Alberta introduces bill on future infrastructure funding for Calgary, Edmonton
Posted November 29, 2018 3:49 pm.
Last Updated November 29, 2018 4:10 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
EDMONTON – Alberta is proposing a new deal to fund municipal infrastructure for Calgary and Edmonton.
Municipal Affairs Minister Shaye Anderson has introduced legislation tying future money for those cities to the rise and fall in provincial revenues and to the carbon tax.
Anderson says Calgary and Edmonton need more certainty when it comes to future funding.
Starting in 2022, Calgary and Edmonton would split base funding of $500 million for the first year, then see those funds rise or fall based on provincial revenues.
“We’ve been working towards long-term, predictable funding for Alberta’s big cities for many years. In order to be able to plan for the future and invest in areas Calgarians expect, it is critical that we have a level of financial certainty from the Government of Alberta,”
said Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi.
There would also be a commitment of $400 million a year for rapid transit in those cities starting in 2027, with the money drawn from carbon tax revenues.
Edmonton Mayor Don Iveson says the proposed legislation would give a degree of certainty to municipalities that have experienced unexpected cuts in funding when provincial revenues drop.
