One of Airdrie's most unique communities — designed around a network of canals and boardwalk pathways that you simply won't find anywhere else in the city.
The Canals is genuinely unlike any other community in Airdrie. Where most neighbourhoods are defined by their housing or their proximity to parks, The Canals was designed around water — a network of canals that wind through the community and give it a character that's hard to describe until you've walked it.
The Canals Outline Plan was approved in 2001, making it one of Airdrie's earlier planned waterfront communities. Located in southwest and west-central Airdrie, it sits close to downtown Airdrie, Yankee Valley Boulevard, and 8 Street SW — well-connected without feeling busy.
The community has a quieter, more relaxed feel than some of Airdrie's newer master-planned developments. Residents tend to be drawn here specifically for the setting — the canal views, the boardwalk-style pathways, and the sense that their neighbourhood has something most others don't.
The canal system itself is the defining feature — boardwalk-style pathways run alongside the waterways, creating a walking and cycling experience that feels more European than Albertan. Local coverage has specifically identified The Canals and Bayside as Airdrie's two true waterfront communities, and of the two, The Canals tends to feel quieter and more residential in character.
The proximity to downtown Airdrie is an underrated advantage. Residents have easy access to Main Street shops, services, and restaurants without being in the middle of a busy commercial corridor.
The Canals offers detached homes, executive homes, semi-detached properties, bungalows, and townhomes. The price range is broad — from approximately $370,000 to $1.05M+ — with canal-facing and executive properties at the higher end. This range makes The Canals accessible to a variety of buyers while still offering genuinely premium options for those who want them.
Schools commonly referenced for The Canals area include:
School boundaries are subject to change. Always confirm your specific address with Rocky View Schools and Calgary Catholic School District before purchasing.