Inside….
Bad news, Friend, Another year without fair compensation for Edmontonians.
This year, the impact from the Province’s reductions in their property tax grants will reach $96 million. They’re still asking Edmontonians to cover their bill. In other words, enough to offset a 5% tax increase.
If the Province paid what they owe, property taxes would go down for everyone. Mayor Sohi shared more background information at faircompensationproject.ca
PROVINCIAL BUDGET FEBRUARY 25TH
The next provincial budget is in late February and we call on the Premier to commit to paying her full retroactive taxes owed to municipalities across Alberta and stop the cuts that worsen affordability, especially for the most vulnerable.
The Government of Alberta provides funding for low income transit programs in towns and cities across Alberta. This funding provides low-income Albertans with affordable passes for public transportation, enabling them to access employment, education, and community.
These programs are at risk. With the Province trying to cut all funding to Calgary and Edmonton’s programs in the last budget, and massive increases in demand for these passes, without maintaining provincial funding, the future for low income transit, and all those who use it across Alberta is uncertain.
With the budget fast approaching and decisions already being made, Edmonton Transit Riders and Calgary Transit Riders are teaming up to fight for affordable transit in the 2025 provincial budget, and we need your help!
I’m worried they may cut with one hand programs, such as the highly-successful ride transit program for low income Albertans (~ $6 million to Edmonton) while funding their owed property taxes with their other hand (~$17 million). We must remain vigilant and watchful. They get the headlines, while we still get cuts.
BOOK CLUB
I have 20 copies of the book HUMAN TRANSIT that you can “sign out” and borrow from City Hall. Just head to the Office of the Councillors front desk (2nd Floor City Hall) anytime after Feb 3rd, borrow a copy, and then leave your name and email. Please bring the copy back at our March 2nd event, the Edmonton Transit Annual Service Plan Event (March 2nd) or return it to the desk another time.
March 2nd Transit Annual Service Plan event
You are invited to an in-person special public presentation at City Hall of the 2025 Edmonton Transit Annual Service Plan.
NEXT STOP, CITY HALL! Come and ask your questions about Edmonton Transit, learn about new improvements to ETS, and meet other transit nerds. Learn more about how we are expanding fast, frequent, reliable, safe, and affordable transportation options for everyone! We'll have a fun contest and you'll have a chance to win prizes.
March 6th: Town Hall with Canadians for Tax Fairness
https://actionnetwork.org/events/fair-taxes-affordable-futures
Strong cities build strong countries, and strong cities need strong funding sources. We’re excited that the national team from the Canadians for Tax Fairness will be in town sharing more information about their research on building a more affordable and equitable Canada for everyone. This event will be at the University of Alberta from 6:00PM -8:00PM, so save the date as an RSVP is to follow.
Canadians from coast to coast to coast are facing a cost of living crisis. Meanwhile, the largest corporations and richest Canadians have grown their wealth to unprecedented levels, all while paying lower taxes than most workers. We can choose a different path - one that makes sure everyone pays their fair share to build a Canada we can all afford.
Join Canadians for Tax Fairness (C4TF), local allies, and friends at a special town hall to talk about how we fix our tax system and where those tax dollars need to go to help our communities most.
Katrina Miller, Executive Director, C4TF
Silas Xuereb, Researcher & Policy Analyst, C4TF
Michael Janz, City Councillor, Ward papastew
Ricardo Acuna, Parkland Institute
Re-Cap Greenfield Safe Streets Event:
Last weekend I co-hosted a Safe Streets event with the Greenfield Community League. You can read a recap of my background information here:
All of us, especially our youngest, deserve to be safe from dangerous driving in our neighbourhoods. I want to share a little bit about 1) steps we can take as a community for safe streets and 2) more information about upcoming neighbourhood renewal process. https://www.michaeljanz.ca/safe_streets_and_neighbourhood_renewal
Webinar on Small Scale Residential Infill
Save the date: February 20th from 7:30-8:30PM
Councillor Michael Janz will be hosting an online information session on February 20, from 7:30 p.m. to
8:30 p.m., at which City staff will provide an overview about the RS Zone and how the new Zoning Bylaw supports the City Plan’s target of 50% of new housing units in redeveloping areas.
The presentation will be followed by a question and answer period facilitated by Councillor Janz, during which participants can ask questions of City Planners. For more information and updates about the event, please visit:
(This presentation will be video recorded and shared)
Webinar instructions will be emailed out prior to the event to the RSVP Emails. Capacity is limited, so please RSVP.
Please submit questions in advance via email: [email protected]
Just over six months ago, UCP Minister Ric McIver sent a letter to local bike advocates that the Government of Alberta, “respects the autonomy of municipalities to make decisions about local projects and priorities”. But this was before former UCP Minister Peter Guthrie got kicked out of cabinet for speaking out about Premier Smith’s health care scandal.
In an attempt to divert attention away from allegations of corruption, the UCP recently sent Minister Devin Dreeshen to Edmonton to weigh into active transportation lanes, AKA “bike lanes”. Since the Minister has forced the debate, I do think there’s merit in fact checking a few things.
One question people have been asking me to write about is, “how can we usher back the return of local retail to our neighbourhoods?”
Province will take more than $575 million from Edmonton property owners, almost $50 million more than last year.
