The City of Grande Prairie has turned down the County’s request to partner on a bus to Clairmont. The idea to connect the communities was first brought up in 2014, but with federal grant deadlines approaching, the County pushed for an answer but didn’t get the one it wanted last week. Reeve Leanne Beaupre says they’ll now be moving forward alone.
“Which is disappointing because working collaboratively is one of the initiatives that the province of Alberta has told us specifically that they’re looking for municipalities to do. Minister [Danielle] Larivee has been very pointed about that topic.”
The plan is to connect Clairmont residents with services like the Q-E-two hospital and shopping centres, and help relieve parking issues at Grande Prairie Regional College. Beaupre says with a new 150 unit seniors facility opening up next year, making sure they have accessible public transportation is a priority.
“We respect the fact that there could be a cost deficit to running the bus and we were willing to pick up the deficit for any of the expenses.”
The County has already received GreenTRIP funding to buy a bus, and will apply on its own again for this round in the hopes of getting a second bus for the route.
We’ve reached out to Grande Prairie Mayor Bill Given for comment on the City’s decision.