Infrastructure
No matter where we go in Alberta, we all rely on important infrastructure. We expect well-built schools, hospitals and long-term care facilities. We expect properly maintained and constructed roads and bridges, secure correctional facilities and state-of-the-art water and sewer treatment facilities. These are just a few of the kind of infrastructure projects we rely on to make our lives easier.
These infrastructure projects can often be a partnership between the federal, provincial and municipal governments. Here in Calgary we send millions of dollars each year to Ottawa and Edmonton, and only receive a fraction of that back. As your MLA, I have both experienced and heard your frustrations that all levels of government need to step up with stable ongoing funding to provide critical services that we all rely on. Calgary over the last few years has had unbelievable growth and needs and relies on funding that the provincial government has committed to.
I believe we need to reduce waste in our infrastructure funding system by giving municipalities the appropriate amount of funding – and then hold them accountable for where they spend the money. We need to partner with municipalities and help them think “beyond their borders” and “outside the box” so we can avoid expensive and unnecessary duplication of infrastructure. I also believe that the provincial government needs to have a better needs and project approval so that decisions can be made in a much quicker fashion.