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From YouTube: Main Estimates - Ministry of Municipal Affairs
Description
Legislative Assembly of Alberta
A
A
A
A
B
Has
under
consideration
the
estimates
of
the
Ministry
of
Municipal
Affairs
for
the
fiscal
year,
ending
March
31st
2024
I'd,
ask
that
we
go
around
the
table
and
have
members
introduce
themselves
for
the
record
Minister
when
we
get
to
you,
please
introduce
the
officials
who
are
joining
you
at
the
table.
My
name
is
David
Hansen
I'm,
the
MLA
for
bonnieville
Cold,
Lake,
St
Paul,
and
the
chair
of
this
committee
and
we'll
begin
with
my
right.
Hi.
C
I
Rebecca
Schultz
minister
of
Municipal
Affairs
and
with
me
today,
are
Brandi
Cox,
my
Deputy
Minister
Gary
Sandberg
assistant
Deputy,
minister
of
Municipal
services,
division,
Ethan,
Bain
assistant,
Deputy,
minister
of
Municipal
assessment
and
grants
Division
and
Shakib
Siddiqui
assistant,
Deputy,
minister
of
financial
services
and
Senior
Financial
Officer.
We
have
other
officials
also
joining
us
who
we
will
introduce
if
they're
called
upon
to
provide
any
additional
information.
Thank.
B
B
Thank
you
a
few
housekeeping
items
to
address
before
we
turn
to
the
business
at
hand.
Please
note
that
the
microphones
are
operated
by
Hansard
staff
committee.
Proceedings
are
live
streamed
on
the
internet
and
broadcast
on
the
Alberta
assembly.
Tv,
the
audio
and
video
stream
and
transcripts
of
meetings
can
be
accessed
via
the
Legislative
Assembly
website.
Members
participating
remotely
are
encouraged
to
turn
on
your
camera.
While
speaking
and
mute
your
microphone
when
not
speaking,
remote
participants
who
wish
to
be
placed
on
a
speaker's
list
are
asked
to
email
or
message.
B
The
committee
Clerk
and
members
in
the
room
should
signal
to
the
chair.
Please
set
your
cell
phones
and
other
devices
to
silent
for
the
duration
of
the
meeting
honorable
members.
The
standing
order
set
out
the
process
for
consideration
of
the
main
estimates.
A
total
of
three
hours
has
been
scheduled
for
consideration
of
the
estimates
for
the
Ministry
of
Municipal
Affairs
standing
order.
B
59.01-6
establishes
the
speaking
rotation
and
speaking
times.
In
brief,
the
minister
or
member
of
executive
Council,
acting
on
The
Minister's
behalf,
will
have
10
minutes
to
address
the
committee
at
the
conclusion
of
The
Minister's
comments.
A
60-minute
speaking
block
for
the
official
opposition
begins,
followed
by
a
20-minute
speaking
blog
for
independent
members.
B
If
members
have
any
questions
regarding
speaking
times
or
the
rotation,
please
send
an
email
or
message
to
the
committee
clerk
about
the
process
with
the
concurrence
of
the
committee,
I
will
call
a
five-minute
break
near
the
midpoint
of
the
meeting.
However,
the
three
o'clock
or
the
three
hour
clock
will
continue
to
run.
Does
anyone
oppose
taking
a
break,
seeing
that
we
will
do
that?
We
will
announce
shortly?
B
Ministry
officials
may
be
present
and
at
the
direction
of
the
minister
May
address
the
committee
Ministry
officials
seated
in
the
gallery,
if
called
upon,
have
access
to
a
microphone
in
the
gallery
area
and
are
asked
to
please
introduce
themselves
for
the
record
prior
to
commenting
pages
are
available
to
deliver
notes
or
any
other
materials
between
the
gallery
and
the
table.
Attendees
in
the
gallery
may
not
approach
the
table.
Space
permitting
opposition
caucus
staff
may
sit
at
the
table
to
assist
their
members.
However,
members
have
priority
to
sit
at
the
table
at
all
times.
B
B
However,
the
speaking
block
time
and
the
overall
three-hour
meeting
clock
will
continue
to
run
any
written
material
provided
in
response
to
questions
raised
during
the
main
estimates
should
be
tabled
by
the
minister
in
the
assembly
for
the
benefit
of
all
members,
the
vote
on
estimates
and
any
amendments
will
occur
in
Committee
of
Supply
on
March
16.
2023.
B
amendments
must
be
in
writing
and
approved
by
a
parliamentary
Council
prior
to
the
meeting
at
which
they
are
to
be
moved.
The
original
amendment
to
be
deposited
with
the
committee
clerk
with
20
hard
copies
an
electronic
version
of
the
signed
original,
should
be
provided
to
the
committee
clerk
for
distribution
to
committee
members.
B
Finally,
the
committee
should
have
the
opportunity
to
hear
both
questions
and
answers
without
interruption.
During
estimate
estimate
debate,
debate
flows
through
the
chair
at
all
times,
including
instances
where
speaking
time
is
shared
between
the
member
and
the
minister
I,
would
now
invite
the
minister
of
Municipal
Affairs
to
begin
with
your
opening
remarks
and
you
have
10
minutes.
Thank.
I
You
very
much
Mr,
chair
and
good
evening.
Everybody
I'm
here
tonight
to
present
my
Ministries
2023-26
business
plan
and
highlights
of
the
Municipal
Affairs
2023-2024
budget.
Now,
as
my
officials
have
already
been
introduced,
I
do
just
want
to
thank
them
for
all
of
the
great
work
that
they've
been
doing
to
support
municipalities
and
to
prepare
this
year's
budget.
There
are
also
additional
staff
from
my
department
also
available
to
speak
to
our
ministry's
commitments,
who
can
introduce
themselves
as
need
be
if
they're
asked
to
provide
supplementary
information.
I
I
will
deliver
some
prepared
remarks
and
then,
of
course,
I'm
happy
to
take
your
questions
this
evening
across
government.
We
are
working
to
secure
Alberta's
future
by
growing
the
economy,
strengthening
Health,
Care,
creating
more
jobs
and
focusing
on
Public
Safety
to
support
albertans
Alberta's
economy
has
momentum
and
as
a
government,
we
are
focused
more
than
ever
on.
Job
creation
and
diversification,
as
our
Province
continues
to
be.
The
economic
engine
of
Canada
Alberta
municipalities
are
a
huge
part
of
this
economic
momentum
and
they
are
helping
to
create
success.
I
The
cities
and
towns
of
Alberta,
the
rural
municipalities,
the
municipal
districts
and
counties
The
Villages
and
summer
Villages
all
across
the
province,
are
vital
to
Alberta's
Prosperity.
They
serve
as
economic
drivers
in
their
own
right,
while
providing
public
services
and
infrastructure
for
albertans
and
helping
to
shape
Alberta's
vibrant
communities.
While
we
have
every
reason
to
admire
the
successes
of
Alberta
municipalities
and
share
our
pride
for
their
commitments
and
achievements,
we
also
recognize
the
financial
pressures
of
high
inflation
that
municipalities
are
grappling
with
right
now.
I
I
Work
covers
a
broad
range
of
initiatives
from
providing
local
governments
with
capital
and
operating
funding
to
the
oversight
of
building
and
safety
code
systems,
to
supporting
the
work
of
the
independent
land
and
property
rights
tribunal
in
making
Fair
decisions
on
a
wide
variety
of
property,
related
disputes,
and
many
other
programs
that
have
a
daily
impact
on
the
lives
of
albertans.
Despite
the
challenges
of
previous
years,
the
province
and
its
municipalities
have
persevered
and
found
a
way
forward.
We
remain
steadfast
in
our
commitment
to
responsible
fiscal
management,
fiscal
responsibility
matters.
I
It
has
helped
us
to
get
to
our
strong
economic
position
now
and
will
help
keep
us
secure
in
the
future,
with
a
focus
on
economic
recovery
and
affordability
for
all.
We
are
living
within
our
means
and
adjusting
spending
where
appropriate,
I
will
Begin
by
highlighting
some
of
the
key
changes
in
the
Municipal
Affairs
budget.
Since
2022.,
we
have
an
increase
of
30
million
dollars
in
Municipal
sustainability
initiative
operational
funding,
effectively.
I
Doubling
this
funding
an
increase
of
3
million
in
support
of
public
libraries,
an
increase
of
500
000
to
provide
fire
Services
training
grants
an
increase
of
6
million
for
grants
in
place
of
taxes,
an
increase
of
eight
hundred
thousand
to
expand
the
land
and
property
rights,
tribunal's
capacity
for
timely
decisions
and
an
increase
of
1.1
million
to
cover
a
labor
mandate.
Adjustment
we're
adjusting
cash
flows
for
the
investing
in
Canada
infrastructure
program
by
approximately
8.6
million
to
address
project
requirements
put
forward
by
municipalities
in
total.
I
I
I'll
start
with
her
biggest
budget
commitment,
which
is
the
investment
in
the
municipal
sustainability,
Initiative
Program,
better
known
as
MSI
since
2007.
The
MSI
program
has
helped
support
local
infrastructure
priorities
in
Alberta
municipalities.
Our
government
understands
the
importance
of
this
funding
source
for
municipalities,
which
is
why
budget
2023
continues
to
provide
significant
funding
through
MSI
as
part
of
our
multi-year
approach
to
responsible
sustainable
fiscal
management
with
municipalities
we're
maintaining
Capital
funding
levels.
Capital
funding
through
MSI
has
been
averaging
722
million
each
year
since
budget
2021..
I
As
you
may
recall,
we
front
loaded
this
funding
in
budget
2021
to
ensure
that
municipalities
could
Advance
capital
projects
and
support
economic
recovery
in
their
communities.
As
a
result,
we
allocated
485
million
for
MSI
Capital
through
budget
2022
and
are
maintaining
that
same
level
for
Budget
2023
averaging
722
million
per
year
over
three
years.
This
means
that
our
government
has
has
provided
a
total
three-year
investment
of
2.166
billion
to
support
Alberta's
municipalities
and
the
albertans
they
serve.
I
should
also
mention
that
MSI
provides
municipalities
with
operating
funding.
I
Msi
operating
funding
is
particularly
important
for
smaller
Alberta
municipalities,
which
are
facing
inflationary
pressures,
but
lack
the
tax
base
to
continue
providing
important
services
to
their
residents
with
budget
2023.
We're
providing
a
significant
increase
to
that
funding
by
30
million
for
a
total
of
60
million
to
support
local
budgets.
This
is
an
important
increase
that
will
help
some
of
Alberta's
most
challenged
municipalities,
reducing
pressure
for
local
tax
increases
in
order
to
maintain
stable,
Public
Services.
I
However,
as
I
alluded
to
earlier,
budget,
2023
will
be
the
last
time
the
MSI
is
used
to
provide
funding
for
municipalities.
Municipalities
across
Alberta
have
long
asked
for
a
predictable
and
consistent
source
of
funding.
Our
government
is
delivering
on
that.
That
is
why,
next
year
we
will
be
introducing
the
local
government
fiscal
framework
for
the
24-25
fiscal
year.
The
new
framework,
with
its
ties
to
provincial
Revenue
changes,
will
replace
the
MSI
and
ensure
funding
levels
are
sustainable
for
the
province,
while
allowing
municipalities
to
plan
more
effectively
for
the
future.
I
We've
been
talking
to
municipalities
over
many
months
about
the
new
framework
called
the
lgff.
As
we've
gathered
their
input
on
the
funding
formula
and
detailed
program
design,
we
put
our
commitment
to
sustainable,
predictable
funding
for
municipalities
into
legislation
in
2019
with
the
local
government
fiscal
framework
act.
Now,
when
this
framework
comes
into
effect
next
year,
we'll
ensure
that
municipalities
receive
722
million
in
capital
funding
for
the
24-25
fiscal
year.
I
I
The
lgff
legislation
includes
a
revenue
index
factor
which
ties
future
funding
to
changes
in
provincial
revenues.
We
initially
set
the
factor
at
50,
so
that
funding
levels
for
municipalities
would
change
a
50
of
the
rate
and
changes
to
provincial
revenues.
We
did
this
as
a
way
of
mitigating
volatility
for
municipalities,
but
our
discussions
with
municipalities
about
the
new
framework,
every
step
of
the
way
they've
made
it
clear.
They
want
to
be
full
Partners
who
share
in
the
fortunes
of
provincial
revenues
in
good
times
and
in
bad.
I
So
we
are
delivering
on
our
commitment
and
are
proposing
a
legislative
Amendment
to
the
local
government
fiscal
framework
act
which
will
change
the
revenue
index
factor
from
50
to
100..
This
change
will
help
keep
provincial
revenues
and
Municipal
funding
closely
aligned
as
part
of
the
transition
from
MSI
to
the
lgff.
We
are
committed
to
providing
additional
Top-Up
funding,
if
necessary,
to
ensure
that
no
municipality
will
receive
a
year-over-year
crease
decrease
in
funding.
I
Overall,
the
approach
we're
taking
to
transition
from
MSI
to
the
new
framework
is
an
excellent
example
of
how
we're
helping
to
secure
Alberta's
future
with
sure
and
steady
steps
and
doing
it
hand
in
hand
with
Municipal
partners.
Alberta
Municipal
Affairs
also
continues
to
support
Municipal
infrastructure
by
helping
to
manage
the
federal
investing
in
Canada
infrastructure
program,
better
known
as
isip.
There
is
a
cash
flow
adjustment
of
approximately
8.6
million
that
reflects
the
anticipated
cash
requirements
needed
by
isip
Grant
recipients
to
fund
their
project
over
projects.
I
Sorry,
over
the
next
year,
sip
is
a
dedicated
Revenue
program
with
funding
coming
from
the
government
of
Canada.
In
addition
to
helping
deliver
this
Federal
program
to
Alberta's
communities,
we
also
match
that
investment
with
provincial
dollars.
We
also
administer
the
federal
Canada
community
building
fund
and
we
have
positive
news
there
as
well
with
an
additional
11.1
million
going
to
Alberta
communities
from
the
ccbf.
I
Finally
I'm
pleased
to
highlight
the
support
we're
providing
through
budget
2023
to
public
libraries,
including
the
3
million
dollar
increase
mentioned
earlier
Alberta's
public
libraries
and
their
dedicated
staff
have
always
played
an
important
role
in
our
communities
as
places
of
learning
and
connection
the
role
of
libraries
as
Community
hubs
has
increased
in
prominence
and
importance.
During
recent
years.
Alberta's
public
libraries
are
places
where
people
can
gather
for
learning,
for
job
training
and
for
valuable
programs
that
help
individuals
and
families
Thrive
or
just
to
connect
with
friends
and
neighbors.
I
Our
government
also
provides
funding
and
support
to
public
libraries
for
supernet
connections,
e-content
and
interlibrary
Loan
services.
Through
the
inter-provincial
library
Network,
these
resources
support
accessibility
with
the
power
to
enrich
the
quality
of
life
for
thousands
of
albertans
and
I
am
very
pleased
to
be
increasing
the
budget
that
supports
them.
In
short,
Mr
chair,
Municipal
Affairs
is
focused
on
building
a
brighter,
more
prosperous
Province.
I
Together
we
are
solidifying
our
place
as
the
economic
engine
of
our
nation
and
building
vibrant
communities
that
make
Alberta
one
of
the
best
places
in
the
world
to
live
to
work
and
to
raise
a
family.
We
are
securing
Alberta's
future.
Thank
you
very
much
for
your
time
and
I
welcome
the
committee's
questions
this
evening.
Thank.
B
You
very
much
Minister
and
for
the
hour
that
follows
members
of
the
official
opposition
and
the
minister
may
speak
you'll
be
able
to
see
the
timer
for
the
speaking
block,
both
in
the
committee
room
and
on
Microsoft
teams.
Members.
Would
you
like
to
combine
your
time
with
the
minister
and
Minister?
You
have
that
option
as
well
sure.
A
K
I
L
Sure,
thank
you.
Yes,
the
the
labor
mandate,
adjustment
that
reflects
collective
bargaining
agreements
that
are
in
place.
So
there
was
a
percentage
increase
for
the
public
service
in
January
of
this
year
and
there
will
be
another
increase.
It
will
be
between
1.5
and
2
percent
in
September,
depending
on
provincial
revenues.
K
K
There's
a
there's
a
table
that
shows
a
budget
of
30
million
five
hundred
and
seventy
seven
thousand
for
investing
in
Canada
infrastructure,
Rural
and
Northern
Communities,
but
only
12
million
six
hundred
and
fifteen
thousand
is
forecast
to
be
spent
in
this
year.
This
program
supports
communities
with
a
population
of
a
hundred
thousand
or
less
to
provide
important,
important,
improved
food
security
items,
improve
roads,
air
or
Marine
infrastructure,
improved
Broadband
connectivity
and
more
so.
My
question
is,
and
I
can
appreciate
that
for
isip,
Northern
and
Rural
communities.
K
The
timing
of
expenditures
for
approval
for
Approved
projects
is
a
reason
for
the
lower
forecast
and
budgeted
amount
in
2022
2023.
What
I'm
interested
to
know
is
if
there
is
a
consistent
reason
for
these
Municipal
infrastructure
programs,
not
moving
forward,
for
instance,
where
they
delayed
due
to
labor
shortages,
equipment
shortages,
materials
supplies
or
supply
chain
issues,
for
example,.
I
Yeah
and
that's
an
excellent
question:
in
2022-23,
the
ministry
forecast
of
expenditures
for
Approved
projects
was
based
on
the
estimated
cash
flow
provided
by
the
grant
recipients.
Projects
are
underway,
and
there
is
no
change
to
the
total
estimated
funding.
However,
there
are
variances
in
the
anticipated
timing
of
cash
flow
requirements.
I
Cash
flow
timing
is
dependent
on
the
submission
of
expenditure
claims
by
recipients.
So
the
lag
time
between
when
costs
are
incurred
by
recipients
and
subsequently
submitted
for
reimbursement
impacts
cash
flow
projections.
This
essentially
cash
flows.
They
tell
us
how
much
they
need
to
spend
on
that
front.
Delays
that
originated
during
the
pandemic,
as
well
as
inflationary
pressures
on
municipalities,
have
continued
to
require
some
adjusted
project,
construction
timelines,
but
I
guess.
The
short
answer
is
that
it
does
depend
somewhat
on
the
municipality.
In
some
cases
it
could
be
supply
chain.
I
I
K
K
So
I
I
received
this
email
from
a
counselor
in
Alberta.
He
said
he's
seen
firsthand
the
challenges
that
our
libraries
are
facing.
Given
that
there
are
no,
there
has
been
no
increase
in
provincial
funding.
For
many
years
our
libraries
had
to
dip
into
reserves
and
reduce
hours.
Libraries,
of
course,
provide-
and
you
mentioned
it-
critical
services
to
communities,
especially
rural
communities,
from
lending
of
books,
to
resume
preparation
to
Quality
programming
and
during
covet
they've
provided,
probably
a
lot
more
than
that
to
their
communities.
K
So
I'm
pleased
that
there
has
been
an
increase
to
the
public
library
funding
in
the
budget,
but
the
truth
is
that
this
increase
barely
keeps
Place
keeps
Pace
with
the
rate
of
inflation.
If
you
think
about
how
long
it's
been
held
flat-
and
this
comes
after
years
of
funding
freezes,
so
I
guess
my
question
is:
do
you
believe
we're
at
an
adequate
level
or
do
you
have
hopes
for
the
future
with
regard
to
where
this
funding
can
go?.
I
And
so
libraries
is
something
and
I've
met
with
a
number
of
representatives
from
the
library
boards,
and
it's
something
that
I'm
very
passionate
about.
I
do
believe
that
there
are
critical
community
resource
and
I'm
proud
of
the
work
that
the
ministry
does
to
support
the
Library
community,
as
you
alluded
to
it,
as
I
mentioned
in
my
introductory
remarks,
Alberta's
Library
serve
not
only
to
provide
books,
but
obviously
information
needs
connection
needs
for
people
of
all
walks
of
life
and
from
right
across
the
province.
I
So
whether
folks
are
looking
for,
like
I,
said
books
and
resources
seeking
out
job
opportunities
or
looking
to
support
newcomers
to
Canada
the
public
library
is
there
to
help.
They
also
do
play
a
key
role
in
reconciliation
and
in
connecting
indigenous
communities
and
resources
as
well.
I
am
a
library
user
myself,
as
is
my
family
and
I,
have
heard
a
lot
of
stories
from
those
in
the
library
systems
about
the
different
programs
that
libraries
have
stepped
into,
providing
for
their
patrons
and
and
again,
some
of
those
job
connections
resume
building.
I
These
are
even
even
courses
for
seniors
to
understand
their
cyber
security
and
safety
online.
It's
a
very
important
resource
so
since
2017
our
government
maintains
stable
funding,
support
or
governments
have
maintained
stable
funding
support
for
libraries
because
of
the
important
work
that
they
do.
This
year,
we
have
increased
the
funding
by
another
2.9
Million,
almost
10
percent,
to
the
more
than
33.5
million,
so
that
libraries
can
continue
to
meet
the
needs
of
their
communities.
I
Now
this
direct
funding
includes
support
for
urban
libraries
and
Regional
Library
systems
to
provide
service
for
on
reserve
and
on
settlement,
indigenous
populations,
Municipal
Affairs
also
funds
and
manages
a
provincial
network
of
Library
services
to
create
equitability
between
urban
and
rural
services.
So
when
we
decided
on
an
increase
to
the
library
systems,
one
of
the
other
things
that
we
felt
was
very
important
was
to
make
sure
that
you
know,
especially
in
an
area
where,
instead
of
just
focusing
on
population,
there
may
have
been
smaller
rural
remote
communities
that
actually
saw
decreases
in
population.
I
So
how
we
decided
to
roll
out
those
dollars
was
first
to
make
sure
that
every
single
Library
board
saw
an
increase
of
that
five
percent.
So
I
am
proud
of
this
work.
The
increase
did
allow
us
to
fund
libraries
using
more
updated
2019
population
data,
but
it's
also
a
good
reminder
that
this
is
not
the
only
funding
stream
that
libraries
receive.
Funding
from
this
is
part
of
it,
but
municipalities
also
play
a
role
in
funding
those
Library
boards.
K
Okay,
I'm
not
sure
I
I
saw
a
reference
to
it
in
it
might
have
been
in
your
business
plan.
So
I'd
like
to
ask
about
the
status
of
the
provincial
education
requisition
credit
read
somewhere
in
the
three
documents
that
the
program
is
scheduled
to
expire
at
the
end
of
this
year,
but
the
the
problems
is
as
acute
as
ever.
K
I
Since
the
requirement
to
write
off
taxes
was
eliminated,
more
municipalities
seemed
to
be
accessing
perk
funds
to
cover
account
shortfalls
from
Bad
debts,
as
opposed
to
waiting
for
a
couple
of
years
in
hopes
of
collecting
taxes
owed
to
them,
while
other
taxpayers
absorb
the
burden
of
the
revenue
shortfall,
we
are
seeing
more
municipalities
access
perk
for
the
tax
you're
immediately
preceding
their
perk
application,
since
they
are
no
longer
required
to
write
off
taxes
to
access
perk
funds,
so
this
will
continue
up
until
the
2023
tax
year.
Okay,.
A
K
K
H
I
I
So
those
incentives-
perhaps
you
know,
while
they
do
reduce
Revenue
to
municipalities
but
overall
helped
our
economy
and
especially
our
energy
industry.
At
a
time
when
the
industry
was
under
great
distress,
as
you
know,
and
then
you
know,
I
think
there
were
others
some
prior
changes
so,
for
example,
to
the
grants
in
place
of
taxes,
program
funding,
for
example.
So
we
wanted
to
address
some
of
the
concerns
municipalities
had
raised
and
by
increasing
impact
doubling
MSI
operating.
This
was
one
way
that
we
could
do
that.
I
Would
say
that
this
was
more
about
addressing
the
general
pressures
that
municipalities
are
facing.
It's
not
necessarily
meant
to
be
a
perfect
swap
for
one
program
or
another.
It
was
more
generally
responding
to
the
calls
for
municipalities
that
they
are
under
those
increased
inflationary
pressures,
as
we've
seen
in
government
programs
as
albertans
are
seeing.
You
know
when
they
go
to
the
grocery
store
or
in
their
day-to-day
lives.
So
I
do
think
that
that
I
want
to
be
clear
that
it's
not
meant
to
be
a
one-on-one
swap
for
any
specific
government
program.
K
K
So
I'm
hearing
this
I'm
hearing
that
municipalities,
while
they're
pleased
that
government
has
finally
shifted
away
from
the
the
revenue
index
factor
of
50
to
100
percent
they're,
still
deeply
concerned
about
the
entrenching
of
cuts
to
Municipal
funding
brought
about
by
this
budget
funding
under
MSI.
It's
485
million
for
the
2012
2023
2024
year
is
just
a
little
more
than
half
of
what
it
was
under
the
previous
Albert
NDP
government,
and
you
did
talk
about
the
three
years
at
7
22.
K
K
K
I
These
choices
will
help
remove
the
likelihood
of
additional
changes
to
the
lgff.
If
the
province's
fiscal
situation
changes
dramatically,
improving
the
predictability
and
dependability
of
lgff
funding,
I
would
also
say
that
the
McKinnon
panel
report
did
recommend
in
2019
that
Alberta's
per
capita
is
spending
on
Municipal.
Grant
programs
be
brought
in
line
with
that
of
other
provinces.
I
Although
I
will
say
that
direct
comparisons
are
difficult
on
that
front
because
of
differing
Municipal
responsibilities,
available,
Revenue
sources
grant
program
structures.
The
current
funding
levels
align
with
the
recommendations
of
the
McKinnon
panel
and
I
I,
do
think
that
it's
important
to
remind
committee
members
as
well
that
this
is
not
the
only
funding
source
for
municipalities.
I
K
K
That
have
have
knock-on
effects
been
related
to
you
with
regard
to
decisions.
Municipalities
have
to
make
relative
to
you
know
the
in
from
their
perspective
and
my
perspective,
the
inadequate
amount
of
money,
that's
in
the
going
to
be
in
the
LG
FF,
going
forward
knock-on
effects
like
making
their
communities
less
competitive
because
they
can't
fully
fund
the
things
that
either
industry
or
other
residents
would
like.
I
You
know,
I
do
think
that
this
funding
does
help
us
address,
building
vibrant
communities
and
that's
something
that's
important
to
our
government.
I
know
it's
something
that's
important
to
local
governments.
We
represent
the
same
constituents
albertans
and
we
want
to
see
vibrant
growing
communities
right
across
this
province.
I
think
you
know
we
have
to
remember.
That's
I!
Think
partially.
I
Why
or
one
of
the
reasons
why
municipalities
had
asked
for
a
stable,
predictable
funding
formula,
something
that
was
transparent,
something
that
everybody
understood
the
parameters
and
where
that
funding
was
going
and
why
we
will
continue
to
invest
and
again.
This
isn't
the
only
way
that
we
address
investment
attraction,
although
that's
not
for
today's
estimates
in
my
portfolio
necessarily,
but
we
will
continue
to
be
there
to
support
municipalities
and-
and
you
know,
I
would
say
in
the
out
years
as
well.
I
K
On
that
Factor,
on
page
15
of
the
fiscal
13
of
the
fiscal
plan,
sorry
budget-
this
is
a
quote
from
their
budget.
2023
amends
the
local
government
fiscal
framework
so
that
municipalities
share
fully
in
both
increases
and
decreases
in
provincial
revenues.
End
quote:
for
the
last
three
years
this
government
has
been
committed
to
that
50
percent
Revenue
index
Factor.
I
You
know
throughout
the
last
couple
of
months
as
I've
been
in
this
role,
one
of
my
priorities
was
building
relationships,
of
which
we
already
had
strong
relationships
with
the
number
of
municipalities
right
across
the
province,
but
part
of
that
was
really
listening
and
hearings.
You
know
what
are
the
top
requests?
I
Given
the
circumstances
we
were
seeing
fiscally
in
the
province.
You
know
I
think
that
that
was
the
right
proposal
to
bring
forward
at
the
time.
But
now
we
do
hear
municipalities
saying,
look,
you
know
as
part
of
this
ongoing,
stable,
predictable
funding.
We
would
like
to
be
100
linked
with
the
province,
and
so
you
know,
as
long
as
municipalities
are
aware,
that
that
could
create
a
little
a
little
bit.
Broader
swings
depending
on
what
happens
fiscally
for
the
province.
K
I
think
so,
just
following
up
on
that
page
13
with
regard
to
this
issue
in
the
fiscal
plan,
it
reads
a
quote:
the
government
will
continue
to
work
with
municipalities
finalize
the
allocation
for
me
and
consider
ways
to
facilitate
a
smooth
transition
to
the
new
framework.
I
appreciate
it's
an
ongoing
process,
but
can
you
offer
any
insights
into
the
government's
position
on
this
allocation?
For
me,
yeah.
I
Given
ensuring
that
total
program
funding
levels
under
the
lgff
are
finalized
almost
three
years
before
the
funding
is
allocated
because
the
revenue
index
factor
is
based
on
provincial
Revenue
changes
from
three
years
prior.
That
will
help
municipalities
better
plan
for
overall
funding
changes
each
year
as
well.
I
This
is
a
difficult
task,
and,
and
now
what
we
have
is
two
different
proposals,
one
from
rural
municipalities,
one
from
Alberta
municipalities,
and
then
we
have
a
number
of
other
proposals
that
came
in
from
folks
that
maybe
didn't
like
either
and
so
I
think
you
know.
That's
challenging,
but
it
was
not
the
government's
intention
to
dictate
a
formula.
I
We
really
wanted
municipalities
to
come
up
with
that
formula
that
would
work
for
communities
and
counties
and
Municipal
districts
right
across
the
province
and
so
now,
because
of
that
and
and
I
intend
to
stay
on
that
same
path.
I
I
really
want
this
to
be
collaborative
and
want
to
hear
the
voices
of
of
the
municipalities
versus
coming
up
with
you
know
a
specific
formula
that
sounds
great
to
me
and
just
you
know
rolling
that
out
and
saying
this.
I
This
is
what
it
shall
be
so,
unfortunately,
because
the
organizations
couldn't
come
up
with
one
proposal,
we're
now
going
to
go
back,
bring
everybody
back
to
the
table
and
work
through
that.
The
changes
to
revenue
index
Factor
did
change
how
those
discussions
are
going
to
go.
So,
of
course,
they
had
to
wait
until
after
the
budget
was
tabled
in
the
house,
but
I
want
to
have
those
conversations
with
those
organizations
and
bring
some
consensus
before
we
move
forward.
K
K
Great
great,
so
just
if
I
can
move
on
to
page
165
this
time
and
on
page
166.
So
it's
on
in
two
places
and
then
it's
on
page
96
of
the
fiscal
plan.
It
reads
quote:
the
grandson
place
of
taxes
program
acknowledges
that
the
province
benefits
from
the
municipal
services,
such
as
road
work,
snow,
clearing,
Transit
and
Emergency
Services,
provided
by
government
provided
to
Government
properties,
budget
2023.
I
I
It
is
discretionary,
it's
not
fee
for
service
for,
and
we
will
be
maintaining
it
at
the
same
overall
level
as
last
year
for
23
and
24
in
future
years.
It's
anticipated.
Most
applications
will
continue
to
be
paid
at
50
percent
of
the
eligible
amount,
but
the
overall
budget
is
increasing
to
keep
Pace
with
growth
in
the
number
of
provincial
properties
and
increases
in
assessment
and
tax
rates,
allowing
us
to
maintain
that
50
percent.
I
These
decisions
are
not
always
easy,
but
every
government
needs
to
make
difficult
choices
in
learning
to
live
within
its
means
and
maintain
funding
of
municipalities
in
line
with
with
what
other
provinces
provide,
we
did
also
choose
to
increase
the
municipal
sustainability
initiative,
MSI
operating
funding
from
30
to
60
million,
which
is
critical
to
many
smaller
communities,
especially
as
well
I.
Think
that
answers
your
question.
The.
K
So
so
you're
keeping
the
rate
the
same,
but
the
amount
is
going
up
because
there's
more
provincial
properties
is
that
and
assessment
values.
Oh
yeah
right,
right
and
assessment
time.
Okay,
so
on
on
that
line
on
page
166,
5.225
million
more
than
forecast,
let
me
just
look
instead
granted
place
of
taxes
there.
It
is
five
point
two,
two
five
million
dollars
more.
K
K
I
Two
thousand
dollars:
this
increase
is
due
to
430
000
increase
in
salaries
and
wages
due
to
budget
2023,
internal
reallocation
from
element,
2.2
Municipal
policy
and
engagement
to
2.3
Municipal
capacity
and
sustainability.
170
000
increase
in
salaries
and
wages
due
to
budget
2023,
internal
reallocation
from
element,
2.4
Library
services
to
2.3
Municipal
capacity
and
sustainability
and
102
000
increase
in
salaries
and
wages
to
fund
public
sector
compensation,
including
collective
bargaining
agreements.
K
K
M
K
It's
really
good
so
or
maybe
jumping
down
a
little
further,
but
8.1
now
warranty
certification
policy,
so
it
shows
just
over
half
million
dollar
reduction
or
20
percent
of
expected
expenditures
in
this
area
can
that
reduction
be
attributed
to
any
particular
function
or
service
in
Technical
Services?
That
is
not
going
to
be
done
in
the
future.
I
I
So
the
23
24
estimate
increase
of
eight
hundred
and
five
thousand
is
due
to
455
000
and
5
FTE
increase
in
salaries
and
wages
due
to
budget
2023,
internal
reallocation
from
8.1,
warranty,
certifications
and
policy
to
8.3
residential
production
program.
246
000
increase
in
the
estimated
cost
of
delivering
the
residential
production
program
in
2023.
I
K
K
I
K
So
going
back
to
page
166,
the
land
and
property
rights
tribunal,
there's
a
180
000
under
expenditure
from
budget
for
this
year
and
I'm,
not
sure
why
are
these
monies
brought
forward
or
what
will
be
achieved?
Additionally,
in
this
area,
with
the
1
million
and
two
thousand
more
in
funding
for
land
and
property
rights
tribunal.
I
K
I
I
Yeah,
so
this
is
a
good
question
and
it's
one
that
I
also
asked
you
need
to
Alberta
is
the
right
of
a
landowner
to
apply
for
Relief
when
an
unpaid
oil
or
gas
operator
fails
to
make
annual
payments
operators
who
don't
pay
have
may
have
the
rights
of
access
to
land
terminated
and
the
debt
is
owed
to
the
province.
Now
the
downturn
in
the
oil
and
gas
sector
in
2016
resulted
in
an
exponential
increase
in
the
number
of
applications.
I
I
In
2021,
the
tribunal
received
about
7
500
applications
under
the
Service
rates
act
that
compares
with
12
applications
in
British,
Columbia
14
in
Saskatchewan
and
203
in
Manitoba,
and
so
part
of
that
is
just
really
around
I
see
the
member
the
committee
members
are
nodding,
and
so
we
do
have
quite
a
high
number
and
and
obviously
when
there
was
a
downturn
in
the
energy
industry,
we
saw
that
drive
the
number
up.
So.
I
I
In
2022,
the
tribunal
issued
approximately
5
500
decisions
for
routine
recovery
of
compensation,
applications
and
862
decisions
in
complex
recovery
of
compensation
applications
in
other
areas.
Under
the
service
Rights
Act
in
2022
521
decisions
were
issued,
which
was
an
increase
of
55
from
the
previous
year.
Since
2020,
the
tribunal
has
directed
over
55
million
dollars
in
payments
from
General
Revenue
to
rural
landowners.
I
I
You
know
well,
actually
Brandy's
Brandy
could
probably
provide
or
sorry
my
Deputy
Minister
Cox
can
probably
provide
more
specifics,
but
given
that
all
of
the
the
decisions
have
to
be
in
writing,
I
would
say
significant
writing
skills
as
well
as
experience
with
Municipal
and
land
assessments
and
concerns.
Assessors,
is
always
excellent
experience.
Land
use
planning
would
be
other
requisite
experience.
Is
there
anything
else
that
you
would
add
for
all
of
the
viewers
watching
this
evening,
as
well
as
all
Community
Committee
members?
I
K
No,
it's
a
pretty
critical
area
right
now.
It's
in
the
news
all
the
time
and
and
many
many
people
waiting
too
long
to
get
resolutions
so
getting
more
horses
out
there
so
that
we
can
get
more
done.
This
sounds
like
a
good
idea.
I
just
want
to
ask
a
question
about
why
something's
not
included
in
a
voted
amount.
169
page
169
of
of
your
estimates,
safety
codes,
Council,
there's
a
15
million
933
000,
not
voted
amount
is
is.
Can
somebody
just
explain
why
it's
not
voted.
K
K
The
the
change
in
Municipal
assessments
and
grants
and
capital
investment
on
the
same
page
for
its
forecast
to
be
5
million
and
twenty
nine
thousand
dollars,
but
the
voted
Supply
here
for
this
year
is
600
000
and
I
just
wondered
what
why
there's
such
a
discrepancy?
Why
there's
such
a
big
change
in
that
number.
L
So
so,
I'm,
sorry,
if
I
understand
correctly
you're
speaking
to
the
decrease
from
the
forecast
to
now
the
voted
estimate
of
600
000.
Yes,
so
there
was
a
carry
forward
of
capital
due
to
an
I.T
project,
the
designer
development
at
chemisti
in
2122.
So
that
was
a
carry
forward,
but
the
funding
requirement
for
next
year
is
the
600
000
as
the
it
development
continues.
Oh
okay
thank.
K
Just
select
things
so
something
that's
different
this
year,
that
was
in
last
year's
estimates
was
there
was
a
contingency
amount
and
there
was
another
amount
in
in
the
previous
year's
budget.
What
was
it?
Financial
transactions?
There
was
contingency
and
financial
transactions,
but
they're
not
here
this
year.
What
is
that.
I
J
I
J
I
J
I
This
is
actually
through
treasury
board
in
finance,
since
December
2020.,
the
2020
and
2021
and
2122
annual
reports
were
completed.
Using
the
new
system
budget
2023
is
the
first
budget
prepared
using
the
new
system
structure
for
the
budget
process.
The
transition
of
the
budget
process
to
the
new
structure
has
been
fully
implemented
for
the
current
fiscal
year
and
all
future
years.
The
comparable
2021-22
actuals
have
been
included
in
the
fiscal
plan
by
Ministry
and
by
category
of
spending.
J
We're
kind
of
missing
a
year
here,
because
there
was
a
budget
in
2022-23
and
I'm,
assuming
that
there
was
actual
spending
that
went
on
in
that
year.
But
we
don't
see
that
here
and
so
I
went
back
and
went
back
to
even
19,
the
oldest
online
budgets
or
1997.,
and
the
the
way
that
it's
presented
is
nowhere
near
as
good
prior
to
the
fiscal
planning
and
transparency
act.
But
there
it
is
so
the
oldest
budget
online.
The
budget
papers
are
not
as
standardized.
J
J
And
then
the
estimates
of
course
to
be
voted.
So
my
question
is
what
who
took
the
decision
not
to
present
actuals
for
22-23,
which
is
what
I'm
asking
about
I'm
well
aware
that
actionables
are
available
for
21
22.,
and
did
anyone
speak
to
the
AG
about
this?
Was
this
a
treasury
board
decision,
or
how
did
this
all
happen,
because
it
seems
to
me
that
we
have
a
number
of
lines
that
haven't
changed
and
yet
we
don't
know
what
our
actual
spending
was
in
22
23.
I
So,
first
of
all,
I
would
say
the
government
is
consistently
recognized
for
transparent
reporting
in
2022,
the
CD
Howe
Institute
provided
the
government
of
Alberta
with
an
a
grading
the
highest
amongst
provinces
in
its
annual
fiscal
transparency,
grading
of
Canada's
provincial
governments.
The
fiscal
plan
continues
to
include
the
2021-22
comparable
actuals
by
Ministry
and,
of
course,
as
the
standards
for
Budget
are
determined
by
treasury
board
and
finance.
That
would
be
the
best
place
to
ask
those
questions
in
their
estimates.
J
I
I
So
I
would
say
in
November
the
City
of
Calgary
sent
a
budget
submission
recommendations
to
the
Minister
of
Finance.
Many
of
these
recommendations
were
in
fact
addressed
in
the
budget.
Some
examples
of
that
include
increased
funding
for
fcss
541
million
for
LRT
projects,
282
million
for
the
Spring
Bank
offstream
Reservoir
project,
15
million
for
the
Repsol
Sports
Center,
59.2
million
for
the
glenbow
museum.
Revitalization
and
year-over-year
increase
to
MSI
funding,
23
24,
133.1
million
24
25
230
million
and
the
2526
at
258.6
million.
I
I
Revitalization
is
going
to
look
like
some
of
the
asks
were
specific
and
some
of
them
quite
frankly
needed
a
little
bit
more
information
partially
because,
of
course,
when
you're
committed
to
balanced
budgets
and
fiscal
responsibility,
we
need
to
know
exactly
what
the
requests
are,
what
they
look
like
not
only
for
this
year
for
next
year
and
the
out
years
and
What
mechanisms
government
is
going
to
use
to
pay
for
them.
This
also
requires
a
lot
of
work
across
government
Ministries,
so
not
just
Municipal
Affairs,
but
also
finance
jobs
and
economy.
I
Advanced
education
is
another
one,
as
post-secondaries
have
expressed
an
interest
in
being
part
of
the
downtown
revitalization
plan,
and
while
we
didn't
have
the
details
about
what
that
would
look
like
at
this
point,
those
discussions
are
absolutely
still
ongoing.
I
believe
I
have
a
meter,
a
meeting
with
mayor
gondek,
either
later
this
week
or
early
next,
to
get
some
of
that
additional
information,
but
Calgary
does
matter
and
that's
why
we're
investing
nearly
three
billion
dollars
in
the
fiscal
plan
to
address
infrastructure
needs
of
that
City.
J
Okay,
so
I
mean
phase.
One
of
the
green
line,
though,
goes
back
to
when
Jason
Kennedy
was
a
federal
Minister
and
Spring
Bank
certainly
goes
back
to
2017,
16.
I.
Imagine
it
first
appeared
in
the
Capital
plan
I'm
not
seeing
that
in
this
letter
that
is
publicly
available
that
was
sent
last
fall
and
I
think
it's
been
confirmed
that
it
was
was
sent
in
November
and
that
letter
actually
outlines
some
very
specific
asks
around
downtown
funding.
J
It
says
that
they
have
committed
73
million
of
funding
to
the
phase,
one
of
projects
around
office,
space
and
so
on
in
the
downtown
and
then
phase
one
has
been
reopened
to
allocate
the
remaining
27
million.
We
are
seeking
more
interest
that
we
have
funding
available.
The
city
is
unable
to
fully
fund
the
downtown
Calgary
development
incentive
program
on
its
own.
So
there
are
a
number
of
details
contained
there.
We
have
certainly
seen
those
details
as
well
coming
from
both
the
city,
council
and
Calgary,
Economic,
Development
and
others.
J
I
So
again,
I
would
say
there
are
a
couple
of
things
to
consider
as
well.
I
would
also
suggest
that,
when
we're
talking
about
downtown
revitalizations,
one
of
the
things
that
we
can
do
is
keep
our
corporate
tax
low,
and
that
is
a
commitment
that
our
government
has
made.
It
is,
in
fact,
what
is
increasing
corporate
revenues
in
terms
of
corporate
taxes,
but
it's
also
what
is
helping
us
to
see
increased
activity
in
downtown
Calgary.
That's
something
we're
committed
to.
I
I
can
also
tell
you
that,
when
we're
talking
to
calgarians
issues
that
are
top
of
Mind
things
like
Public,
Safety
mental
health
and
addictions,
while
those
are
not
included
in
my
budget
line
items
specifically,
they
are
things
that
our
government
has
taken
very
seriously,
and
certainly
our
Calgary
task
force
to
address
Mental,
Health,
addictions
and
Public
Safety
in
the
downtown
is
very
important.
One.
I
When
Minister
Schweitzer,
my
former
colleague,
was
working
on
this,
he
consulted
on
what
was
most
needed
to
revitalize
our
downtown
core
and
Public.
Safety
was
actually
recognized
as
the
number
one
priority.
So
I
recognize
that's
not
in
this
budget,
but
keeping
taxes
low,
addressing
safety,
downtown
and
really
setting
the
environment
where
job
creators
can
Thrive
that
will
have
an
impact
on
our
downtown.
So.
J
J
That
is
a
good
thing,
and
but
there
the
City
of
Calgary
is
looking
forward
to
the
Beau
river
River
Reservoir
option,
study
of
phase
two,
of
course,
phase
one
began
in
I,
think
17
or
18.,
and
they
are
looking
for
a
return
of
the
the
Alberta
Community
Partnership
program,
which
used
to
fund
some
35
million
dollars
a
year
in
flood
mitigation
projects
and
flooded
a
number
of
are
funded
a
number
of
flood
mitigation
projects
along
both
the
bow
and
the
elbow.
Why
don't
we
see
that
in
this
budget.
B
That
concludes
the
first
portion
of
the
questions
from
the
official
opposition.
I,
don't
see
any
independent
members,
so
we
will
now
move
to
the
government
caucus
for
20
minutes
of
questions
from
the
members.
Would
you
like
to
combine
your
time
with
the
minister
and
Minister
you're?
Okay
with
that
absolutely.
D
So
well,
thank
you
very
much
Mr
chair
and
thank
you
very
much
Minister
for
coming
out
here
tonight,
along
with
the
rest
of
your
staff,
I
also
like
just
to
welcome
the
12
people
that
are
watching
online
I'm
sure,
but
I.
Don't
know
why
this
is
riveting
stuff,
but
I
appreciate
everyone.
That's
taking
time
to
tune
in
here
tonight,
so
I
have
a
number
of
questions.
They're
gonna
be
touching
on
MSI
on
the
municipal
viability,
studies
as
well
as
libraries,
so
I
know.
D
A
number
of
these
questions
pertain
to
many
members
of
my
writing.
So
I
guess,
just
to
kind
of
kick
start
us
off.
I
was
extremely
pleased
to
see
that
on
line
4.1
on
page
166
of
the
estimates
that
funny
for
them,
Municipal
sustainability,
initiating
initiative
operating
program,
increased
100
to
60
million
dollars
compared
to
30
million
dollars
last
year.
Now
this
program
does
important
work
to
support
the
delivery,
Municipal
services
and
as
it
as
it
is
detailed
on
page
100
of
the
business
plan.
D
I
Well,
first
of
all,
I'm
not
surprised
to
see
you
first
up
as
I
know
how
passionate
you
are
about
Alberta's
municipalities.
So
thank
you
for
jumping
in
and
I'm
glad
that
you
asked
this
question,
because
this
is
something
that
I
was
really
proud
to
deliver
in
this
year's
budget
was
the
increase,
in
fact
the
doubling
to
MSI
operating
funding.
I
It
is
absolutely
critical
to
many
communities
and
it
supports
a
wide
range
of
Municipal
services
that
albertans
depend
on,
so
it
can
support
planning
and
capacity
building
activities
that
improve
efficiency
or
effectiveness
of
local
governments,
but
operating
funding
can
also
be
used
for
municipal
and
non-profit
facilities
and
programs
for
Community
Halls
facilities
that
house
family,
counseling,
parent
and
child
development
programs,
probably
like
some
of
the
ones
in
your
constituency
that
we
visited,
Youth
and
seniors
drop-in,
centers
and,
of
course,
libraries.
So
both
municipalities
and
these
organizations
are
facing
rapidly
Rising
operating
costs.
I
You
know
they
feel
it
when
it
comes
to
Natural
Gas
electricity
operating
and
maintenance
supplies
again,
some
of
the
same
inflationary
pressures
that
albertans
are
seeing
in
their
own
homes.
This
increase
in
funding
will
help
these
essential
Services
continue
so
that
they're
there
when
albertans
need
them.
These
are
only
just
a
few
of
the
examples
of
how
these
operating
funds
can
be
used
to
make
a
significant
difference
to
Alberta
communities
and
the
residents.
D
Well,
thank
you
very
much
for
that
Minister
and
obviously
this
is
a
substantial
increase
and
we
want
to
make
sure,
obviously
that
taxpayers
are
getting
best
bang
for
their
buck
and
that
there's
value
for
the
services
being
provided
so
Minister
I,
guess
to
yourself
like
how?
How
would
you
determine
if
this
increase
is
successful
if
the
goals
and
objectives
that
your
ministry
has
reached
out
on
behalf
of
many
albertans
and
the
communities
in
our
Province?
How
do
you
know
that
it's
actually
going
to
have
an
impact?
I
So
the
reporting
requirements
for
MSI
operating
program
have
been
developed
in
consideration
of
both
reducing
red
tape
for
municipalities,
while
making
sure
that
municipalities
remain
accountable
to
the
provincial
government
and,
ultimately,
who
are?
We
are
all
responsible
to
Alberta
taxpayers.
This
means
that,
as
part
of
this
program,
municipalities
have
to
report
annually
to
the
government
of
Alberta
on
the
categories
of
activities
funded
through
this
program.
D
Cool
thank
you
for
that.
Minister
and,
as
you
know,
and
you
know,
I
think
most
members
are
on
this
table-
know
that
you
know
I'm
a
former
counselor
city
counselor
for
the
city
of
spruce
grove,
so
I've
I've
been
on
both
sides
of
the
fence
when
it
comes
to
the
role
of
MSI,
how
important
it
is
to
be
able
to
get
projects
and
moving
forward.
I
Raised
by
pallities
and
so
I
do
want
to
thank
you
for
that
question.
The
Municipal
debt
limits
are
established
under
the
authority
of
the
municipal
government
act
in
the
accompanying
debt
limit
regulation.
Debt
limits
are
currently
set
at
1.5
times
annual
revenues
of
the
municipality,
while
the
debt
servicing
limit
is
set
at
0.25
times
the
annual
revenue
of
the
municipality.
These
limits
are
set
slightly
higher
for
the
cities
of
Edmonton
Calgary,
Medicine
Hat
and
the
regional
Municipality
of
wood
Buffalo,
largely
in
recognition
of
their
greater
fiscal
capacity.
I
I
Municipalities
may
not
exceed
their
debt
limit
without
the
formal
approval
of
the
minister
of
Municipal
Affairs.
At
this
time
we
have
not
considered
any
action
to
raise
Municipal
debt
limits,
and
there
are
two
main
reasons
for
that.
First,
the
current
debt
limits
have
served
and
its
municipality
as
well.
The
limits
are
set
at
a
reasonable
but
conservative
level
to
minimize
the
risk
of
any
municipality
over
extending
themselves.
I
Secondly,
the
current
debt
limits
don't
seem
to
be
causing
any
significant
problems
for
Alberta
municipalities.
Overall,
our
municipalities
are
generally
fiscally
responsible
and
generally
approach,
borrowing
with
great
caution.
The
vast
majority
of
Alberta
municipalities
have
accessed
only
one-third
or
less
of
their
legislated
borrowing
limit.
On
average
Alberta
cities
have
61
percent
of
their
borrowing
room
available.
That
number
goes
up
to
69
percent
for
Alberta
towns,
85
percent
for
villages
and
87
percent
for
a
rural
Municipal
districts
and
counties.
I
So
in
that
light
we
don't
really
see
any
pressing
need
to
make
adjustments
to
the
debt
limits
on
a
broad
scale,
but
that
being
said,
I
am
prepared
to
consider
case-by-case
exceptions
in
the
past.
Municipalities
have
been
granted
short-term
extensions
to
their
debt
limits,
for
example,
in
a
case
where
there's
critical
infrastructure
to
be
funded
and
the
revenues
to
be
able
to
to
fund
the
project
are
a
year
or
two
down
the
road.
D
I
O
Might
Deputy
me
sure,
so
this
is
from
some
time
ago,
but
it
does
give
sort
of
a
flavor
for
the
type
of
reason
why
we
would
want
to
look
at
this
on
a
case-by-case
basis.
So
during
the
wildfires
in
Slave
Lake,
they
obviously
had
tons
of
good
support
coming
from
the
province,
but
some
short-term
kind
of
cash
flow
challenges,
and
so
in
those
types
of
cases
we
were
able
to
extend
borrowing
limits
for
that
municipality.
D
Okay
and
then
I
mean
the
key
reason
why
I
was
just
asking
that
question
is
I
know
in
my
prior
life,
serving
as
Deputy
Mayor
and
attending
mid-sized
Mayors.
Many
of
the
mid-sized
communities
were
facing
similar
challenges,
especially
the
quicker
growing
ones
in
which
there
was
large
capital
outlays
for
recreation
facilities.
D
So
I
know
we're
almost
to
the
finish
line
now,
but
I
guess
I
was
just
wondering
if
you
can.
Please
expand
I
guess
on
the
progress
today,
because
I
know
this
is
a
question
that
I
get
asked
quite
a
bit
by
Mayors,
especially
here
in
the
capital
region
and
any
consideration
given
to
you
about
the
concerns
that
local
governments
have
about
transitioning
on
that
new
framework
model.
Obviously
changes
some
always
exciting,
but
it's
sometimes
there's
a
couple
little
hiccups.
I
Yeah,
if
it
lead
to
where
that
formula
is
an
area,
we
would
have
had
a
formula
come
forward
that
our
main
partner
groups
would
have
come
forward
with
with
one
formula
for
for
government
to
accept
in
terms
of
a
recommendation.
And
so
you
know
we
really
do
want
this
to
be
a
partnership
as
we
move
forward
in
22,
Municipal
Affairs
engage
local
government
Partners
to
identify
their
priorities
and
preferences
for
what
the
local
government
fiscal
framework
would
look
like
in
terms
of
program
design
and
that
funding
formula
for
Capital
allocations.
I
So
in
2023
we're
continuing
to
work
with
municipalities
and
Municipal
associations
to
finalize
now
what
that
is
going
to
look
like,
and
transitional
funding
or
Provisions
for
what
that
transition
is
going
to
look
like.
We
have
committed
to
provide
that
in
the
first
year
of
transition
and
I
will
just
say,
I
mean
part
of
that
was
having
to
obviously
went
to
until
budget
to
announce
the
revenue
index,
Factor
change
from
50
to
100
percent.
But
that
has
an
impact
of
course
in
the
out
years.
I
That
was,
you
know,
response
to
feedback
that
we
heard
from
a
variety
from
local
government
Partners
and
the
transition.
What
it
looks
like
I
think
somebody
on
our
our
budget,
Town
Hall
did
ask.
Is
this
transition
funding
going
to
go
into
perpetuity?
And
my
answer
was
you
know:
look
municipalities
have
been
asking
for
stable,
predictable,
transparent
funding.
If
we're
just
going
to
provide
you
know,
transition
funding
into
perpetuity,
then
why
are
we
doing
this
work
on
the
funding
formula?
I
But
the
funding
formula
is
the
right
thing
to
do
it's
what
municipalities
have
asked
for?
They
want
to
see
that
stable,
predictable
funding
and
parameters
that
are
easily
understood
and
largely
agreed
upon
whether
you
know
you're,
a
rural
municipality
or
a
mid-size
or
a
larger
Urban
that
everybody
can
kind
of
agree
on
that
funding
formula
and
the
approach
that
we
take.
But
again
we
know
that
anytime,
you
develop
a
framework
and
whatever
those
levers
as
I
call
them
would
be.
I
You
will
have
some
municipalities
that
see
an
increase
in
some
that
see
a
decrease,
and
so
we
wanted
to
make
sure
that
nobody
is
shocked
with
a
decrease
in
that
year.
One
of
the
transition,
especially
because
we
still
have
work
to
do
on
that
formula
and
so
I,
don't
know
the
exact
timing
on
that.
But
work
is
continuing.
D
A
community
library
is
probably
one
of
the
first
places
that
you
go
to
you
know.
If
you
go
into
a
library,
any
library
right
across
the
province
doesn't
matter
if
you're
in
downtown
Calgary
or
Edmonton
or
smaller
mid-sized
City
like
Spruce,
Grove
or
Stony
plane.
There's
people
looking
for
jobs
in
there.
There's
students
getting
help
with
their
homework.
D
You
have
you
know:
parents
that
are
bringing
their
kids
there
to
kind
of
you
know,
get
them
off
the
electronics
a
little
bit,
so
libraries
are
vibrant
places
in
our
communities
and
I've
always
been
a
massive
supporter
of
them,
and
that's
why
I
was
very
excited
to
see
on
key
objective
2.45
in
the
report.
It
talks
about.
D
It's
great
places
to
live,
and
so
my
question
to
you,
Minister
when
I
see
that
on
page
166
of
the
estimates,
it
shows
that
it's
receiving
an
increase
of
just
under
three
million
dollars.
I
guess
my
question
is:
how
will
this
increase
be
utilized
to
ensure
the
delivery
of
accessible,
well-managed
and
responsive
Library
services,
and
why
are
these
services
so
important
to
albertans.
I
I
I
guess
now,
I
can't
remember
what
year
we
did
the
child
and
youth
well-being
review
I
guess
two
years
ago,
but
it
was
something
that
myself
and
our
our
colleague
now
the
minister
of
affordability
heard
loud
and
clear,
especially
coming
out
of
a
really
difficult
time,
just
the
rules
that
libraries
played
for
kids
and
families
throughout
the
pandemic.
And
you
know
they
they
help
kids
learn
important
literary
skills.
I
So
I
am
proud
of
this
additional
three
million
dollars
that
we're
providing
this
year
that
this
will
help
them
meet.
Some
of
the
inflationary
costs
and
increase
service
demands
that
they're,
seeing
as
I
mentioned
earlier,
like
the
increased
total
of
3
33.55
million
in
operating
grants
will
go
directly
to
228
boards
across
the
province
to
provide
Library
service
in
their
communities.
Now,
I
have
heard
this
I
mean
I,
guess
completely
over
the
last
four
months.
The
library
boards
did
an
exceptional
job
in
making
sure
that
their
voices
were
heard.
I
We
heard
about
their
service
demands
the
increases
in
population
growth
and
the
service
demands
really.
They
were
looking
at
both
traditional
and
digital
resources,
and
we've
listened
so.
Our
updated
grant
program
uses
more
current
and
consistent
population
data,
which
is
the
2019
Municipal
Affairs
population
list
to
more
adequately
reflect
growth.
I
We
raise
the
per
capita
rates
for
both
Municipal
and
Regional
Library
System
boards
and
added
a
base
Grant
of
nine
thousand
dollars
to
the
per
capita
funding,
so
that
boards
serving
small
rural
populations
have
more
stability
in
their
year-to-year
funding
and
again
this
was
the
trick
that
when
we
had
the
allocation,
the
question
was
so.
How
do
we
divide
that?
I
Recognizing
some
of
those
challenges
that
rural
remote
Library
boards
I
would
see,
and
some
of
those
may
be
seeing
decreased
populations,
but
the
complexity
of
the
work
that
they
do,
you
know
is
a
little
bit
higher.
So
that's
why
we
made
sure
that
all
boards
were
receiving
a
minimum
funding
increase
of
five
percent
and,
of
course,
we
continue
to
fund
supernet
connectivity
for
libraries,
interlibrary
loan
delivery,
resources
for
people
with
print
disabilities
and
e-contact
e-content
stories,
such
as
our
read
Alberta
ebooks
project,
which
brings
Alberta
published
books
and
magazines
to
all
albertans.
B
J
I
So
we'll
continue
by
it
supports
community
cities,
as
I
mentioned
to
a
similar
question
earlier
from
your
colleague,
there
is
Road
clearing
maintenance,
emergency
response,
but
at
the
same
overall
level
as
last
year,
we
will.
We
anticipate
that
we'll
continue
to
pay
most
applications
at
15
of
the
eligible
amount.
J
I
So
that
one
is
more
challenging,
these
programs
are
not
meant
to
be
a
one-to-one
replacement,
and
so
that
would
be
very
difficult
similar
to
how
I
responded
to
that
question
from
your
colleague
and
so
I.
Don't
I
I,
don't
believe
that
we
can
provide
it
in
a
one-to-one
replacement
format
because
it
depends
on
the
companies.
It
depends
on
the
municipality.
It
depends
on
a
variety
of
factors.
J
So
I
just
want
to
confirm
that
I
heard
prior
that
these
exemptions
are
running
until
2025
I
heard
that
correctly,
okay.
So
this
these
programs
were
for
industry
Health,
but
we
have
seen
record
high
prices
for
oil
and
gas.
So
what
have
you
heard
from
municipalities?
Do
they
want
this
program
to
continue.
I
We
all
do
benefit
from
a
strong
energy
industry
that
creates
jobs
and
drives
economic
activity
throughout
Alberta.
Now
the
recent
strong
drilling
seasons
have
meant
that
the
tax
holiday
for
new
wells
and
pipelines
has
saved
industry
approximately
12
million
dollars
in
property
taxes
so
far
and
elimination
of
the
well
drilling
equipment.
Taxes
saved
about
75
million
over
21
and
22.
I
Municipal
municipality
story
have
been
facing
inflationary
pressures
that
have
done
their
part
to
contribute
to
the
economic
prosperity
of
Alberta
as
well,
and
part
of
that,
as
I
mentioned,
is
why
we
wanted
to
provide
an
additional
30
million
in
MSI
operating
funding
annually
to
help
address
pressures
like
these,
but
not
specifically,
to
replace
or
swap
or
do
a
one
for
one
equivalency
in
terms
of
those
pressures.
So.
I
You
know
this
was
something
that
was
asked
I
think
last
year
at
RMA.
It
was
something
that
we
were
asked
about.
They,
you
know
really
I
think
at
the
time.
The
response
was
that
this
commitment
was
made
and
we
want
to
make
sure
that
we
continue
to
have
predictability
for
those
companies
who
who
would
have
anticipated
these
programs
based
on
the
government,
the
commitments
that
government
had
already
made.
J
I
I
Not
only
have
municipalities
done
surveys,
but
we
also
did
a
survey
through
our
ministry.
Of
course
it's
a
voluntary
survey,
but
it
helps
us
address
the
issues
and
the
Quantum
of
the
issues
that
we're
facing
so
that
we
can
address
those
issues
and
ensure
I
mean
we
do
expect
and
again.
I
would
preface
that
by
saying
the
vast
majority
of
oil
and
gas
companies
do
in
fact
pay
their
Municipal
Taxes,
but
this
is
something
that
we've
committed
to
work
on
with
RMA
and
the
ministry
of
energy.
C
Sir,
thank
you
I
appreciate
the
opportunity
to
ask
a
few
questions.
My
my
questions
are
going
to
be
a
bit
more
program
oriented,
and
you
can
just
tell
me
if
I'm,
if
some
of
the
programs
are
not
within
your
ministry,
but
I
want
to
make
sure
I
understand
where
your
ministry
comes
in
with
these
and
just
before,
I
I
go
on
to
some
of
those
program.
Ones,
I
just
want
to
clarify
one
thing.
You
said
a
little
bit
earlier
with
regard
to
the
land
and
property
rights
board
tribunal.
C
I
C
C
O
O
That
is
something
that
the
government
of
Alberta
provides
to
those
landowners.
And
then
we,
through
Crown
debt
collections,
pursue
the
recovery
of
those
payments
from
companies,
but
in
the
interest
of
making
sure
that
we're
getting
money
in
the
hands
of
landowners
as
quickly
as
possible,
we
initiate
the
payment
and
then
pursue
it
through
Crown
debt,
Collections,
and
so
there
is
revenue
that
is,
is
actioned
through
treasury
board
and
finance.
C
So
yeah
I
did
understand
that
correctly.
Thank
you.
I
appreciate
that
the
government
is
protecting
the
private
landowner
by
making
sure
that
they
are
held
old,
even
though
the
monies
are
still
owing
and
the
government
pursues
that
I'm
just
wondering
if
the
if
the
ministry
has
any
program
to
prevent
them,
this
from
happening
on
an
ongoing
basis
or
whether
or
not
we'll
just
see
this
continue
to
occur,
or
maybe
perhaps
even
rise
as
economic
Times
change.
C
It's
not
not
within
your
your
mandate,
though
you
report
the
the
the
outcome.
Okay,
thank
you
I
appreciate
that
many
of
my
other
ones.
You
may
also
redirect
me
to
another
Ministry,
but
this
is
not
my
area
of
expertise,
but
I
certainly
am
interested
in
the
things
that
the
municipalities
doing
is
to
working
with
the
the
various
other
Ministries
to
be
well,
because
it's
been
a
very
difficult
time
for
municipalities.
B
A
A
A
A
A
A
B
B
H
Well,
thank
you.
Mr,
chair
on
page
99
of
the
business
plan.
I
was
really
pleased
to
see
485
million
budgeted
for
the
MSI
Capital
program
and,
of
course,
this
program's.
You
know
to
support
predictable
and
sustainable
investment
in
Municipal
infrastructure,
which
in
turn
enables
communities
to
support
local
Regional
and
provincial
job
creation
and
economic
growth.
H
You
know,
but
as
MLA
for
Calgary
Glenmore
I'm
really
happy
to
see
this.
You
know
half
a
billion
dollars
almost
being
devoted
to
this
program
once
again
and
I
know
that
it's
had
positive
effects
and
then
it
will
have
positive
effects
on
the
City
of
Calgary
as
a
whole.
But
I
am
curious.
Can
the
minister
provide
some
more
details
on
the
projects
that
are
going
to
be
funded
by
the
MSI
for
the
City
of
Calgary,
in
particular,
yeah.
I
After
absolutely
and
I,
I
will
just
point
out.
The
City
of
Calgary
will
receive
128
million
of
Municipal
sustainability
initiative.
Capital
funding
in
2023,
which
is
the
same
funding
amount
the
city
received
in
2022..
Now,
as
with
other
municipalities,
the
majority
of
the
city's
Municipal
sustainability
initiative,
Capital
funding,
was
front
loaded
in
2122
315.8
million
of
Municipal
sustainability
initiative
Capital
to
help
them
complete
projects
that
were
underway
and
might
have
installed
due
to
covid-19
pandemic.
I
The
MSI
program
provides
significant
flexibility
to
schedule
projects
based
on
each
municipality's
individual
priorities,
and
that
includes
the
ability
for
them
to
save,
allocated
funding
for
major
projects
in
the
upcoming
years.
So
it's
up
to
each
municipality,
including
the
City
of
Calgary,
to
review
their
planned
projects,
determine
which
projects
will
be
funded
through
MSI
or
be
submitted
in
2023,
based
on
their
local
priorities.
The
City
of
Calgary
currently
has
58
active
projects
being
funded
over
multiple
years
by
MSI
and
has
not
yet
submitted
any
2023
projects
for
consideration.
I
H
These
grants
they
can't
exceed
the
amount
that
would
be
recoverable
by
the
municipality
for
the
crown
property.
So
I'm
pretty
curious
as
to
what
is
the
reason
for
the
pretty
substantial
increase
and
more
specifically,
are
there
particular
Crown
properties
within
Municipal
boundaries
that
are
causing
these
increases.
Yeah.
I
And
so
the
grants
in
place
of
taxes
budget
was
increased
to
36
million
to
enable
the
government
to
keep
paying
these
discretionary
grants.
They
are
discretionary.
At
the
current
level,
the
increase
is
required
to
keep
Pace
with
growth
in
the
number
of
provincial
properties
and
increases
in
assessment
and
tax
rates.
The
main
considerations
in
determining
the
increases
were
the
increase.
Sorry
were
initial
analysis
of
the
2022
is
assistant
values,
which
is
the
basis
of
course,
for
taxation
in
2023
indicates
that
Calgary's
residential
Ascent
assessment
will
increase
by
15
percent
in
Edmontons
by
10
percent.
I
The
Marshall
and
Swift
assessment
cost
index,
which
is
used
as
a
guide
for
determining
the
assessed
value
of
improvements
was
recently
updated,
and
it's
expected
that
non-residential
assessments
across
the
operative
will
increase
by
10
percent.
The
Marshall
and
Swift
valuation
manual
is
a
complete,
authoritative
appraisal,
guide
for
developing
replacement
costs,
depreciated
values
and
insurable
values
of
buildings
and
other
improvements.
The
manual
is
referring
to
in
determining
values
of
nearly
every
kind
of
improved
property.
Wear
replacement
or
reproduction
cost
is
part
of
the
valuation.
I
This
will
impact
the
assessed
value
of
large
provincial
facilities
like
the
Alberta
legislature,
Jubilee
auditoriums
spy,
Hill,
Correctional
Facility
Edmonton
remand,
Center
Edmonton
and
Calgary
Lockhart's
Red
Deer
Justice
Center,
Neil,
Crawford,
Center,
Alberta
research,
centers
and
John
E
Brownlee,
building
construction
of
the
Red
Deer
Justice
Center
is
expected
to
be
completed
in
23
and
eligible
for
an
additional
1.3
million
in
23
24
gpot
I,
try
not
to
use
acronyms
so
as
I
say
it
like
in
long
form.
Every
time
it's
because
I
know
just
a
general
member
of
the
Alberta
public
does
not
follow
acronyms.
H
H
We
know
that
many
of
those
grants
have
helped
produce
some
pretty
fantastic
infrastructure
in
our
Province
I
know
in
my
own
writing.
It
helped
us
with
a
building
at
Heritage
Park
that
that
the
end
the
energy
transition
Center
at
Heritage
Park,
which
tells
an
amazing
story
of
the
history
of
energy
through
throughout
time
in
Alberta
and
going
into
the
future.
H
So
and
it's
a
federal
program
that
the
province
matches
funds
with,
and
we
know
that,
looking
at
page
167,
5.4
and
5.5,
that
we
see
a
decrease
from
22
23
to
23,
24
and
I'm,
just
wondering
if
we
know
why
there
is
a
decrease
and
also
perhaps
Mr
can
explain
why
the
federal
government
decided.
That
now
was
the
time
to
perhaps
reduce
this
yeah.
I
So,
first
municipality:
these
continue
to
recover
from
delays
really
related
to
the
last
couple
of
years.
The
pandemic
obviously
had
an
impact
on
supply
chain,
material
costs
and
other
inflationary
pressures,
which
has
resulted
in
this
necessary
adjustment
in
construction
timelines.
For
some
isip
funded
projects,
there
I
go
again
just
becomes
habit,
but
the
reduction
of
estimates
isn't
related
to
Federal
reductions
in
the
program.
I
The
entire
Federal
commitment
under
this
program
continues
to
be
available
to
Alberta
Ministry
forecast
estimates
for
Approved
investing
in
Canada
infrastructure
program
projects
are
dependent
on
estimated
cash
flow
projections
and
those
are
provided
to
us
by
the
grant
recipients.
So
the
current
budget
decreases
a
cash
flow
adjustment
that
reflects
more
up-to-date,
anticipated
cash
requirements
needed
by
the
recipients
to
fund
their
projects
over
the
next
year.
So
projects
are
underway.
There's
no
change
to
the
total
estimated
funding,
but
there
are
variances
in
the
anticip
timing
of
cash
flow
to
those
projects.
H
B
C
C
I
Our
ministry
devotes
significant
effort
and
resources
to
supporting
Municipal
sector
and
building
capacity
in
small
communities
in
particular,
which
is
where
typically,
we
have
those
questions
about
viability.
Ministry
staff
provide
ongoing
day-to-day
advisory
support
to
Municipal
administrations
on
matters
ranging
from
everything
from
General
governance
to
finance,
to
land
use
planning.
We
also
offer
a
wide
variety
of
training
sessions
to
Municipal
administrations
and
elected
officials
on
things
like
roles
and
responsibilities,
just
be
resolution
by
law,
development
and,
of
course,
much
more
through
our
Municipal
accountability
program.
I
Ministry
staff
also
works
directly
with
Municipal
Administration
to
identify
any
areas
where
the
municipality
may
have
failed
to
comply
with
legislative
requirements
and
provide
advice
on
how
the
municipality
can
address
those
situations.
So
this
program
has
been
well
received
by
municipalities
and
it
is
seen
largely
as
a
key
capacity
building
support
for
municipalities
that
helps
them.
I
I
And
90
million
and
written
off
or
canceled
Texas,
so
I
would
also
say
that
municipalities
have
also
noted
significant
progress
in
establishing
payment
agreements
of
the
130
million
in
tax
careers
that
have
not
yet
been
written
off
about
76
million
is
attributable
to
operating
companies.
58
about
48
million
in
tax
Agreements
are
in
place
with
about
25
companies,
so
that
means
there's
about
28
million
in
taxes
where
companies
are
operational,
but
municipalities
have
not
reported
a
tax
agreement.
I
I
Our
legislation,
the
municipal
government
Act
of
course,
was
amended
to
re-establish
Municipal
special
lean
powers
on
linear
property
and
machinery
and
equipment.
This
means
municipalities
now
maintain
priority
over
other
credit,
except
the
crown
concerning
debt
tax,
debt
on
oil
and
gas
property,
and
a
three
hundred
thousand
dollar
Alberta
Community
Partnership
Grant
was
provided
to
the
rural
municipalities
of
Alberta
to
develop
special
liens
implementation
and
to
help
provide
advice
and
resources
for
municipalities
to
support
tax
recovery
efforts,
but
we're
continuing
to
work
with
energy
on
this
on
an
ongoing
basis.
Well,.
C
I
I
You
know
we
heard
that
at
RMA
we've
had
a
number
of
conversations
with
the
RMA
board
and
Leadership
since
then,
as
well
as
with
the
Alberta
energy
regulator,
and
the
ministry
of
energy
and
I
would
also
point
out
that
they've
updated.
The
AER
has
updated
processes
to
enable
consideration
of
non-payment
to
Municipal
Taxes
during
project,
license
applications
or
license
transfer
application
reviews.
I
M
Excuse
me
thanks.
Minister,
thanks
member,
we
have
for
a
number
of
years
in
Municipal,
Affairs
had
a
program
called
the
municipal
indicators,
and
we
tracked
those
figures
every
year
with
all
municipalities
to
the
information
that
they
submit
to
the
ministry
every
year
in
the
spring
on
average
every
year.
This
is
tracked
pretty
consistently
for
the
last
seven
or
eight
years.
There
are
typically
somewhere
between
10
to
15,
municipalities
and
On.
M
C
Right
are
you
keeping
track
of
the
number
of
municipalities
that
actually
fold
on
a
year
to
year
basis?
How
often
does
that
happen
that
some
level
of
municipality,
for
example,
a
town,
decides
that
we're
going
to
fold
the
town
government
and
go
into
the
County
government
instead,
I
know
that's
happened.
How
often
does
that
happen?
Is
it
a
yearly
event
or
infrequently.
I
You
know,
I'll
have
ADM
Sandberg
provide
more
specifics,
but
I
would
also
point
out
that
there
are
times
when
municipalities
come
together,
just
because
they
see
it
in
the
best
interest
of
their
taxpayers
and
I
use
the
example
of
Turner
Valley
and
black
diamond
recently
just
meeting
with
their
new
mayor
and
Council
I.
Think
just
a
couple
of
weeks
ago
and
I'll
be
honest.
I
I
was
fascinated
by
the
process
and
how
they
went
out
and
reached
out
to
their
community
and
did
surveys
and
said:
look
you
know
for
our
future
viability
and
reduction
of
taxpayer
dollars.
That
goes
into
some
of
our
Municipal
processes,
with
more
supports
being
able
to
go
to
your
services
that
you
rely
on
we're
going
to
come
together
and
bring
together
this
municipality
so
I
before
Gary
provides
you
a
little
bit
more
detail.
I
would
just
say
it's
not
always
because
there
is
a
governance
concern
or
a
viability
concern
from
a
funding
perspective.
M
And
just
to
supplement
what
the
minister
said
through
my
division,
we
do
what's
called
a
viability
review
for
communities
that
view
themselves
as
struggling.
I.
Think
that's.
The
important
part
is
a
viability.
Review
is
initiated
generally
by
the
municipality
and
the
final
decision
is
made
by
the
voters
of
the
municipality.
So
municipalities
are
not
dissolved
in
this
province
unless
they
have
a
vote
from
the
residents
and
they
choose
to
do
that
of
their
own
volition.
B
G
Thank
you
Mr
chair
and
thank
you
Minister
for
being
here
with
us
today.
I
appreciate
the
works
been
done
by
the
ministry,
in
supporting
municipalities
in
Alberta,
in
the
delivery
of
local
needs
and
services
and,
at
the
same
time,
maintaining
a
well-managed
and
responsible
local
government's
12
patterns,
and
my
questions
are
on
infrastructure
and
I
will
turn
on
my
attention
now
to
key
objective
1.1.
G
As
listed
on
page
99
of
the
business
plan
and
this
objective
States
the
intention
to
provide
Capital
grants
to
support
predictable
sustainable
investment
in
Municipal
infrastructure,
which
enables
committees
to
support
local
Regional
and
provincial
job
creation
and
economic
growth.
One
of
the
initiatives
to
support
this
objective
is
the
Canada
community
building
fund,
which
saw
an
increase
of
close
to
7
million
dollars
this
year.
As
seen
on
page
line
5.1
on
page
167
of
the
estimates,
a
couple
questions:
could
you
please
expand
on
the
Canada
community
building
fund
and
how
it
supports
local
infrastructure
needs.
I
I
Now
in
2022-23,
the
Canada
community
building
fund
provided
254.4
million
and
Alberta
municipalities
committed
this
funding
to
353
new
infrastructure
projects.
In
addition
to
projects
they
already
might
have
had
underway,
with
an
additional
5
million
being
funding
carried
forward
from
prior
years
to
support
provincial
costs
in
administering
the
funding
in
total
municipalities
will
actually
receive
11.1
million
more
in
funding
this
year
than
last
year.
Municipalities
have
significant
flexibility
and
choose
how
to
use
their
annual
allocation
based
on
their
local
needs
and
priorities.
I
They
can
also
pool
bank
and
borrow
against
this
funding
as
well
eligible
projects
have
to
be
associated
with
the
construction,
renewal
or
material
enhancement
of
Municipal
infrastructure,
and
include
a
wide
variety
of
project
categories
such
as
roads
and
bridges,
public
transit,
Water,
waste
water
and
storm
water,
Solid,
Waste,
Recreation,
disaster
mitigation.
Broadband
connectivity
is
something
I
know,
that's
often
raised
in
rural
communities
right
across
the
province
or
Community
Energy
Systems
thanks.
I
Yeah
and
I
understand
where
the
member
is
coming
from
and
that's
a
very
good
question.
Although
it
is
difficult
to
predict
the
number
of
jobs
that
will
be
created
or
sustained
with
with
any
degree
of
certainty,
as
this
information
isn't
required
to
be
collected
or
reported
by
municipalities,
largely
because
we
want
to
minimize
red
tape
in
administering
grant
funding,
so
the
266
million
dollar
program
could
create
well
over
a
thousand
jobs.
I
But
it's
like
I
said
difficult
to
estimate
as
the
job
calculations
vary
based
on
factors
like
the
types
of
projects
and
municipalities,
the
types
that
they
choose
to
focus
on
when
they
start
how
they
procure
what
method
they
use
and
their.
How
long
that
project
is
going
to
be
ongoing.
For
so,
this
number
is
I
would
say
a
very
rough
estimate
and.
G
Again,
thank
you.
I
would
appreciate
further
detail
on
regards
to
Federal
programs
and
on
page
167
of
the
estimates
investing
in
Canadian
infrastructure
program
or
icip
I
see
the
program
is
broken
into
two
items
under
5.4
and
5.5:
the
investing
in
Canadian
infrastructure,
rural
in
Northern
Communities
in
investing
in
Canada
infrastructure,
Community,
culture
and
recreation.
G
I
So
Ministry
estimates
for
approved
isip
programs
are
dependent
on
estimated
cash
flow
estimates
provided
by
Grant
recipients.
The
changes
between
the
2022
forecast
and
the
2023
estimate
reflect
more
up-to-date,
anticipated
cash
requirements
needed
by
the
recipients
to
fund
their
projects
over
the
next
year.
Projects
are
underway,
and
there
is
no
change
to
the
total
estimated
funding,
but
there
are
variances
in
the
anticipated
timing
of
cash
flow
requirements.
I
Price
of
cash
flow
timing
is
dependent
on
submission
of
expenditure
claims
by
those
recipients.
The
lag
time
between
when
costs
are
incurred
by
recipients
and
subsequently
submitted
for
reimbursement,
of
course,
also
impacts
clash.
Cash
flow
projections,
zip
funds
are
reimbursed
recipients
based
on
their
actual
claimed
costs
that
are
submitted
with
the
expenditure
claim
back
from
the
federal
government
through
Alberta
infrastructure,
municipalities
continue
to
recover
from
delays
related
to
the
pandemic
on
supply
chain
and
material
costs.
I
G
I
I
Some
examples
of
these
Mr,
chair
of
the
city
of
Brooks,
town
of
millet
and
town
of
Bakerville,
all
reported
increased
project
costs
during
project
construction,
but
each
managed
the
increased
costs
through
other
grant
funding
or
internal
revenue
streams.
In
those
municipalities,
the
county
of
Lac
lebish
has
yet
to
start
construction
as
and
has
indicated
a
cost
increase
of
80
percent.
Over
their
original
estimated
project
cost.
I
They
said
borrowing
bylaw
to
finance
the
cost
increase
in
our
schedule
to
start
construction
in
2023,
the
town
of
Devon
was
approved
for
a
School
production
to
reduce
costs
when
tender
prices
for
the
project
exceeded
original
estimates
by
a
significant
margin.
The
Project's
now
scheduled
to
start
construction
in
2023
and
the
town
of
bedson
has
requested
a
scope
change
for
their
isip
project
to
reduce
costs,
as
their
initial
tender
resulted
in
costs
that
exceeded
the
original
estimates
by
over
45
percent.
G
Thank
you.
The
residents
in
my
riding
of
Calgary
East
want
to
see
capital
projects
such
as
new
Arena
or
community
centers,
to
attract
new
families
and
businesses
to
their
communities
in
local
governments,
share
these
priorities,
but
have
the
responsibility
of
balancing
these
Investments
with
maintaining
existing
infrastructure
and
ensuring
they
are
able
to
deliver
critical
Municipal
services
in
a
refer
back
to
page
166
line
4.1,
there
is
an
estimated
60
million
set
aside
for
the
delivery
of
Municipal
Services,
an
increase
of
30
million
from
last
year.
That's
the
double
the
amount.
I
I
I
know:
we've
talked
about
this
a
couple
times
but
they're,
faced
with
the
impacts
of
high
inflation
and
Rising
costs,
as
we
see
with
the
rest
of
the
province,
so
MSI
operating
funding
was
doubled
in
recognition
of
increased
operating
costs
again,
there's
a
significant
amount
of
flexibility
in
those
funds
which
I
think
is
important
because
it
allows
communities
to
address
the
unique
needs
of
their
services
and
programs
that
their
residents
rely
on
and
make
sure
that
they
can
continue
providing
those
Services
increased
demands
for
those
Services.
Despite
the
inflation.
B
J
I
J
It
is
okay,
so
around
the
elimination
of
the
well
drilling
equipment
tax.
That's
the
one
that
you
you
had
indicated,
I
believe
in
I,
don't
know
if
they
were
21,
22
figures
or
22
23
had
was
approximately
75
million
dollars
in
in
abatement.
That
elimination
is
expected
to
be
per
was
expected
at
the
time
of
announcement
to
be
permanent,
beginning
in
2021,
and
it
is.
It
continues
to
be
permanent
as
I
understand
it.
J
Million
okay,
so
the
well
drilling
equipment
tax,
beginning
in
21.
That
elimination
is
that
one
is
that
is
the
elimination
of
the
well
drilling
equipment
tax
now
mid-may
permanent.
Yes,
yes,
okay
and
the
three-year
assessment
reduction
on
low
producing
Wells
and
as
I
understand
that
that
was
for
the
21
tax
year
or
22
23
24.
J
N
K
Thank
you
just
I,
just
like
to
go
back
to
some
of
the
discussion
you
were
having
of
my
colleagues
around
downtown
revitalization
of
both
downtowns,
the
the
will.
This
be
the
ministry
if,
in
fact,
there's
discussions
about
how
the
government
of
Alberta
can
potentially
leverage
up
the
city
of
Calgary's
efforts
where
we
would
see
the
capital
or
Grant
potentially
come
through
is
this
the
ministry?
It.
I
Depends,
and
so,
as
I
said,
you
know,
the
city
did
come
forward
with
some
requests
in
November.
However,
there
were
additional
requests
or
discussions
that
took
place
and
essentially
I
mean
we
do
and
and
I
can
say,
this
is
somebody
who's
on
Treasury
board
and
somebody
who
knows
that
the
residents
of
Calgary
were
exceptionally
excited
to
see
a
balanced
budget
last
year
and
excited
to
see
it
again.
This
year
we
have
to
have
details
about.
K
I
There
could
be
and
I
wouldn't
want
to
prejudge
where
those
are
where
those
are
going,
because
we
haven't
received
those
details
yet,
but
there's
always
consideration
for
are
there
policy
changes
we
could
make?
What
does
what
discussions?
Can
we
have
with
the
city
to
look
at
the
current
Arrangements?
That
would
make
this
I
guess.
I
Incentivize,
this
and
and
I
do
continue
to
use
the
lower
corporate
tax
rate,
as
as
we
have
seen
that
have
an
impact
on
job
creators
choosing
Calgary
and
moving
back
into
those
downtown
spaces,
and
then
again
there
may
be
other
requests
that
come
in
and
so
again
it's
difficult
to
prejudge
until
we've
had
those
conversations,
but
that's
exactly
why
those
discussions
will
continue
to
happen.
The.
K
The
we
made
diff
well
I'm
sure
we
differ
on
the
reason
for
the
the
the
flight
of
companies
from
the
downtown.
You
say
one
thing
I
say
another,
but
but
but
there
is,
you
know
whether
you
believe
in
a
point
or
two
on
either
side
of
30
percent
of
vacancy,
which
is
affecting
the
property
Assessments
in
the
downtown
and
resulting
in
many
other
people.
Picking
up
that
equalized
assessment
throughout
the
city,
and
so
a
thriving
downtown
Calgary
is
something
that
would
benefit
not
only
the
downtown,
but
it
would
every
taxpayer.
K
I
These
are
things
that
are
top
of
mind,
certainly
in
our
two
major
cities,
but
not
just
in
our
two
major
cities,
and
so
how
do
we
get
everybody
at
the
table
having
the
conversation
at
the
same
time
with
the
same
information
and
moving
in
the
same
direction
on
on
that
panel?
It's
or
that
task
force
it's
really
about
working
with
the
non-profit
and
Community
Based
organizations
and
partners
that
we
have,
as
well
as
the
business,
communities
and
I,
think
it's
it's
the
same
in
this
case.
I
K
I
Know
I
think,
as
I
said
earlier
today,
I
mean
it's
difficult
to
just
say
you
know
we're
holding
this.
It's
a
blank
check
and
it'll
be
used
in
a
way
to
be
determined,
albertans
want
to
see
their
tax
dollars
being
invested
in
a
transparent,
fiscally
responsible
way
and
I
do
think
that
I
mean
look
in
this
year's
budget.
Almost
three
billion
dollars
is
going
to
Capital
in
Calgary
over
three
years.
I
started
reading
this
list
out
in
question
period
earlier
today.
B
F
F
So
thank
you
for
doing
this
for
us
key
objective,
1.3
on
page
99
of
the
business
plan
States
how
your
ministry
wants
to
work
with
municipalities
and
provide
the
legislation,
a
regulatory
framework
that
ensures
Municipal
decisions,
minimize
red
tape
and
barriers
to
investment.
On
the
same
page,
you
state
that
one
of
the
initiatives
is
to
support
the
objectives
is
to
collaborate
with
Municipal
Partners
to
minimize
permitting
timelines
as
part
of
creating
more
attractive
business
investment
environment.
F
I
Myself,
reducing
red
tape,
that's
one
of
the
things
we
can
do
to
reduce
some
of
the
burden
placed
on
municipalities
and
and
working
with
them
to
identify
areas,
areas
where
we
can
also
make
it
easier
to
start
a
business,
for
example,
and
get
a
permit
so
I'm
going
to
respond
to
that,
but
I'm
just
going
to
say
for
the
record.
I
I
can't
get
through
my
Calgary
list
of
Investments,
because
the
list
is
just
so
long.
I
But
that's
you
know
when
you've
got
nearly
three
billion
dollars
in
funding.
There's
a
lot
of
projects
on
that
list
for
Calgary,
and
you
know
just
to
make
sure
that
we're
not
leaving
out
Edmonton.
There
is
a
large
investment
there
at
3.273
billion
dollars
over
three
years,
so
you
know
I'm,
afraid
I'm,
probably
gonna
not
gonna,
get
to
that
list
either.
But
let's
talk
about
red
tape,
production,
you
know,
I.
Think
I've
said
it
before
that.
You
know.
No
one
level
of
government
can
create
the
conditions
for
economic
success.
I
I
I
You
know,
I
can
say
the
other
day.
I
was
outdoor,
knocking
and
just
in
one
stretch
in
I
think
it
was
an
hour
and
a
half
in
Calgary
for
folks
just
moving
in
from
other
provinces
in
Canada,
why
jobs,
opportunity
and,
of
course,
housing,
affordability,
Edmonton
ranked
first
in
Calgary,
ranked
third
in
overall
scores,
based
on
a
study
that
considered
factors
like
land
use,
planning
processes,
approval
timelines
and
development
charges
and
fees.
I
So
there
is
some
very
work,
good
work
being
done
on
this
front
and
I
also
want
to
add
that
my
Ministry
is
working
to
establish
Baseline
data
on
Municipal,
permitting
approvals
through
the
municipal
information
return.
Municipalities
have
to
submit
annually
to
Municipal,
Affairs
or
starting
to
collect
data
from
all
332
municipalities
on
topics
like
business
licenses,
building
permits,
subdivision
applications
and
development
permit
timelines.
So
so
this
will
help
us
to
Benchmark
Municipal
performance
and
identify
areas
where
maybe
some
more
work
has
to
be
taken.
I
Also
under
MSI,
all
municipalities
who
receive
stimulus
funds
for
capital
projects
were
required
to
submit
red
tape.
Production
reporting
first
in
2020,
then
again
in
2021,
when
they
were
able
to
demonstrate
what
that
progress
actually
looked
like
in
terms
of
producing
red
tape.
Those
reports
do
identify
how
municipalities
May
progress
towards
reducing
red
tape,
specifically
in
making
it
easier
to
start
a
new
business,
streamlining
processes
and
shortening
timelines
for
development
and
subdivision
approvals
and
attracting
new
investment
and
or
tourism.
I
So
you
know
that
could
be
anything
from
making
sure
that
information
was
actually
posted
on
a
website
so
that
a
potential
business
could
access
that
quickly.
Things
like
shifting
electron
electronic
forms
for
commercial
development
applications,
business
licenses,
increased
use
of
electronic
forms
for
payment
for
residents
and
businesses,
alike,
marketing
and
promotional
improvements
to
attract
new
residents
and
Commercial
entities
in
tourism,
and
just
even
things
like
step-by-step
guides,
to
help
folks
make
it
through
these
processes
like
how
do
you
start
a
business?
I
And
then
there
were
also
process
and
procedure
improvements
as
well,
which
is
things
like
staff
reporting,
departmental
reorganizations
training.
I
know
talking
about
processes
at
9.
36
at
night
makes
some
people's
eyes
want
to
glaze
over.
But
it's
really
what
makes
the
difference
if
somebody
is
looking
to
start
up
a
business
in
one
municipality
over
another
in
these
benchmarks
and
I
think
even
maybe
more
than
the
benchmarks
is
the
actual
examples
we
get
from
municipalities.
We
do
have
a
report
that
will
be
published
that
Identify.
F
So
I
really
appreciate
that
one
of
the
other
items
here,
just
going
back
jumping
into
the
estimate,
would
be
referring
back
to
the
business
plan
on
page
101
showing
keep
objective
4.2
is
to
strength
in
the
rights
of
landowners
and
operators
to
fairly
timely
decisions
and
surface
rights
Matters
by
modernizing
processes
through
technology
and
reducing
timelines
for
issuing
decisions.
So,
minister,
with
that,
could
you
expand
on
that
a
little
bit
and
tell
us
what
you're
doing
as
a
Ministry
to
to
get
that
key
objective?
Yeah.
I
And,
of
course,
this
has
been
a
topic
of
great
discussion
tonight
that
the
tribunal
has
experienced
a
significant
increase
in
the
volume
of
surface
rates
applications
received
over
the
last
several
years,
which
has
resulted
in
some
extended
timelines
of
approximately
eight
months
for
issuing
these
decisions.
So
it
has
taken
and
continues
to
take
steps
to
address
the
increasing
volumes
and
reduce
decision
timelines.
I
A
couple
of
those
things
include
launching
the
surface
rates
e-file
portal
that
allows
landowners
or
their
representatives
to
submit
recovery
of
compensation,
applications
online
and
then
modern,
monitor
the
status
of
that
application.
Moving
from
paper-based
processes
to
digital,
providing
for
a
more
efficient
process
for
reviewing
and
drafting
Decisions
by
tribunal
members,
revising
the
surface
rights,
application
forms
and
consolidating
multiple
forms
into
one.
That's
reduced
steps
for
landowners
and
improves,
processing
timelines
as
well
and
as
part
of
our
government's
red
tape
production
initiative.
I
The
lprt
currently
has
a
second
process,
automation,
project
and
development
that
will
automate
the
processing
of
emails
received
from
land
owners
and
representatives
as
well
and
finally,
I
get
another
opportunity
to
plug
a
recruiting
additional
part-time
tribunal,
members
of
23
being
appointed
in
2022
and
at
least
10,
more
members
being
recruited
in
2023.
This
is
all
done
through
a
public
recruitment
process,
but,
as
I
said
before,
if
any
members
of
this
committee
know
anybody
who
would
be
interested,
we
are
currently
recruiting.
So
please
send
them
towards
the
land
and
property
rights
tribunal.
F
G
A
F
Another
one,
minister,
in
your
opening
our
remarks
and
you
kind
of
had
me
at
hello
when
you
said
that
you
know
this
government's.
You
know
most
important
is
physical
little
fiscal
responsibility,
so
I'm
pleased
to
see
the
principal
is
reflected
in
the
budget
as
well.
I'll
look
over
the
estimates
and
expenses.
I
want
to
take
a
moment
to
examine
the
municipal
Revenue
as
well
so
page,
170
recounts
the
ministry's
revenue
and
the
revenue
from
premiums,
fees
and
licenses.
F
I
And
I'm
glad
you
asked
the
slight
increase
is
a
reflection
of
the
continued
economic
recovery
and
construction
activity.
The
majority
of
that
increase
in
revenue
from
premiums
fees
and
licenses
can
be
attributed
to
the
revenue.
The
safety
codes
Council
expects
to
receive
any
increase
in
Alberta's
industrial.
Thank.
B
You
sorry
to
interrupt,
and
just
before
we
move
on
just
like
to
remind
members,
the
community,
members
and
minister
of
the
time
limits.
You're
not
allowed
to
speak
for
more
than
five
minutes,
and
one
of
the
ministers
who
should
remain
nameless
was
almost
called
to
order
about
five
seconds
away
from
that.
So.
K
K
K
Is
that
right,
yep,
the
so
the
six
that
are
there?
Of
course,
they
all
have
they're
at
various
timelines,
but
they're
20
years
agreements
where
the
education
property
tax
flows
back
to
the
municipal
entity.
That's
that's
what
I
understand
them
to
be
and
they
can
be
extended.
The
one
in
Calgary
was
extended
from
around
the
the
rivers
district
and
Entertainment
District
that
correct
yeah.
I
I
K
My
my
sense
is
that
they
obviously
help
they're
applied
for
and
helped
to
revitalize
the
communities
that
need
that
or
parts
of
cities
that
need
that
and
and
they're
very
helpful
I
see
it
every
day
when
I
am
out
in
my
area
of
East
Calgary
around
the
rivers
district
and
the
Entertainment
District,
so
so,
there's
there's
no
applications
pending
nobody's
wanted
to
expand
that
number
for
stabilizing
their
revenues.
We.
I
There
are
municipalities
that
have
seen
what
has
happened
in
these
communities
where
they
essentially
had
Brownfield.
You
know,
sites
that
were
underperforming
for
a
lack
of
better
word
or
for
various
reasons.
Right
could
have
been
contamination
or
anything
like
that
that
we're
holding
back
that
area
from
development
and
now
seeing
some
of
the
results
I
mean
Cochrane
is
like
the
the
estimates
or
the
actuals
74
higher
than
estimated
incremental
assessment.
I
140
million
dollar
increase
and
it's
a
2
635
percent
over
the
Baseline
assessments.
So
once
folks
have
seen
that
growth
and
what
has
been
able
to
take
place
in
some
of
those
communities,
I
will
be
honest.
There
has
been
a
lot
of
questions,
but
we
haven't
actually
gotten
any
additional
requests.
Yeah
applications.
K
Thanks
for
the
information,
I
have
a
question
from
a
colleague
and
it
has
to
do
with
outcome
three
and
the
business
plan.
It
states,
3.2,
States,
represent
and
protect
Alberta's
interest
during
the
development
of
review
of
the
national
and
international
safety
codes
and
standards
for
potential
adoption
in
Alberta,
and
so
as
I'm
percent
there's
new
federal
standards
to
the
National
Farm
building
code,
and
that's
going
to
impact
those
municipalities
that
are
looking
to
expand
their
Agri
cultural
tourism
Market.
K
Currently,
the
regulation
gives
exemptions
to
low
occupancy
buildings
for
from
having
to
have
industrial
fire
suppression
systems
and
those
systems
that
are
not
used.
Aren't
those
systems
aren't
used
on
farms,
given
the
practices
of
local
fire
response,
such
as
pools
versus
hydrogen
systems?
So
the
question
is
those
municipals
that
are
exploring
agritourism
are
being
told
that
their
facilities
that
have
tours
such
as
open
Farm
days,
weddings
on
Farm
sites,
cheese
producers,
for
example,
now
have
to
follow
the
commercial
code.
K
I
Yeah-
and
so
that's
actually
an
excellent
question,
so
safety
codes
of
course
establish
the
minimum
acceptable
standards
now.
Provinces
and
territories
adopt
the
National,
Building
fire
and
energy
codes
or
base
their
own
code
editions
on
the
national
code
and
I
always
say
this
isn't
so
much
like
this
is
not
a
federal
code.
It
is
a
national
code
where
the
provinces
have
representation
and
feedback
in
into
the
development
of
those.
I
But
then
Alberta
develops
its
own
editions
of
the
building
fire
codes
based
off
the
national
editions
and
relies
on
the
national
energy
code
for
buildings
for
large,
residential,
commercial
and
industrial
buildings.
So
we
do,
as
do
other
provinces,
have
the
Constitutional
authority
to
decide
if
we
will
adopt
the
codes,
adopt
the
codes
with
variations
or
not
adopt
the
codes,
and
so
Municipal
Affairs
and
collaboration
with
safety
codes.
Council
in
relevant
groups
reviews
the
new
codes
to
ensure
alignment
with
prevention
policy
and
inter-provincial
trade
objectives
and
to
support
labor
Mobility.
I
The
safety
codes
Council
has
been
Consulting
on
this.
It's
been
quite
extensive,
both
with
the
agricultural
industry,
which
supports
the
continued
exclusion
of
large
farm
builds
and
with
the
home
building
industry,
which
supports
adopting
new
code
editions,
including
an
incremental
approach
to
improving
Energy
Efficiency
standard
words
and
I
would
imagine
we'll
have
more
to
say
on
that
in
the
near
future.
K
All
right,
the
the
thing
that
may
get
lost
in
here
or
the
thing
that
may
get
hurt
is
agritourism
and
not
that
I,
my
colleague,
certainly
one
who's
advocating
for
keeping
the
costs
minimal
to
producers.
I
hope
there
who
are
trying
to
diversify
their
their
revenue
streams
with
a
number
of
other
things
that
many
people
like
City
people
like
me,
would
like
to
see
someday.
I
M
Sure,
thank
you
Minister,
honorable
member
I,
if
I
understood
your
question
correctly
was
around
the
role
of
the
ministry
with
Improvement
districts
and
the
special
areas
and
public
lands.
So
we
do
not
manage
public
lands
as
a
Ministry.
That
would
probably
be
environment
with
the
exception
that
we
manage
the
public
lands
in
the
special
areas.
So
the
special
areas
board,
through
its
own
legislation,
has
a
responsibility
for
municipal
services
and
for
public
Land
Management
in
the
special
areas.
M
That's
the
only
part
of
the
province
where
we
have
that
role,
and
the
Improvement
districts,
of
course,
are
all
in
essence
in
National
Parks.
So
there
is
the
Land
Management
in
the
national
parks
is
really
done
by
the
federal
government
in
terms
of
our
budget.
You
don't
really
see
much
in
the
budget
there,
because
the
special
areas
board
is
funded,
as
are
the
Improvement
districts
through
local
property
taxes.
So
there's
not
a
direct
impact
on
the.
M
I
B
E
Orr,
thank
you
very
much
so
having
had
a
previous
life
in
the
construction
world,
I
want
to
talk
about
the
safety
codes,
console
and
related
subjects,
I
notice,
1.8
million
increase
over
over
forecasted
for
the
safety
codes
console
and
then
in
the
initiative
to
support
key
objectives
for
outcome.
Three.
It
talks
about
implementing
A,
Renewed
provincial
accreditation
framework
to
facilitate
more
efficient
approaches.
I
Absolutely,
and
so
I
do
just
want
to
start
by
saying
that
we'll
continue
to
prioritize
Public
Safety
when
making
any
changes
to
the
Safety
Code
system,
Municipal
Affairs
and
the
safety
codes.
Council
works
with
Alberta
municipalities,
corporations
and
other
organizations
to
provide
an
effective,
accountable
and
affordable
Safety
Code
system.
As
legislated
within
the
safety
codes
Act,
the
ACT
allows
stakeholders
to
share
in
administering
and
delivering
permit
and
inspection
services
by
accrediting
organizations
to
administer
and
deliver
safety
codes.
I
Accredited
organizations
are
delegated
responsibility
to
issue
permits
and
inspect
work
in
their
area
for
the
disciplines
in
which
they
are
accredited.
Now
the
council
ensures
accredited
organizations
meet
their
responsibilities
by
requiring
quality
management
plans
which
establish
a
minimum
Service
delivery
standard
that
accredited
organizations
must
meet.
Our
ministry
is
working
with
safety
codes
Council
to
support
accreditation
changes
that
will
allow
municipalities
to
enhance
their
efficiency
by
focusing
inspections
on
high
risk
areas
and
do
fewer
inspections
in
low
risk
areas.
I
The
council
engaged
a
wide
range
of
organizations
in
2022
and
is
preparing
further
engagement
in
2023
on
specific
program,
enhancements
expected
to
support
those
objectives,
but
the
overall
outcome
is
to
maintain
safety
in
Alberta,
and
this
review
is
expected
to
help
accredited
organizations,
use
data
technology
and
risk
informed
processes
to
Monitor
and
enforce
safety
codes,
compliance
in
their
jurisdictions.
This
risk-based
approach
uses
data
to
identify
activities
with
a
low
level
of
non-compliance
and
adjust
inspection
frequency
accordingly.
I
So,
for
example,
a
municipality
can
consider
the
safety
record
of
a
contractor
to
inform
their
inspection
approach.
A
contractor
with
a
solid
record
could
see
fewer
overall
inspections,
while
a
new,
newer
contractor
or
one
with
perhaps
a
poor
record
could
have
more
inspections.
The
safety
codes
Council
recently
completed
engagement
to
better
understand
the
needs
and
concerns
of
municipalities
with
a
more
formal,
risk-based
system
and
we're
working
with
the
council
to
determine
the
next
steps
on
any
further
engagement
that
would
be
needed
there.
E
Okay,
interesting
and,
of
course,
the
safety
codes
console
is
extremely
important
and
I'm
going
to
refer
now
to
Performance
3A
injuries
and
fatalities.
I
mean
I
could
go
through
a
list
of
half
a
dozen
situations.
I
know
from
my
own
experience
with
with
various
individuals
who
have
experienced
injuries.
It's
always
traumatic,
it's
always
costly,
it's
always
long-term
pain
and
suffering
both
for
the
individual
and
their
families.
E
Quite
frankly,
so
I
see
you've
got
some
reduced
targets
from
0.65
Point
down
to
six
four
to
six
two
per
hundred
thousand,
but
what
I
want
to
know
is
is
what
are
the
programs
that
are
going
to
actually
achieve
those
reductions
per
hundred
thousand
and
I'm
also
interested
in
a
jurisdictional
comparison?
How
are
we
doing
compared
to
the
rest
of
the
world?
Alberta
has
a
lot
of
Fairly
heavy
industry,
potentially
the
injury
prone,
and
yet
we
have
really
good
standards
amongst
a
lot
of
company.
I
Yeah,
absolutely
safety
codes,
ensure
albertans,
have
minimum
acceptable
standards
for
construction,
fire
protection
and,
of
course,
Energy
Efficiency
that
provides
safe,
affordable
buildings
and
homes.
The
way
in
which
these
codes
are
developed,
it's
a
rigorous,
well-established,
transparent
process.
It
involves
many
partners,
including
National
and
international
bodies,
the
safety
codes,
Council
Alberta
boiler
safety,
Association
Alberta,
elevating
devices
and
amusement
ride
safety,
Association
and
Industry.
These
organizations
coordinate
experts
from
across
Canada
in
the
world
to
conduct
research
and
engagement
and
then
to
evaluate
potential
code
changes
in
addition
to
getting
input
from
industry
leading
organizations.
I
A
significant
part
of
the
code
development
process
involves
allowing
the
public
to
also
submit
code
change
proposals.
The
proposals
receive
public
reviews,
so
while
burdens
can
offer
feedback
on
any
potential
change
through
the
composition
of
code
committees,
their
consultation
processes,
the
rigger,
they
apply
to
code
proposals
and
their
extensive
experience.
I
Accreditation
is
the
process
that
establishes
who
can
administrate
the
Safety
Code
system,
and
these
agencies
must
be
able
to
prove
that
they
can
meet
the
requirements
to
keep
albertans
safe
permits
are
important
steps,
of
course,
in
implementing
the
Safety
Code
system
as
well.
They
ensure
the
individual
undertaking.
Any
construction
activity
is
permission
to
do
so.
A
safety
codes
officer
has
the
authority
to
inspect
anything
to
which
the
safety
codes
act
applies,
and
you
know
when
you
ask:
how
exactly
are
we
going
to
do
this?
I
Just
because,
like
I
can
see,
the
time
is
going
to
run
out
so
I
want
to
try
to
get
both
of
your
responses
in
I'm
I
mean
the
safety
codes.
Council
has
a
responsibility
to
oversee
compliance
and
enforcement
of
this
system,
so
fluctuation
in
the
council's
revenues
directly
linked
to
activity
in
construction
sector
and
change
with
market
conditions.
Given
the
increase
in
industrial
activity
in
Alberta,
the
safety
codes
Council
budget
has
seen
a
proportionate
rise.
I
This
allows
the
safety
codes
Council
to
increase
compliance
and
monitoring
activities,
to
match
the
increase
in
construction
activity
and,
as
mentioned
earlier
earlier,
these
compliance
and
monitoring
activities
include
reviewing
designs,
issuing
permits,
conducting
inspections,
reporting
incidents
and
conducting
investigations.
So
these
compliance
and
monitoring
activities
are,
in
addition
to
the
counselor's,
regular
duties
of
reviewing
and
providing
input
to
safety
codes,
educating
safety
codes
officers
and
engaging
with
accredited
municipalities.
I
E
Close
you
can
get
back
to
me
later
on
the
jurisdictional
comparison.
I
would
like
that,
but
you
can
do
it
later.
Okay,
I
do
have
one
last
question:
I'm
going
to
squeeze
him
and-
and
this
is
a
very
difficult
balance,
but
but
objective
3-3
talks
about
ensuring
albertan's
new
homes
are
affordable,
but
we've
experienced
in
this
country
a
a
creep
of
code
compliances
and
every
single
one
of
them
drives
the
price
of
housing.
I
apologize.
B
For
the
interruption,
but
I
must
advise
the
committee
that
the
time
allotted
for
consideration
of
the
ministry's
estimates
has
concluded
I'd
like
to
remind
committee
members
that
we
are
scheduled
to
meet
tomorrow,
Tuesday
7th
2023
at
3
30
pm
to
consider
the
estimates
of
the
ministry
of
indigenous
relations.
Thank
you.
Everyone.
This
meeting
is
adjourned.