Recovery Summit funding splits city council

During debate, many councillors acknowledged the value of the summit and the grant provided for it, but expressed concern for its long-term sustainability without a different approach to funding.

“It would be better for Red Deerians if we could get it in the right space funded by the right people permanently,” said City Councillor Lawrence Lee.

Councillor Victor Doerksen proposed an amendment to the proposal which eliminated the ORTS and instead dictated that the funding “come from existing sources.”

Before council’s vote, City Manager Tara Lodewyk stressed that the wording meant she would need to “shift priorities,” in the budget, resulting in other plans that council had already agreed on the importance of being cut.

The amendment was defeated in a 4-4 tie.

Council then voted on the original motion, which received mixed impressions.

City Councillor Kraymer Barnstable spoke against the motion, echoing concerns shared by Coun. Lee and Coun. Doerksen. “I think if we fully support this, saying we’re going to come up with the dollars, there’s no reason the province would step in at that point. It puts it back on their plate as to what their role is,” he said. “Not saying that we want to see this conference go away, but find a different way to do it within the constraints of what we have.”

Newly sworn-in councillor Chad Krahn advocated for the motion.

“I don’t like the money coming out of ORTS,” he said, “but I think it’s really important that Red Deer is a leader in the recovery scene, and I think this is a good way to prove that, to put skin in the game on it.”

The original motion was defeated in a 4-4 tie.

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by Ashley Lavallee-Koenig

Recovery Summit funding splits city council

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