Alberta premier says she's hearing Edmonton is in rocky financial patch, offers help
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says her government won’t intervene but — if asked — would help the City of Edmonton navigate a reported rocky patch of financial and staffing dysfunction.
"No one has stepped in. No one has intervened. No one is doing an audit," Smith told reporters in Edmonton Wednesday at an unrelated news conference.
"No one is taking any extraordinary measures, but if they need our help, we're ready and on standby to help."
Smith added that while “It’s Edmonton’s story to tell about where they find themselves, we have had a number of reports that do have us concerned.”
She said there are reported money problems on top of a raft of senior city executives — including the city manager — leaving.
"That is a sign that has us concerned about stability," said Smith.
"As I understand it, there was a pretty involved meeting at the council a number of days ago that talked about the financial challenges the city is facing.
"There are a number of people who were at that meeting and a number of them started calling us, and so that’s how we heard about it."
Alberta municipalities are not allowed by provincial law to run deficits.
Edmonton Mayor Amarjeet Sohi’s office said in a statement, "The City of Edmonton is in compliance with our guiding legislation in all aspects of our operation, including with our financial policies, which are well within the legislated limits.
Sohi added, "We have a collaborative working relationship with Premier Smith and cabinet and we will continue to advocate on behalf of Edmontonians for the stable and equitable funding we need."
It's rare, but not unheard of, for the province to intervene in municipal affairs.
Last year, the province fired the mayor and half the councillors in the city of Chestermere, just east of Calgary, saying they failed to act on demands to fix their dysfunctional government.
Smith said the government won't be intervening in Medicine Hat, where the council voted unanimously last week to severely curtail the duties and pay of Mayor Linnsie Clark.
Clark was sanctioned for breaking the city’s code of conduct by failing to treat the city manager with courtesy and respect.
Asked why Edmonton is under scrutiny but not Medicine Hat, Smith said they are two different situations, with the main differences being finances.
"What I understand about Medicine Hat is they're very healthy from a financial point of view," she said.
"They have their own gas company, they operate their own power company, (and) they've got a massive fund for some of their surplus revenues," she said.
"I think the nature of the challenges in Medicine Hat are quite different than what we're hearing about the challenges in Edmonton."
She said disputes among councillors require a more delicate touch.
"We don’t intervene just because there are personality conflicts in a council. Otherwise we’d be intervening on a lot of councils," she said.
"We have to identify if the level of infighting is causing a major exodus of senior staff.
"We haven’t observed that in Medicine Hat."
In Medicine Hat, Clark spoke to reporters Wednesday for the first time since her demotion, announcing she plans to go to court to get a judicial review to overturn council’s decision.
The other sanctions on Clark include a letter of reprimand and request for apology, and the suspension of Clark’s presiding duties under the Municipal Government Act.
Clark will also no longer be the official spokesperson for council.
In addition, she may no longer attend meetings of the administration committee, is prohibited from entering the administration area of city hall, and outside of council meetings may not have any direct contact with city staff other than the city manager.
The interactions with the city manager are only allowed via email where all members of council are copied, and any in-person meetings must be done with another council member present.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 27, 2024.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Trudeau and Harris? Poilievre and Trump? Here's who Canadians think would work best with: survey
As Americans prepare to elect their next president on Tuesday, new data from the Angus Reid Institute suggests Canadians hold differing views as to which federal party leaders would be best suited to deal with either Donald Trump or Kamala Harris.
B.C. port employers launch lockout at terminals in labour dispute with workers
Employers at British Columbia ports say they are going ahead with locking out more than 700 foremen across the province after strike activities from union members began.
Months after VRBO booking, Taylor Swift fan told home 'not available' during Vancouver concert
A frustrated Taylor Swift fan is speaking out after being pushed from a short-term rental she booked for the upcoming Vancouver leg of the superstar’s Eras Tour.
Felonies, assassination attempts and a last-minute change on the ticket leads voters to Tuesday's U.S. election
A campaign that has careened through a felony trial, incumbent being pushed off the ticket and assassination attempts comes down to Election Day on Tuesday.
Measles cases in New Brunswick more than double in three days
A measles outbreak declared in New Brunswick’s Zone 3 last week, which includes Fredericton and the upper Saint John River Valley, has more than doubled since last week.
Prison sentences handed down for sexually abusive London, Ont. parents
In handing down the sentences for two London parents, Justice Thomas Heeney told the court, "The facts of this case were the most egregious that I have encountered during my 26 years on the bench."
She was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes about a year ago. Here's how her condition was reversed
A year ago, Lorraine O'Quinn was coping with stress, chronic illness and Type 2 diabetes. Then she discovered a health program that she says changed her life.
Surprise swing state? Iowa poll has Harris suddenly leading
Based on victories in the past two elections and polls leading up to Tuesday’s election, Donald Trump had seemed almost certain to win Iowa, but a new poll has Kamala Harris with a sudden three-point lead.
Russia suspected of sending incendiary devices on US- and Canada-bound planes, Wall Street Journal reports
Incendiary devices that ignited in Germany and the United Kingdom in July were part of a covert Russian operation that aimed to start fires aboard cargo and passenger flights heading to the U.S. and Canada, the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported Monday, citing Western security officials.