Calgarians Side With Mayor Bronconnier In Critism Of Provincial Budget
Calgary, AB - Ed Stelmach's first provincial budget as Alberta's newest Premier has been met with some controversy and resistance - notably from Calgary's Mayor, Dave Bronconnier. According to Bronconnier, the 2007 budget fails to deliver on millions in promised infrastructure dollars to municipalities. Bronconnier also claims that the funds come with strings attached and are tied to provincial priorities, thus hampering any plans that cities may have had for these funds.
And now, ten days after the 2007 Alberta budget was delivered, a new Ipsos Reid poll finds that seven-in-ten (69%) Calgarians agree with Mayor Bronconnier's reaction to the provincial budget, with 35% "strongly agreeing" and 34% "moderately agreeing." Conversely, one-quarter (26%) disagree with Bronconnier's reaction to the budget, with 10% "strongly disagreeing" and 16% "moderately disagreeing."
The poll also reveals that when it comes to who should control how any funding to municipalities is spent, seven-in-ten (68%) Calgarians are most likely to agree that "each municipality should have the flexibility to decide how to spend the new money without the provincial government imposing restrictions on it." Conversely, one-quarter (26%) are more likely to agree that "it is acceptable for the provincial government to specify how the new money should be spent in each municipality."
These are the findings of an Ipsos Reid poll fielded between April 27 and April 30, 2007 and is based on a randomly selected sample of 400 adult Calgarians. Results based on a sample size of 400 are considered accurate to within 177 4.9 percentage points, 19 times out of 20, of what they would have been had the entire adult Calgarian population been polled. Data was statistically weighted to ensure the sample's regional and age/sex composition reflects that of the actual Calgarian population according to the 2001 Census.
As you may or may not have heard, Calgary's Mayor Dave Bronconnier is upset with the amount of money allocated to address Calgary's growth. He appealed to Premier Ed Stelmach to deliver on his commitment to Alberta's municipalities: 1.4 Billion Dollars of new funding annually for ten years ramped up over 3 years and no strings attached. Do you agree or disagree with of Mayor Bronconnier's reaction to the provincial budget? Is that strongly or moderately?
As you may or may not be aware, the provincial government has committed to giving Alberta municipalities an additional 400 million dollars this year, with the amount increasing each year up to 1.4 billion by 2010 - 2011. The province has also specified how the money is to be allocated across different priorities. Which of the following statements best reflects your personal opinion?
For more Information on this news release, please contact:
Cory Davison
Vice President
Ipsos Reid Public Affairs
(403) 294-5614
[email protected]
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