Alberta
Province announces new Calgary arena deal
Image from flamesnation.ca
Agreement moves new Calgary arena and event centre forward
Alberta’s government, the City of Calgary and the Calgary Exhibition and Stampede have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to enable construction of a new world-class arena and event centre.
Calgary is growing and its economy has momentum, and the Government of Alberta is committed to investing in the infrastructure necessary to create jobs and improve Calgarians’ quality of life. Alberta’s government is answering the call with this agreement for a new arena and event centre by investing in critical infrastructure to support the new event centre and BMO Convention Centre expansion while revitalizing Calgary’s Rivers District, the Stampede grounds and downtown.
“This new arena and event centre will be at the heart of Calgary’s sports, entertainment and cultural scene for generations, and will result in billions of dollars of economic activity and a higher quality of life for millions of Albertans. The memories experienced here by families and friends will contribute invaluably to the fabric and spirit of this city for decades. Calgary is a vibrant world-class city deserving and in need of world-class facilities. Along with Edmonton’s Rogers Place, Alberta will now have two of the best and most modern event centres in all the world.”
Under the MOU entered into by the province, the provincial government will not be investing in the construction or operation of the arena itself. Those costs will be borne by the city and CSEC pursuant to a separate MOU between those parties. The province will instead contribute up to $300 million, the majority over the next three years, primarily committed to road and bridge construction, LRT connection, site utilities, site reclamation and other supportive infrastructure. These investments will be critical to the development of the entire area, will enhance access to the Stampede grounds and the expanded BMO Convention Centre, and ensure a vibrant downtown and Rivers District.
“One of my first actions as Premier was to publicly encourage all parties to return to the negotiating table and to appoint MLA Ric McIver along with my office’s executive director to work with the city and CSEC to get this deal done in a manner that respected the expectations of provincial taxpayers. Six months later, we have results and I am grateful to the city, CSEC, the Calgary Exhibition and Stampede, MLA McIver and everyone else involved who came together to get this job done. I can’t wait to get the project started.”
As part of the agreement, the province would also partner with the city to build a new 1,000-seat community arena neighbouring the main arena that will serve youth and amateur hockey. The province’s contribution would be up to $30 million.
The province’s commitments in this agreement are subject to cabinet and Treasury Board approval by August 2023.
“This project is another signal to the market that Calgary is making strong investments in its future. The partnership approach we have taken accomplishes two things: we are building an event centre, and we are also creating the public amenities needed within the Rivers District to enhance quality of life for all Calgarians.”
“The Calgary Stampede has enjoyed having the Calgary Flames as a neighbour since they arrived in 1980. We are honoured and excited to be a partner in this development that will contribute to a world-class landscape for our Calgary community. When combined with other developments, both existing and planned, an event centre complex of this magnitude will provide an anchor to attract and host the world in Calgary’s Culture + Entertainment District.”
“We are proud and excited to be part of the group to have established a clear path forward that provides a new home for Calgary’s sports teams; the venue to host A-class concerts and events; and a community gathering place, for many years to come. Thank you to the city, the province and the Stampede for your leadership and for coming together to create an environment of success.”
“Make no mistake, this project is about more than just a single building. It’s fulfilling our vision of a home for culture, sports, and entertainment. It’s a vital investment in our city’s future prosperity, vibrancy and growth. A little over a hundred years and 1.3 million people later, we have a new Big Four – four partners committed to building a community hub that will serve us for generations to come.”
Alberta
Fortis et Liber: Alberta’s Future in the Canadian Federation
From the C2C Journal
By Barry Cooper, professor of political science, University of Calgary
Canada’s western lands, wrote one prominent academic, became provinces “in the Roman sense” – acquired possessions that, once vanquished, were there to be exploited. Laurentian Canada regarded the hinterlands as existing primarily to serve the interests of the heartland. And the current holders of office in Ottawa often behave as if the Constitution’s federal-provincial distribution of powers is at best advisory, if it needs to be acknowledged at all. Reviewing this history, Barry Cooper places Alberta’s widely criticized Sovereignty Act in the context of the Prairie provinces’ long struggle for due constitutional recognition and the political equality of their citizens. Canada is a federation, notes Cooper. Provinces do have rights. Constitutions do mean something. And when they are no longer working, they can be changed.
Alberta
30 million contraband cigarettes valued at $25 million dollars seized in Alberta
New release from Alberta Gaming Liquor and Cannabis (AGLC)
Record setting contraband tobacco seizures result from AGLC investigations
Alberta Gaming Liquor and Cannabis (AGLC) recently concluded several investigations which netted two of the largest contraband tobacco seizures in Alberta history. The combined total of the contraband tobacco seized was 154,800 cartons of contraband cigarettes (30.7 million individual cigarettes). These seizures are a result of the work conducted by AGLC’s Tobacco Enforcement Unit with the assistance of provincial law enforcement agencies.
- In a January 2024 investigation, approximately 43,500 cartons (8.7 million individual cigarettes) were seized. This equates to $7 million in retail value with a provincial tax avoidance of $2.4 million. This included the seizure of 15,000 grams of contraband shisha.
- In April of 2024, 60 wrapped pallets were seized from a warehouse setting netting a total of 111,300 cartons of contraband cigarettes (22 million individual cigarettes) which equates to over $18 million in retail value with a provincial tax avoidance of $6.6 million.
- Criminal Charges are pending in both cases.
“These are significant contraband tobacco investigations involving individuals that are part of organized networks whose proceeds defraud Albertans millions of dollars in tax revenue. AGLC will continue to work with our partners to investigate and disrupt the individuals and organizations involved in these illegal activities as part our commitment to a strong contraband tobacco enforcement program in Alberta.”
- Gary Peck, Vice President, Regulatory Services, AGLC
“Contraband tobacco hurts law abiding businesses that follow the rules, and it costs Albertans millions each year from lost tax revenue. Our government is committed to keeping illegal tobacco off the streets and ensuring that the sale of tobacco products comply with the law.”
- Dale Nally, Minister of Service Alberta and Red Tape Reduction
Over the last nine months, AGLC’s Tobacco Enforcement unit has seized an estimated 35 million contraband cigarettes and 115,000 grams of contraband shisha from across the province. The total potential lost tax revenue is estimated to be more than $10.1 million.
Contraband tobacco:
- is any tobacco product that does not comply with federal and provincial laws related to importation, marking, manufacturing, stamping and payment of duties and taxes;
- comes from four main sources: illegal manufacturers, counterfeits, tax-exempt diversions and resale of stolen legal tobacco; and
- can be recognized by the absence of a red (Alberta) or peach/light tan (Canada) stamp bearing the “DUTY PAID CANADA DROIT ACQUITTÉ” on packages of cigarettes and cigars or pouches of tobacco.
In addition to lost revenues that may otherwise benefit Albertans, illegally manufactured products also pose public health and safety risks as they lack regulatory controls and inspections oversight.
Albertans who suspect illegal tobacco production, packaging and/or trafficking are encouraged to contact AGLC’s Tobacco Enforcement Unit at 1-800-577-2522 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
Under a Memorandum of Understanding with Alberta Treasury Board and Finance, AGLC enforces the Tobacco Tax Act and conducts criminal investigations related to the possession, distribution and trafficking of contraband tobacco products. In 2022-23, provincial revenue from tobacco taxes was approximately $522 million.
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