Elected municipal leaders in the district are calling on Alberta Premier Danielle Smith to ensure their towns and villages receive the provincial funding support they need to meet the needs of their respective residents, businesses and community organizations.
Smith was elected UCP leader on Oct. 6 and sworn-in as Alberta’s 19th premier on Oct. 11.
In Albertan interviews, the municipal leaders outlined some of the things they would like to see Smith focus on going forward.
Carstairs mayor Lance Colby said he wants the Smith government to work toward improving health care in rural Alberta and across the province.
“There are really urgent needs,” said Colby. “The hospitals are having trouble right now, (including) in Red Deer and places like that.”
Colby also said he would like the new premier to work to ensure municipalities have the funding they need.
“I think like all municipalities, we need stable funding,” he said. “I know they have a new funding proposal out to replace MSI (Municipal Sustainability Initiative). I would like to see that reviewed and take another stronger look at it.”
The premier needs to provide much more information about the proposed provincial police service, he said.
“I would really like to see them try and figure out what this policing stuff is because it throws a wrench into everything,” he said. “They keep talking about wanting to go to Alberta police but I still haven’t seen any real benefits come out it.
“They need to clarify. If they are looking towards going for it, how are they going to really do this. We are coming up to contracts with the RCMP and we are trying to move ahead. If they are trying to do something different, how is that going to affect the outcome.”
The province has “more important things to clear up rather than messing with policing right now. I think they need to set priorities, and changing from RCMP to Alberta police is not one of them, as far as I see anyway.”
Didsbury mayor Rhonda Hunter also said she would like to see the new premier focus on making sure towns have adequate provincial funding.
“We need to be considered a serious and priority partner,” said Hunter. “We really are what helps the province function. We provide all this infrastructure for Albertans to enjoy and there is a big burden of infrastructure on us.
“We want to be good partners but we also want to make sure that our expectations for adequate funding continue to be heard. We don’t want to figure out how to share less; we want to be able to be heard about the needs and to get adequate funding.
“We are the ones who have the voice of our citizens, we are the closest government to them and that has been said many times. We advocate for the police and the health care and the EMS and education and the vital services that are critical to our communities and our communities' success and well-being.”
Smith needs to seriously consider municipal voices going forward, she said.
“Her message has been that the federal government needs to listen to the provinces,” she said. “Well, I think our municipally feels the same, that the provincial government really needs to hear what municipalities are saying because of the vital role we play in the lives of Albertans and, in our case, Didsburians.”
Innisfail mayor Jean Barclay says having a good working relationship with the new premier and her government will be key for the town.
“I think what we are looking for is for her to work collaboratively with all of our municipalities and understand our communities, and work with us to make life better for all of our residents,” said Barclay.
She also called for adequate provincial funding for all municipalities, including Innisfail.
Cremona mayor Tim Hagen he would like see the Smith government clarify whether or not it will be moving ahead with the formation of an Alberta police force.
“If we are going to do it, let’s do it. If we aren’t going to do it, let’s not do it,” said Hagen.
The government needs to ensure all municipalities, including villages such as Cremona, receive adequate provincial funding to meet key needs, he said.
Sundre mayor Richard Warnock said he hopes the new premier will be open to dialogue and discussions with smaller municipalities on issues such as health care.
“Sometimes I have the feeling that the big cities get the bigger voice, and they do represent a lot of the population, but by the same token smaller towns need to have a voice also,” said Warnock.
He said he hopes the province will ensure all municipalities receive adequate provincial funding.
“They (Kenney government) cut it back by 25 per cent so we are all looking to have that reopened and looking at that funding model,” he said. “When you take away that kind of funding all municipalities struggle doing their infrastructure.”
Premier Smith has announced plans to seek a seat in the legislature through a byelection in the Brooks-Medicine Hat riding.
