The RMA takes pride in representing the rural municipal perspective to provincial and federal decision-makers, industry, and other stakeholders. To further advocacy efforts, the RMA is introducing position statements that provide short descriptions of how the RMA approaches policy issues from a rural municipal perspective.
Position statements may identify concerns that the RMA has with how government is handling a policy issue, they may identify an action that government should take to better represent rural municipal interests, or they may highlight an RMA effort to advocate on an issue. Position statements are not intended to provide a detailed analysis of a policy issue, but rather to allow for a broad overview of the RMA’s advocacy priorities as defined by member resolutions and emerging issues.
Rural municipalities face unique challenges and opportunities related to funding and local delivery of health care, policing, and essential services such as broadband, education, recreation, and Family and Community Support Services (FCSS). Large geographic areas, low population densities make service delivery complex, yet rural municipalities continue to innovate to create safe and healthy communities, even as provincial approaches to funding and service delivery often fail to align with rural needs and realities. Rural municipalities deserve a strong voice in shaping how these services are funded and delivered, ensuring that investments translate into improved service levels, greater local input, and vibrant communities where people can live, work, and invest.
This position statement addresses the following considerations:
Municipal finances garner considerable public attention because residents and businesses are directly affected through their responsibility to pay property taxes. Rural municipalities rely on property taxes, and to a lesser extent, user fees and provincial or federal grants, to build and maintain infrastructure and provide services in a fiscally responsible way. Municipal financial decisions are influenced by many factors including economic conditions, service level expectations from residents and businesses, and long-term municipal goals. Increasingly, municipal finances are also shaped by a complex interplay of provincial, federal, and geopolitical factors, along with external influences such as international affairs, extreme weather events, and health crises. Municipal finances are much more than numbers; they embody the purpose and priorities of a municipality in an ever-changing environment.
This position statement addresses the following considerations:
Municipal governance is a cornerstone of local democracy in Alberta, facilitating effective service delivery, economic development, and taxpayer input in decision-making processes. These processes create resilient communities across the province. Maintaining local governance, which includes land use planning, budgeting, and decision-making, is paramount, ensuring that municipal elected officials have the ability to direct action that meets the distinct needs of each municipality. In rural Alberta, this is particularly vital, as governance within each RMA member municipality is attuned to the requirements of its residents and industrial ratepayers, reflecting rural Alberta’s unique local challenges and opportunities.
This position statement addresses the following considerations:
Rural municipalities play a central role in planning for the responsible use of land, both within their boundaries and regionally. Planning and development involves the appropriate use and management of land resources, provision of services and infrastructure, responsible growth, risk management, and sound decision‑making models for land‑related issues.
This position statement addresses the following considerations:
Rural Alberta contributes to provincial and national economic vitality through strong agriculture, energy, and resource sectors. Rural Alberta is home to industries that drive the economic engine of the province. RMA advocates for policies that sustain the continued growth of core industries such as oil and gas, forestry, and agriculture while enabling innovation and rural entrepreneurship in emerging fields.
This position statement addresses the following considerations:
Rural landscapes form the backbone of Alberta’s environmental stewardship and energy future. Rural municipalities are responsible for providing municipal governance to approximately 85% of land in Alberta, and therefore rural municipal land use planning decisions have a tremendous impact on the province’s landscape. RMA champions policies that enable economic development while safeguarding land and water resources, strengthening climate resilience, and ensuring energy development occurs responsibly and sustainably.
This position statement addresses the following considerations:
RMA members manage the largest road and bridge network of any stakeholder in the province, and the building and maintenance of transportation infrastructure is the largest line item on most rural municipal budgets. Rural municipalities also bear responsibility for other unique infrastructure challenges, such as water and wastewater systems, stormwater management facilities, landfills, recycling sites, and local emergency services buildings. Together with roads and bridges, these assets form the backbone of rural Alberta, ensure the public health, safety, and quality of life of rural Albertans, and support Alberta’s broader economic and industrial objectives.
This position statement addresses the following considerations:
