Five Alberta Cities Share Top Spot in Canadian "Local Government Performance Index"

CALGARY, Sept. 22, 2015 /CNW/ - Frontier Centre for Public Policy has released the report  "Local Government Performance Index, 8^th Edition", coordinated by Policy Analyst Brianna Heinrichs. This project highlights how Canadian cities fared when their financial reports are compared for transparency.

Since the project began in 2007, scores have vastly improved across the country as cities improve their accounting. For instance, most cities now include figures for depreciation in their financial statements and provide citizens with a more detailed breakdown of expenses. A few cities still provide minimal information.

Cities receive a higher score in the Index if they provide commentary on their expenses, reference specific dollar amounts, compare previous years, and provide reasons for increased spending. The timeliness of the independent auditor's report also affects a city's score.

The 8^th edition of the LGPI highlights include:

• In first place nationally is Port Coquitlam, BC and Mississauga, ON, along with five Alberta cities: Edmonton, St. Albert, Calgary, Lethbridge, and Medicine Hat.
• Charlottetown, PEI and Kawartha Lakes, ON received the lowest scores nationally, with the exception of Niagara Falls, ON (statements were not yet available).

The LGPI website offers citizens and media an extensive database of financial information from cities' audited financial statements and/or annual reports, including taxes, debt levels, transportation expenditures, and salaries. To visit the website, please go to: www.lgpi.ca.

The Index includes the Capitals of all provinces, territories and Canada's most populated cities. This year's report can be found at: Local Government Performance Index

About the Frontier Centre for Public Policy

The Frontier Centre for Public Policy is an innovative research and education charity registered in both Canada and the United States. Founded in 1999 by philanthropic foundations seeking to help voters and policy makers improve their understanding of the economy and public policy, our mission is to develop ideas that change the world.

SOURCE Frontier Centre for Public Policy

Image with caption: "Five Alberta Cities Share Top Spot in Canadian “Local Government Performance Index” (CNW Group/Frontier Centre for Public Policy)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20150922_C6014_PHOTO_EN_502245.jpg

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