The Alberta Disadvantage: Budget Surplus, Crumbling Communities

As long as oil rides high, Alberta's flush. But while the province is on pace for a $5B+ budget surplus, property taxes are on the rise in virtually every community, as everyday folks struggle to pay their basic monthly bills. As you'll see early in this episode, our Real Talk Round Table is sounding the alarm.  3:20 | Mayor Tyler Gandam (Wetaskiwin), Councillor Andrew Knack (Edmonton), and Councillor Krista Gardner (Calmar) explain what Alberta municipalities will soon look like if the province doesn't pony up $1.75B in infrastructure funding. Our Alberta Municipalities panel gives us their top political storylines for 2023, including policing and public safety, healthcare shortages, and political parties infiltrating municipal elections.  CHECK OUT ALBERTA MUNICIPALITIES ONLINE: https://www.abmunis.ca/ 1:16:00 | Why can't people figure out how to zipper merge? When did conservatism become radicalism? And what the hell are we going to do about sick kids on mattresses in hospital hallways? Real Talkers fire up their Flamethrowers, courtesy the DQs of Northwest Edmonton and Sherwood Park: Newcastle, Westmount, Palisades, Namao, and Baseline Road.  FIRE UP YOUR FLAMETHROWER: [email protected]  BECOME A REAL TALK PATRON: https://www.patreon.com/ryanjespersen  WEBSITE: https://ryanjespersen.com/ FOLLOW US ON TIKTOK, TWITTER, & INSTAGRAM: @realtalkrj  THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING OUR SPONSORS! https://ryanjespersen.com/sponsors The views and opinions expressed in this show are those of the host and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Relay Communications Group Inc. or any affiliates.