Alberta’s cabinet minister responsible for housing has delivered a warning to Ottawa: If Red Deer doesn't get the housing money it had arranged for from the federal government, the province won’t approve similar deals involving other municipalities. Red Deer was found to be non-compliant with a mandatory requirement of the program's second funding round: blanket zoning to allow up to four units per residential lot as-of-right. “We will not go to a blanket zoning position in order to get the $12 million,” said Red Deer Mayor Cindy Jefferies. In January, Red Deer city council passed a motion that directed city administration to continue to seek dialogue with Ottawa rather than immediately returning the $3 million in funding. The money previously earmarked for Red Deer has since been approved to be reallocated to Airdrie and Edmonton.

Source: CBC News April 04, 2026 09:45 UTC