Media Statement: Council's decision regarding legalizing secondary suites

Today is an important first step in the legalization of safe secondary suites in Calgary.

By eliminating red tape at City Hall, we are making it easier for many Calgarians to create legal and safe secondary suites in those communities that already allow such suites.

In addition to this, my Council colleagues and I have asked City Administration to return to Council in December with recommendations on how we may allow and enforce safe and legal secondary suites in all communities in Calgary.

City Council has also directed the Administration to make recommendations to the provincial government regarding those aspects of the building code that make it unnecessarily costly to develop a safe secondary suite.

This is not the end of this very important discussion about the future of our city. I have spoken about the need for safe, legal secondary suites for some time, and I continue to believe that it is important to move forward on this issue for a number of reasons—most importantly the safety of our neighbours.

I want to thank the many Calgarians and local organizations who engaged in a public discussion about this important issue. It’s clear from the public engagement and scientific polls that Calgarians are ready to move forward on secondary suites. I will continue to work with my colleagues on City Council to make further progress on this issue.

- Mayor Nenshi