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Mayor has some concerns with provincial budget

Tuesday, Feb 14, 2012 03:00 am | Dan Singleton

Sundre Mayor Annette Clews says she has concerns about several aspects of the new provincial budget, and particularly regarding future grant funding for municipalities and for seniors lodges.

Released on Thursday, the budget calls for municipalities to receive more than $2 billion in 2012-2013. As well, there will be $5.6 billion provided to municipalities over the next three years to support infrastructure.

“One of my concerns is the funding to municipalities,” said Clews. “Although they talk about the three-year funding cycle, they are a little bit ambiguous about firm figures after 2012.

“I do notice some of their municipal grants will be ending this year, so starting in 2013 there won’t be certain funds, so I’m not sure how that is going to play into Municipal Sustainability Initiative (MSI) funding, whether they are going to increase MSI in order to compensate or not.”

She said she also has questions about future seniors lodge funding.

“I note that they are supposed to be increasing home care for seniors. However they really didn’t mention lodge care increases, so I’m a little bit concerned about capital and operating of those facilities. How that is going to play out I’m not sure.”

In the speech from the throne, also released last week, the province said it will be reviewing the MSI program over the next year.

“The review will focus on having a streamlined program with increased flexibility, giving municipalities an even greater ability to meet local needs. And your government will work towards establishing three-year funding cycles so municipalities can count on stable, predictable funds,” the province said.

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