Alberta’s cities and towns are set to address key concerns at the upcoming Alberta Municipalities’ annual convention, advocating for increased funding for libraries and airports, and proposing a new tax on visitors. The convention, scheduled from Wednesday to Friday next week, serves as a platform for municipalities to discuss and vote on priority advocacy areas.
The convention will feature discussions on over a dozen resolutions aimed at resolving various challenges faced by municipalities across Alberta.
Support for Libraries
Stettler’s Mayor Gord Lawlor, previously known as the “library guy” on the town council, has been a vocal advocate for library funding. The Stettler Public Library, in collaboration with other libraries in Alberta, is calling for an increase in funding to account for inflation and population growth.
The proposed resolution, endorsed by the City of Calgary, urges the province to adjust per capita funding in Public Library Board Operating Grants by $1.34 per person to keep pace with rising costs.
Library budgets are strained due to escalating expenses for maintaining collections, especially digital resources like e-books and audiobooks.
We’re not seeking extravagant funding, just sustainable support to meet the community’s needs.Gord Lawlor, Mayor of Stettler
Mayor Lawlor emphasizes the importance of adequate funding to sustain library services amid increasing demands.
The Calgary Public Library supports the call for updated library funding levels. (Dave Rae/CBC)
Tourism Tax Proposal
The City of Airdrie is spearheading a resolution to introduce a municipal accommodation tax on short-term visitors, aiming to generate revenue for local tourism initiatives. This tax model, already in place in other provinces, could potentially boost tourism funding in Alberta municipalities.
The proposed tax scheme would allow municipalities to set rates and allocate collected funds towards tourism development. A two percent tax on accommodations could potentially yield significant revenue for municipalities of varying sizes.
The initiative aligns with Alberta’s goal of expanding its tourism sector to $25 billion by 2035, supplementing the existing provincial tourism levy.
Airdrie aims to utilize revenue from the tax to enhance tourism infrastructure and amenities for both visitors and residents.
Airdrie seeks sustainable revenue for tourism sector development. (Helen Pike/CBC)
Enhancing Transparency in Taxation
Following recent confusion over education property taxes, municipalities like Rocky Mountain House and Mayerthorpe are advocating for the province to take over tax collection responsibilities. This shift would provide clarity on tax levels and ensure better understanding of local tax structures.
The resolution proposes that by centralizing tax collection, the