[Bunk]

The debate is about how much of the linear assessments go to rural municipalities vs urban ones. This is one of the peculiarities of finance in Alberta.

Agricultural properties don't pay market-assessed property taxes. As such, this is not a significant source of revenue for rural municipalities, like it is in all other provinces. These areas are almost exclusively funded by linear assessments (pipelines and stuff). So those areas that have lots of pipelines are flush with cash, while others that don't, starve.

Blakeman's argument, I think, was that linear assessments should be shared more proportionately urban and rural.

In fact, the whole system of financing urban and rural municipalities needs to be fixed.

Griffiths started his response by making cogent points about rural infrastructure challenges, not sure why he started on about urban dwelling freeloaders. It was very odd indeed - especially for a municipal affairs minister.

"sitting in high rise condos" as a pejorative. hmm.