BILD Alberta raises concerns over landmark funding deal
Posted Nov 30, 2018 12:33 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
CALGARY (660 NEWS) – When Bill 32 was introduced by the provincial government this week, the cities of Edmonton and Calgary breathed a sigh of relief knowing there would be more certainty with future municipal funding.
However, the bill is causing some concern with the Building Industry and Land Development Association (BILD) in Alberta.
Announced on Thursday, Bill 32 would provide infrastructure funding for Calgary and Edmonton based on provincial revenues and the carbon tax. The cities would split $500 million in 2022 with future funding either rising or falling based on the province’s revenue.
CEO of BILD Alberta Carmen Wyton, said the organization was shut out of discussions on the funding agreement.
“This bill came forward without consultation with industry and it’s really, really hard to get things right for Albertans without having industry, both levels of government at the table at the same time.”
Wyton fears that the Bill could also allow municipalities to enforce different levies on infrastructure projects which would ultimately be payed by consumers.
She hopes that the province along with the cities of Calgary and Edmonton can meet to discuss this bill before it passes.
“We have been consulting on it for about five years and it doesn’t appear that any of the input that we’ve provided over the last five years has made much if any difference at all, it just kind of drifted away. That’s what we’re calling for, we want to be back at the table, we want to get this right for Albertans.”
