INNISFAIL – This year’s Alberta Municipalities’ convention ended with near unanimous unity that municipalities across the province need more infrastructure funding from the provincial government, and that call to action is more than just fine for Innisfail mayor Jean Barclay.
But what wasn’t fine for the mayor was a planned meeting with provincial Municipal Affairs Minister Ric McIver to talk about needed funding support for the proposed multi-million dollar Aquatic Wellness Centre.
“I don't feel that conversation was very positive. His response was, ‘aquatic centres lose money,” said Barclay. “We're well aware of that, and I think ultimately we didn't go to the right person, even though he's our municipal affairs minister.”
In the meantime, about 98 per cent of the 800 delegates attending the three-day convention in Edmonton from Sept. 27 to 29 supported a resolution urging the provincial government to increase the local government fiscal framework (LGFF) from its current $712 million up to $1.75 billion.
The provincial LGFF for infrastructure funding is coming into force next year to replace the longstanding Municipal Sustainability Initiative (MSI) program, and there has been worries from many communities, including Innisfail, the new program’s funding model will be inadequate to meet their needs.
Barclay, who voted in favour of the resolution, noted in 2011 the Alberta government provided a total of $420 per capita in provincial funding for municipal infrastructure but in 2023 that number had dropped to $151 per capita.
“So in 2011, the total local infrastructure budget represented 3.7 per cent of the provincial budget, and today it only accounts for one per cent, so I don't think it's any surprise the strength behind this resolution and the dialogue at the conference was that municipalities are needing more infrastructure funding,” said Barclay.
“And I've often said, with our MSI we have received just under $850,000, and that is not even enough to complete two blocks of infrastructure replacement.”
Barclay noted that while the resolution on the LGFF funding issue did receive the “highest support” it was “interesting” there were a number of others that dealt with social issues.
“I think all of our communities are feeling pressures from mental health and addictions. We have our volunteer firefighters who are being first responders way too often,” said Barclay. “The funding has maybe remained the same for a number of years but it hasn't kept pace with inflation.”
Barclay went to the conference in anticipation of having a productive meeting with minister McIver about the Town of Innisfail’s need to have provincial funding support for a modern $28.3 million recreation facility to replace the aging Innisfail Aquatic Centre.
However, the mayor said attending council members were left disappointed.
“I think overall council was quite disappointed in the response to be honest with you,” said Barclay. “I guess what's frustrating is you get this resistance and yet the Alberta government gave $39 million for a new Calgary community arena and that’s great for Calgary but we’re hoping the provincial government is going to be supportive of rural issues and understand what our smaller communities are dealing with.”
Barclay said McIvor suggested going to the office of Joseph Schow, the minister of tourism and sport, for the new aquatic centre funding request.
She said the town will be reaching out to Schow’s ministry to set up a meeting in the near future.
