As part of the RMA’s ongoing commitment to proactively manage and communicate on member resolutions, the RMA is excited to announce a new initiative: the Monthly Resolution Update Bulletin.
Each month, the RMA will provide an update on progress and outcomes of five active resolutions. The objective is to keep members informed about the work the RMA is doing and the strides staff are making to address key issues and priorities.
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.
This inaugural edition of the Monthly Resolution Update Bulletin, features the following five resolutions:
5-22F Fertilizer Emission Reduction Target Impacts
To this point, the RMA is still yet to receive a formal response to this resolution from the Government of Canada. A follow up letter has been sent, and the RMA is awaiting a response.
In addition, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) has recently released a “What We Heard” report on fertilizer emissions reduction target consultations. The report outlines the next steps on collaboration with the sector. AAFC will be working closely with a newly formed Fertilizer Working Group under the Sustainable Agriculture Strategy Advisory Committee to address the feedback received and support the adoption of beneficial management practices, implement clean technologies, and adapt research and innovation programs for real-world application. The report confirms the Government of Alberta’s commitment to reducing emissions to 30% of 2020 levels by 2030.
The RMA plans to monitor the progress of the Fertilizer Working Group and seek opportunities to provide input expressing the concerns outlined in the resolution.
23-22F Small Scale Generation Regulation – Interconnection Challenges
The RMA has received a response from the GOA and has assigned a status and drafted an initial reaction. The government response, status and the RMA reaction can be viewed on the RMA Resolution Database.
The RMA is concerned with the Government of Alberta’s initial response to the resolution, which seems to overlook the potential that small scale generation projects can have on increasing renewable energy use and supporting local approaches to building energy resiliency. As the resolution points out, the size, scale, and risks associated with micro-generation and small-scale generation are quite similar, so it is unclear why the Government of Alberta is not more seriously considering this opportunity to reduce red tape.
2-21F Disaster Recovery Program Cost Allocations
A follow up letter has been sent to the GOA, and the RMA is awaiting a response. The RMA is in the process of gathering historical cost data for the disaster recovery program to develop a more fulsome understanding of the likely future cost impacts that the 90/10 split will have on municipalities. This will support more advocacy on this issue moving forward.
6-21F Historical Resources Impact Assessments
The RMA has reached out to an expert within the GOA for more information on HRIAs and to continue to advocate for the need for historical resource preservation to be balanced with impacts on landowners, developers, and municipalities. However, due to the ongoing election period, the individual has communicated that they will not be available for discussions until June. The RMA will continue to follow up on this resolution and keep members updated on any progress.
15-20F Security Deposits for Dispositions
This resolution calls for the removal of the requirement for municipalities to provide a security to receive Crown land dispositions. However, according to Alberta Environment and Protected Areas’ (EPA) ministerial response in January 2021, municipalities are exempt from providing reclamation security if they are operating under an approval, registration, or code of practice.
In a recent meeting between EPA and the RMA, it was clarified that there is no exemption for local authorities or non-profits for providing security for formal dispositions, including Recreational Miscellaneous Leases (REC), Surface Material Leases (SML), and Commercial/Industrial Miscellaneous Leases (DML), under the Public Land Administration Regulation.
It is worth noting that the Director has discretion to determine the form and amount of security required for each application, based on various factors such as infrastructure, cost to reclaim, impact to the land, and type of activity proposed. Nevertheless, there are no upcoming policy changes from Alberta Environment and Protected Areas that would affect rural municipality security fees. The RMA is concerned that the lack of standards and consistency related to how securities are determined hinders the ability of municipalities to plan for possible future dispositions.
Stay tuned for future editions of the Monthly Resolution Update Bulletin for continued updates on selected resolutions.
Emmanuel Chukwuma
Policy & Research Analyst
587.689.5484
emmanuel@RMAlberta.com
Wyatt Skovron
Manager of Policy & Advocacy
780.955.4096
wyatt@RMAlberta.com