Thread by @meksmith

We are out of #ableg budget lockup. Here's what you need to know, from @reportrix: edmontonjournal.com/news/politics/…

Some details about what the budget means for the City of Edmonton — more to come, about to speak with Mayor Amarjeet Sohi. edmontonjournal.com/news/local-new… #yegcc

Mayor Sohi's initial budget reaction: "Today, I'm deeply disappointed that our provincial government did not show up for us as a true collaborative partner. ... We asked for four basic needs, and we have seen nothing in return." #yegcc

Sohi: "Edmontonians deserve better from this government. When Edmontonians succeed, Alberta succeeds, and this government failed to recognize that." #yegcc

Sohi says Edmonton was not "fairly represented" in this budget and he won't be giving up on asking for a "fair deal." #yegcc

Sohi says the 2022 budget favours Calgary and the rest of the province and it's neglecting Edmonton. He says the $5M for downtown revitalization in the city seems to have been added at the last minute just to look like something was being done. #yegcc

Sohi: "This second-class treatment is unacceptable." He says he can "only speculate" about why Edmonton is being treated like this. "I can only assume that decisions are being made based on where UCP MLAs are." #yegcc #ableg

These were the requests Edmonton had for the 2022 Alberta budget. The only one of the four "bare minimum" asks that have been fulfilled is $5M for downtown revitalization. edmontonjournal.com/news/local-new… #yegcc

Sohi says he's communicated clearly to the premier's office that the City of Edmonton is here to work with them and "reset the relationship." He says he doesn't know what more he could have done to convey the message that the city needs support. #yegcc

Sohi: "I think the message we got from the provincial government today is that Edmonton doesn't matter to them." #yegcc #ableg