Summary#
Executive Committee approved Councillor Schmidt’s notice of motion on November 3, 2026, and forwarded it to Council for consideration on November 17. Council has not yet approved the proposed direction to City staff.
If Council approves it, staff would develop a framework to improve access to affordable, below-market space for non-profits, charities and grassroots community organizations. The stated goal is to explore ways to make suitable City-owned space and partnerships more available.
- Staff would assess demand, current space provision, suitable City-owned spaces and how requests are currently handled, by Q1 2027.
- Staff would explore ways to increase access for non-profits and charities, and separately for grassroots groups without non-profit or charitable status, by Q2 2027.
- By Q3 2027, staff would develop a proposed framework covering governance and oversight, eligibility and selection criteria, cost management, facility needs and external partnerships. This work would be coordinated with the update to Calgary’s Cultural Plan and cultural capital investment framework.
- By Q4 2027, staff would identify possible funding sources and mechanisms, including provincial, federal and partner resources where applicable.
- Staff would report to Council through the Community Development Committee by Q1 2028, with the proposed framework, implementation recommendations, financial implications and timelines.
What it means for you#
- Non-profits and charities: The proposed work would examine ways to improve access to affordable space. It does not itself provide space, reduce rent or guarantee eligibility.
- Grassroots and community groups without non-profit or charitable status: Staff would explore possible ways to improve access, including through external partners. The motion does not guarantee that these groups would qualify for space.
- City staff: If Council approves the motion, staff would carry out the assessment and framework work within existing resources, then report back.
- Council: The committee’s decision sends the notice to Council; it does not itself establish a space program or direct staff to implement one.
Money#
The notice calls for the initial work to be done within existing resources, but gives no cost estimate.
- The framework would identify possible funding sources for future implementation. No funding amount or commitment is approved in the committee decision.
- The Women’s Centre of Calgary said its projected 2027 rent is $190,000 and that an $80,000 annual rent reduction would equal the cost of one full-time client-facing position. This is the Centre’s example, not a City cost estimate or a promised rent reduction.
What is unclear#
- Council’s decision on the notice is not included; its consideration is scheduled for November 17, 2026.
- “Affordable” and “below-market” are not defined, and the notice does not set eligibility or selection rules.
- It is not yet known which City-owned spaces may be suitable, how many organizations could benefit, or what any future arrangement would cost.
- The notice does not set out how organizations will be consulted. The Nonprofit Chamber said meaningful consultation would be important and offered to contribute in an advisory role.
Case for#
- The Nonprofit Chamber supports exploring options, saying affordable, suitable space can help organizations deliver programs and sustain their operations. It also offered to contribute research and sector knowledge.
- The Women’s Centre supports the initiative. It said lower rent could leave more money for services, using its own projected rent and staffing example.
- A current-state assessment and published criteria could help the City understand demand and consider requests more consistently; the notice identifies both as work for the proposed framework.
Case against#
- The notice would fund investigation and planning, not provide space or lower any organization’s rent. Organizations facing high costs may see no direct relief from this decision.
- It requires staff to do the work within existing resources, but does not estimate the workload or say what other work might be affected.
- The eventual framework’s eligibility rules, space supply and costs are not yet known, so it is unclear how many organizations could benefit or whether the options would meet their needs.