City of Calgary planning how to spend provincial recovery cash

City of Calgary administrators have prepared a list of projects that could be funded with new provincial infrastructure money.

The province announced in July it will give municipalities half a billion dollars for shovel-ready projects which will create jobs. It's part of the Kenney government's COVID-19 economic recovery plan.

Calgary's share of that pot of money is expected to be worth $152.8 million. 

The city has billions of dollars of projects on its unfunded infrastructure list.

Besides creating jobs, the province wants all of the money spent by the end of 2021.

Mayor Naheed Nenshi said the city's list of potential projects will be discussed during Tuesday's priorities and finance committee meeting.

The goal is to spread the money around and not just put it into a single project.

"Calgarians will see things throughout the city in terms of specific transportation improvements, in terms of housing, in terms of some recreation and cultural opportunities," said the mayor.

The province wants to see applications from municipalities in October.

Nenshi said he supports projects which create jobs immediately and not just wait for next year's construction season.

Boost maintenance on housing units

He has his eye on updating aging affordable housing units because it's indoor work that contractors could do all through the winter months.

"This will really give us the chance in a one-time boost to really help a lot of people who are living in conditions that they shouldn't be living in," said Nenshi.

He said that also wouldn't add to the city's operating budget.

Projects approved by the priorities and finance committee will go forward to the Sept. 14 meeting of city council for a final stamp of approval.

The city would like to submit its list of projects to the province by Oct. 1.