The Government of Alberta has introduced Bill 28: Municipal Affairs and Housing Statutes Amendment Act, which proposes a wide range of amendments to the Municipal Government Act (MGA) across several major municipal policy areas. RMA is currently reviewing the Bill and will provide members with a detailed initial analysis in the near future.
Proposed Changes in Bill 28
Bill 28 includes amendments related to the following themes:
- Growth and Housing
- Assessment and Property Tax
- Governance and Accountability
- Municipal Transparency
- Public Institutions and Utilities
- Aggregate Pits
- Seniors Lodges
Initial Reaction
Based on a preliminary review, several early considerations have emerged:
- Rural municipalities remain committed partners in delivering services, maintaining critical infrastructure, and supporting economic growth. When challenges in these areas emerge, collaborative partnerships between municipalities and the Government of Alberta are more effective than unilateral legislative changes in supporting positive outcomes.
- Several provisions in Bill 28 appear to reflect industry‑driven priorities for standardization in municipal operations and decision-making, or reductions in municipal planning and development authority. These changes may not fully reflect the realities or needs of rural communities, where local conditions vary significantly.
- The Bill introduces several provisions that standardize municipal processes or allow for shifting of decision‑making to the provincial level in areas such as land use planning, utility management, and administrative processes. These structural changes may have unintended consequences for local governance and community‑specific needs.
- Many of the details associated with Bill 28 will be established through regulation, making it difficult to fully understand how these provisions will affect municipalities. As regulations are developed, it will be important to ensure that the intent behind the changes is clearly defined, that municipalities have the tools needed to implement them effectively, and that local autonomy remains respected.
RMA is undertaking an initial analysis of Bill 28 and will provide members with a more comprehensive overview of the proposed changes and their potential impacts once the legislative review is complete.
Jared Shaigec
Policy Advisor
825.319.2312
jared@RMAlberta.com
Wyatt Skovron
General Manager of Policy & Advocacy
780.955.4096
wyatt@RMAlberta.com