Joe McWilliams

Lakeside Leader

The mayor of Slave Lake and reeve of M.D. of Lesser Slave wasted little time in coming out in support of Lesser Slave MLA Scott Sinclair last week. Sinclair had made it known how unhappy he is with the new provincial budget, calling it “at best disappointing,” and, “at worst, unacceptable.”

Whatever Sinclair expected or hoped from the budget, it didn’t deliver.

“The balance of power in cabinet remains in the big cities,” he said in his statement, “and they continue to take ridings like Lesser Slave Lake for granted.”

At least three of the municipalities in the area agree with those sentiments. Francesca Ward, the Slave Lake mayor, issued her own statement, supporting Sinclair’s on March 3, in the form of a letter to Premier Danielle Smith. Among other things, she said: “We urge your government to reconsider this budget and make the necessary adjustments to equitably support northern Alberta.”

Lesser Slave River Reeve Murray Kerik says he and his council colleagues agree wholeheartedly with Sinclair and are proud of him for standing up for his constituents, rather than toeing the party line.

The budget as presented, Kerik said, “is basically a slap in the face to majority of northern Alberta.”

Kerik says the M.D. will be sending its own budget response letter to the government generally and to the premier in particular. He says he has also contacted the MLA for the southern part of the M.D. (Glenn van Dijken), asking for his support on the budget issue.

The M.D. letter to the premier was referred to in a public statement by the M.D. that came out on March 4. It offers ‘key points’ for Premier Danielle Smith’s consideration, including ‘disparity in infrastructure funding, economic impact,’ and ‘fairness and equity.’

The letter “calls on the province to prioritize a policy framework that better aligns a given region’s infrastructure needs with its contributions to Alberta’s Gross Domestic Product.”

A day or two later, Reeve Tyler Airth of Big Lakes County issued his own letter in response to Sinclair’s statement.

“Big Lakes County is committed to standing with Mr. Sinclair as he speaks out against a budget that does not reflect the priorities of our region,” Airth said. “We ask that our government reconsider the budget, so it is fair for all Albertans, so everyone has access to the services and infrastructure they deserve.”