BIA taxpayer vote - March 16, 2026

• A majority of eligible levy-paying businesses voted in favour of disestablishment through an in-person vote.
• In accordance with the Municipal Government Act and the Business Improvement Area Regulation, this means The City of Red Deer must proceed with the legislative process to disestablish the BIA.

First reading of BIA disestablishment bylaw - January 13, 2026

• On January 13, City Council rescinded the 2026 DBA budget previously approved in November, approved a revised budget which reflects Council’s direction to align financial planning with the potential disestablishment of the BIA, and gave first reading to a bylaw to disestablish the downtown Business Improvement Area.
  
• The revised budget prioritizes the continuation of essential downtown services while reducing new levy requirements and relies on the DBA society’s existing reserve funds to support an orderly wind-down of operations should disestablishment proceed. The City will not be collecting a BIA levy in 2026.
• First reading does not make a final decision. It initiates a provincially legislated process.
• The Downtown Business Association’s announcement does not override this legislative process.

DBA request to initiate BIA disestablishment - December 11, 2025 
On December 11, 2025, the DBA submitted a formal request to Red Deer City Council via The City of Red Deer to initiate disestablishment of the Business Improvement Area (BIA). DBA Request to Initiate Disestablishment Proceedings (pdf)

Letter to downtown businesses - December 10, 2025
A letter sent to downtown businesses on December 10, 2025 provided a formal update outlining the DBA’s announcement and the legislated process required for any official dissolution. Download the letter to downtown businesses (pdf)

Learn more about downtown Red Deer by clicking the links below.

• About downtown Red Deer
• About the Business Improvement Area (BIA)
• Greater Downtown Governance Community Collaboration Committee Terms of Reference (pdf)
• February 18, 2026:
  • BIA Disestablishment Vote – Information brochure (web version) (pdf)
  • BIA Disestablishment Vote – Information brochure (print version) (pdf)
  • Letter to businesses with voting details (pdf)
• Related news releases
  • March 16, 2026: Majority of downtown businesses vote to disestablish Business Improvement Area
  • February 3, 2026: BIA levy payers to vote on potential disestablishment on March 16
  • January 13, 2026: City Council approves revised 2026 DBA budget and advances BIA disestablishment
  • November 24, 2025: City Council Recap – November 24, 2025
  • September 16, 2025: City Council Decisions on the Business Improvement Area (BIA)
  • July 7, 2025: City Council recap 
  • January 15, 2025: City seeking applications for new Downtown Governance Committee

Will there be a BIA levy in 2026?  

No. The City will not collect a BIA levy in 2026.

Under provincial legislation, The City is required to pass a BIA tax rate bylaw in the spring if a Business Improvement Area exists within the municipality. However, City Council has given first reading to a bylaw that would disestablish the BIA, which triggers a legislated process that must be followed.

If the disestablishment process is still underway when The City is required to pass its tax rate bylaw, City Council has the option to set the BIA levy rate at zero.

Will Downtown Red Deer gift cards continue to function? 

Yes, the cards will continue to function and there is no expiry date. Downtown Red Deer Gift Card is issued by Peoples Trust Company. Card funds are not insured by the Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation (CDIC). Funds do not expire, cards are non-reloadable and provide no cash access. Inquiries regarding the Downtown Red Deer Gift Card may be directed to supportna@mi-cnx.com. 

The City will continue providing updates about the downtown BIA disestablishment process. Sign up below to receive email updates.

City of Red Deer Privacy Statement
The personal information collected through this form is for the purpose of communicating information to the disestablishment of the Downtown Business Association. This collection is authorized by section 4(c) of the Protection of Privacy Act and section 3 of the Municipal Government Act. For questions about the collection of personal information, contact communications@reddeer.ca.