ABOUT CDA
What's Calgary Downtown Association?
Calgary Downtown Association (CDA) advocates for – and activates – an area with over 50 million square feet of office, hotel, retail, restaurant, entertainment, attractions, cultural and government buildings.
We’re Calgary’s largest Business Improvement Area (BIA) with more than 30 years’ experience and commitment to improving the daily Downtown experience for our members, their customers, residents and stakeholders.
Our members join us from over 2,600 businesses within Calgary’s 102-block Downtown Core. We’re non-profit, funded primarily by a levy on the business taxes paid by Downtown businesses.
Our Vision
Spearheading prosperity for Downtown businesses by intentionally shaping the character of Calgary.
OUR ROLE
CDA is a collection of residents, businesses and organizations that have come together to improve and promote the downtown community.
The symbiotic relationship between commercial and residential use downtown helps contribute to the character and health of a thriving and vibrant city. CDA works as a catalyst for civic improvement in a number of ways.
Advocacy for policies and practices that support economic vitality.
Enhanced economic development of our area through promotion and marketing resources.
Improved physical environment for public and commercial spaces.
Collaboration with The City of Calgary in delivery of municipal services.
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.
External Whistleblower Policy
Calgary Downtown Association (“CDA”) is committed to upholding the highest ethical standards. We do this by conducting our business with maximum integrity and by achieving full compliance will our bylaws, rules and regulations. In line with this commitment, the CDA provides an avenue for its stakeholders, rate payers, and other members of the public to report any concerns they may have about the CDA’s activities and to be assured that they will be protected from reprisal or victimization for reporting their concerns in good faith.