Opinion: Secrecy shrouds city's refusal to engage on Enmax power line
In a project that we have not been able to find an equivalent for in Calgary, Enmax has proposed running a high-voltage transmission line — with towers up to 10 storeys tall — down a northeast residential street. The Alberta Utilities Commission is holding a public hearing beginning May 26 to determine whether to approve Enmax's request to build the line above ground, or if it should be buried.
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If Enmax gets its preferred overhead option, people living in the dozens of houses and hundreds of apartments, and those resting and recovering in the Fanning Centre, will see their view of 40 fully mature trees ripped from their streets and throughout the largest regional park in the area.
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For a one-time savings of $10 million, Enmax proposes to sterilize the area and put hundreds of millions of dollars in development at the North Hill Co-op, Ambassador Motor Inn, the city-owned Midfield Heights and several smaller developments along the line's route at risk.
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More than 800 people have signed a petition led by the Winston Heights-Mountview Community Association, opposing the overhead lines. However, as neighbours rally, our Ward 4 councillor and city administration have been silent.
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Why would the city, with so much to lose in revenue from the land they are about to sell, and those from whom they collect property taxes, not even offer an opinion? We have worked with the city for too long to believe that the public servants wouldn't be concerned with Enmax's proposal.
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And indeed they were, at one point. The city's parks department notified the AUC that it intended to participate in the hearing because it 'feels strongly that an aboveground alignment . . . will ultimately sterilize the public land.' They later, confusingly, withdrew this request to participate.
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It turns out there's an unfortunate reason the city won't participate in the hearing, despite potentially losing millions from the sale of Midfield Heights lots and in future property taxes, and seeing their densification and tree canopy strategies abandoned.
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In June 2024, council passed a confidential policy titled Regulatory Interventions and Municipally Owned Utilities (CD2024-0677). You can't read the details and neither can we, but we've had it confirmed by multiple city staffers and councillors that it forbids the city from offering an opinion during AUC proceedings that involve Enmax.
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Here's what to expect driving in Calgary during the G7 summit
The Fourth Avenue flyover, a critical link for commuters into downtown Calgary, is fully reopened ahead of schedule. (Supplied/City of Calgary) With world leaders and media arriving for the G7 summit this weekend, the city is trying to keep city roads as stress-free as possible. At a Wednesday press conference, Mayor Jyoti Gondek and city operations manager Doug Morgan outlined a series of temporary actions the city has taken to keep traffic flowing as smoothly as possible between June 14 and 18. That includes the reopening of all lanes on the Fourth Avenue Flyover to improve eastbound access into downtown. On the west side of Ninth Avenue, lanes that have been closed for Enmax utility work have been reopened to reduce daily traffic jams in the area. About 15 utility projects across downtown have been rescheduled to free up key routes used during the G7. Signal maintenance and timing optimization in strategic locations was finished before the G7 to ensure better pedestrian and traffic flow. Dynamic traffic-response systems are in place to adapt signal timing in real time to restore normal patterns after motorcades pass through intersections. 'All of this is designed to balance the needs of Calgarians with the requirements of hosting a world class event, and to help you get to where you need to be with as little disruption as possible,' Gondek said. 'But we know that all the work can't stop. Some road improvements are critical, and they are moving forward because you've all told us that these matter to you.' The city said to anticipate heavier traffic near Deerfoot Trail, Stoney Trail, downtown, and in the area around Calgary International Airport. Also, the airport tunnel and ramp from 19 Street to Airport Trail will be closed June 15 to 18. There's no stopping or parking along airport perimeter roads between June 14 and 18. There may be rolling closures for motorcades across the city between June 14 and June 18. 'Our traffic management center, our team will monitor the roads 24/7 with access to real time data and live camera feeds,' said Morgan. 'They can quickly respond to changing traffic conditions and keep things moving. We've ramped up our efforts to use tools to help Calgarians get around safely and smoothly.' 'Just remember that these disruptions, while they are necessary, are also temporary, and they ensure the safety and security of everyone that's involved, from residents to our international guests,' Gondek added. The mayor also asked that anyone planning to protest do so in a respectful manner. With files from CTV's Teri Fikowski
