Calgary mayor wants province to give transit, peace officers increased authority in bid to end open drug use

Calgary Mayor Jyoti Gondek introduced a motion to expedite the development of a pilot program aimed at addressing open drug use in the city during Tuesday’s council meeting.

Gondek introduced the amendment to a Notice of Motion on Public Safety that was carried to be further explored. It aims to fast-track a pilot to end open drug use and also restore safety in public spaces.

“Calgarians deserve safe streets, safe transit, and safe neighbourhoods. Open drug use is not only unsafe for the individual, but it creates concern and disorder in our shared spaces. This amendment is about cutting through red tape and getting a pilot project running as soon as possible,” the mayor said.

The amendment directs the administration to return to the city’s Community Development Committee no later than the first half of 2026 with several items.

Among them is a summary of potential, municipal, provincial, and federal rule changes that would give more authority to peace officers to seize, transport, and dispose of unknown substances, an analysis of the approaches taken by other Canadian municipalities who have worked to ban open drug use, as well as court diversion programs like community courts.

She is also asking administration for a summary of Calgary’s current Community Court partnership and funding model as well as any anticipated changes to the delivery and/or funding models.

Gondek also wants a submission for the 2026 annual budget adjustment process in November which would continue to fund Community Court from the base budget at the current level of service, and a proposal to expand the Community Court scope to include open drug use violations for a pilot program next year and continued funding for the 2027-2030 budget.

“A pilot program through Community Court will ensure those violating the law are held accountable while also being connected to supports that can help them get on a better path,” she said. “This is about restoring confidence in public spaces and creating real solutions for Calgarians.”

Lastly, the mayor is asking that a letter be sent to the provincial Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Services as soon as possible to request transit and peace officers be given enhanced authority to seize, transport, and dispose of unknown substances. She wants this process to be expedited.

“We are asking the province to act quickly in granting officers the tools they need,” she said. “At the same time, weare building the legal, budget, and court supports to make sure this isn’t a temporary fix, but a sustainable solution.”

Gondek is running in Calgary’s Oct. 20 municipal election for a second term as mayor.