TAMRMS#: B06
8.6
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Provincial Government Engagement Strategy
Presented by: Trevor Duley, Manager, Government Relations
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RECOMMENDED MOTION(S)
recommendation
1. That Council approve the 2021-2022 Advocacy Priorities as presented in "Attachment 1 - Council Advocacy Priorities" and direct Administration to action all items therein.
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PURPOSE OF REPORT
To receive Council confirmation of Advocacy Priorities, to guide the organization's implementation of a Provincial Government Engagement Strategy.
ALIGNMENT TO PRIORITIES IN COUNCIL’S STRATEGIC PLAN
Strategic Priority #1: Growth Policy Framework: Develop a robust policy framework to guide growth.
Strategic Priority #2: Economic Development: Enhance business/commercial growth.
Strategic Priority #3: Building a Transportation Network: Integrated transportation systems.
Strategic Priority #4: Infrastructure Investment: Identify and build needed capital assets.
Strategic Priority #5: Housing: Enhance housing options.
Strategic Priority #6: Environmental Stewardship: Explore innovative environmental and conservation opportunities.
Strategic Priority #7: Community Recovery - Post COVID-19
ALIGNMENT TO LEVELS OF SERVICE DELIVERY
N/A
ALIGNMENT TO COUNCIL DIRECTION OR MANDATORY STATUTORY PROVISION
N/A
BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION
The Government of Alberta is currently developing their 2022-23 Budget, which presents an opportunity for the City of St. Albert to engage with respective Ministries to promote the interests of the City, with the intent that these interests are reflected in the Budget. Typically, advocacy priorities are built after Council has developed a new Strategic Plan and the organization has developed a corresponding Corporate Business Plan. However, these timelines do not align with the Provincial Government's impending decision-making.
As such, an interim set of priorities has been developed to guide Council and Administration's intergovernmental engagement activities over the next several months, with the desired intent to leverage emerging opportunities and until such time as Council's new Strategic Plan and the organization's Corporate Business Plan is in place later in 2022.
STAKEHOLDER COMMUNICATIONS OR ENGAGEMENT
City Administration will be working with Council and the Office of the Mayor to engage with appropriate Government officials to promote the City's advocacy priorities. The "Advocacy Initiatives" webpage on the City of St. Albert's website will be updated upon Council acceptance of this report.
IMPLICATIONS OF RECOMMENDATION(S)
Financial:
None at this time.
City Administration is projecting the City will/has absorbed over $8 Million in Federal and Provincial Government funding decreases/downloaded increased costs in 2022, compared to Budget 2020/21. This includes the following:
Government of Alberta Budget 2020-21
- Edmonton Metropolitan Region Board Grant Reduction: Additional $27,000 to City of St. Albert
- Decreased Fine Revenue: Loss of $670,000 in revenue
- Grants in Place of Taxes (GIPOT) 50% Reduction: Loss of $75,000 in revenue
Government of Alberta Budget 2021-22
- Household Hazardous Waste Funding Elimination: Estimated additional $30,000 cost to City of St. Albert
- DNA/Biology Caseworks Billed to Municipalities instead of Provincial Government: Additional $25,000 cost to City of St. Albert
Government of Alberta Budget 2022-23
- Emergency Management Preparedness Program Grant Removal: Loss of $5K-$40K in grant revenue
- Municipal Sustainability Initiative 25% Reduction: Loss of ~$4.4 M in annual grant revenue
Government of Canada
- RCMP Retroactive Pay Increase Negotiated by Federal Government: Additional Estimated $3 M cost to City of St. Albert
Legal / Risk:
None at this time.
Program or Service:
None at this time.
Organizational:
None at this time.
ALTERNATIVES AND IMPLICATIONS CONSIDERED
If Council does not wish to support the recommendation, the following alternatives could be considered:
Alternative 1. Council could approve the Advocacy Priorities as amended.
Alternative 2. Council could refer the item back to Administration.
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Report Date: December 6, 2021
Author: Trevor Duley
Department: Office of the CAO
Deputy Chief Administrative Officer: Kerry Hilts
Chief Administrative Officer: Kevin Scoble