To improve reporting on resolution advocacy, the RMA is releasing a monthly bulletin highlighting recent actions undertaken on select active resolutions
The Monthly Resolution Update Bulletin is a way of routinely highlighting a selection of the over 70 currently active resolutions, offering members a more detailed insight into the work being carried out on their behalf. For the latest formal statuses and reactions to all resolutions, view the RMA’s Resolutions Database.
The October 2025 edition of the Monthly Resolution Update Bulletin features the following resolutions:
Addressing Unpaid Oil & Gas Municipal Property Taxes
The ability of municipalities to effectively collect unpaid oil and gas property taxes has remained a significant concern across rural Alberta for several years. Recently endorsed resolutions – 3-24F Collection of Unpaid Municipal Taxes by Way of Royalties, 6-24S Interim Funding for Lost Oil and Gas Revenue, and ER2-24S Municipal Taxes Misrepresented as Municipal Franchise Fees – each highlight key aspects of this ongoing challenge and underscore the need for lasting, province-wide solutions.
RMA is currently engaged in ongoing discussions and negotiations with the Government of Alberta (GOA) and relevant ministries to identify and implement effective approaches for the collection and enforcement of municipal taxes owed by oil and gas companies. These resolutions reflect the range of ideas and strategies that have been explored collaboratively, including legislative reforms, enhanced regulatory oversight, and greater transparency in the billing and taxation systems.
Oil and gas development has long contributed to the prosperity of Alberta’s rural communities by creating jobs, supporting infrastructure development, and stimulating local economies. However, the growing issue of unpaid municipal taxes from some operators has strained this once mutually beneficial relationship. These unpaid taxes have placed an increasing financial burden on municipalities and – by extension – on local residents and businesses.
RMA remains committed to restoring balance and fairness to this relationship. Through continued advocacy, collaboration, and dialogue with the GOA, RMA is working to ensure that all industry participants meet their municipal tax obligations. This will strengthen both Alberta’s rural municipalities and the energy sector for the benefit of all Albertans.
Resolution ER3-24S: Opposition to Federal Zero Emission Vehicle Mandate
In December 2023, the Government of Canada launched its finalized Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) mandate following a relatively short stakeholder consultation period. The resulting outcomes have led to significant concerns and impacts to Canadian communities and businesses, particularly those situated in rural regions. Internal Combustion Engine (ICE), light duty vehicles are used more frequently in these regions, meaning that a prescriptive, standardized policy is being applied towards a disproportionate reality.
Resolution ER3-24S highlights these concerns and more, while advocating for the reconfiguring of the ZEV mandate to be more flexible to the unique needs and challenges experienced by rural communities. One of the concerns with the mandate is that it is highly impractical, especially with regard to the 100% requirement for ZEV sales by 2035. Because rural Alberta’s economy relies heavily on industries that utilize non-ZEV vehicles and due to a vast disparity in infrastructure capacity for ZEV vehicles, the ZEV mandate is anticipated to introduce significant transitional challenges, including unmanageable cost increases for rural Albertans.
Recently, the Government of Canada announced a pause on the ZEV mandate, including the removal of the 2026 target and a commitment to launching a 60-day review of the overall regulation. While this policy change represents needed relief for rural Albertans and a promising step in the right direction, it is important that the regulation review is comprehensive and inclusive of rural municipalities and industries. This would ensure that vital rural industries and rural livelihoods are not disproportionately impacted by unbalanced emissions reduction mandates.
Resolution 19-22F: Portion of Funding from Public Lands Camping Pass Directed to Municipalities
Resolution 19-22F calls on the Government of Alberta to modify the Public Lands Camping Pass to ensure a portion of the funds collected are distributed to neighboring municipalities. At present, municipal tax dollars fund public services like the fire service, Peace Officers, Search and Rescue, and service municipal facilities and washrooms associated with recreational use pf public lands in their municipality. Many public land users are visitors, not local municipal taxpayers. Accordingly, when municipalities provide services on public land, they provide a service outside of their municipal jurisdiction for people who are not their municipal residents. However, rural municipalities are content to be public land service providers, but want to be compensated accordingly.
Eight RMA members on the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains formed an RMA supported taskforce to better understand park-related pressures and develop recommendations for solutions to these challenges. You can learn more about the taskforce and read their final report. This report has been sent to the Minister of Foresty and Parks. RMA will update members as appropriate based on the Ministers’ response.
Stay tuned for future editions of the Monthly Resolution Update Bulletin, where we will continue to feature updates on selected resolutions.
Warren Noga
Manager of Policy and Research
825.319.2285
warren@rmalberta.com