You may face changed fees when making a complaint or appeal. The exact cases and amounts are not available in the supplied materials.
• City administration: City staff will need to implement the fee changes before they take effect.
• Other residents: The decision changes fees, not the tribunals’ complaint or appeal processes as described in the available material.

Money#

City staff estimate the changes will increase the City’s annual tribunal fee revenue by approximately $1,000.

• Tribunal operations are funded by a combination of user fees and tax support.
• The supplied materials do not give the new fee amounts or estimate implementation or staffing costs.

What is unclear#

• No publicly available information in the supplied materials shows which fees change, their current rates, or their new rates.
• The materials do not explain which applicants or appeals will be affected, or whether any exemptions apply.
• The bylaw text and fee schedules are not included, so the exact changes and how they fit with existing fee rules cannot be verified.
• City staff consulted the chairs of both boards, but the report says public engagement was not required.

Case for#

• City staff say the costs of tribunal services rise over time with inflation, so adjusting fees could help maintain the intended balance between user fees and tax support.
• Staff say the fees remain affordable compared with those in other Alberta municipalities and comply with provincial legislation where applicable.
• The changes are scheduled to begin in 2027, giving City staff time to implement them.

Case against#

• City staff identify a risk that higher fees could make it harder for people to use complaint and appeal processes tied to their legal rights.
• Without the fee amounts and affected cases, the public cannot judge how much access could be affected.
• Councillor Johnston opposed the motion adopting the bylaw, but the supplied materials do not state the reason.