Summary#

Calgary City Council approved this item on the consent agenda on September 22, 2026, by a 15–0 vote. It accepts a staff report and directs City staff to return to the Infrastructure and Planning Committee in Q1 2027 with proposed funding and cost-sharing arrangements for planning a regional pathway between Calgary, Airdrie and Cochrane. The stated goal is to plan connected routes, mainly along the Bow River and Nose Creek corridors.

• City staff must report back and seek Council approval for Calgary’s share of the required budget.
• The proposed master plan would examine routes, crossings, land needs, environmental issues, early design, costs, phases, funding and cost-sharing.
• The plan’s proposed scope includes public and Indigenous engagement, with regional partners working on a coordinated approach.
• This decision does not approve pathway construction or a master plan budget. Staff report that Calgary has about 2.5 km of gaps in the Bow River corridor and 9 km in the Nose Creek corridor; gaps outside Calgary include about 5 km toward Cochrane and 3.3 to 8.5 km toward Airdrie, depending on the route.

What it means for you#

• People who use pathways: No new route or construction is approved by this decision. It directs staff to plan and return with funding proposals.
• Calgary residents and taxpayers: Council has not yet approved Calgary’s share of the future master plan budget. That decision is to come later.
• Regional municipalities: City staff report that Airdrie, Cochrane and Rocky View County have expressed interest, but none has made a formal or financial commitment.
• City staff: They must prepare the funding and cost-sharing proposal for the committee by Q1 2027.

Money#

The report says $40,000 has been spent to date; it gives no total cost for the future master plan or pathway construction.

• The next stage of work will use funding Council previously approved through an earlier notice of motion.
• Future funding for the master plan will be brought to Council for consideration. City staff also say the work requires staff time and other organizational resources.

What is unclear#

• What routes will be chosen, and what land, crossings or environmental measures they will require.
• How much the master plan and eventual construction would cost, and how costs would be shared.
• Whether regional partners will formally participate or contribute funding.
• How public and Indigenous engagement will work and influence decisions.

Case for#

• In public submissions, Calgary residents supported the planning. One Ward 3 resident said a route to Airdrie could let their family cycle to everyday destinations without riding beside cars.
• City staff say existing plans and studies provide a basis for route analysis, and that a coordinated plan could help partners pursue grants and discuss cost-sharing.
• City staff say planning now could help coordinate routes across municipal boundaries and identify land needs before implementation.

Case against#

• City staff identify a risk that different priorities, funding and timelines among partner municipalities could disrupt coordination or delivery.
• The report says the work needs staff time and organizational resources, but does not estimate those demands.
• Calgary has not approved its share of future costs, and regional partners have made no formal financial commitments. The eventual cost to Calgary is therefore unknown.