The federal government released their 2018 budget this week to a variety of mixed reviews from across the country.

"Our management team, led by City Manager Jeff Ward, will be actively reviewing it to see what, if any, initiatives or potential grant opportunities might present themselves from the spending that's going on," said Councillor Greg Hoffort, serving as Deputy Mayor for the month and consequently filling in for Mayor Roy Ludwig while the latter is away.

However, he expressed that Council and staff will be more concerned with the upcoming provincial budget, which is expected to have more direct ramifications on the Energy City.

"Certainly the actions or inactions of the federal government is something that does concern us on an ongoing basis. The carbon tax, for example, and the industries that drive our communities such as coal power, oil, agriculture. These are things that federal initiatives certainly have an impact on, and does concern us greatly."

Such a discussion is expected to be seen during the next City Council meeting.