A group of conservative-leaning councillors is pushing forward more than 20 proposals to cut city spending. In other news, we have more coverage on the aftermath of the boardroom purge at AIMCo. Here are your Tuesday headlines:

Ward 1 Coun. Sonya Sharp and four other councillors are pushing for cuts to city spending. Photo by Gavin Young/Postmedia

Conservative-leaning councillors push for a range of budget-slashing amendments

As Calgary city council continues its mid-cycle budget deliberations today, five conservative-leaning councillors say they plan to bring forward more than 20 proposals to help trim city spending, including merging two executive positions into one role and dumping a costly move to electric buses.

Alberta's preference for Stephen Harper was well known within AIMCo, sources say

The Alberta government’s desire to bring in former prime minister Stephen Harper to chair Alberta Investment Management Corp. was telegraphed so strongly that people within the province’s $160-billion-plus pension and endowment manager reached out more than once in the past year to try to set up a meeting between Harper and AIMCo’s now former chief executive, Evan Siddall.

Also see — AIMCo appointments coming soon; new heritage fund strategy in works, Smith says

A homeless encampment in Edmonton on Nov. 7, 2023. Postmedia file photo

Alberta government lacks strategies to manage affordable housing conditions: auditor general

Alberta lacks key strategies to manage the current condition of affordable housing facilities across the province, according to a report by the province’s auditor general. The report found the Ministry of Seniors, Community and Social Services lacked information on the condition of housing facilities and a maintenance strategy and needed to improve affordable housing oversight.

The prospect of a 'Trump tariff' is hanging over Alberta's energy sector

Alberta’s energy sector, which heralded Donald Trump’s surprise 2016 presidential victory as a “huge win” for the province’s economy, was slower to uncork the champagne bottles last week after Trump won a second, non-consecutive term on a more protectionist platform. Ex-Alberta premier Jason Kenney said Trump’s proposed global 10 per cent tariff on all imports is the big mood killer this time around.

Look on the bright side

A pedestrian trudges through the morning snow along 17th Avenue S.W. yesterday. Calgary will be in a deep freeze all this week, with more snow in the forecast. Photo by Gavin Young/Postmedia

Braid: Lithuanian hips and distant trips as desperate Albertans pay for health care

"In Calgary, surgery clinics send notices telling patients the wait to see a surgeon is 23 to 25 months ... After that comes several more stages of waiting before the actual surgery. Alberta health care forces a hard choice on patients — suffer for years, or pay. That’s the very definition of a dysfunctional public system."

Agree or disagree? Leave your comment here.

Breakenridge: With UCP policies, it's about feelings over facts

"Despite overwhelming opposition from Alberta municipalities, the votes cast in next year’s municipal elections will have to be counted without the use of electronic vote tabulators. This change is being imposed on municipalities by the province ... This is all pandering to suspicions or paranoia about how a reliance on these machines could somehow be problematic."

Agree or disagree? Leave your comment here.

Bell: Mayor angry with city councillors wanting to axe tax hike

"It’s the old city hall routine your scribbler has witnessed for far too many years to count. A politician backed into a corner suggesting all the important city hall spending could be on the chopping block if those wanting a tax break have their way."

Agree or disagree? Leave your comment here.

Letters: Big business ahead of environment

"I read in the Herald on Nov. 13 about (Environment Minister) Rebecca Schulz going to the COP29 climate summit. Why is she defending Alberta’s oil industry rather than the environment? The UCP is already spending multimillions of taxpayers’ money advertising for an industry that is making record profits as it is."

— Murdock Macdonald, Calgary

Read more letters here.