Municipalities continued to press provincial government leaders for a legislated, predictable funding model at the Urban Municipalities Association convention Thursday.

The bill is part of Premier Jason Kenney's campaign pledge to reinvigorate Alberta's economy by cutting taxes and reducing regulations.

Candidates Joe Ceci (Alberta NDP), Tom Olsen (United Conservative Party), Cory Hetherington (Alberta Independence Party), Jennifer Khan (Alberta Liberal Party) and Omar Masood (Alberta Party) stayed on message while remaining civil.

The budget had originally forecast a deficit of $8.8 billion, but the finance minister says a lower dollar and higher than expected bitumen royalties have helped.

A report going to Calgary's intergovernmental affairs committee says the city is paying too much in relation to legalization of cannabis and wants more funding from the provincial government.

Still reeling from the recession that hit the province in 2015, the NDP government is currently running a $7.5-billion deficit, with a plan to return to balance by 2023.

Albertans will have a chance to have their say this week on how public dollars should be allocated in the next provincial budget.

Quebec Premier François Legault said that 'there's no social acceptability' for the Energy East pipeline in his province, which would carry 'dirty energy.'

Alberta Finance Minister Joe Ceci said the federal equalization program needs fixing because the way it is not doesn't work for Albertans.

Alberta's finance minister says Quebec's resistance to a pipeline carrying western Canadian oil across its territory shows the provincial premier's lack of understanding.