CRP
Calgary fosters a culture of innovation where problems are
solved through a systems approach,
harnessing the power of technology.
Calgary embraces social inclusion
and shared prosperity. .
Calgary is an undisputed global energy centre. Ourinternational reputation attracts new people, investment and businesses as we strengthen the energy value chain.
Calgary is a vibrant, urban and prosperous community that o�ers people-friendly neighbourhoods, diverse housing and inspirational spaces.
Calgary is a magnet for businesses fostering pathways to purposeful economic diversi�cation and growth.
Calgary is the best place to live in Canada, with strong collaboration between public, private and non- pro�t sector partners in building a great city.
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areas of focus
Vision: Calgary is a city of boundless energy. The source of our energy and economic success is our sense of community and our commitment to shared prosperity and sustainable development. We welcome everyone to be part of the energy.
Mission: To align The City of Calgary, its civic partners, private sector and other community organizations in achieving economic competitiveness, embracing shared prosperity and building a strong community.
building on our energy: an Economic Strategy for Calgary update to the 2008 10-year strategy
Global Energy
G1. Build on Calgary’s position as the centre for responsible energy development and leadership.G1.1 Promote the social, environmental and innovative advancements in the energy industry.G2. Leverage the strength and international reach of the energy industry to grow high potential energy-related sectors.G2.1 Collaborate to enhance the effectiveness of international investment and trade missions.G2.2 Collaborate with high growth, energy- related industries to maximize investment and trade opportunities.
Entrepreneurial Energy
E1. Build on our business strengths, infrastructure and location to strategically grow non energy-related sectors.E1.1 Make Calgary more competitive and maximize growth opportunities by increasing local intelligence outreach.E1.2 Build financial services capacity to grow and attract international financial institutions (banks, fund management, investment firms, private equity). E1.3 Maintain a sufficient, available supply of future industrial and employment land for development within Calgary and the region.E1.4 Solidify the region’s position as western Canada’s premiere distribution and logistics hub.E1.5 Grow the creative industries and the digital economy.E1.6 Grow tourism through enhanced local attractions and better collaboration with world-class regional destinationsE1.7 Support opportunities emerging from agriculture and bio-industry in support of a healthy regional economy. (New)E2. Provide business and entrepreneurs the support to grow.E2.1 Support continued improvement in development approvals and red-tape reduction initiatives. E2.2 Improve the business support system to early stage businesses and entrepreneurs.E2.3 Develop pathways to entrepreneurship for future leaders and youth.
Innovative Energy
I1. Leverage the strength of the energy industry to establish Calgary as a preferred location in Canada to successfully start, build, and grow early stage technology companies.I1.1 Establish and strengthen linkages between the energy and technology sectors.I1.2 Build connections, capital flows and knowledge transfer between the energy finance and technology finance communities.I1.3 Attract foreign direct investment and trade opportunities for the technology sector.I2. Promote a culture of innovation throughout industry, the public sector, educational institutions and community agencies.I2.1 Establish new and support existing hubs of innovation, providing virtual and physical spaces where communities of interest can exchange ideas.I2.2 Enhance guidance, mentoring and coaching available to technology and innovation entrepreneurs.I2.3 Integrate technology entrepreneurship and intrapreneurship content in post-secondary education programs to meet the future labour force needs of the technology sector.I2.4 Celebrate and promote innovation.
People Energy
P1. Invest in equal opportunity and prosperity for all Calgarians.P1.1 Maximize the opportunities of all Calgarians to capitalize on their full potential. (Revised)P1.2 Support the implementation of ‘Enough for All’ (the Calgary Poverty Reduction Initiative) in generating economic activity that provides strong social benefits. (Revised) P1.3 Collectively map, develop and implement a welcoming program for newcomers to Calgary.
Community Energy
C1. Build Calgary as a model city for sustainable development and affordable living.C1.1 Build a range of housing options for all ages, income groups and family types and to meet the needs of residents today and tomorrow. C1.2 Direct future growth in a way that fosters more compact and efficient use of land, creates complete communities, allows for greater mobility choices and enhances vitality and character in local neighbourhoods. C2. Build and promote Calgary as a city to live a creative, active life.C2.1 Develop an integrated, multi-modal transportation system that supports a prosperous and competitive economy. C2.2 Address greater connectivity between Calgary’s primary cultural, recreation and commercial districts in the Centre City (Stampede Park to Calgary Zoo and Inglewood to Downtown West Village). C2.3 Establish Calgary as an artistically vibrant city and cultural destination in Canada. C2.4 Build a city where all Calgarians can participate in sport and recreation to the extent they choose.
Collaborative Energy
B1. Tell Calgary’s unique and compelling story with a unified approach.B1.1 Position Calgary as the location of choice to live, visit, meet, start a business and invest.B1.2 Showcase Calgary’s urban assets to the world and increase citizen participation in events and festivals. B2. Connect organizations and individuals to build collaboration, leadership and reporting on the activities of the Economic Strategy for Calgary.B2.1 Implement the Economic Development Strategy.
Economic Strategy Progress Report August 2015
This progress report, produced three times each year summarizes the progress on the tactics in the Economic Strategy for Calgary.
Status of the six energies (goal areas)
30%
50%
10%
10%
Global EnergyNot yet Commenced
Commenced - Ongoing
Complete - Ongoing
Complete - Nothing further
Cancelled
New Tactic
Global Energy
22%
58%
8%1%
2%
8%
15%
62%
13%
10%
Entrepreneurial EnergyNot yet Commenced
Commenced - Ongoing
Complete - Ongoing
Complete - Nothing further
Cancelled
New Tactic
Entrepreneurial Energy
36%
54%
11%Innovative EnergyNot yet Commenced
Commenced - Ongoing
Complete - Ongoing
Complete - Nothing further
Cancelled
New Tactic
Innovative Energy
18%
36%14%
32%
People EnergyNot yet Commenced
Commenced - Ongoing
Complete - Ongoing
Complete - Nothing further
Cancelled
New Tactic
People Energy
19%
78%
3%
Community EnergyNot yet Commenced
Commenced - Ongoing
Complete - Ongoing
Complete - Nothing further
Cancelled
New Tactic
Community Energy
25%
50%
17%
8%
Collaborative EnergyNot yet Commenced
Commenced - Ongoing
Complete - Ongoing
Complete - Nothing further
Cancelled
New Tactic
Collaborative Energy
Not yet commenced
Commenced with ongoing activities
Complete with ongoing activites
Complete with no further activities
New tactics undertaken
Tactics have been cancelled
• Calgary Economic Development participated in the Consider Canada Cities Alliance China mission leading to 24 companies being identified as investment leads.
• Calgary Economic Development was a communications partner in the 2nd annual Propel Energy Tech Forum which demonstrates the critical role of emerging energy technologies in the long term stewardship of energy resources.
• The Calgary region has been officially designated a Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ) strengthening the region’s international trade capacity.
• The Build Calgary initiative will create a transparent approach to sustainable infrastructure funding for the orderly, economic and beneficial development of land.
• The City now allows the concurrent submission of a development and building permit application reducing the time to begin development.
• Innovate Calgary has launched Kinetica Ventures Inc. helping technology companies design, develop, test and install innovative energy technologies which will transform industry.
• Innovate Calgary invited over 60 service providers from across Southern Alberta to begin compiling an single directory for innovation start-ups.
• Calgary Economic Development and our partners launched the Calgary Connector Program to connect people to professional networks to further their career.
• The Careers in Manufacturing Program coordinated 8 high school career/trades showcases presenting manufacturing as a viable career choice to over 1000 students.
• Vibrant Communities Calgary completed an Implementation Plan for Enough for All.
• Innovate Calgary has launched Kinetica Ventures Inc. helping technology companies design, develop, test and install innovative energy technologies which will transform industry.
• The Centre City Underpass Enhancement Program has already begun construction on the 1st Street SW underpass and a design and construction tender has been issued for 8th Street SW.
• Over the coming months, wordmarks that showcase Calgary-made, Calgary-experiences and Calgary-proud will be available for local businesses to include in their promotional materials.
• Building on our energy is being integrated into The City of Calgary’s Resiliency Strategy strengthening the role of the Economic Strategy as a guiding document for all of the Implementing Stakeholders.
What have we achieved to date?Building on our energy is a framework for achieving a sense of community, shared prosperity and sustainable development in Calgary. Approved by Council in November 2014 the Economic Strategy includes 32 actions and 143 tactics being led by a Leadership Team including City Administration, civic partners, post-secondary institutions, not-for-profit agencies and representatives from the provincial and federal governments.