Edmonton – Alberta Premier Alison Redford will be meeting with recently re-elected Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi and new Edmonton Mayor-Elect Don Iveson.
The meeting is scheduled for Saturday morning at the Legislature Building.
A news release from the provincial government says the premier will meet with Nenshi and Iveson to discuss how the Alberta Government and the mayors of Alberta’s two largest cities will continue to work together.
On Friday morning, Premier Redford tweeted about the meeting.
Following his election victory this week, Iveson spoke about the importance of Edmonton, Calgary, and the province working together.
“If Edmonton and Edmonton region as well as Calgary are united then I think we’ll be able to assert our needs a little bit more on the province,” said Iveson. “But I want to make sure we do that in a positive way that is helpful for the premier’s agenda for building an even more prosperous Alberta.”
Nenshi made similar comments following his re-election.
“I want to see more of focus with the ministry of municipal affairs on the needs of Calgary as well as of Edmonton, and I think with Mayor-Elect Iveson and myself, it’s really time to get that ball moving,” said Nenshi.
One political expert believes the fact Iveson and Nenshi have been friends for years, could prove problematic for Premier Redford.
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“To have two young, popular, dynamic mayors working together and criticizing her, that’s a dangerous, even toxic equation,” said political analyst David Taras.
One of the issues that could be discussed during Saturday’s meeting is changes to the Municipal Government Act (MGA) which is one of Alberta’s largest pieces of legislation. The MGA provides the foundation for how municipalities operate, how municipal councils function, and how citizens can work with their municipalities.
The province has opened up the act, allowing municipalities to make suggestions on ways to improve the legislation.
During his campaign, Iveson spoke about the importance of making changes to the MGA.
“Really, what we need is a city charter with special legislation for Alberta’s large cities just like other jurisdictions across the country have, and that’s been slow moving. But as mayor, I want to get the city charter conversation moving again quickly,” explained Iveson.
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