For Immediate Release / March 1, 2023
St. Albert Responds to Provincial Budget
The City of St. Albert is appreciative of the Government of Alberta’s investments in the St. Albert community as part of Budget 2023-2026 and looks forward to working with the Government to achieve shared outcomes related to job growth, offering economic opportunities for all, and protecting those most in need, especially through this time of extreme inflation and the rising costs of living.
“St. Albert City Council is committed to maintaining and enhancing the sustainability for our municipality and we appreciate the Government of Alberta is taking actions to support these efforts,” says St. Albert Mayor Cathy Heron.
Thanks to a variety of private sector investments and intergovernmental partnerships, the City of St. Albert has seen strong industrial growth over the past three years and expects this trend to continue, particularly through targeted strategic investments in West St. Albert.
“Prudent planning, thoughtful investments in critical infrastructure, and ongoing support for economic diversification are the keys to continued growth and prosperity for our municipality, our region and our province,” says Heron.
The Mayor was pleased to see funding for twinning Ray Gibbon Drive appear in the third year of the Provincial Budget, reflecting the cost-sharing agreement completed between the City of St. Albert and the Government of Alberta in 2019.
“I want to thank the Honourable Dale Nally and MLA Marie Renaud, for their tireless advocacy regarding the Ray Gibbon Drive project over the past several years,” says Heron. “We appreciate the Government of Alberta’s support of this integral economic corridor. We have established a strong working relationship with the Provincial Government, and I look forward to continuing our work together to complete this project. We believe future collaborations with the Province along the Ray Gibbon Corridor, like servicing the Lakeview Business District, will further drive economic prosperity for Albertans and St. Albertans alike for many years to come.”
Aligned with other municipal government stakeholders, including Alberta Municipalities, the City was pleased to see enhanced funding committed to municipalities across Alberta through the Local Government Fiscal Framework (LGFF) starting in 2025-26. Earlier this year, the City sponsored an Alberta Municipalities resolution, calling for the baseline LGFF funding envelope to be increased and to grow at a 1:1 ratio linked to provincial revenue, as partners in economic prosperity and the provision of public services and infrastructure to Albertans.
“Ideally, we would have seen an increase to LGFF capital funding in its inaugural year, as infrastructure funding for municipalities is nearly 40 per cent lower than the annual average prior to the 2015 recession in Alberta. That said, St. Albert City Council appreciates the Provincial Government has heard our concerns and made improvements to provide municipalities with long-term, stable, and adequate fiscal tools to deliver on the services and infrastructure expected by residents and businesses now and into the future by doubling the operating component of MSI/LGFF now, and partnering on a 1:1 growth ratio moving forward,” says Heron.
The City was also pleased to see increased funding for the Affordable Housing Partnership Program, Affordable Housing Strategy, and Affordable and Specialized Housing.
“In the months ahead, we look forward to working with our government and non-profit partners to enhance options to address the housing shortage and affordability crisis being faced by far too many people,” says Mayor Heron.
City staff are in the process of studying the Provincial Budget in more detail. Administration will prepare a report for Council outlining how the Provincial Budget is expected to impact municipal programs, services, and infrastructure. The report is scheduled to be presented on March 14, 2023.
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Last edited: March 1, 2023