Grande Prairie Mayor Jackie Clayton (Photo: Shaun Penner / EverythingGP staff)

By Liam Verster

Budget 2021 Reaction

Grande Prairie Mayor not surprised with red ink in Budget 2021

Feb 26, 2021 | 1:14 PM

Jackie Clayton is not surprised to see lots of red ink on Budget 2021, including when it comes to the Municipal Sustainability Initiative (MSI).

Grande Prairie’s Mayor says with the COVID-19 pandemic and the hardship felt in Alberta’s non-renewable resource sector, the province’s economy is in a difficult position.

However, despite big cuts in some places, including the Municipal Sustainability Act, which is now set at $1.9-billion after losing approximately 25 per cent of it’s funding, the City is still prepared for the future.

Through federal and provincial funding over the last year, the City was able to wrap up some projects, in what Clayton describes as the “largest capital project in the City’s history.”

Clayton says City Administration and Council worked on a plan prior to the budget release, with expectations of cuts, and the City is not going to see any projects delayed or reduced.

She adds that though it’s difficult to see the MSI reduced, and that it will be further reduced to just $485-million for both 2022 and 2023, it does allow for the City to plan for the future.

“Don’t get me wrong, a reduction of 25 per cent is significant. Is it ideal? It’s not ideal, but the City of Grande Prairie has planned, we’ve been told for a couple years to expect a reduction, and we planned accordingly,” says Clayton.

“I think we’re in a good position. We’ve created the largest capital plan in our history, it’s creating jobs and helping get some people back to work, it’s creating economic activity, and with support from the province and feds we were able to do that. On the back end of things, we absolutely have been planning for this, and we’re prepared for this.”

Clayton adds that though Budget 2021 did include $143-million over three years for new health care facilities, it was disappointing not to see the Beaverlodge Hospital/Mountview Health Complex mentioned specifically.

“I did hear of an announcement in La Crete, and anything that happens in the region or in the North region is great news, but specifically I didn’t see the Beaverlodge or Mountview facility mentioned.”

She also says the province’s plan to invest $3.1-billion into diversifying the economy is promising.

“I’m looking forward to seeing what this [$3.1-billion] brings to fruition. I think diversification is key, and in our region, being such a natural gas corridor, I think that diversification is a great opportunity.”

Clayton adds that Grande Prairie is the “economic engine of the province” and is full of the entrepreneurial spirit, and hopes to see some of that diversification funding bring some new projects and ideas to the City.