Latest news with #CalgaryConfederation
Calgary Herald
2 days ago
- Business
- Calgary Herald
$75M from federal government, City of Calgary for office-to-housing conversion project
Calgary Mayor Jyoti Gondek and Calgary Confederation MP Corey Hogan announced a new office-to-residential conversion project Wednesday morning as part of the city's downtown Calgary development incentive program. Article content The program started in 2021 and has since approved 21 projects, with a goal of converting six million square feet of unused office space by 2031. Article content Article content Article content Standing in the lobby of 606 Fourth, Hogan revealed that the federal government is contributing $64.3 million through the National Housing Strategy's apartment construction loan program, while the City of Calgary is providing $10.5 million to support the project. Article content Owned by Dream Office REIT and developed by Dream Unlimited Corp., the project will convert underused office space into 166 rental housing units, including 45 affordable units. Article content 'Families are having a hard time finding homes that meet their needs and that they can afford.' Article content Article content The converted building will feature modern studio, one- and two-bedroom apartments — including 17 accessible units, co-working spaces, shared fitness facilities, common areas for residents and an outdoor patio and barbecue area. Article content Article content The building is also walkable for residents due to its proximity to two CTrain stations, and the downtown Core shopping centre. Article content Article content Currently, there is no finalized system for allocating leases for the high-demand affordable units, Gondek said, but the city is in the early stages of developing one. Article content 'We'll make sure that we're very public about how people can apply,' she added. Article content Addressing concerns about possible strain on water and sewer infrastructure for the building, Gondek says that this is an example of why partnerships between the City, the federal government and private companies are important, to ensure that Calgary gets its 'fair share of tax dollars' to support its growth. Article content 'Council made the incredibly responsible decision last year during budget to reinvest in maintenance and upkeep, as well as replacement of major infrastructure — particularly when it comes to water,' she said. Article content
Calgary Herald
3 days ago
- Politics
- Calgary Herald
Federal government commits $45.7M to boost wildfire prevention and response
Article content With wildfire season underway across much of Canada, the federal government is earmarking $45.7 million for 30 projects aimed at strengthening Canada's wildfire prevention, mitigation and recovery. Article content Natural Resources Canada says the projects, funded through its Build and Mobilize Foundational Wildland Fire Knowledge program, are focused on advancing research to protect Canadians from the growing threat of wildfires, strengthen risk assessments and improve mitigation and adaptive forestry practices. Article content Article content Article content The funding was announced Tuesday by Calgary Confederation MP Corey Hogan. Article content Article content Hogan said the funding will help close knowledge gaps, improve risk assessments and support Indigenous-led projects that restore cultural fire stewardship. Article content Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Tim Hodgson said protecting the safety, health, and economic well-being of communities across Canada is a top priority amid ongoing wildfires threats. Article content 'Our government is leading efforts to strengthen wildfire management and reduce wildfire risks in Canada,' Hodgson said in a statement. 'Today's announcement will allow us to prepare for future challenges by advancing wildfire knowledge, accelerating risk and mitigation strategies, and supporting Indigenous fire stewardship to build resilience and protect Canadian families and homes.' Article content Article content Eleanor Olszewski, minister of emergency management and community resilience, said the money is part of a broader plan to bolster Canada's disaster preparedness.
Hamilton Spectator
24-07-2025
- Business
- Hamilton Spectator
Calgary outpaces housing unit target, secures funding boost from feds
Dollars to doors was how Mayor Jyoti Gondek has described multiple government-funded housing projects that are ahead of schedule in Calgary. The federal government awarded the City $228.5 million through the Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF) in 2023, and the City of Calgary set out to incentivize 43,000 new housing units built by Oct. 2026. That goal was exceeded by the city in June, a year and a half ahead of schedule. 'In just 20 months, the city has already incentivized the delivery of more than 44,000 units, achieving 104 per cent of our goal,' said City of Calgary Chief of Housing, Reid Hendry. Hendry said that because of the city's quick action in utilizing the funds, the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation provided an additional $22.8 million in March to further encourage housing supply growth in Calgary. According to Hendry, the city has achieved 103 per cent of its multi-unit target and 152 per cent of its multi-unit near transit target. The city is also on track to achieve targets related to missing middle housing—semi-detached, row, townhouse housing—and affordable non-market housing. Hendry said that $53 million from HAF has gone towards 6,000 secondary suites, $52.5 million for 700 homes created through the office-to-residential conversions and non-market land sale program, and $29 million for 400 non-market homes. The announcement of the success of the HAF funding was made at 11 Haddon Road SW, next to the Heritage LRT Station. 'In fact, this parcel of land behind me was sold to a non-profit cal led Liberty Housing, and they will be developing this site into nearly 200 units of non-market housing thanks to both the non-market land sale program and the half investment from our federal government partners,' said Hendry. Calgary Confederation MP Corey Hogan said that since its announcement in 2023, HAF funding in Calgary has been put into the right places. 'Calgary has been bold and decisive in its commitment to get housing built for those who need it, from streamlining approvals to investing in transit-oriented and downtown development, Calgary has more than answered the call,' he said. Hogan said that, admittedly, he was biased, but that cities across Canada could learn from Calgary in many ways, including the construction of housing. Addressing a long-standing claim from critics of upzoning, Mayor Gondek said that the HAF funding provided by the Government of Canada was not tied to rezoning occurring in Calgary. 'There was no stipulation that we had to pass any type of rezoning; there was none,' she said 'What we chose to do when it comes to rezoning is something that council took on on its own. So, the funding that you see with the Housing Accelerator Fund was not tied to that. The announcement that came from the federal government about that came later, after we received our funding.' Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Calgary Herald
13-05-2025
- Politics
- Calgary Herald
Braid: Carney snubbed Calgary by passing up a brilliant choice for cabinet
Prime Minister Mark Carney, a hockey zealot, refused to pass the puck to Calgary. Article content Article content He denied Calgary Confederation MP Cory Hogan a cabinet post. Article content Hogan seemed certain to get in. He's one of only two Liberal MPs elected in the province. Article content But, no, not a whiff. Article content Article content Article content He has been vice-president of communications at U of C and has served in senior roles with the Alberta government. Article content Carney could have lopped off part of her large portfolio — maybe prairie development — and given it to Hogan as a junior minister. Article content Liberals will say it's all our fault because we don't generally elect Liberals. Article content That's exactly right. It's also exactly why a Liberal who does manage to get elected in Calgary should get a cabinet post. Article content George Chahal, defeated in the recent election, was permanently barred from cabinet after his doorstep violation of campaign rules in 2021. Article content Article content Kent Hehr made cabinet after the Justin Trudeau victory in 2015. Article content Before that, there hadn't been a Liberal minister from Calgary since Pat Mahoney in 1972. Article content Nobody disputes that Edmonton deserves a full minister. But in this prime minister's mind, Calgary does not. Article content He had a chance to break the city's drought and simply ignored it. Article content Another Liberal with a background somewhat similar to Hogan's is Evan Solomon, the former CBC host. Article content He becomes minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation, and minister for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario. Article content His riding? Toronto Centre, which also serves as the centre of the universe for the Liberal party.
Edmonton Journal
01-05-2025
- Business
- Edmonton Journal
Varcoe: 'Turn us loose' says Suncor Energy CEO, as 38 oilpatch leaders sign new letter to Carney
Article content 'This industry can and should play a bigger, more prominent role than it does today in the economy, in the country… 'It is a time for a reset and that, again, is a call to action that the group of us have put forward.' Calgary's only Liberal MP-elect, Corey Hogan, read the CEOs' letter and believes common ground exists between the industry and government. 'We are not so apart, once the rhetoric is cooled down,' said Hogan, who won the federal riding of Calgary Confederation on Monday. 'I really appreciate the tone of this letter and let's find constructive relationships — and let's find that reset.'
