Budget is “good news” says Red Deer deputy mayor, but ABmunis discouraged

For now, Red Deer Deputy Mayor Vesna Higham, speaking on council’s behalf and in Mayor Ken Johnston’s stead while he’s away from office, says the lack of shock and awe for Red Deer is good as far as being able to forecast and plan.

“[This budget] provides stability and predictability for the bean-counters at City Hall and for council,” says Higham, noting the Local Government Fiscal Framework (LGFF), which comes into effect this year and replaces the Municipal Sustainability Initiative (MSI).

“In the minds of many Red Deerians is the fact our hospital project continues to progress, with $810 million over the next three years. That’s good news to hear they’re committed and it’s moving along. Then there”s the $13 million for Red Deer Polytechnic to advance our region’s manufacturing and science innovation. That’s incredible news.”

There’s also money to put the finishing touches on the Red Deer Justice Centre, which Higham says the City wants to ensure is filled with judges and prosecutors so that it can reach its potential.

Then there’s $11 million the province announced earlier this week to bring several international hockey events, including the 2027 World Juniors to Alberta. Aside from two events this year in Calgary and Edmonton, locations have not been announced for several others.

“Red Deer is hopeful that we’ll be able to be part of some of these events, be it the World Juniors or the two Hlinka Gretzky Cup tournaments in 2024 and 2026. There are also two U.S.A vs. Canada Rivalry Series games. If we can bring those types of events here, it would be a great boon in terms of tourism,” Higham says.

Higham points to grants for local growth and sustainability, a grant program for recreation centres, another grant for agriculture societies, and two new initiatives connected to homelessness.

Asked if there are any challenges the City may see coming out of Budget 2024, Higham says she and her council colleagues will be paying close attention to the $475 million allocated to modernizing the primary health care system.

“I think all communities will be watching that closely in terms of what it means for boots on the ground,” she says. “Our emergency department, on a daily basis, is dealing with tarps and duct tape, and a shortage of doctors and nurses, and a shortage of beds, massive wait times, and ambulances are stacked.”

How much of the $475 million be be directed at Red Deer’s ER, she ponders.

“This is a good news budget that I think most Albertans will be satisfied with in terms of how it’s laid out,” says Higham. “There will always be calls for additional spending rather than investing in the Heritage Trust Fund. There’s that age-old conundrum of how heavily are we going to rely on resource revenue, are we going to continue to ride that roller coaster of boom and bust, or are we going to address things in a responsible way?”

In addition to what Higham mentioned, Budget 2024 includes $7 million for a permanent emergency shelter in Red Deer, $20 million for expansion at Red Deer Regional Airport, and $17 million to continue twinning of Highway 11 from Red Deer to Rocky Mountain House.

Meantime, ABmunis (formerly AUMA) says it is extremely discouraged by the amount of funding for tackling the province’s $30 billion municipal infrastructure deficit.

It says the $722 million budgeted to the aforementioned Local Government Fiscal Framework falls far short of what’s needed.

“Alberta’s population growth in the last few years has been remarkable, but it is putting tremendous strain on existing roads, bridges, water and wastewater treatment facilities, energy infrastructure, schools, recreation facilities and hospitals. A long-range strategic plan for infrastructure (complete with funding), with input from municipalities, is critical to addressing this extraordinary challenge,” a statement says.

“The Government of Alberta had an opportunity, through its 2024-25 budget, to allocate more funding to the LGFF and start tackling Alberta’s infrastructure problems in a more systematic, planned and transparent way. It was a chance to invest now in Albertans’ futures.”

ABmunis says by not increasing LGFF spending and increasing provincial education property taxes by $230 million, “the provincial government continues double-downloading the tax burden onto municipal governments and property owners.”

ABmunis is pleased, however, that the government is taking seriously the threats of widespread drought and wildfires by increasing funding in those areas.

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by Josh Hall | @Vancan19

Budget is “good news” says Red Deer deputy mayor, but ABmunis discouraged

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