EDMONTON/630 CHED - Calgary Mayor Dave Bronconnier says Alberta's plan to return $1.4-billion to municipalities will be one of the most significant political promises ever made in the province.
   
Bronconnier says Alberta Premier Ed Stelmach's pledge to give municipalities more cash will be a key milestone for the province. He says a financial plan to help Alberta's cities deal with unprecedented growth will be on the same level as Ralph Klein paying off the debt or Peter Lougheed setting up the Heritage Fund.
   
Calgary expects to get $476 million, or about one-third of the cash, and plans to spend it on public transit, transportation, and quality of life infrastructure.
   
During his successful leadership campaign last year, Stelmach promised to return the money hat municipalities pay to the province in property taxes each year.