Alberta is walking back it’s decision to pull funding for low-income transit passes in Calgary and Edmonton after a flurry of negative comments from the city’s mayors and advocates.
Minister of Seniors, Community, and Social Services Jason Nixon said in a statement Wednesday said the decision comes after conversations were had with the province’s two largest cities.
“It is clear that the cities are not able to pay for their full programs at this time,” he said. “As a result, Alberta’s government will continue to extend this funding to the cities and work with them to ensure their low-income transit program continues to be funded in the future.”
Nixon also says the province understands the need to support low-income Albertans, which is why it gives direct transit subsidies to those on income support and Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped (AISH) across the province, including in Calgary and Edmonton.
More to come.