Calgary’s downtown has long served as a fundamental part of Alberta’s economy. Activity within it has generated tremendous wealth.

But today, roughly 30 per cent of downtown office space sits empty. Calgary’s unemployment rate is the highest of any major Canadian city.

This is despite the UCP’s promise that their corporate handout would fill the office towers.

It will take support from all three orders of government, in concert with the private sector, to support a thriving modern economy in Calgary.

Our plan for Downtown Calgary includes:

• Partnering with the City on its own plan by matching their investment for office conversion and capital improvements to attract people downtown.
• Building the Green Line
• Making economic diversification a priority with targeted grants for small business to set up shop downtown, reinstating the Alberta Investor Tax Credit and the Interactive Digital Media Tax Credit.
• Supporting the creation of a world-class innovation district by working with post-secondary institutions to relocate or expand campuses downtown.