The Alberta government is reversing its plan to axe funding meant to help low-income residents access public transit. It comes after a day of backlash from the mayors of Edmonton and Calgary. Minister of Seniors, Community and Social Services Jason Nixon is sworn into cabinet, in Edmonton, Friday, June 9, 2023. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson)

By The Canadian Press

Alberta

Alberta government reverses planned cut to aid funding for low-income transit riders

May 1, 2024 | 5:09 PM

The Alberta government is reversing its plan to axe a subsidy program that helps low-income people pay for transit passes.

It comes after a day of backlash from the mayors of Edmonton and Calgary.

The province’s two largest cities were set to lose $12 million in funding from the province.

Social Services Minister Jason Nixon says it’s now clear the cities aren’t able to pay for the full program and provincial money will continue to flow.

Calgary Mayor Jyoti Gondek had called the proposed cut an insult to Calgarians already struggling to get by. Meanwhile, Edmonton Mayor Amarjeet Sohi said 25,000 local residents rely on the program to access transit and demand is growing.

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Lorne Dach, Alberta NDP Transportation Critic, issued the following statement in response:

“Yesterday’s decision by the UCP to pull funding from the Calgary and Edmonton low-income transit subsidy program was extremely cruel and Albertans were rightfully outraged by this decision.

“Many low-income Albertans rely on these programs to get to work, get groceries, and get to appointments. To threaten the cancellation of this program during an affordability crisis shows out out-of-touch the Smith government is with Albertans.

“Municipalities have dealt with damaging budget cuts from this government for years. In fact, the expansion of the transit subsidy program from the provincial government into smaller cities and towns less than a year ago shows how the demand for these programs is growing and the UCP shouldn’t have attempted to cancel funding anywhere.

“For Danielle Smith to use low-income Albertans as a chip in her political games was callous, and I’m pleased that Calgarians and Edmontonians who rely on this program will be able to access it.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 1, 2024.

(With files from rdnewsNOW.com)