Economist warns Edmonton city council to think carefully before voting on big projects

Think before you leap: that's the lesson thecity's chief economist wantscouncil to keep in mind going into budget deliberations in mid-November.

John Rose's advice Wednesday comes less than two weeks before council will start deliberating the city's operating and capitalbudgets for 2018.

Edmonton's economy isrebounding after two years of sluggish growth. But Rose told council it's wise to think carefully beforeapprovingmajor infrastructureprojects.

"Try to really be careful in how we prioritize them so that we don't find ourselves in a situation where we're building facilities or roads ... years in advance of actually having to use them."

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Edmonton's population will likely grow twoper cent next year while the economy is projected to expand2.5 per cent.

That's far more modest than the 3.5 to fourper cent growth during the 2010-2014 boom years,Rose told council.

He thinks this is a good thing.

"We can afford to sit back a little bit more and take our time in terms of decision-making," Rose said.

"Not just saying,'Well we'vegottathrow this up as soon as we can,' simply to address the immediate demands coming from new people arriving in the community."

Rookie Coun. Aaron Paquette represents Ward 4, which stretches between 33rd and 66th streets and 153rd Avenue and Yellowhead Trail. He campaigned on getting a fair share of city investment for projects like sidewalk and road upgrades in his ward.

"I'm going to be a voice to ensure that up in the northeast that we get that taken care of,"Paquettesaid.

He said improving sidewalks and roads is paramount to making his ward more liveable.

"It doesn't do anyone any good, certainly not the City of Edmonton, certainly not Ward 4, to have those things neglected over a long period of time."

Room to breathe

Rose said modest economic and population growth gives Edmonton some breathing room and time to catch up.

"For a while there when the economy was booming, we were way behind the eight-ball in terms of being able to ramp up the level of investment necessary on all kinds of infrastructure to really comfortably accommodate growth."

Edmonton is one of the fastest growing economies in Canada, witha more diversified economy than other parts of the province, Rose said.

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There's a growing demand for natural gas in the oilsands sector, he said, and thepetrochemicaland manufacturing industries north and east of Edmonton are also percolating.

Council and the public will get a first glimpse ofthe proposed 2018 operating budget when it's posted on the city's website Nov. 9.