Predictable and equitable funding is top of mind for municipal leaders in this provincial election and it may be something electors want to keep in mind when talking to candidates in the provincial election.
For the next two days, municipal leaders, including Mayor Jeff Genung, are in Edmonton to discuss the platforms of Alberta parties and how they would potentially impact municipalities. He says it will likely be a similar discussion as to those held at the mid-sized cities caucus meeting held in Cochrane, Jan. 30-31.
AUMA president Barry Morishita says outside of the cities, Alberta municipalities need assurances of predictable funding and the worst-case scenario would mean municipalities would have to reexamine services provided or place more of the financial burden upon local ratepayers. He also believes police services need to be addressed and the Alberta government needs to make good on revenue-sharing on cannabis revenue.
"We really want the potential MLAs and whoever is the premier to understand that Alberta communities are stronger when they have a commitment for long-term funding and we can all help each other if that's the case."
He says the major cities took a major cut in their recently negotiated deal but right now the rest of the province is in the dark as to what funding looks like in the future.
"Municipal governments recognize there is a budget issue with the province of Alberta and as a result, the cities are taking a 21 per cent cut from their 2017 level. I think the rest of the province--the municipalities, the improvement districts and counties that aren't included in the deal--are willing to look at the same thing, we just want predictability and equity. Without that, it's very difficult for us to move forward so I'm really for all the candidates and the parties to commit to that equity and get that deal done and move on so we can do some good planning."
Morishita says municipalities own 60 per cent of the infrastructure in the province and without support from the higher levels of government, it puts incredible pressure on the services provided by municipalities, like water, roads, policing and first responders and softer services like recreation and parks.
"Without that support, it falls on one base and that's the property tax roll and that's just not viable long-term. Our structure has served us pretty well in the past and people need to realize that if we don't get that deal there's going to be a significant impact on their services or their costs and that would be unfortunate because right now the cities are not faced with that to the degree we are and the rest of us could be if we don't have a deal in place. It affects individuals very very much if we don't have that support."
With policing consuming a larger portion of municipal budgets, AUMA believes policing is an issue that needs to be properly flushed out.
"I think one of the things we need to ask our candidates is how we feel about funding, who should pay, who shouldn't, who should have a say in your service and who shouldn't and what that service looks like to them. Communities need to make their MLAs or potential MLAs aware we need a more equitable policing model, one that serves communities by improving safety across the whole province."
Morishita says the Alberta government has not lived up to the funding model for cannabis revenue presented by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. It was designed to be shared, with 50 to 75 per cent of the revenue passed along to municipalities.
"In Alberta, there was some transitional funding, but no long-term deal and not the share of revenue that was promised and anticipated," explains Morishita.
"This speaks to, again, the overall structure of how we work together, how important municipalities are in delivering services. Sharing the revenue streams as stated is just the right thing to do and I hope our candidates see that as we move forward. With a new government, they are more amenable to considering that as it was intended."
While Municipal Sustainability Initiative funding hasn't been topped up, it has continued two years beyond the initial 10-year plan, says Boehlke.
"I think we need a steady and predictable funding model for municipalities. It would be nice to see bridge funding back and I think money put into infrastructure is well spent. In this region--Cochrane, Airdrie, Chestermere, Rocky View--we all need some things, interchanges and what not. I know dollars are going to be scarce but I think that well planned and well-executed planning for infrastructure is important."
While trying to stay optimistic, Mayor Genung believes funding for the Hwy. 1A-Hwy. 22 interchange could be at risk in this election. It was Cochrane who was able to get all four provincial leaders here to discuss issues and that interchange was one of the questions Genung asked of the leaders.
"I asked that question specifically to My. Kenney and he somewhat positively answered it but also dodged it with the caveat that the provincial budget needs to be in order for them to fund such a project."
"I'm still remaining optimistic that regardless of who gets in that we have a really good chance of that project beginning this fall if not next spring."
Genung can't emphasize enough how important an infrastructure funding commitment from the province is to Cochrane.
"Councils and administration before my time have worked hard to position us to where we are today and I would hate for that all to be lost in a new provincial election that comes in and slashes things."
Sat, Apr 20, 9:00 AM
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