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Yesterday, the Provincial government released its 2016 budget and there is still much analysis to be done on what it all means for Edmonton. I certainly understand the pressure this government is under to deliver a budget amidst a deep economic crisis that has left a huge hole in provincial revenue. So, with tempered expectations,… Read More
After five days of discussion over sixty-plus amendments, this year’s City Council budget debate could be characterized as a difficult, yet productive journey. When we began these discussions last Friday, there were $58 million in unfunded initiatives and a 4.9% proposed property tax increase before Council. At the same time, we’d heard loud and clear… Read More
We are now deep into budget discussions for the City’s 2016-2018 Operating Budget and there are still difficult decisions ahead over which initiatives to fund and which ones we can reduce to get closer to a reasonable tax increase. This year – as in the past – police funding draws a significant amount of attention. On… Read More
I am concerned by the way that Police Chief Rod Knecht’s comments (and my comments) have been interpreted this week, but Wood Buffalo Mayor Melissa Blake’s comments present an opportunity to clarify some of the challenges Edmonton faces as a service centre for Northern Alberta and Northern Canada. There is considerable evidence that when unemployment… Read More
Given all the foreboding comments Premier Prentice had made in the weeks and months leading up to yesterday’s provincial budget announcement, we were all bracing for the worst. Instead, we got something in the middle. Generally, I’m pleased that the Premier and his cabinet listened to what we have been saying repeatedly over the past… Read More