RIVER RUN EXPROPRIATION
“The City of Calgary has caused harm to the River Run families since 2019. The City decided to take the River Run families’ homes through a behind-closed-doors vote on September 12, 2023, when there was no certainty the River Run homes were needed for a public purpose. The City forced River Run families out of their homes on May 31, 2024, when it was even less certain their homes were needed for a public purpose.”
RIVER RUN EXPROPRIATION
In Canada, expropriation allows the government to take private property for public use, with compensation to the owners. However, this process is often unfair, leaving homeowners vulnerable to government overreach.
River Run families were served Notices of Intention to Expropriate (NOITEs) by the City of Calgary, claiming our homes were needed for the Green Line LRT. Despite this, the City refused to engage in fair negotiations, ignored due process, and undervalued our properties.
Meanwhile, Harvard Developments stands to profit. With River Run gone, Harvard’s multi-tower project becomes valuable waterfront property, increasing its market value at our expense.
We continue to fight for fair compensation and accountability.
HARVARD DEVELOPMENTS
Profiting from Our Loss
Harvard Developments stands to gain significantly from the forced expropriation of River Run. With our homes demolished, Harvard’s multi-tower project will transform into prime waterfront property, drastically increasing its value.
While the City of Calgary claimed our land was needed for the Green Line LRT, there is no certainty the train will even be built on our property. Meanwhile, Harvard’s project—shown on their own website—now benefits from the City’s decision to remove our community.
River Run families have been displaced without fair compensation, while a private developer stands to profit. This is not responsible urban planning—it’s an abuse of power.
STATEMENT OF FACTS
1993-1995 The City approved and oversaw the construction of 23 River Run homes on prime downtown waterfront land. Unlike nearby developments, River Run remained a low-density residential community.
July 31, 2023 An independent Inquiry Report condemned the City’s actions as unfair, high-handed, and not in good faith.
Aug 14, 2019 The City met with River Run families and assured them the City had no intention to expropriate River Run.
Sept 12, 2023 City Council voted behind closed doors to expropriate River Run, without ever meaningfully engaging homeowners.
Nov 2021 The City’s confidential business case did not assume River Run properties were needed for the Green Line.
2020 to 2023 The City maintained it had no intention to expropriate River Run, while pressuring families to sell and publicly depicting River Run destroyed.
July 31, 2023 An independent Inquiry Report condemned the City’s actions as unfair, high-handed, and not in good faith.
Sept 12, 2023 City Council voted behind closed doors to expropriate River Run, without ever meaningfully engaging homeowners.
Feb 14, 2023 The City issued Notices of Intention to Expropriate (NOITEs) against River Run—the first time families were informed the City intended to expropriate their homes.
Jan 2024 The City finally paid for the homes it took, using undervalued appraisals from a City-selected appraiser who ignored key expropriation principles.
March 2023 20 of 23 homeowners formally objected, leading the Province to appoint an Inquiry Officer to review the City’s actions.
March 2023 20 of 23 homeowners formally objected, leading the Province to appoint an Inquiry Officer to review the City’s actions.
Jan 2024 The City finally paid for the homes it took, using undervalued appraisals from a City-selected appraiser who ignored key expropriation principles.
Letters
Over the years, River Run families sent numerous letters to City officials, urging transparency, fairness, and meaningful dialogue. The City consistently ignored or dismissed these concerns, pushing forward with expropriation without addressing homeowners’ rights.
INQUIRY REPORT
An independent Inquiry Officer condemned the City’s expropriation process, calling it unfair, high-handed, and lacking good faith. Despite this, the City ignored the findings and proceeded with taking our homes.
MEDIA COVERAGE
The expropriation of River Run has drawn significant public attention. Journalists, experts, and community voices have spoken out about the injustice of this process.
LOOK INSIDE
Was River Run fairly valued? The City paid River Run families, on average, in the $800,000s, with some as low as $750,000—far below market value. Unit 36, a 2,498 sq. ft. waterfront home, was taken for $1,065,000, despite the neighbouring homes being valued at $2M or so.
Videos & Photos
A picture is worth a thousand words. See the homes the City took, the community they destroyed, and the reality of expropriation in action.
F.A.Q
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the City take private property from citizens against their will?
Yes, the City has legal authority to take, or “expropriate”, private property from citizens. [https://www.alberta.ca/
Are there limits to this power?
Yes, the City can only use this power where there is a legitimate public need to do so. [https://kings-printer.
What did the City say was the public need to expropriate River Run?
The City cited potential future transit needs related to the proposed Green Line train. [Inquiry Report, para 5]
Did River Run families understand their property was needed for public transit?
No. The train track is only 30 feet wide and it appears that the City could have run the train line on City-owned land beside River Run.
When the City decided to demolish River Run in January 2024, did the City cite transit as the reason for demolishing River Run?
No. Instead, the City stated that the demolition was to ‘fulfill contractual obligations’, which apppear to be owed to the developer who will benefit from River Run’s demolition. [https://www.calgary.ca/green-line/construction/current-construction/construction-article-engine/eau-claire-market-and-river-run-condos-demolitions.html]
If the expropriation was not necessary for transit, why expropriate River Run?
River Run is an acre of downtown, waterfront property in between a developer’s planned 5 tower project and the waterfront. By demolishing River Run, such planned development was transformed into a waterfront project
Before expropriating River Run, did the City diligently estimate the cost to build the proposed underground tunnels through downtown Calgary to River Run?
No. It appears River Run families were expropriated before the City had a reasonable estimate of the cost to build underground tunnels through the downtown to River Run. [https://greenlineinfo.ca/]
Before the City expropriated River Run, were concerns raised that the City may not have the funds available to build the underground tunnels to River Run?
Yes. For many years several sources identified that the City may not have the funds available to build the train line to River Run. [https://greenlineinfo.ca/]
When City Council voted to expropriate River Run, on September 12, 2023, did the City know whether River Run would be used for the Green Line?
No. By September 12, 2023 the City knew or ought to have known the project was so over budget that the City needed to apply to the provincial and federal government for either increased funding or to approve a shorter alignment.
What happens next?
With the City refusing to discuss fair compensation, River Run families have started the process to apply to the Land Rights Tribunal to set fair compsnation.