On a July day in 2006, shortly past midnight, Dashiell Waite was born at Rockyview Hospital, weighing nine pounds and eight ounces, putting him in the 96th percentile for boys. However, what made Dashiell notable wasn’t his weight but the fact that he was honored as the one-millionth Calgarian, marking a significant milestone for a city that had experienced numerous booms and busts over the years. This milestone came 122 years after Calgary was first incorporated as a town.
Calgary’s population growth is outpacing predictions, with projections suggesting it could reach two million residents by the middle of the next decade, before Dashiell turns 30. The rapid population increase is raising various challenges for the city, including issues related to affordable housing, neighborhood zoning, transit, infrastructure, taxation, homelessness, addiction, and public safety. Managing these demands is becoming increasingly crucial for city officials.
As Calgary gears up for the upcoming council elections, candidates are addressing the impacts of the city’s rapid growth in their campaign promises. With the city’s population booming, candidates are focusing on enhancing infrastructure, public services, and urban planning to accommodate the growing needs of the expanding city.
While immigration rates have slowed, impacting the pace of growth in Alberta, Calgary’s population has been growing at an average annual rate of 2.46% over the past two decades. At this rate, Calgary could potentially reach a population of two million by 2034 and possibly three million by the mid-century mark.
The city’s growth has surpassed previous projections, with current estimates suggesting that Calgary’s metropolitan region could exceed two million residents by 2029. This growth trajectory has outpaced earlier city planning forecasts, emphasizing the need for proactive measures to address the challenges posed by the rapidly expanding population.
City officials and candidates are focusing on strategies to address the infrastructure, housing, transportation, and service needs of the growing population. Ensuring that Calgary remains well-equipped to handle further growth is a top priority for the city’s leadership as they navigate the opportunities and challenges that come with becoming one of Canada’s largest cities.