ABOUT THE CDA
Who is the Calgary Downtown Association?
The Calgary Downtown Association (CDA) represents businesses across 102 blocks in the heart of Calgary. We work to create a vibrant downtown, improve the spaces people use every day and ensure downtown businesses have a voice in decisions that affect them.
We also play an important role in connecting people and opportunities. Whether it's introducing businesses to event organizers, working with the City on improvements or bringing partners together to address local concerns, we help make things happen downtown.
What is a BIA
A Business Improvement Area (BIA) is a group of businesses, within a defined geographic area, that work together on local improvements and promote local economic development. Established by municipal bylaw under the Municipal Government Act of Alberta and the BIA Regulation, BIAs are funded by an annual tax which is collected from the area’s businesses by the City and transferred to the BIA board of directors.
BIA purpose
Improving, beautifying, and maintaining property in the business improvement area
Developing, improving and maintaining public parking
Promoting the business improvement area as a business or shopping area.
BIA roles
BIAs enhance vibrancy
BIAs provide input and advocate for policies and planning that support local economic development and vitality.
BIAs invest in promotion, special events, maintenance, and streetscape improvements within these areas.
BIAs work collaboratively with the City in the delivery of municipal services, operational issues, and strategic planning to support these areas.
Our Role
“The Calgary Downtown Association champions a thriving, vibrant, and economically resilient downtown by advocating for businesses, creating welcoming public spaces, and building partnerships that strengthen Calgary’s urban downtown core.”
Treaty 7 Territory Land Acknowledgement
At the meeting of great rivers, also known as confluences, humanity has long found places to gather, reflect, and learn from one another. This land, known today as Canada, has many major river meeting places that carry deep Indigenous histories and meanings.
The Calgary area, where the Bow and Elbow rivers meet, is a place of confluence where the sharing of ideas and opportunities naturally come together.
Indigenous peoples have their own names for this area that have been in use long before settlers named this place Calgary. In the Blackfoot language, it is called Moh-kins-tsis (moe-h-gin-st-sis)( witha soft ‘g’). The Îethka Nakoda Wîcastabi (Ee-yith-ka Na-code-a Wee-chi-staw-bee) First Nations refer to this place as Wicispa Oyade (Wee-chee-spa Oo-yaw-day) and the people of the Tsuut’ina (Soot-tenna) nation call it Guts-ists-I (Goot-sis). The Métis call the Calgary area Otos-kwunee (Oo-tusk-wun-nee).
We appreciate and acknowledge that we are gathered on the ancestral and traditional territory of the Blackfoot Nations who include: the Siksika (Seek-seek-ga), Piikani (bee-gun-nee) and Kainai (Gain-aa) First Nations; the Îethka Nakoda Wîcastabi ((Ee-yith-ka Na-code-a Wee-chi-staw-bee) First Nations comprised of: the Chiniki (Chin-ick-ee), Bearspaw, and Goodstoney First Nations; and the Tsuut’ina (Soot-tenna) First Nation. Calgary is also homeland to the Métis - the Otipemisiwak (Otay-pem-iss-a-wack) - and includes the Nose Hill Métis District and the Elbow Métis District, within the Battle River Territory.
We acknowledge and give gratitude to the many First Nations, Métis, and Inuit who have lived in and cared for these lands for generations and call Calgary home.