Academics, rural municipalities raise concerns about Alberta's Bill 18
Alberta legislation pitched to protect provincial priorities could slow down grant funding and allow federal money to be spent elsewhere, say officials representing rural municipalities and faculty members at post-secondary institutions.
Bill 18, which was introduced by Premier Danielle Smith last week, would require the provincial government to approve all federal funding to provincial entities.
That would include federal money going to cities, towns and universities across Alberta.
"I simply can't see how it helps anybody in the province," said Dan O'Donnell, a professor at the University of Lethbridge and the president of the Confederation of Alberta Faculty Associations.
If passed, the legislation could slow down grant funding or force it to go to other researchers out of the province, O'Donnell warned.
"(It forces us) to not compete on an equal playing field with every other academic, every other researcher, every other scientist," O'Donnell said.
In a statement released Monday, the Mount Royal Faculty Association (MRFA) shared some of the same worries as O'Donnell.
Bill 18 "will have a negative impact on the amount and type of research that is conducted in the province," the statement said in part.
"We had no idea this was coming down and I find it kind of troubling," said MRFA president Lee Easton.
The premier has said the legislation is needed to keep the federal government's "ideologies" out of Alberta municipalities and academics, but the faculty association said that's not how federal funding is passed out to students and researchers.
"These grants are awarded by arms-length agencies through a competitive peer review process, and only those deemed the strongest application receive federal funding," the statement said.
Easton also said the proposed rules threaten academic freedom in Alberta and could cause federal grant money to be awarded to researchers in other provinces.
"What this means is that people are going to say, 'No, I won't go there. Why would I go there when I can't get my research funded?'" Easton said.
Rural municipality group 'definitely concerned'
The group representing small and medium-sized towns and cities in Alberta says it was also caught off guard by the proposed legislation.
Rural Municipalities of Alberta (RMA) said the rules would reduce municipal autonomy when it comes to federal funding and the projects the money is needed for.
"We're definitely concerned, as we see this as another level of red tape for us and another level of bureaucracy," said Kara Westerlund, a councillor in Brazeau County and vice-president of the RMA.
"A lot of our rural municipalities don't have the capacity within their administration to be spending even more time trying to go through a grant application."
The province says the legislation is needed to ensure every municipality gets its fair share of funding.
"Bill 18 is about getting more money for municipalities and Albertans in general," Ric McIver, Alberta's municipal affairs minister, said Monday.
"That's what we got elected to do and, by golly, we're trying to keep our promise."
Details of how federal funding would be reviewed and what could be exempt from the legislation are not yet known.
The province says it will establish those details in the coming months through consultation with stakeholders.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING 122 active wildfires burning across Canada, 32 considered 'out of control'
The 2024 wildfire season has begun, and it's shaping up to follow last year's unprecedented destruction in kind, with thousands of square kilometres already consumed.
B.C. parents sentenced to 15 years for death of 6-year-old boy
A British Columbia Supreme Court judge has sentenced the mother and stepfather of a six-year-old boy who died from blunt-force trauma in 2018 to 15 years in prison.
Veteran TSN sportscaster Darren Dutchyshen has died
Veteran TSN broadcaster Darren 'Dutch' Dutchyshen, one of Canada’s best-known sports journalists, has died. He was 57. His family says 'he passed as he was surrounded by his closest loved ones.'
'More aggressive': Tocchet shifts lineups as Canucks get ready to take on Oilers in Vancouver
As the Canucks prepare to take on the Oilers for Game 5, Vancouver head coach Rick Tocchet is making changes to the team's lineup.
Think twice before sharing 'heartbreaking' social media posts, RCMP warn
Mounties in B.C. are urging people to think twice before sharing "heartbreaking posts" on social media.
Police issue Canada-wide warrant for Regina homicide suspect
Police have issued a Canada-wide warrant for a man wanted in a homicide which occurred in Regina on May 12.
Trudeau calls New Brunswick's Conservative government a 'disgrace' on women's rights
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau assailed New Brunswick's premier and other conservative leaders on Thursday, calling out the provincial government's position on abortion, LGBTQ youth and climate change.
Kevin Spacey receives star support as he fights to get his career back
Kevin Spacey is pushing back on the 'rush to judgment' against him and is being backed by some big names as he seeks to reclaim his acting career.
Speaker cuts ties with Sask. Party, alleges he faced threats, harassment from gov't MLAs
The Speaker of the Saskatchewan Legislature Randy Weekes has severed ties with the Sask. Party after accusing some members of harassment and intimidation tactics, including a situation he claimed saw the Government House Leader bring a hunting rifle to the legislative building.