Mayor Bill Powalinsky. (Susan McNeil/paNOW Staff)

By Susan McNeil

Funding needed

City joins provincial ministers to push for new infrastructure program

Sep 29, 2025 | 2:07 PM

A delegation of provincial ministers going to Ottawa to push for more infrastructure money will also include City of Prince Albert officials.

The city issued a news release on Monday saying they would be part of the advocacy group that hopes to make its case for critical infrastructure funding from the federal government.

“Cities like Prince Albert rely on partnerships with other levels of government to deliver the infrastructure residents use daily,” Mayor Bill Powalinsky said in the release.

“Renewing a federal cost-share program ensures we can maintain essential infrastructure that strengthens our city, our province, and ultimately, our nation. Strong trade and commerce support Canadian industries and create jobs, benefiting our entire community.”

One item the city has been hoping to get federal dollars for is to shared the cost of building an event centre in The Yard that they would co-own with the Woodland Cree First Nations.

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Along with city representatives, Government Relations Minister Eric Schmalz (also MLA for Sask. Rivers) and Advanced Education Minister Kevin Cheveldayoff are in Ottawa this week.

Representatives from the Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities (SARM) and the Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association (SUMA), will meet with federal leaders to make their case on Oct 1 and 2.

Prince Albert councillor Dawn Kilmer, representing the Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association (SUMA) in Ottawa, emphasized the importance of collaboration.

“As urban municipalities, we are the hubs of our regions and the service providers for thousands of residents and neighbouring communities,” Kilmer said. “A renewed cost-shared program means that we can continue investing in the infrastructure that drives economic growth, supports families, and builds strong communities across Saskatchewan.”

The City of Prince Albert is joining municipalities including Saskatoon, Regina, Moose Jaw, Swift Current, North Battleford, and Yorkton in advocating for the renewal of a federal-provincial infrastructure program.

The now full agreement between Saskatchewan and Canada, called the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP) was signed in 2019 and included $907 million in federal money, $700 million in provincial money and $475 million from recipients.

Prince Albert did get money under that program totalling $44 million for building the Lake Country Co-op Leisure Centre.

The new event centre would be next to it if it goes ahead.

All of the ICIP money has been allocated and no new projects are being funded unless a new program is announced.

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susan.mcneil@pattisonmedia.com