Letters
River Run Condominiums, Condominium Plan No. 9510906
River Run Residents Demand Fair Treatment in Expropriation Process
The City of Calgary has publicly depicted the destruction of the River Run complex for the Green Line while refusing to cover homeowners’ costs to be informed about their rights and property value. Residents argue that, unlike the City, they lack legal and valuation experts, putting them at an unfair disadvantage in negotiations. Despite 96% of owners agreeing to a collective approach, the City continues to deny financial support, pressuring families into uninformed decisions about their homes.
Calgarians Push Back Against Costly Green Line Expansion
The first phase of Calgary’s Green Line is now projected to cost $8–$10 billion—twice the price for only one-third of the original plan—potentially raising property taxes by 23% for the next 20 years. Critics, including Jim Gray and Steve Allan, highlight the secrecy and lack of accountability surrounding the project, echoing nationwide concerns over high-risk transit investments. With growing media attention and a rising social media campaign, Calgarians are urging transparency and fiscal responsibility before taxpayers foot the bill.
Calgary Taxpayers Face Soaring Costs from Water Crisis and Green Line Overruns
Calgary’s water main disaster is estimated to cost over $400 million, adding to the already ballooning budget of the Green Line LRT, which now exceeds $8 billion for a shortened 10-km route. With limited reserve funds and declining revenues despite tax increases, City Council is expected to rely on further property tax hikes while seeking provincial and federal aid. Critics demand transparency, calling for an independent audit of the Green Line’s finances before taxpayers are burdened with further costs.
Lack of Transparency Sparks Concerns Over Green Line Costs
Calgarians are frustrated by the secrecy surrounding the Green Line, as crucial financial details and project decisions remain hidden behind closed-door meetings and FOIP protections until 2037. Ongoing delays, design changes, and a lack of accountability raise fears about the true scope and cost of the project. Critics demand transparency, questioning what City Council and the Green Line Board are trying to keep from taxpayers.
Federal Government Reviews Green Line Scope Changes Amid Cost Overruns
The federal government acknowledges Calgary’s Green Line cost overruns and requires a revised business case by August 15, 2024, to assess proposed scope changes. Any modifications must align with the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP) and be approved by the Province before federal review. While no additional funding is available for cost overruns, the newly launched Canada Public Transit Fund may offer future support for transit-related projects.
Letter from the province to mayor
The Alberta government has refused to fund Calgary’s revised Green Line Stage 1 plan, citing a 40% drop in projected ridership and a 14% cost increase. Provincial officials argue the project is becoming a multi-billion-dollar failure that will serve too few Calgarians. While acknowledging the current Council’s efforts, the Province blames the previous mayor for mismanaging the project and insists taxpayer dollars must be spent more efficiently.
Alberta Government Response to 2024 Green Line Plan
The Province has withdrawn support for Calgary’s revised Green Line, citing lower ridership and higher costs. A third-party review will explore more efficient alignments using existing LRT lines and above-ground extensions to Shepard and Eau Claire. Legal concerns around the Eau Claire segment also require joint review.
statement of facts
Dear Calgary City Council,
To date, no one from the City has had a conversation with River Run families regarding fair compensation based on the reality that the City expropriated our homes.
The attached chronology details how the City has treated River Run families. We continue to request a conversation regarding fair compensation.
If the City still will not have a conversation, perhaps the City could at least identify whether it believes there are any errors or omissions in the attached chronology. Identifying any factual disconnect should help make the Tribunal process more efficient.
Thanks for considering our request. The attachments will be sent in a separate email.
– River Run Families Committee
AECOM Report Suggests Green Line Can Proceed Without Demolishing River Run Homes
A December 2024 AECOM report, commissioned by the Province to assess Green Line alignment options, indicates that an Eau Claire station could be built without demolishing the River Run homes. The report, available on the provincial government’s website, explicitly assumes the demolition of Eau Claire Market but makes no such assumption about River Run. These findings challenge the City’s justification for expropriating the property.
River Run Families Raise Concerns Over City Actions
Residents allege the City prematurely displaced them from River Run despite uncertainty around its need for the Green Line. Since then, the City has allowed activities—such as film shoots, fire and police drills—that have damaged the vacant homes. Families say these actions ensure the properties become uninhabitable, paving the way for private redevelopment. They are calling for City leadership to engage with affected residents.
River Run Families Cite City’s Refusal to Discuss Fair Compensation
Residents allege the City continues to avoid fair compensation discussions tied to the expropriation of River Run homes. They say misleading appraisals, withheld reimbursements, and selective settlement offers have undermined trust. The City is also accused of using police and fire drills to degrade the homes. Families urge Council to stop the harmful process and engage in transparent, collective negotiations.
River Run Families Demand Fair Compensation
The City secretly committed to demolishing River Run homes while refusing to discuss fair compensation. It withheld this from a 2023 public inquiry, misleading both the Inquiry Officer and residents.
Despite publicly depicting their homes as destroyed since 2020, the City denies expropriation compensation. In May 2024, residents provided their own analysis, but the City refused to engage. They urge Council to negotiate in good faith before legal action escalates taxpayer costs.
City of Calgary Eau Claire Public Realm Plan 2016-2017 (pg 35)
The Eau Claire Public Realm Plan includes a diagram featuring River Run and the 2nd Ave Station, illustrating proposed urban development and transit integration in the area. This diagram highlights how the Green Line LRT may impact River Run, raising concerns about property expropriation and community disruption. Residents seek clarity on how their homes fit into the City’s long-term plans and whether fair compensation will be addressed.
City Approves Updated Green Line Stage 1 Strategy
Council approved a revised alignment and staged approach for Green Line Stage 1, including Segments 1, 2A, and 2B. Procurement and construction for Segment 2A may proceed if costs meet budget thresholds, while Segment 2B depends on progress in 2A. The City will also advance enabling works and planning for Stage 2, focusing on a flexible mobility corridor in North Central Calgary. Coordination with provincial and federal partners on funding assurances and future transit extensions is ongoing.
RR Letter to Council
The City insists on demolishing our homes for the Green Line, despite viable alternatives. An independent inquiry condemned the City’s actions as unfair and in bad faith, yet it refuses to discuss fair compensation. If the City won’t act lawfully, we’ll seek justice through legal action.
River Run Families Seek Councillor Support for Unpaid Legal Costs
The River Run Families Committee is asking Councillor Wong to help recover $310,935.04 the City was ordered to pay for their participation in the 2023 expropriation Inquiry. Despite a legal obligation under the Expropriation Act, the City has reimbursed none of these costs and conditioned partial payment on families waiving their appeal rights. The families cite this as part of a broader pattern of bad faith and are open to further discussion.
The City responded to a continuation of the summary of the City’s conduct towards River Run families.
Dear City Council,
As a follow up to our October 1, 2024 correspondence, which no one from the City responded to, attached please find a continuation of the summary of the City’s conduct towards River Run families.
The City could have taken our homes to enrich a developer without causing us so much harm for so long. If there is someone at the City who is finally willing to discuss fair compensation, we remain available.
– River Run Families Committee