The Government of Alberta (GOA) will complete planning for up to 14 sub-regions across the province. Sub-regional plans are a key component of the province’s approach to maintaining a working landscape on Crown land and supporting a broad range of land uses and values including conservation, Indigenous traditional land use, recreation and economic development.
While municipal and privately held land are excluded from sub-regional plans, rural municipalities play an important role in managing a broad range of land uses and balancing environmental, economic and social needs locally, regionally and provincewide. RMA is engaging with the Ministry of Environment and Protected Areas (EPA) to better understand how sub-regional plans will intersect with municipal plans and strategies, including areas of alignment and disagreement, and what tools will be available to municipalities whose long-term plans are impacted by a sub-regional plan.
EPA is seeking feedback on the development of two sub-regional plans, the Caribou Mountains Sub-Regional Plan and Red Earth Sub-Regional Plan, until October 26, 2026. Virtual information sessions to ask questions and get more information are scheduled for August and September. RMA encourages members to participate and provide input where relevant.
Under the Alberta Land Stewardship Act and Municipal Government Act, municipalities are required to ensure their statutory plans, bylaws and decisions are consistent with regional plans. Amendments introduced under Bill 31, the Red Tape Reduction Statutes Amendment Act, 2026 expand potential compliance filing obligations for municipalities in relation to sub-regional plans or issue-specific plans. As proposed, the obligation to file is not automatic and municipalities will need to review individual plans to understand specific requirements. Bill 31 also removes the requirement for sub-regional plans to be enabled under a regional plan so that they can be created without specific links to broader regional plans. Two approved regional plans are in effect, and five regional plans have not been started.
For more information, contact RMA’s Policy and Advocacy Team at advocacy@rmalberta.com or 825.319.2383.