No Public Money for Private Infrastructure!

You may remember the province’s controversial decision last year to contribute $330 million to assist Calgary’s new arena project, including money for road and LRT improvements and to tear down the Saddledome. What you may not remember is that working families paid for ALL the infrastructure improvements needed, a $613.7-million arena, winter garden, LRT platform, practice rink, and land for the Oilers Entertainment Group (OEG) to profit from.

In essence, working families has already paid the bill that the Province is now saying they have money for. Under normal circumstances it would make sense that as the group who paid the bill we would get to decide how it was spent. Whether it be paying off the debt we incurred to do it in the first place, or using the money to address other much needed infrastructure deficits throughout the city, or even just using it to reduce the current tax burden. BUT in this case we need to get the permission from the OEG with what we do with our money and of course they want us to pay for their nice things!

We NEED City Council to stand up to the OEG in the interest of working families. We need to stop giving public money to private infrastructure NOW! Let them know how you feel by sending the Mayor and your Councillor an email using the form on the side. With your help we can make sure working families aren’t stuck paying bills for the wealthy elite!