Last week’s webinar – “Justa Chat”, HERE  https://youtu.be/6q_YsoehZsA continued the discussion about governing municipalities but also included the affect of ESG on accounting and how ChatGPT4 is outperforming Psychologists on emotional  intelligence.  If you haven’t done so already view/listen to “Governing Communities – Understanding  the Problems in Municipal Relationships and Their Recommendations”  HERE  https://youtu.be/aY_5Sp_1-KM  The video features a presentation and panel discussion of what CAOs and Councils recommend for both a rewrite of the Municipal Government Act and addressing Municipal problems with the Province, Other Municipalities, the Public, and Council itself.

We conclude our Governing Communities series this week. All Alberta’s 317 municipalities will be invited for consolidating the survey’s results and discussing options for taking action as “All municipalities are vulnerable to Provincial downloading and grant cuts. Councils are challenged to clarify their role in managing multiple relationships with limited resources amid soaring public expectations and voter apathy.” 

ZOOM LINK ALWAYS https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82390691947

ZOOM LINK ALWAYS https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82390691947

Revolting Isn’t It.  Is Reform Imminent?

Nary a day goes by without another newsworthy event of the imposition of government on some aspect of our lives. Now it is on our savings and investments. The inter-generational wealth transfer announced by the Federal Government in the form of a huge increase in the tax on lifetime Capital Gains – was presented as a measure to benefit younger generations by taxing the undeserving wealthy.  That includes seniors, seniors that have heeded the call to save for retirement.  Then this week the Alberta Government through Bill 20 granted cabinet new powers to intervene in municipal affairs.

The media hasn’t ignored these announcements or the implications; but what about the public?  To change requires recognition of a problem and a willingness to act. Survey’s of Liberal support indicate millennials aren’t impressed as their support for Liberals has crashed HERE. Also, and interesting at least to me, is that the weakest support for Liberals among Canada’s cities is now Edmonton at 9%.

The unrest is also internal to government as we viewed it through the March survey revealing how municipalities themselves are feeling the pressure inside and outside. And with inflation continuing, soaring public expectations, failed public projects, procurement and productivity,  relentless union and special interest pressures, the deterioration of the physical infrastructure, unrest and calls for reform can be expected.  Sooner or later government growth and it’s penchant for debt had to be addressed, forcing it to tax the beneficiaries and lighten the load on the next generation. But what form will reform take? From each according to their means? To each according to their need? Government as the preferred intermediary?

The KEI Network’s May 9th webinar is to feature a panel discussion of just how serious is public debt, continuing budget deficits, and the reluctance and implications of governments to stop – if not reverse, the growth of – and dependency on, public services. Some believe that a transition to authoritarian government is inevitable. Martin Wolf, chief economist of the Financial Times and author of The Crisis of Democratic Capitalism – argues that crony capitialism and the resulting inequality have created the conditions for a swing to authoritarianism in the countries that grew rich and happy by integrating democracy and free markets after the Second World War. FOR MORE

Agree?  Disagree?  Share your view and plan to join us May 9th. – Editor@KEInetwork.net

Editor@KEInetwork.net

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