Alberta’s $1.9-billion investment in provincial infrastructure is “encouraging,” according to the president of Alberta Urban Municipalities Association (AUMA).
On Thursday, Premier Jason Kenney announced the province will be doubling its budget for capital, maintenance and renewal for 2020-21 from $937 million to $1.9 billion by accelerating its capital plan.
The move is part of Alberta’s “relaunch strategy” to kickstart the economy after a massive downturn resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic and plummeting oil prices, Kenney said.
In March, the province lost 117,000 jobs, according to new figures from Statistics Canada released Thursday.
“Through accelerated maintenance, and renewal of provincial infrastructure, I'm very pleased to announce this huge surge in spending that will increase our ability to create thousands of good-paying jobs,” Kenney said in a press briefing Thursday morning.
Kenney said some of the money will go to the maintenance budget because it can be rolled out quickly. Projects like school maintenance and filling potholes can start right away, while projects like building new roads take longer to get started.
“One of the reasons we are focusing on maintenance and renewal of our provincial assets is because we can do it really quick."
Some $410 million will go toward transportation projects, which will go toward resurfacing roads and bridge decks and filling potholes.
“They'll be ready when businesses reopen later this spring and need supplies and products delivered quickly,” Kenney said. “Great news for all those drivers on our provincial highways who we support so much bringing critical supplies to us.”
Other projects the funds could go toward include provideing needed repairs to K-12 schools, as well as mechanical retrofits in post-secondary facilities and updating information technology used by enforcement officers and courtroom staff.
AUMA president Barry Morishita said in an interview Thursday afternoon even though Kenney’s announcement does not directly benefit municipalities, “we welcome it.”
He added all municipalities will benefit from the infusion of money.
“We know that infrastructure is located in our communities: schools, roads, bridges, and that across the province, there's certainly an infrastructure deficit. To use it at a time when we need the economic stimulus, we applaud the government for their move,” he said.
St. Albert poised to jump on municipal stimulus
According to Morishita, municipalities are actively preparing for more direct support in the form of a stimulus package for “shovel-ready” projects.
No formal announcements have been made to date, but Morishita said Kenney has directed municipalities to compile a list of local projects that could “create jobs and opportunities for businesses.”
Morishita added “there are no projects that won’t be considered,” and he appreciates the open-minded consideration of projects since “every municipality has different needs.”
“We look forward to the details as they roll out, but it'll make a big difference going forward to mitigate some of these crazy circumstances we're under,” he said.
St. Albert is getting ready to jump on any opportunities that arise out of a provincial stimulus package, with the fast-tracking of design work for servicing that will benefit lands on the city’s west side.
On Monday, St. Albert city council directed administration to continue talks on the subject of accelerating pre-design work for connecting utilities with the Range Road 260 area structure plan.
That area includes land being donated to the city for a future recreation facility.
Mayor Cathy Heron said in an emailed statement she anxiously awaits more announcements from the province on municipal funding.
“(Servicing the west lands) would provide not only construction jobs, but long-term employment in Lakeview Business District as well,” she said. “The Premier indicated that more announcements are coming, and we anxiously await.”
St. Albert is also submitting its waste-to-energy project for consideration by the province.
