Provincial government too controlling, argues Nenshi

Calgary's Mayor NaheedNenshisays asiege mentalityseems to be settling over the provincial government in its dealings with municipalities.

The NDP is muchmore controlling than any previous Progressive Conservative government when it comes to dealing withmunicipal leaders, said Nenshi.

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At the Alberta Urban Municipalities Association (AUMA), which met last week in Edmonton, Nenshi says the organization's president was told by the premier's office how to introduce Premier Rachel Notley at the conference.

Coun. Jim Stevenson, a vice-president with AUMA, said relations are worse with the NDP than the previous Progressive Conservative cabinets.

"I haven't seen this attempt to control messaging and that's a big concern to me," he said.

Nenshi says he wants the province and municipal leaders to work together on issues, but that's not how the province is operating right now.

"For example, the carbon levy on municipalities, where it is so clear that no one has thought out the details. Instead of sitting down and saying 'Let's talk out the details,' we get 'No, the mayor is short-sighted.'It's very weird because there are solutions that are there and we should be able to get to those solutions."

Nenshi says it's important both sides work together as partners for all Albertans.