Mr. Kang: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In what can almost be described as a comedy of errors, this government imposed a $15 motor vehicle licence information fee on municipalities and police in last year’s budget, without warning, then abruptly postponed the fee’s implementation until September, and then announced a further and indefinite suspension of the fee on the eve of its new implementation date.

To the Minister of Service Alberta: are you presently in discussions with the municipalities and the police about the suspended fee, sir?

The Speaker: The hon. minister.

Mr. Bhullar: Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I’m very pleased to take my first question from the member opposite. Let me be very clear. On this side of the House we listen to our municipalities; we work with them. They raised concerns. We have cancelled the fees, and if we are to move forth with any sort of fees, we will consult with them beforehand because they are partners with us and our government.

The Speaker: The hon. member.

Mr. Kang: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My next question: is it still your intention to reintroduce the fees in the 2012-13 budget?

Mr. Bhullar: Mr. Speaker, the budget is forthcoming. However, it is not the intention of my ministry to bring forth any fees without consulting with the municipalities. If the hon. member would like, he can pick up the phone and call an alderperson in Calgary or pick up the phone and call the mayor and ask if they’ve been consulted. If the answer is no, then my answer is no, hon. member.

The Speaker: The hon. member.

Mr. Kang: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. To the same minister again: if the fee is absolutely off the table now, please explain how you intend to make up the forfeited revenue, and if it can be absorbed fairly easily through other means, why was it deemed a necessity in the first place?

The Speaker: The hon. minister.

Mr. Bhullar: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Let me be clear. Service Alberta provides a very important service to our police services and our municipalities every single day by running that registry. There is a very significant cost to running that registry system. At present we the government of Alberta, the taxpayers of Alberta, pay for that, and we are proud to provide that service to our police services and our municipalities.

Alberta Hansard, November 29, 2011

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