Thread by @Ward4Aaron

As a municipal politician who grew up in poverty I know elitism & blind ideology when I see it.

On #yegcc I have the luxury of examining & responding from all sides of an issue. No party whip.

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve 🤦🏻‍♂️ over #ableg approaches to municipalities.

/1

Conventional wisdom says that I shouldn’t be speaking openly, that it invites retaliation from the province or from their staff and faithful.

Let that sink in.

We serve the same people. You.

We should be building healthy relationships, not fear based relationships.

/2

The issues should be simple, put people first in every decision.

This includes but is not limited to

1. Ensure value for tax dollars
2. Ensure equity for a stronger economy
3. Eliminate poverty so we have everyone contributing their best in our communities
4. Promote well being

When we are trying on a municipal level to provide all these services and more to you, we rely on provincial support.

The property tax structure does not bring in nearly enough to provide all your services. It just doesn’t. The numbers don’t lie and it’s not about efficiencies.

Municipalities cannot carry deficits like the province or federal govt can.

We don’t collect income tax.

We determine our basic costs for the year and the property tax is then assessed to meet that EXACT AMOUNT.

There is no extra.

That’s why munis are so reliant on support.

Considering the vast majority of people live in a city or town, you’d be forgiven for thinking that it would be a no brainer for some kind of consistent, reliable, and sensible funding formula to exist.

It doesn’t.

That’s right. Even though needs are consistent, funding isn’t.

Municipalities are really great at making dollars stretch.

And where funds are used inappropriately, it is generally immediately disclosed to the public. In #yeg we strive for that accountability.

Personally, I always try to dig into things to find every extra dollar available.

The point is: when you have #ableg pointing fingers at municipalities, it’s a big carnival show.

The real issue here isn’t municipal report cards (they already existed, btw), it’s how does the province support the economic engines of our province, cities?

You know, your home?

Painting cities as wasteful when we can’t carry deficits and rely on the province for adequate funding is disingenuous.

Can #yegcc improve? Absolutely. I fight for it every day.

All we want is a fair shake to ensure YOU are getting the services you need.

Think about this:

Provincial deficit: $24 billion+
(Not the budget, the deficit)

Edmonton budget 2020: $3.22 billion

We represent about 1/4 of Alberta’s population. We want the best City possible for you and we fight over nickels when there are job creating, City improving projects unfunded.

#yegcc doesn’t want to battle with #ableg

We want to build.

I want a clean, functioning, attractive, equitable city. One that has a thriving regional economy, worker protections, lower property taxes, strong, safe communities, & a wonderful, bright future.

Shouldn’t everyone?

Here’s a nice bit of trivia as well.

You hear our Council described as “progressive”.

We have a majority of Council with traditionally conservative ties. We have a conservative Council.

So when I see the “Take back City Hall” thing I scratch my head.

Take it back from who?

Again, I know what elitism looks like.

What’s elite is being able to not care about every day people and using YOUR tax dollars to support YOU and make sure you are ok.

I’ve spent over 3yrs fighting for you.

And it’s been a privilege I am grateful for.

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