Calgary's city council voted to raise residential water rates substantially over the next four years. The approved schedule will increase charges each year, resulting in higher monthly bills for households. The council justified the hikes by citing aging infrastructure and the need for system upgrades. The Calgary Chamber of Commerce condemned the plan, describing the increases as egregious. Chamber officials warned that the higher costs could hurt the competitiveness of local businesses. They argued that tighter profit margins might force some companies to reduce staff or delay expansion. The decision has sparked debate among ratepayers about the balance between infrastructure investment and affordability.