Alberta Premier Danielle Smith wears a cowboy hat at the annual Stampede breakfast in Calgary on Monday, July 7, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith wears a cowboy hat at the annual Stampede breakfast in Calgary on Monday, July 7, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh
CALGARY - Calgary city councillors have voted not to change the rules capping late-night sound levels during the Calgary Stampede, provoking a looming confrontation with the provincial government.
Changes to this year's rules for outdoor events caught the ire of Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, who has said this year's new rules show a "fun police" approach that will harm business and the festival.
But a city council motion Tuesday to roll back on some of the curbs on sound levels and closing times for shows, in the name of compromise, was defeated nine votes to six.
Mayor Jeromy Farkas, who has championed keeping the existing rules to show respect for Calgary residents who live within earshot of the noise, says the current rules are more than fair.
He says they reflect the expectation that no business is above the law.
Festival tents during the Stampede will need to end their shows by midnight on weekdays, with a five-decibel cut to noise levels compared with last year.
This report by ºÃÉ«tvwas first published June 23, 2026.
