Initiatives include deferral of electricity and natural gas utility payments for 90 days
On March 18, 2020, the Government of Alberta announced a variety of financial assistance initiatives to support Alberta residents and businesses in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Most significant for municipalities is the announcement to allow all utility customers a 90-day deferral of payments on electricity and natural gas, regardless of provider. RMA recognizes that several members directly provide natural gas and will have cash flows impacted by this announcement.
At this point, the details of how the deferral process will proceed has not been shared, but RMA has emphasized the importance of providing municipalities directly impacted by this deferral with provincial financial support to off-set short-term cash-flow challenges. The Government of Alberta is in the process of analyzing the revenue impacts that this initiative will have on municipalities and what mechanisms can be implemented to support municipalities impacted by the deferral.
RMA looks forward to working with members and the Government of Alberta to support public health and continued municipal provision of essential services and infrastructure during this difficult time.
For more information on RMA’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, visit our COVID-19 Response Hub.
For enquiries, please contact:
Wyatt Skovron
Senior Policy Advisor
wyatt@RMAlberta.com
Tasha Blumenthal
Director of External Relations & Advocacy
tasha@RMAlberta.com