To improve reporting on resolution advocacy, the RMA shares 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 January 2026 edition of the Monthly Resolution Update Bulletin features the following resolutions:
Resolution 9-25S: Water and Wastewater System Funding
The recent watermain break in Calgary reinforced what rural municipalities have been experiencing for years: Alberta’s water and wastewater infrastructure is aging, demand is increasing, and available funding is not keeping pace with the cost of repair, replacement, and long-term sustainability. For rural communities, where smaller tax bases already stretch to cover essential services, inadequate water infrastructure funding poses serious risks to public health, environmental stewardship, and economic viability.
In response to these pressures, RMA members carried Resolution 9-25S calling on the Government of Alberta (GOA) to restore Water for Life funding levels and expand eligibility to include the replacement and maintenance of water and wastewater distribution systems. Despite broad recognition of the issue, the intent of this resolution remains unmet, leaving many rural municipalities facing unaffordable costs for critical infrastructure. RMA continues to advocate for funding models that reflect the unique challenges of rural Alberta, including aging systems, dispersed populations, and limited fiscal capacity.
RMA has been actively engaged in provincial water policy reform. RMA participated in the GOA Water Availability Engagement and continues to analyze Bill 7: the Water Amendment Act, which significantly changes Alberta’s water licensing and management framework. While RMA supports efforts to streamline processes and improve water availability, RMA has consistently emphasized the need for clear definitions, strong safeguards, transparent data, and meaningful consultation – particularly where changes may affect environmental protection, inter-basin transfers, or municipal water security. RMA remains concerned about potential unintended consequences related to cumulative environmental impacts, invasive species, and license prioritization.
Looking ahead, RMA will continue to advocate for sustainable, long-term investment in water and wastewater infrastructure, timely and transparent water licensing processes, and collaborative water management that balances economic development with environmental stewardship. This includes ongoing participation in multi-stakeholder environmental forums, continued analysis of Bill 7 and its regulations, and the development of member-facing resources to help municipalities understand and respond to evolving water policy and funding frameworks. RMA remains focused on protecting rural communities’ access to safe and reliable water, and ensuring that municipalities are treated as essential partners in Alberta’s water future.
Resolution 8-24F: Reinforcing Railway Fire Mitigation Procedures
In this resolution, rural municipalities highlight the risks to wildfire ignition posed by railway activity in remote and densely forested areas. As rural municipalities in Alberta are responsible for services and infrastructure that cover over 85% of the province’s landmass, wildfire events represent a significant strain on municipal services, such as emergency response resources and personnel. Wildfire events in remote areas also pose risks to human safety, wildlife and property which also primarily fall on rural municipalities to manage and mitigate.
Wildfire prevention is the ideal approach to minimize the greatest loss of life and property. As such, Resolution 8-24F advocates for increased efforts by the federal and provincial governments and railway companies to collaboratively develop and implement more robust wildfire mitigation and ignition suppression strategies. In particular, this resolution proposes increasing the usage of fire suppression follow trains in high fire risk areas. CN Rail launched this fire suppression program in 2024 and since then, has expanded their fleet of fire suppression trains in late 2025.
In addition to sending this resolution to the relevant advocacy targets, RMA has also sent follow up correspondence to CN and CPKC requesting further details on any existing and forthcoming fire suppression programs. RMA has also requested updates regarding the Wildfire Mitigation Strategy Engagement referenced in the government response by Alberta Forestry and Parks.
RMA intends to continue information gathering to best support advocacy towards wildfire mitigation in rural Alberta.
Resolution 8-23S: Provincial Review of Agribusiness and Agritourism
Resolution 8-23S calls on RMA to advocate for support for agribusinesses and agritourism as an important part of strengthening rural economies, as agribusiness and agritourism are leading contributors to rural economies. The economic spin-off associated with agricultural economies continues to create strong rural communities. Agritourism presents an opportunity for economic diversification and an avenue to share key agricultural information and experiences with members of the public.
To learn more about ways to support the growth of agritourism, RMA is forming an agritourism strategy working group. This working group presents an opportunity for a joint municipal/provincial review of agritourism, with the goal of enhancing opportunities in Alberta. This working group will be composed of RMA members, representatives from Alberta Tourism and Sport, an agritourism operator, and industry representative. The working group will commence in early 2026 and produce a final report with key recommendations on how to enhance agritourism in late 2026. Work is underway to launch this working group in the upcoming months, including researching how municipalities, the Government of Alberta, and industry can collaborate to grow the agritourism industry.
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