School districts would need approval to use reserves under new provincial bill

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Toews says the decision will allow school boards and provinces to work together to benefit students.

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“This is a temporary measure until caps are put on operating reserves,” he told reporters during a press conference earlier in the day. “It will just ensure good coordination, good communication and very high level

Toews adds he doesn’t believe the decision will add additional red tape for boards.

“I don’t think it’s going to create an onerous obligation in terms of paperwork and the time requirement,” he said. “Again, I believe it can actually reduce red tape by improving coordination and eliminating surprises. I think anytime there could be great communication and overall coordination, it results in better outcomes.”

“Last year, Jason Kenney and the UCP couldn’t move quickly enough to get rid of oversight of school fees charged to parents – they said school boards can charge whatever they want,” challenged Sarah Hoffman, NDP Education Critic. ““This year, in Bill 5, the Fiscal Measures and Taxation Act, the Minister is making it clear that school boards require her approval before spending any of their reserve funds. Boards will need these funds more than ever to help offset massive cuts to education in last week’s broken-promise budget.”

If the bill passes, it would take effect in fall 2020.

Post-secondary, tourism changes in new bill

Bill 5 also introduces several funding changes announced in last week’s budget.

Among the changes include officially switching universities and colleges to an outcome-based funding model, where post-secondary institutions receive funding based on enrolment, graduation rates and employment following graduation.

The changes were originally announced in January.

The province will also be providing the tourism levy to short-term rentals offered through online marketplaces, such as Airbnb, which was revealed in the budget.

The levy totals four per cent, and is already applied to hotel rooms and other temporary accommodations in Alberta.