Calgary City Council has appointed the final four members of the Water Utility Oversight Board, completing an independent advisory panel established following a review of the city's Bearspaw South Feeder Main failures.
In an announcement Friday, October 23, the City named Kate Chisholm, Corey Goulet, Edward McCauley and Kim Sturgess to the board. They join Stephen Stanley, a former senior water utility executive appointed inaugural chair in September.
The five-member board is part of the City's Water Transformation Program and was established in response to recommendations from the Bearspaw South Feedermain Independent Review Panel. The panel called for clearer accountability and independent scrutiny of how Calgary's water utility is governed.
What the oversight board will do
The Water Utility Oversight Board is intended to give City Council independent expert advice on water system reliability, infrastructure planning, asset management, long-term funding, utility rates and risk management.
It will advise Council and report to Council. The board does not directly manage daily water operations or make operational decisions. The City's water utility administration remains responsible for operating the system.
The City says it selected members through a skills-based recruitment process supported by an external recruitment firm, seeking experience in governance, engineering, regulated utilities, finance, risk management and environmental science.
Who has been appointed
Kate Chisholm has experience in corporate leadership, legal and regulatory affairs, risk management and environmental policy. She has held senior roles at Capital Power, EPCOR Utilities and the Alberta Electric System Operator.
Corey Goulet is a mechanical engineer and infrastructure executive whose previous roles include senior positions with Trans Mountain, TC Energy and Kiewit, with experience in major capital projects and operations.
Edward McCauley is an environmental scientist and the University of Calgary's president and vice-chancellor. His background includes leadership in water research, academic governance and organizational management.
Kim Sturgess founded WaterSMART Solutions and previously served as its chief executive. Her work includes water management and policy, along with governance roles involving the Alberta Water Council and other organizations.
The City appointed Stephen Stanley chair last month. Stanley previously spent more than 25 years with EPCOR Utilities, including leadership of water and wastewater operations.
First meeting planned for later this year
The newly appointed members will complete onboarding and orientation before the board begins its formal work. Its first meeting is planned for later in 2026.
The new board is one of several governance changes underway as Calgary reinforces and replaces parts of its water infrastructure. The City says a replacement pipe for the Bearspaw South Feeder Main remains on track to enter service in December 2026.
City water utility chief operating officer Michael Thompson said the board's independent perspective would complement administration's operational expertise and strengthen future decision-making.
The appointments do not themselves constitute approval of any new pipeline project, utility rate change or water restriction. Those matters remain subject to their own decisions and processes.
Source: City of Calgary announcement, October 23, 2026.
Background: City of Calgary water transformation and feeder main review.