Advocating for Airdrie

Infrastructure support for a growing municipality

By providing critical infrastructure funding for high growth municipalities, the Government of Alberta is supporting communities that have similar needs and challenges to major centres, with less access to funding. Airdrie’s $1.2 billion, 10-year capital plan includes a recreation centre, fire station, water and wastewater pipelines, and critical road work projects.
> We want to partner with the Province to find creative solutions to provide the critical infrastructure the fastest growing city in Alberta requires.

Transparent funding formulas

Airdrie residents deserve a fair share. The 82% locally funded 40th Ave interchange on the QEII is almost complete but similar projects in Balzac and Leduc will be constant reminders of the inconsistency that can exist in these funding decisions. Transparency ensures that residents better understand how large projects are funded across the province.
> We want to partner with the Province to ensure that government funding decisions are transparent and that all Albertans are treated equally.

Proactive planning for growth

Airdrie’s young and growing population is in desperate need of schools, access to healthcare resources and affordable housing. These provincially supported services are important to taxpayers, and the City will continue to advocate on their behalf. A proactive process is needed so that high growth municipalities are not left waiting years for provincial support that residents in cities like Airdrie need today.
> We want to partner with the Province to proactively accommodate growth.

Funding support for critical community infrastructure projects

Water and wastewater pipelines
As Airdrie nears 100,000 people, water and wastewater pipelines from Calgary are necessary to accommodate residential and non-residential growth and ensure reliable water services for our current population base.
This project provides:
Safe, secure drinking water  |  Reliable water supply for a sustainable economy

Yankee Valley Boulevard CPR Grade Separation
For the safety of road and rail users and the efficient movement of goods and services. This transportation project will increase road network capacity for new residential and non-residential growth to occur in south and west Airdrie, create jobs and return an estimated $100 million in direct economic benefit.
This project provides:
Investment and job creation  |  Economic corridor enhancement  |  Road safety

Northeast Fire Hall
With Airdrie’s current population, geographical size and current fire response times, a fourth fire hall in the City’s northeast quadrant is required to fully serve fire and rescue service needs today and into the future.
This project provides:
Community safety  |  Emergency preparedness

Recreation centre
Airdrie’s sole community recreation centre is 20 years old and serves over 1.35 million visitors each year. The need for a second facility has grown dramatically. Recreation amenities support community health and wellness, but also offer significant sport tourism opportunities, generating economic spin-off for local businesses.
This project provides:
Access to recreation  |  Community health and wellbeing  |  Social connection for all ages

Alberta is growing. The Government of Alberta has an active campaign encouraging Canadians to relocate to Alberta. The Province launched a second ‘Alberta is Calling’ campaign to attract workers from Ontario and Atlantic Canada, while recording the highest fourth-quarter growth rate among all provinces. (45,864 new residents between the beginning of October and the end of December 2022.)

Alberta has the highest weekly wages of all Canadian jurisdictions, boasts some of the most affordable housing costs of all major Canadian centres and offers a high quality of life with quick access to the Rocky Mountains.

With the vast majority of newcomers settling in urban centres, Airdrie needs the Government of Alberta to actively partner with our municipality to accommodate and support population growth. 

2023 Provincial Budget

Limited funding was directed Airdrie’s way in the 2023-24 Alberta Budget despite extensive advocacy for key community priorities.

Funding for schools and healthcare upgrades (both provincial responsibilities) was announced, but very little dedicated funding was provided to support Alberta’s fastest growing city.

Growth requires transparent, criteria-based investment in roads, transit, community amenities like recreation and cultural centres, affordable housing, schools and health care.

Some facts about growth in Alberta

• Since 2016, Alberta’s population has increased by more than 347,000 people.
• Over 70% of Albertans live in Calgary, Edmonton or a mid-sized city like Airdrie.
• According to the Government of Alberta 80% of Albertans will live in the Calgary-Edmonton Corridor by 2046.
• A staggering 91% of the recent provincial population growth has happened in urban centres.

Some facts about growth in Airdrie

• Airdrie’s total current population is over 80,000 residents and growing.
• Airdrie has been Alberta’s fastest growing city since 2016 and still is.
• Airdrie’s population in 2003 was just 23,680.
• The city is expected to reach 100,000+ within the next seven years and is on track to become the third largest city in Alberta in less than 20 years.