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“The funding in the four-year capital plan is due to re-profiling of funds into the later years due to updated construction schedule,” it stated. “The project has not been delayed and remains on schedule.”

Photo by Darren Makowichuk/Postmedia

The UCP is pledging more money toward the cancer centre in the latter half of its four-year plan. In 2021-22, the province estimates it will spend $277 million, up from $137 million projected by the NDP.

Rachel Notley’s government had planned to spend just $10 million in 2022-23, whereas the UCP’s budget includes $260 million that year.

Mayor Naheed Nenshi urged the province to ensure the project gets built.

“People have been waiting decades for that project,” he said.

“It’s well under construction and one of the mistakes that previous provincial governments made — look, my local hospital, the Peter Lougheed Hospital, had a ton of capital investments and there are still wards that are just sitting empty because there’s no operating money for them. What’s the point of building something pretty if you’re not going to run it?

“So to me, I think you’ve got to be able to be truthful about what it is you’re doing.”

John Osler, co-leader of the Concerned Citizens for the Calgary Cancer Centre, said he remained confident the project would proceed as planned following the UCP’s funding commitment.

“Our goal has always been to get the cancer centre built in Calgary and we’re thankful for this continued support for the Calgary Cancer Centre in tough times, and pleased to see that it’s on budget and on schedule,” Osler said.