The Canadian Taxpayers Federation is urging Edmonton city council to scrap a proposal that would see $69 million in public funds go to the Edmonton Oilers for a new outdoor event park.“Hardworking people in Edmonton are getting slapped with a property tax hike this year and taxpayers should never be forced to fund a wealthy corporation,” said CTF Alberta Director Kris Sims during a presentation at Edmonton City Hall.The funding is part of a plan to extend a downtown revitalization program, but the CTF says the city should focus on basic services like safe and clean streets, not subsidizing what it describes as “a rich hockey team that’s already had an arena built for them on taxpayers’ dime.”The total cost of the proposed park project is pegged at $166 million, with $97 million expected to come from the Alberta government. The Oilers already play in Rogers Place, a facility built through a public-private partnership.This year, Edmonton residents saw a 5.7% increase in property taxes, while city councillors received a pay raise. Meanwhile, the Alberta government is borrowing $5.2 billion, with total provincial debt now topping $80 billion. Annual interest payments on that debt are nearing $3 billion.“Taxpayers of Edmonton can’t afford to give millions to an NHL team and neither can the taxpayers of Alberta,” Sims said. “If the billionaire owner of one of the wealthiest teams in the NHL wants to operate a new event park, the team should pay for it without squeezing taxpayers.”
