Calgarians to experience tax increases in 2024

Canadian $100 bills are counted in Toronto, Feb. 2, 2016. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graeme Roy

Posted Dec 31, 2023 12:52 pm.

Last Updated Dec 31, 2023 1:06 pm.

Calgarians have a lot to celebrate as 2023 comes to a close, but as the new year approaches, so do a slew of new tax increases worth watching out for.

This starts with the nine cents per litre provincial fuel tax on Jan. 1.

It was previously removed to provide relief in the wake of the affordability crisis.

The suspension of the tax saw families save about $70 per month, according to the Canadian Taxpayers Federation.

Canadian alcohol tax

The alcohol tax is also set to impact those hitting the bars tonight and the owners of said bars.

The Canadian government was set to increase taxes by 6.3 per cent, the biggest increase in 40 years.

Calgary Transit and city services

Calgary Transit services are also going up in 2024 to “ensure our revenues keep pace with operating costs and city growth.”

The price bump on Jan. 1 is a 10-cent increase to $3.70 for adults over 18 for a single fare, and one dollar for a pack of tickets to $37. Youth fares are going up by five cents to $2.50, and up by 50 cents for a pack of tickets to $25.

Meanwhile, an adult monthly pass is going up to $115 from $112, and the youth monthly pass remains at $82.

A senior annual transit pass, for those 65 years and older, is going up from $150 to $154.50, while a low-income seniors annual pass is going up by $1 to $31.

The fare increases are part of a four-year service plan that will see adult monthly passes shoot up to $126 in 2026, a total increase of 11 per cent from what they were in 2022. A single transit ticket is expected to rise to $4 by 2026, a 10-cent increase each year.

Watch: Calgary Transit prices to increase in 2024

Calgary’s swimming pools, ice rinks and other recreational facilities will see a jump of around 6.3 per cent in the new year.

An adult Rec Plus Pass, which provides access to all City of Calgary recreation amenities, will jump up to $66.90 from $65.20, while seniors will see an increase to $43.10 from $40.55 a month to $43.10.

A Rec Pass, a discounted version that doesn’t include the use of wave pools, climbing walls, gymnasiums, racquetball and squash courts, and indoor play structures, will rise to $56.60 from $55.15.

Those between the ages of 13 to 17 will have to pay $33.45 for a monthly pass in 2024, up from the $32.60.