Calgary police, fire, emergency responders look for more municipal funding to keep up services
Calgary council heard from the city's protective services departments during budget talks Monday, all saying they need more money to keep up with rising demands.
Dispatchers at 911 are projected to take about one million calls in the city in 2023, and are asking for money to hire another 77 operators.
Without the increased staff, dispatch says wait times for service will increase.
Calgary Fire Department says with high loads on EMS and Alberta Health Services, firefighters are increasingly being sent to medical calls and have asked for a total increase of $73.8 million to hire 184 firefighters and bring back the downtown medical response unit.
Calgary police are also looking for more money – a budget increase of $34 million to hire 154 staff, including 110 officers.
Bylaw services is also looking to add nine more peace offcers to improve safety on Calgary Transit.
Altogether, there was $220 million in capital budget requests for protective services in the cycle, which will end in 2026.
Among the relatively small asks to council on Monday was a $2-million request from Tourism Calgary to build a sales team ahead of the opening of the BMO Centre.
The new convention space will have double the capacity of the old facility and Tourism Calgary says the bump in funding promises to bring an estimated $70 million in economic benefit to the city.
The city’s total annual budget is expected to reach $4.9 billion by 2026.
Administration is recommending a residential property tax increase of 4.4 per cent in 2023 and an average increase of 3.7 per cent each year through 2026.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Israel attacks Iran, Reuters sources say; drones reported over Isfahan
Israel has attacked Iran, three people familiar with the matter told Reuters, as Iranian state media reported early on Friday that its forces had destroyed drones, days after Iran launched a retaliatory drone strike on Israel.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Nearly half of China's major cities are sinking, researchers say
Nearly half of China's major cities are suffering 'moderate to severe' levels of subsidence, putting millions at risk of flooding especially as sea levels rise.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Judge says 'no evidence fully supports' murder case against Umar Zameer as jury starts deliberations
The judge presiding over the trial of a man accused of fatally running over a Toronto police officer is telling jurors the possible verdicts they may reach based on the evidence in the case.
Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
Colin Jost names one celebrity who is great at hosting 'Saturday Night Live'
Colin Jost, who co-anchors Saturday Night Live's 'Weekend Update,' revealed who he thinks is one of the best hosts on the show.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn't over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball's highest scorer Caitlin Clark's first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
'Shopaholic' author Sophie Kinsella reveals brain cancer diagnosis
Sophie Kinsella, the best-selling author behind the 'Shopaholic' book series, has revealed that she is receiving treatment for brain cancer.