Edmontonians are not receiving a fair deal from the provincial government. If the UCP reversed reductions and funded Edmonton fairly, your property taxes could be ~7% lower.
As Council enters into our annual Spring Operating Budget Adjustments (SOBA), I wanted to share my continued frustration with how Premier Smith’s failure to govern responsibly is impacting our municipalities.
Mayor Sohi recently wrote to Premier Smith outlining the increasing number of ways the provincial government is cutting funding to municipalities (Read and share the letter). Not only is it irresponsible, it is expensive and unsustainable.
You have probably seen my comments by now about the Provincial government deciding to stop paying their property taxes in 2019 (https://edmontonjournal.com/opinion/columnists/michael-janz-alberta-govt-needs-to-pay-its-property-taxes-too). That decision has cost Edmonton approximately $60 million dollars, and that amount grows each year.
Just a few of the other provincial decisions that are costing Edmontonians money are:
There are more but I think you get the picture. Currently, 1% of our municipal tax rate is approximately $20 million. It is not an exaggeration to say that the Smith government’s failure to pay their bills is accounting for 7% of Edmonton’s tax rate- likely much more.
Yes, we have other financial pressures at the city level. I am not trying to shirk off any responsibility for effectively managing our books as a city or rigorous accountability for expenditures. Many councillors are working very hard to address the root causes and identify solutions (such as curbing urban sprawl).
No matter who you voted for, Mayor, or MLA, now more than ever we all need to come together and demand a fair deal from the legislature like Premier Smith calls for from Ottawa.
“To me, it’s very simple. Number one, we have to curb urban sprawl. Number two, we need the province to pay their bills and pay their taxes. And number three, we need to focus on renewal, not building new. It’s really that simple.”
FireSmart Canada Community Preparedness Meeting:
Wednesday August 28th, 7:00pm
Strathcona Community League Hall
10139 87 Ave NW, Edmonton, AB T6E 2P3
Earlier this summer, Leduc Mayor Bob Young took a page out of the same, shameful, inhumane playbook and pushed forward a policy that Leduc would close the winter shelter in their community with the express intention of shipping the needy into Edmonton.
