Alberta Environment and Protected Areas (EPA) is seeking municipal input on updates to the Code of Practice for Pits (COPP). According to EPA, updates to the COPP will focus on implementing Bill 28 changes related to paramountcy of provincial approvals on aggregate pit applications, as well as recommendations from the recent GOA Sand and Gravel Task Force.
The introduction of section 619.1 in the Municipal Government Act allows provincial approval of pits to take paramountcy over municipal approvals. Municipalities now must amend land use bylaws, planning documents, and permits to align with provincial approvals. RMA is concerned with the introduction of s. 619.1, and whether municipalities will have an opportunity to provide meaningful input into the provincial approval process.
RMA members will have received an email from RMA’s President, Kara Westerlund, on July 8, 2026. It is crucial that RMA members actively participate in this engagement and emphasize the risks that weakening or eliminating the municipal voice in aggregate approvals will have on landowners, municipalities, industry, and the Government of Alberta.
RMA will share further information with members in the coming days. In the meantime, feel free to reach out to Policy and Advocacy staff with questions. Please note that EPA is requesting interested municipalities to RSVP prior to July 15 by emailing Brian.Brassard@gov.ab.ca.
For more information, contact RMA’s Policy and Advocacy Team at advocacy@rmalberta.com or 825.319.2383.