Alberta Minister of Municipal Affairs Ric McIver is seen participating in an April 11, 2024 Alberta Update video discussing Bill 18. (Photo: Government of Alberta on YouTube/YourAlberta)

By Justin Goulet

Minister defends Alberta’s proposed federal funding veto bill

Apr 19, 2024 | 10:40 AM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – Although concerns have been raised, the Alberta government is maintaining that recently proposed legislation will be beneficial to municipalities in the province.

On April 10, 2024, a bill was proposed that would allow the province to veto any deal struck between municipalities and the federal government. Bill 18 would, essentially, prohibit provincial entities like municipalities, post-secondary institutions and health authorities from making deals with Ottawa unless they obtained approval from the Alberta government.

READ MORE: Alberta introduces bill giving it gatekeeping role on federal funding

Following the announcement, concerns have been raised by groups worried the legislation could lead to political interference and jeopardize federal funding for areas like academic research.

Minister of Municipal Affairs Ric McIver spoke with Pattison Media and assured the bill was presented in the best interest of Albertans.

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“This legislation makes it so that if the federal government wants to make arrangements or deals with the municipalities, they must come through the provincial government to do that,” he explains.

McIver notes the provincial government simply wants a “fair deal” from Ottawa.

“We want to get treated equitably and fairly compared to other provinces,” he says.

McIver adds if passed, the bill would actually help in reducing red tape.

The minister says with the proposed legislation, the Alberta government will “do our best not to interfere with the current agreements but in the future, they’ll have to come through us and the only way we would do that at this point is if there is something that is completely untenable for Alberta.”

READ MORE: Alberta’s Bill 18 increases federal funding odds for Medicine Hat, says minister

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