Mayor Don Scott is highlighting some concerns he has with the provincial government’s budget.
The United Conservative Party released their first budget last week highlighting their plan to help reduce Alberta’s debt.
This includes a cut in spending by 2.8 per cent over the next four years.
In a statement sent to Mix News, Scott says the municipality has issues with the lack of funding to municipalities and, specifically, infrastructure in Wood Buffalo.
“We will review the 2019 Budget in detail to understand the full impacts for residents and our region and Council remains committed to continued dialogue and collaboration with the Province to ensure that our region continues to be the economic driver for all of Alberta.”
The only regional infrastructure projects receiving funding had been approved by previous governments.
They include $57 million over the next two years for the Willow Square Continuing Care Facility, $21 million for repairs at the Northern Lights Regional Health Centre, and $8 million for upgrades at Keyano College.
The province is also setting aside around $50 million to continue the twinning of Highway 63 from Fort McMurray to Grasslands.
“We recognize the Province had difficult decisions to make in Budget 2019, following several challenging years for the Alberta economy,” added Scott. “I believe we have a Premier and provincial government that understand the value of our region and its vital importance to the economic success of Alberta and Canada as a whole.”
The province is moving forward with these cuts in an attempt to get in financial alignment with other provinces such as Ontario, Quebec, and British Columbia.