MEDIA RELEASE: AUMA responds to Kenney Cabinet shuffle

The Alberta Urban Municipalities Association (AUMA) congratulates Tracy Allard as the new Minister of Municipal Affairs with the Government of Alberta. As a member-based organization representing over 265 of Alberta’s urban municipalities, the AUMA works diligently to develop strong partnerships between all three levels of government.

“We want to congratulate Minister Allard on her new role with Municipal Affairs,” said Barry Morishita, AUMA President. “We have extended an invitation to her to meet as soon as possible and look forward to discussing opportunities for collaboration and consultation and a positive relationship.”

Regarding any upcoming evaluation of municipalities, the UCP platform included a commitment to “improve local government financial reporting by creating an annual Alberta Municipalities Measurement Index”, so this announcement is not unexpected. Overall, we support making information on municipalities even more accessible to Albertans and hope we can work with the province to ensure this data is presented with context that makes it meaningful.

Municipalities are the most transparent order of government. We conduct our budget deliberations in public and engage our residents in planning our communities and determining what services we provide. In addition, many municipalities act as regional service hubs for surrounding communities.

Care needs to be taken when comparing or rating municipalities to take this broader context into consideration. For example, one municipality may have very low taxes, as it provides few recreation services or amenities like community centres. Its residents may make use of the services in a neighbouring municipality.

"Municipalities have continued to act in good faith, as partners that have helped the provincial government during this time of fiscal restraint,” continued President Morishita. “We would like to work with Minister Allard to see further movement on collaborative partnerships with municipalities to ensure that responsible investment occurs in our communities, where we can maximize the return on our investments, create jobs, and stimulate our economy."

For more information, contact:

communications [at] auma.ca (subject: media%20inquiry) (Michael Hogan)

Senior Director, Marketing & Communications, AUMA

587.987.2865