Summary#

Calgary City Council approved this item on the consent agenda on September 22, 2026. It directs City staff to report back by Q1 2027 with a proposed funding and cost-sharing arrangement for planning a regional pathway connecting Calgary with Airdrie and Cochrane, and to seek Council approval for Calgary’s share of the required budget. The stated goal is to plan connected regional pathways; Council has not approved building them.

• City staff must return to the Infrastructure and Planning Committee with the proposed funding and cost-sharing arrangement.
• Staff’s proposed planning scope includes checking route alignments, crossings, land needs, environmental issues and preliminary designs, plus implementation, cost, funding and engagement planning.
• The proposed connections would mainly follow the Bow River and Nose Creek corridors. Much of the route is already built, planned or studied, but gaps remain.
• Regional partners have expressed interest, but none has made a formal or financial commitment.

What it means for you#

• Residents and pathway users: This decision does not build or approve a route. It starts further work on a plan for possible connections to Airdrie and Cochrane. Residents may be engaged during later planning, but this decision does not set an engagement process or timeline.
• Taxpayers: City staff must bring Calgary’s proposed share of the cost back to Council for approval. This decision does not approve that future budget.
• Regional partners and Indigenous Nations: Staff’s proposed scope includes working with regional partners and public and Indigenous engagement. This decision does not set out how those groups will take part or require them to contribute money.

Money#

The next stage of work will use funding previously approved by Council; no estimate is given for future master-planning costs.

• The City has spent $40,000 to date.
• Staff say future funding needs for the master plan will be brought to Council for consideration in the Q1 2027 report. No cost-sharing agreement or partner funding commitment is in place.

What is unclear#

• What routes, designs, land requirements and construction phases a future master plan would recommend.
• How much the plan or any later construction would cost, and how costs would be divided among partners.
• Whether regional partners will formally join or fund the work.
• How public and Indigenous engagement would happen, and how input would affect the plan.

Case for#

• City staff say existing and planned pathways, studies and regional partnerships provide a foundation for further route planning and cost estimates.
• Staff say a shared plan could help partners coordinate decisions and prepare applications for external funding.
• Residents who submitted comments supported safer cycling links to Airdrie, parks and other regional destinations, including for everyday trips.

Case against#

• City staff warn that progress depends on partner participation; differing priorities, funding and timelines could affect coordination and delivery.
• Staff also say the work requires staff time and organizational resources, but the report gives no estimate of those resources.
• Regional partners have shown interest but have not formally committed. Without agreement on roles and funding, the planning could stall or leave costs unresolved.