Summary#

Calgary City Council approved the report on the Accelerated Poplar Tree Replacement and Sidewalk Repair Program Update on March 31, 2026, as part of the consent agenda. Council directed City staff to develop sidewalk and tree-condition service targets and related funding needs by Q3 2026, and to report on progress addressing poplar-related sidewalk damage. The report’s goal is to coordinate sidewalk repairs and tree management while supporting safety, accessibility and the urban tree canopy.

• City staff must use the report to help develop a sidewalk quality target and identify its funding needs by Q3 2026.
• City staff must also help develop a tree-condition target and identify its funding needs by Q3 2026.
• Staff must report on progress addressing poplar-related sidewalk damage through those target-setting reports.

What it means for you#

• People walking, including people using mobility aids: The decision does not order repairs at particular locations or set a repair schedule. Staff are to develop service targets and report on progress.
• Residents near poplars: The decision does not approve a city-wide tree-removal program. Staff’s report describes possible coordinated repairs and tree replacement, but Council did not approve funding for that work in this decision.
• Taxpayers: No new spending was approved as part of the decision.

Money#

The staff report estimates additional funding would be needed for an accelerated program, but Council’s decision did not approve that funding.

• Staff estimate about $7.98 million for sidewalks damaged beside poplars and $9.85 million to replace declining poplars at a two-for-one ratio. The report’s highlights instead give $7.93 million for sidewalk work.
• Staff estimate another $30.6 million for sidewalk and tree work involving other tree species.
• The report says the existing sidewalk-concrete backlog is about $246 million. No cost estimate for preparing the targets or reports is provided.

What is unclear#

• What targets staff will recommend, and what funding Council may later approve.
• Which locations would receive repairs or tree work, and when.
• How affected residents would be consulted. Staff say targeted outreach has not yet taken place; existing notification procedures would apply before tree removals or sidewalk replacements.

Case for#

• City staff identified more than 11,000 locations where poplars are within five metres of sidewalks; 3,211 have a condition problem with the sidewalk, tree or both.
• Staff say coordinating tree and sidewalk work could address safety and accessibility problems while supporting the tree canopy.
• Staff say site-specific repairs could allow healthy trees to remain while damaged sidewalks are made safer.

Case against#

• The decision does not fund the repairs or tree replacements described in the report, so the identified problems may remain while funding is considered.
• Staff say other tree species also damage sidewalks; focusing on poplars alone would not address the wider issue.
• Staff report no targeted outreach has yet taken place, leaving unclear how affected communities’ views will inform any later work.