Olds-Didsbury-Three Hills MLA Bruce Rowe says he plans to question Alberta Minister of Municipal Affairs Doug Griffiths on several things, including concerns about municipal grant program funding, during an upcoming face-to-face meeting.
The Wildrose official Opposition critic for municipal affairs, Rowe says the government's recent decision to maintain the Municipal Sustainability Initiative (MSI) funding at 2012 levels actually amounts to a reduction in real funding because of inflation.
“If it's two per cent or four per cent (inflation) that's in effect a two or four per cent reduction in what we can buy with those same dollars,” Rowe told the Gazette.
He said he will be calling on the government to increase MSI funding from the current $896-million level.
“They did say even before the budget came down that they wouldn't balance the budget on the backs of municipalities, and to be fair they haven't, but the municipalities are sure shouldering their share of the budget's repercussions,” he said.
MSI funding is used by municipalities to maintain road networks, whether through new construction or maintenance.
While both Mountain View County and Red Deer County officials have said they are pleased that the MSI funding has not been cut this year, Rowe says he is unhappy with a lack of increase.
As critic for municipal affairs, Rowe is, as a matter of course, given a meeting with the minister of municipal affairs to discuss concerns and make comments on the department's plans following the release of the budget.
During his scheduled five-hour meeting with Griffiths, Rowe also plans to raise concerns about the elimination of the STEP (student temporary employment program) funding for 2013.
“There is deep concern over the cancellation of that program,” he said. “A lot of summer students looked to that program for a job to put money away to go back to school. And that trickles down to the municipalities, who can't afford to hire them without this program.
Rowe says although he plans to call on Griffiths to reinstate the STEP funding, “I doubt that is going to happen.”
“The premier's comments on it, I thought, were rather flippant when she said there are lots of opportunities in Alberta so they don't need this program. Well there may be all kinds of opportunities if you live in Calgary or Edmonton, but when you get into the smaller centres those employment choices aren't always there,” he said.
