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Toronto group says Calgary is the best city T.O. thinks Calgary is A-Ok. A study commissioned by the Toronto Board of Trade has singled out Cowtown as the best city among 21 major urban centres for quality of life and economic potential. Calgary was given an A rating, the only one among the array of international cities, thanks to what had been a robust economy when the study was conducted in 2007. Mayor Dave Bronconnier said he wasn’t surprised by the ranking. “I think it’s pretty impressive coming from the Toronto Board of Trade that Calgary is number 1,� the mayor crowed. Toronto scored a C. URBAN
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Alberta Minister of Finance and Enterprise Iris Evans presents the government’s budget in the Alberta legislative assembly yesterday.
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The Stelmach government released its provincial budget yesterday, which includes a record $4.7-billion deficit, the first in 16 years, and the largest in Alberta’s history. Despite the grim reality facing officials, Finance Minister Iris Evans delivered the news with optimism yesterday. “In terms of the global recession, we’re riding uncertainty on a tidal wave, and we’re in the best boat possible,� she told reporters. Rather than borrowing from banks and accruing in-
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Budget highlights • $23.2 billion over three years for health facilities, schools and roads, carbon capture and storage and GreenTRIP. • 3.7 per cent increase in operating spending to address population growth and inflation. • Tobacco tax increases ($3
per carton) and a liquor markup — the first tax increase of its kind in six years. • $36.4 billion in spending in 2009-10; $31.7 billion in revenue (projected). • Unemployment forecast: 5.8 per cent in 2009; 6.5 per cent in 2010.
terest, over $2 billion will be drawn from the “rainy day� sustainability fund to ease the burden. “I don’t think anyone celebrates having to spend dollars they’d saved for a rainy day, but, we’re fortunate to be able to do that in a situation with lower energy rev-
enues and lower anticipated tax revenues. If we had just cut the budget, Alberta would be in huge turmoil,� Evans said. While Evans and Treasury Board president Lloyd Snelgrove wouldn’t define how an additional $2.2 billion will be raised, the min-
ister suggested personal taxes wouldn’t be subject to increase, though “no stone will be left unturned.â€? â€œâ€Ś If you raise tax revenues, you don’t stimulate the economy,â€? Evans said. But, according to Calgary Mayor Dave Bronconnier, the increase in the province’s take of property taxes could impact Calgarians’ pocketbooks. “Taxpayers are going to get hit more,â€? Bronconnier said, noting the province will take an additional $38 million out of Calgary’s 2009 tax base. “It’s just another reason why they should leave the property tax at the local level.â€? WITH FILES FROM SHAWN LOGAN
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COUNCIL Transit users who park at LRT lots on evenings and weekends wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be stuck with a recently imposed $3 fee, council decided yesterday. Despite warnings from city administration that the expected impact of lifting the fee during off hours would cost $1.5 million in revenue and may result in service cuts, aldermen narrowly voted to give park and ride users a break. With the cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s budget finalized later this month, officials will now look for ways to cover the loss of revenue. Ald. Joe Connelly said Calgarians headed to the core for a night on the town will likely not bother with taking transit because with the $3 fee they will actually spend more riding the LRT. â&#x20AC;&#x153;If these park and rides are sitting empty on evenings and weekends then we donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t look very intelligent,â&#x20AC;? he said. But some aldermen raised concerns that slashing the new revenue stream may impact implementing recommendations from a sweeping transit safety audit.