Mayor Jeff Genung feels reassured the Hwy. 1A and Hwy. 22 interchange upgrade is on track after meeting with Transportation minister Brian Mason during last week’s Alberta Urban Municipalities Assoc. (AUMA) convention in Red Deer.

Genung says he heard the words he wanted for Cochrane. The minister confirmed the design is now being finalized and funding is in place to begin construction by the fall of 2019, as committed by the government in April 2017.

“We did see an updated design and it’s all very positive,” says Genung.

He says the design viewed by councillors has Hwy. 1A going under Hwy. 22 with on the off ramps.

Some politicians, especially those with United Conservative Party leanings, have been questioning whether the project will proceed and have even suggested it isn’t on track.

Likely some of that doubt arises from the on again, off again commitment over the years by previous Progressive Conservative governments.

Genung also pressed the minister for interim intersection improvements along Hwy. 1A to alleviate congestion. The ultimate goal is the twinning, also promised years ago by the PCs, but in the meantime, Genung committed the town to work with provincial officials to improve Centre Ave. and 5th Ave. intersections. In fact, he says, they already are in discussions.

“So we talked about 1A and 5th and 1A and Centre intersections and how we can work together to come up with designs and get something built that in the interim will alleviate some of the pressures on those.”

In Cochrane’s favour, believes Genung, is its increase in off-site levies to take the road improvements into consideration. Recent changes to the Municipal Government Act expanded the scope of off-site levies.

“That was taken very positively by their staff,” says Genung. “They were surprised that we are doing that already, that we reacted so quickly to the changes because other communities I’ve talked to haven’t adjusted their off-site levies bylaws yet. We did that almost immediately.”

Showing the willingness to work in partnership with the provincial government helps, believes Genung.

“Their message without saying it was pretty clear. You guys need to help somehow. So the communities that just go with their hands out will probably not be looked at favourably, whereas communities coming forward with funding and are willing to share the burden I think will be rewarded. I think Cochrane has positioned itself very well.”

Genung calls the convention a success for Cochrane.

“I’ve probably been to eight AUMA conventions and by far this has been the most productive one I’ve attended. I really wanted to be deliberate with our actions in our approach to this convention.”

Town officials also met with Health minister Sarah Hoffman to discuss the need for additional EMS support or a 24-hour emergency care centre and senior officials of Seniors and Housing to discuss the need for more seniors housing and affordable housing.

The meeting with Alberta Human Services was the least productive because the funding issues the town were pursuing had been transferred to the Children’s Services ministry.

Cannabis funding

The delegates applauded when Premier Rachel Notley confirmed municipalities will receive funding to offset costs related to the legalization of marijuana.

While in Cochrane, both the president of the AUMA and Rural Municipalities Association expressed frustration over the lack of response from the government to provide funding that was implied by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

Genung has also been voicing concern and while it was welcomed news that a funding announcement is coming, the details were sparse.

“They are going to provide some form of funding to municipalities for the cost of legalization of cannabis. That was good news, but we don’t know what, we don’t how much and we don’t know when but they did acknowledge it and that was good. It was the first time I’ve heard it.”

Notley said the funding would be announced before cannabis becomes legal on Oct. 17.

Saying “Hi” to Premier

Genung also greeted Notley after she left the podium in her brief visit to the convention.

“I basically greeted her when she left the stage and said hello again. I think it’s important for her to see my face as many times as possible and I don’t care who’s premier, I’ll do that every time. I think they need to love Cochrane and send us some love in return.”