Municipalities in Alberta collected $1.75 billion from the taxation of machinery and equipment and linear property (MELP) in 2013. MELP taxes are fixed charges that reduce cash flow and increase the cost of new investments in oil sands projects, unconventional and conventional oil and gas...

Municipal reliance on property taxes and the competing priorities of municipalities — in terms of where they plan and approve land development within their boundaries — in order to capture new property taxes, has led to political conflict between adjacent municipalities. Nowhere in Alberta...

When Calgary placed fifth on the Economist Intelligence Unit’s Liveability Ranking in 2012, the city’s mayor, Naheed Nenshi, quickly acknowledged how the city’s spot on the ranking proved “[Calgary has a] thriving business community, and a vibrant cultural scene that is attracting people...

Calgary’s 151 volunteer-run, non-profit community associations (CAs) need updated and clearly defined roles as they strive to deliver programs and services to their neighbourhoods, and advocate in local planning issues. With a council driven mandate to begin a review of CAs’ roles in...

In the post-pandemic environment, local governments must confront a challenging fiscal environment. Drawing on insights provided over the years by Richard Bird, the author re-examines certain pervasive themes found in discussions and analysis of municipal finance, such as the merits of...

Subnational governments are faced with increased pressure to initiate policies to further local economic development. This paper traces the changes in the theory and practice of local development initiatives in North America. The paper uses Ontario and its municipal sector as a case study of the...