SUMMER LIFT MOUNTAIN-BIKE RIDING ON DOWNHILL TRAILS {TRAVEL page 15}
Affordable Printing, Priceless Service
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SOFT-SPOKEN RYAN GOSLING CLAIMS HE’S NO PICKUP ARTIST {SCENE page 12}
Wednesday, July 27, 2011 www.metronews.ca News worth sharing.
Premier says maybe Increase to provincial public-infrastructure fund could contribute to downtown arena funding Each municipality able to decide how to allocate MSI dollars, Stelmach says
‘Keystone Kops’
Norway police criticized
HEATHER MCINTYRE/METRO
Provincial money may be in the cards for a new downtown arena, Premier Ed Stelmach said yesterday. Stelmach and Mayor Stephen Mandel met at Government House to discuss Mandel’s $100-million request, which is what remains outstanding for the $450-million proposed project. Stelmach, who has previously said the province will not directly fund the project, said money from the Municipal Sustainability Initiative (MSI), a provincial public-infrastructure fund, could be used should it be boosted throughout all of Alberta. “The conditions of MSI is that the municipality can use the proceeds from MSI for any public infrastructure,” said Stelmach. “It is public infrastructure, and the city will make that decision.” Stelmach noted that any increases would be in addition to MSI funding already in place and would be shared by all municipalities. “The premier is looking at options to use a current program to help all the municipalities across the province,” said Mandel.
Special forces took more than 90 minutes to reach island where campers were shot and killed {page 7}
“He will try to do the best he can.” Whether or not there will be $100 million more for Edmonton remains to be seen, as that would mean a $300-million boost provincewide. “(The) economy’s coming back, we’re leading the nation,” said Stelmach. “We’ll have a first-quarter report, and we’ll see where it goes from there.”
Beehive among tributes
HEATHER MCINTYRE
MSI funding
Fond final farewells to Amy Winehouse
According to Alberta Municipal Affairs, MSI funds are provided every year for projects such as roads, public transit, libraries and recreational/sports facilities.
{page 14}
Since 2007, MSI has provided $3.1 billion of long-term funding.
‘I voted for Jack’
Edmonton received $165 million in total MSI funding for 2011, all of which is allocated. Funds are determined based on population, kilometres of roads and tax assessment.
Premier Ed Stelmach addresses reporters outside Government House yesterday after a meeting with Mayor Stephen Mandel about downtown arena funding.
Quebecers shocked and saddened by Layton’s sick leave {page 8}