Prince Albert Victoria Hospital tower rendering

Prince Albert’s mayor is clearing up a miscommunication that occurred following his State of the City Address on Tuesday.

Mayor Bill Powalinsky announced that the Province requires a $30 million funding contribution from the City in the completion of the new Victoria Hospital, sparking outraged accusations from the NDP, as the party believed that the Province broke its promise to fully fund the build, however, that is not the case.

“We knew in 2020 there would be an ask, and last fall, we were presented with the figure of $30 million,” Powalinsky explained.

An emailed response statement from the Province says the government committed to fully fund the capital cost of the project, even waiving the usual 20 per cent community share. However, as is the case with all health facility projects, the local community is responsible for the cost of furniture, fixtures and equipment.

The Mayor says that’s all fine, but the problem is that the City was the only municipality contacted to fund a regional entity.

“Our discussion with SHA is, ‘Is there a strategy, is there an approach, where we can start to work with the RMs in the area?’” He adds that some RMS have already started to put money away in a reserve for this purpose, while others have not, but would consider doing so.

He adds that a levy is not out of the question, either, as discussions continue with the province.

“We’re not opposed to contributing. We just want to make sure that it’s fair.”