City council seeks privacy guidance

Summary#

On September 8, 2026, Calgary City Council adopted a motion about information from the 2027–2030 budget cycle that Council deemed confidential. Council asked the Mayor to write to the Minister of Municipal Affairs and the Privacy Commissioner and request that they take any steps they consider necessary.

  • The motion says a Council member released the information and publicly indicated they intended to do so again. It does not name the member.
  • Councillors Jamieson and Tyers voted against the motion; it carried 12 to 2.
  • Council defeated an amendment that would have asked Councillor Johnston to address the issue and state his intentions about future conduct.

What it means for you#

  • Residents: The decision directs the Mayor to contact two provincial officials. It does not itself impose a penalty or change residents’ rights or services.
  • Council and City staff: The motion records Council’s view that the information was confidential and asks outside officials to decide whether to take any steps. It does not direct City staff to investigate or set out a process for doing so.

Money#

No cost information is in the available material.

  • The material gives no estimate for preparing or sending the Mayor’s letter.

What is unclear#

  • The material does not identify the information released or explain why Council deemed it confidential.
  • The carried motion does not name the Council member. The proposed amendment naming Councillor Johnston was defeated.
  • The material does not say what steps, if any, the Minister or Privacy Commissioner will take.

Case for#

  • The motion gives the Minister of Municipal Affairs and the Privacy Commissioner the information and asks them to decide what steps, if any, they consider necessary.
  • The motion refers to a release of information Council deemed confidential and to a stated intention to do so again. Alerting those officials could be seen as a way to seek a response beyond Council.

Case against#

  • Councillors Jamieson and Tyers voted against the motion. The minutes do not give their reasons.
  • Council rejected the amendment asking Councillor Johnston to address the issue and his future intentions. That left the carried motion without a named member or a direct request for an explanation.

Votes

Calgary City Council, item 4.1 (Legal Advice Regarding Unauthorized Disclosure of 2027-2030 Budget Cycle Information (Verbal), C2026-0856): That with respect to Verbal Report C2026-0856, the following amendment be adopted: That the following recommendation be inserted as Recommendation 2: - Request that Councillor Johnston address the issue of breach of sec. 153 MGA and his intent of his actions going forward regarding confidentiality.

For (29%)
Against (71%)

Calgary City Council, item 4.1 (Legal Advice Regarding Unauthorized Disclosure of 2027-2030 Budget Cycle Information (Verbal), C2026-0856): That with respect to Verbal Report C2026-0856, the following be adopted: That Council request the Mayor to inform, by letter, the Minister of Municipal Affairs and the Privacy Commissioner that a Member of Council released information deemed by Council to be confidential and have publicly indicated they intend to do so again, and request they take whatever steps they deem necessary to address this…

For (86%)
Against (14%)