Mayor Sohi pleased after meeting with Premier Smith
Posted March 7, 2023 3:12 pm.
Edmonton’s mayor left his first sit-down meeting with Premier Danielle Smith with a positive feeling.
“I am optimistic but it has to be followed by action,” Mayor Amarjeet Sohi said.
Sohi presented the premier with seven requests, which included money for shelter spaces, housing units, addiction help and downtown revitalization.
Mayor Amarjeet Sohi called his first sit down meeting with Premier Danielle Smith productive, saying he's optimistic the province will come through on the 7 requests he's made that include provincial responsibilities. #yeg #yegcc #ableg pic.twitter.com/X1jULGJfMz
— Courtney Theriault (@cspotweet) March 7, 2023
The mayor pointed out these issues fall under provincial jurisdiction.
Sohi believes Edmonton has been shortchanged for support when compared to Calgary.
“Shelter capacity is only one-third of what Calgary has. More people in Edmonton are sleeping outside because of that lack of capacity,” he said.
In a statement to CityNews, Premier Smith says she is open to collaborating on these issues, especially as they pertain to social issues downtown. She added she wants a detailed plan from the city.
Smith also raised concerns about what she called high property taxes and their impact on businesses and jobs.
Premier Smith says that she is willing to work together on key issues identified by Sohi, but they want a detailed plan for the specific asks made by the mayor.
She added she raised concerns about high municipal taxes affecting businesses.
#yeg #yegcc #ableg pic.twitter.com/MfaSZxqP2i— Courtney Theriault (@cspotweet) March 7, 2023
