Alberta municipal leaders hope for improved relationship under new premier
Mayors of Alberta's mid-sized cities gathered in Airdrie to talk shop Thursday, and first on the to-discuss list was the new Danielle Smith government.
Leaders from 24 communities met for the Mid-Sized Cities Mayor's Caucus, a biannual in-person event that will run for two days.
Amongst a rocky few years in the municipal-provincial relationship, many preached collaboration and communication as a new premier takes over.
"I hope they focus on the fundamentals and deal with the real important issues," Airdrie Mayor Peter Brown said.
"That's what's important to me. I want them to be successful so the rest of Alberta is going to be successful."
Many say it's been a contentious relationship since the UCP's 2019 election.
Arguments have been sparked over capital funding, health care and policing, with multiple community leaders accusing the province of not listening to their concerns.
"A good example of that is when they talked about the Alberta police force," Brooks Mayor John Petrie said.
"I thought that came from the top down. I think it's important in any situation (to) consult municipalities. We are paying for the cost of that, too."
But like Brown, Petrie is open to wiping the slate clean.
They'd both like to see the government hone in "on what actually matters" and believe a new face could help communication.
"I'm optimistic it's going to improve," Petrie said.
"Hopefully, that will be a transition with the new government."
"The proof is in the pudding on any proposed policy changes," Brown added.
"At the end of the day, until you see what's been laid out, it's hard to make any determinations."
Thursday in Edmonton, Smith also addressed the province's back and forth with municipalities.
"I want to make sure we can reset the relationship between our government and our municipal leaders, because we are all serving the same people," she said.
"I think that is the culture that we need to develop."
Multiple mayors say Smith's cabinet appointment unveiling on Friday will speak volumes about the direction her government will take.
"Tomorrow morning's announcement is extremely important in the fact that we will then identify who we need to work with in each portfolio," Grande Prairie's Jackie Clayton said.
"At the end of the day, we want to see success, and we want to find solutions with the new government."
The mayors attending Airdrie's caucus represent more than one million Albertans.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Iran fires at apparent Israeli attack drones near Isfahan air base and nuclear site
An apparent Israeli drone attack on Iran saw troops fire air defences at a major air base and a nuclear site early Friday morning near the central city of Isfahan, an assault coming in retaliation for Tehran's unprecedented drone-and-missile assault on the country.
NEW After hearing thousands of last words, this hospital chaplain has advice for the living
Hospital chaplain J.S. Park opens up about death, grief and hearing thousands of last words, and shares his advice for the living.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Ontario woman loses $15,000 to fake Walmart job scam
A woman who recently moved to Canada from India was searching for a job when she got caught in an online job scam and lost $15,000.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Colin Jost names one celebrity who is great at hosting 'Saturday Night Live'
Colin Jost, who co-anchors Saturday Night Live's 'Weekend Update,' revealed who he thinks is one of the best hosts on the show.
Ottawa to force banks to call carbon rebate a carbon rebate in direct deposits
Canadian banks that refuse to identify the carbon rebate by name when doing direct deposits are forcing the government to change the law to make them do it, says Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault.
DEVELOPING Israel targets air defence system in Syria, state news agency says
Israel carried out a missile strike targeting an air defence unit in southern Syria, causing material damage, state-run SANA news agency quoted a military statement as saying Friday.
Some Canadian families will receive up to $620 per child today
More money will land in the pockets of some Canadian families on Friday for the latest Canada Child Benefit installment.