The introduction of the 2024 Provincial Priorities Act earlier this week has left many with questions, including Airdrie city officials, while other politicians have levelled criticism at the announcement.

What is the province proposing? 

According to the province if the proposal passes and becomes legislation it would, 'support Alberta’s government in pushing back against the federal government’s ongoing overreach into areas of provincial jurisdiction.'

"Under the proposed legislation, provincial entities include Alberta public agencies and Crown-controlled organizations, as well as public post-secondary institutions, school boards, regional health authorities, Covenant Health, municipal authorities and housing management bodies."

The legislation proposes that agreements between the federal government and provincial entities, including municipalities, that have not received provincial approval would be invalid.

"If passed, the legislation would also support Alberta’s government in getting its fair share of funding when it comes to roads, infrastructure, housing and other priorities."

The government said that in the summer of 2023, Alberta received, 'only 2.5 per cent of the total $1.5 billion in federal housing funds, despite having 12 per cent of the country’s population and, by far, the fastest population growth.' 

"The legislation would also work to prevent taxpayer dollars being wasted on duplicative programs like pharma care and dental care when what the province really needs is envelope funding to expand existing provincial programs in these areas."

Alberta Premier, Danielle Smith, said she didn't think it was unreasonable for Alberta to demand fairness from Ottawa.

"Since Ottawa refuses to acknowledge the negative impacts of its overreach, even after losing battles at the Federal and Supreme Courts, we are putting in additional measures to protect our provincial jurisdiction to ensure our province receives our fair share of federal tax dollars and that those dollars are spent on the priorities of Albertans."

Local reaction

MLA for Airdrie-East, Angela Pitt shared on her social media that the proposed legislation is a way to, 'ensure federal tax dollars are spent in partnership with provincial tax dollars.'

"This will ensure Federal tax dollars will be used where it is needed most, on actual provincial priorities. No more virtue signalling from the feds, let's get things done!"

However, Airdrie Deputy Mayor Al Jones said that there are many unknowns with the province's announcement and there is no clarity on how the legislation, if passed, would impact Airdrie.

"It's still very early in the process. We don't know any details as to what will be included in that yet, so, we're not fully able to understand how this might impact [us]," Deputy Mayor Jones remarked. "We need those details to truly understand if it impacts our community or not."

Jones underlined that the municipality will continue to work with both their provincial and federal partners and advocate on behalf of Airdrie residents.

"We will continue to do that. I'm not sure how this might alter that process. As far as I understand it, the bill is not intended to impact existing agreements." 

Deputy Mayor Jones said the stakeholder engagements between the province and municipalities are expected in the coming months and that he is looking forward to better understanding the implications of the proposal.

"By all means, we ask the public to forward any their concerns to their MLAs as well, so that when they do fully write this proposed law, its intent doesn't have a negative effect."

Although Jones said he couldn't speak to any financial or legislative implications of the proposal from the province, he did underline that engagement with municipalities could have been handled better, as there are many questions.

"I'm not going to sugarcoat things. We would always like to have a heads-up ahead of time. I don't know under what circumstances this decision was made," he said. "I fully expect that our provincial counterparts will engage with us at a municipal level to get our feedback. We are, I would assume, one of their main partners. I can't see them wanting to keep us in the dark by any means."

Criticism coming from more than just political opposition 

Rachel Notley, Leader of the Alberta NDP said that the government's proposal would effectively, 'wrap municipalities, post-secondary institutions and health authorities in a giant spool of red tape.'

"Danielle Smith's government has neglected the municipalities that deliver critical services and build needed housing and infrastructure," Notley added. "This Bill will make things more expensive for Albertans who need these critical infrastructure investments and will leave funds on the table in Ottawa instead of getting Albertans what they deserve."

Notley however, wasn't the only critic. Alberta Municipalities' President Tyler Gandam's statement was shared on X. (formerly known as Twitter). In the statement, shared by ABMunis, it was underlined that there was both surprise and disappointment, as well as frustration that municipalities were not engaged with prior to the announcement.

"... The provincial government did not consult or communicate with our association on legislative changes that, if introduced, would profoundly affect the way municipalities work...The provincial government’s communication around Bill 18 has been unclear, leading to confusion among affected entities about whether they should still apply for federal funding that is being offered."

Calgary Mayor, Jyoti Gondek, also took to X to voice her dismay. According to Gondek, the legislation will, 'will stifle Calgarians’ ability to have their hard-earned tax dollars flow back to their communities.'

"I have fought hard alongside Canadian mayors to push the federal govt to fund us properly. After a 2.5-year battle that finally resulted in a $6 billion announcement last week, this provincial government’s control issues will take away what rightfully belongs to Calgarians," Gondek's tweet read in part.

What is the current legislation? 

Currently, the Government Organization Act requires intergovernmental agreements to be approved by the Minister of Intergovernmental Relations for Alberta government departments and some public agencies, such as Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis; Alberta Securities Commission; and Travel Alberta.

"However, this requirement does not extend to all Alberta public agencies or broader public sector organizations including municipalities, public post-secondary institutions, school boards and health entities, which has created gaps that could result in federal agreements contradicting provincial priorities and investments."

The province said that by introducing the Provincial Priorities Act, Alberta’s government is 'working to close those gaps.'

Currently, Quebec is the only other province or territory with similar legislation that requires provincial approval of intergovernmental agreements between a broad scope of public sector organizations and the federal government.

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