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.
The GOA has opened engagement on the draft Berland Sub-regional Plan, located in west-central Alberta, west of Hinton and east of Wilmore Wilderness Park. Public information sessions will be held virtually on September 15 and October 14. RMA encourages members in this region to review the draft plan, attend a virtual session, and complete the online survey by November 12, 2026. This is the seventh sub-regional plan that the GOA has progressed.
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.