(Cochrane, AB) – The Town of Cochrane is inviting residents to take part in shaping the 2027 budget by sharing what matters most to them.
The municipal budget guides how the Town invests in the services and infrastructure residents rely on every day—from roads and parks to public safety and community programs. As Cochrane continues to grow, each budget decision requires balancing priorities and making informed choices about where to invest.
This year, the Town also introduced a Citizens’ Budget Book to accompany the 2026 budget. This easy-to-understand guide explains how the budget is developed, highlights key projects and shows how community input, including priorities identified during the 2025 budget engagement, has been reflected in decision-making. It offers a clear overview of how resident feedback helps shape the investments that matter most in Cochrane.
“As Cochrane continues to grow, we’re making important decisions about how we invest in our community,” says Kevin Blanchette - Interim Executive Director, Strategic Services. “This is an opportunity for residents to help guide those priorities and ensure we’re focusing on what matters most—today and into the future.”
Building a budget means making trade-offs. Investing more in one area may mean reducing or delaying investment in another. Resident feedback helps administration understand community priorities and supports Council in making decisions that reflect local needs.
For the past several years, the Town has partnered with independent research firm Advanis to gather feedback from a broad cross-section of residents. This approach helps ensure community perspectives are captured and reflected throughout the budget process.
“We hear from residents who wonder whether their feedback actually makes a difference – it does,” adds Blanchette. “Council revies this input as part of every budget conversations, and the priorities you share directly influence here we focus investment. This is one of the most meaningful ways residents can be part of decisions that affect their everyday lives.”
Beginning April 7, most households in Cochrane should receive a letter in the mail with instructions on how to participate in the survey. Some residents may also be contacted by phone by Advanis as part of the engagement process.
Residents who do not receive a letter can still take part by requesting a survey link through the Town’s public engagement website. Survey results will be used by administration to develop the draft 2027 budget, which will be presented to Council in Fall 2026 for review and decision-making.
The survey is open to Cochrane residents until May 4, 2026. Participants will also have the opportunity to enter to win a $150 gift certificate to a local business of their choice.
The online survey will be available from April 7 to May 4. For more information, visit https://www.letstalkcochrane.ca/2027budget
MEDIA CONTACT
Communications
P 403-851-2503
communications@cochrane.ca
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