Mark the date: Government Day at AUMA Annual Convention Nov. 24
AUMA’s popular Government Day at Convention takes place Wednesday, Nov. 24 featuring the Dialogue with Ministers Sessions followed by lunch in the AMSC Trade Show.
Next day, Thursday, Nov. 25, the Minister of Municipal Affairs will host the traditional Government Luncheon and Municipal Awards. As the closing event of Convention, the luncheon will leverage the excitement of the Grey Cup, which takes over Edmonton’s Shaw Conference Centre immediately following the event.
The Convention theme? GAME ON! Stronger.United.
Look for The LINK Through the Summer
While The LINK won’t be coming as regularly now that the Legislature is not in session, we’re still here to keep MLAs in touch with the municipal perspective.
Look for us in your mailboxes throughout the break. For information or comments, contact us at main@auma.ca, Attention: The LINK.
Have a good summer! | | AUMA pleased to address municipal issues during Provincial Cabinet Tour
AUMA is glad that the Premier wants to connect with constituents. Member municipalities have key questions on important issues. Here are a few examples of municipal concerns:
Issue: AMIP to MSI transition and impact on funding for Towns and Cities
Q: What is the Government of Alberta doing to help with growing infrastructure strain on municipalities?
Background: As reported in the April 9, 2010 issue of The LINK, a quick comparison between the combined funding allocated under AMIP and MSI in 2009 and funding under MSI alone in 2010 reveals significant reductions to Cities, Towns, and Specialized Municipalities – while rural municipalities see gains. This creates an atmosphere of winners and losers, and contributes to a fundamental erosion of municipal autonomy, long-term viability and respect for municipal government.
Issue: Education requisition of property tax
Q: Why does the Government of Alberta require a portion of the property tax (education property tax requisition), when their exclusive revenue sources (e.g. personal and corporate income tax) are so lucrative, and increase year after year?
Background: While municipalities appreciate that the Provincial government has either frozen or reduced the mill rate for 16 consecutive years, the bottom line is that the actual educational property tax amount is determined by a combination of the mill rate AND the assessed value of property so the requisition continues to climb.
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Top: Premier Ed Stelmach and AUMA President Darren Aldous following a productive lunch meeting April 21. Bottom: AUMA’s new home in Alberta Municipal Place was the site of a meeting of the Western Canadian Municipal Associations, originally known as PUMA (Prairie Urban Municipalities Association) and PARM (Prairie Association of Rural Municipalities). In attendance April 21, 2010 were: (front, left to right): David Marit (Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities), Donald Johnson (Alberta Association of Municipal Districts & Counties). Back: Darren Aldous (AUMA), Allan Earle (Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association), and Doug Dobrowolski (Association of Manitoba Municipalities) | Issue: Respect for Municipal Governments
Q: Do you support a process whereby the Government has effective and meaningful engagement with municipal governments on proposed legislation and policies?
Background: In the last year the Government has considered, and even passed, legislation that directly affected municipalities without giving them the opportunity to comment before being introduced. This caused delays and confusions that could have been avoided with some prior consultation. Like the Provincial government, municipalities represent the citizens and communities that make up Alberta. Only through genuine, respectful collaboration and cooperation will the better Alberta we all seek be realized.
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