By rdnewsNOW staff

To Improve Accountability and Transparency

Province aiming to modernize management of government properties

Mar 27, 2024 | 11:27 AM

Alberta’s government says it is improving accountability and transparency by centralizing its approach to managing government properties.

The Government of Alberta says it is introducing legislation that will require departments and government agencies, boards and commissions to offer surplus land and buildings back to government prior to sale. Currently, officials say government properties are distributed across various departments and agencies and are not administered in a consistent and consolidated manner. This, says the province, makes it challenging to support government’s priority investments. A single approach is expected to allow government to be more strategic with its assets, while getting the best value for taxpayers’ dollars, say provincial officials.

If passed, the Real Property Governance Act would increase transparency and reduce red tape by creating consistent rules across government for the disposal of property, says the government. Officials say it would also create a centralized inventory of public lands and buildings to help government better manage these assets for Albertans.

“This legislation brings accountability and transparency to the way government manages and sells its real property. If passed, disposals would be centrally approved with the help of a new, centralized inventory. This modernized governance approach ensures value for taxpayers and would enhance government’s ability to strategically resource priority projects for the benefit of Albertans,” says Pete Guthrie, Minister of Infrastructure.

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Additionally, Alberta Infrastructure says it will now lease buildings to agencies, boards and commissions rather than transferring or selling them. The government says this keeps land and buildings under government control, allowing these assets to be repurposed for the benefit of Albertans at the end of the leasing period.

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