'Bill is coming due': Farkas vows fiscal discipline as Calgary faces $50B infrastructure deficit

Advertisement 1 This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Breadcrumb Trail Links HomeNewsLocal News 'Bill is coming due': Farkas vows fiscal discipline as Calgary faces $50B infrastructure deficit Shortfall "will not disappear" in single budget or council term, but mayor says delaying necessary work will only drive costs higher Author of the article: By Noah Brennan Published Sep 09, 2026 Last updated 23 minutes ago 3 minute read Join the conversation Calgary Mayor Jeromy Farkas speaks to the Calgary-Downtown Rotary Club during a luncheon at the Glencoe Club on September 9, 2026. Gavin Young/Postmedia Article content A massive bill is coming due for Calgary after years of deferred infrastructure investment at all levels of government, says the city’s mayor. Article content Mayor Jeromy Farkas says city council will need “the discipline to say no” as it confronts a nearly $50-billion infrastructure deficit and prepares the city’s next four-year budget. Article content Article content Calgary faces “incredibly serious challenges,” he said, as it tries to catch up on aging infrastructure while contending with population growth, affordability pressures, an escalating Canada-U.S. trade war and demands on city-funded services. Article content Article content “For too long, governments at every level . . . have put off difficult decisions. Now, the bill is coming due,” Farkas told members of the Rotary Club of Calgary-Downtown during a state of the city speech at the Glencoe Club on Wednesday. “Calgary faces an infrastructure deficit approaching $50 billion over the next 10 years. Article content Noon News Roundup Your weekday lunchtime roundup of curated links, news highlights, analysis and features. Sign Up By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. Article content “That is the result of decades of deferred investment, rapid growth and aging infrastructure.” Article content Farkas pointed to the Bearspaw South feeder main as an example of both the consequences of aging infrastructure and the city’s ability to tackle major projects quickly. Article content The critical water main ruptured in June 2024 and again on Dec. 30, 2025, prompting the city to accelerate plans to replace the line. The project, initially expected to take four years, is now on track to be completed in 11 months. Article content “Canada, Alberta and…