Calgary, Edmonton mayors lament Alberta government’s decision to pull $12-million in funding that allowed low-income residents to access public transit
The mayors of Alberta ’s two biggest cities say the province has pulled at least $12-million in funding meant to help low-income residents access public transit.“I am appalled,” Gondek said Tuesday in a statement.The Calgary program works on a sliding scale with those most in need paying as little as $5.80 a month for a transit pass. Gondek said the city saw more than 119,000 low-income passes issued in the first three months of this year to aid those living below the poverty line.
“At a time when Edmontonians are struggling to afford their basic needs and demand for this program has increased 150 per cent since 2016, the decision to defund this program in Edmonton and Calgary shows that the province’s priorities are in the wrong place,” Sohi said in a statement. The change comes seven months after Premier Danielle Smith’s United Conservative government announced it had expanded support for the low-income transit pass, with programs in 10 other cities, to combat the rising cost of living.
Lorne Dach, the transportation critic for Alberta’s Opposition NDP, called the UCP’s decision “extremely cruel.”
Province Funding Gondek Dach Decision Alberta Calgary NDP Alberta Edmonton
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
FlixBus to start Alberta bus routes connecting Edmonton, Calgary and LethbridgeFlix Bus, which says it is the world’s largest bus provider, rolled into Canada this week. The giant German company hits the highway here less than a year after Greyhound pulled out of the country.
Read more »
Alberta introduces legislation to allow municipal political parties in Calgary, EdmontonThe Alberta government has tabled legislation to bring sweeping changes to municipal elections and the powers the province has over its cities and towns.
Read more »
Bitcoin: How $12 billion in ETF inflows and yields changed crypto-adoptionWhile addressing volatility in cryptocurrencies, Austin Reid shed light on the prospect of introducing new types of financial products.
Read more »
Beauty Dynasty Lines Up $12 Billion Fortune From Puig IPO BetAntonio Puig’s first business ended in ruin during World War I when a German submarine sank a ship carrying his uninsured cargo. His second act, though, has led to one of the world’s largest fortunes.
Read more »
Toronto Police Service Spends Over $12 Million Policing ProtestsThe Toronto Police Service has announced that over $12 million has been spent on policing protests in the city since October. This includes regular costs and overtime hours needed to engage with hundreds of demonstrations. The figure has increased by almost three million dollars since mid-February.
Read more »
Bitcoin ETFs Garner $12 Billion in Two Months, Highlighting Rapid Growth of CryptocurrenciesBitcoin ETFs have gained $12 billion in just two months since approval, showcasing the rapid growth and acceptance of cryptocurrencies in mainstream finance. The CIO of Bitwise Asset Management expresses surprise at this success and predicts a second acceleration that may even surpass the first. This could lead to more people using cryptocurrencies and recognizing Bitcoin as a diversification asset.
Read more »