To improve reporting on resolution advocacy, the RMA is releasing a monthly bulletin highlighting recent actions undertaken on select active resolutions
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.
The July 2026 edition of the Monthly Resolution Update Bulletin features the following resolutions:
Resolution 2-23F Amendments to the Municipal Government Act – Section 619
Resolution 2‑23F calls for the Government of Alberta (GOA) to reverse its ongoing shift toward prioritizing provincial regulatory decisions – licences, permits, approvals, and authorizations – over municipal planning authorities. The resolution seeks to reestablish consistency between provincial authorizations and municipal land‑use planning, particularly in areas such as protecting productive agricultural land, impacts on municipal infrastructure, compatibility with existing land uses, and other local project considerations. This resolution recognizes and asserts the importance of municipal expertise and the contextual understanding that is necessary to make sound and informed planning decisions, including that provincial regulators should not override those decisions wantonly.
Over the past year, this resolution has become increasingly relevant as the GOA advanced several major legislative initiatives – Bill 8 and 12 on data centres, Bill 50 on autonomous municipal governance, and Bill 28 on land‑use decision‑making – that further entrenched the tribunal authorities under s. 619 rather than moderating it. This has reinforced a pattern of centralized decision‑making that diminishes municipal autonomy and limits municipalities’ ability to shape development in alignment with local priorities. Despite sustained advocacy against this erosion of municipal authority, provincial primacy in land‑use and regulatory matters continues to expand.
RMA has been – and will continue to be – active in pushing back against this trend. The association is preparing a series of reports that will document the legislative circumstances and outline ongoing efforts to mitigate their impacts. These reports will examine issues such as data centre development, nuclear project siting, and provincial decision‑making processes affecting municipal autonomy. Through this work, RMA aims to demonstrate the consequences of the recent legislative changes, while strengthening advocacy for restoring a balanced and cooperative approach to land‑use governance in Alberta.
Resolution 4-25S: Re-evaluation of Wetlands Policy to Streamline Road Construction and Improvements in Rural Alberta
Resolution 4-25S calls on the Government of Alberta to change the Wetland Policy to remove restrictive barriers to road construction and improvements in rural Alberta. Changes to the policy would support vital rural Alberta industries and support local economic development.
RMA corresponded with Environment and Protected Areas, who noted several encouraging actions taken by government to streamline processes concerning road development in relation to wetlands management. However, no information was shared about outdated wetlands maps or changes to the wetlands policy.
The Office of the Auditor General (OAG) of Alberta issued several recommendations to the Government of Alberta related to wetlands replacement processes in 2010 and in July 2026. The OAG recommended increased monitoring to track responsibilities of wetland replacement agencies and improved management and tracking of unused funds. The OAG found that these recommendations were successfully implemented. Improved processes related to wetland replacement may help rural municipalities work with up-to-date information and access funds to support wetland replacement activities.
RMA intends to continue monitoring the implementation of these changes and assess whether they meaningfully fulfill the requests of this resolution.
Resolution 15-24F: Member Committee to Understand the Criminal Justice System
In the fall of 2024, RMA members endorsed Resolution 15-24F, which calls for the establishment of a criminal justice member committee to support members in developing a better understanding of the Canadian criminal justice system, particularly as it pertains to rural municipalities. The resolution was passed in light of persistent concerns regarding the state of public safety and the effectiveness of policing strategies in rural areas.
This resolution builds upon RMA’s long-standing positions regarding safety and policing in rural communities. RMA advocates for solutions that reduce crime in rural Alberta and address the widening gap between rural and urban crime. According to Statistics Canada, as of 2021, rural police serve 15% of the Canadian population but report 21% of all Criminal Code and federal statute offenses. To combat crime, policing in Alberta has experienced significant changes, including the police funding model and the creation of the Alberta Sheriffs Police Service.
Recruitment for RMA’s member criminal justice committee is on track to begin meeting in fall 2026. Justice committee members will work to improve RMA members’ collective understanding the Canadian criminal justice system, undertake research and analysis, and develop recommendations that address gaps in legislation, policy, funding, and processes for a policing system that both empowers and improves safety in rural communities. To learn more about the committee and access the terms of reference, click here.
Stay tuned for future editions of the Monthly Resolution Update Bulletin, where we will continue to feature updates on selected resolutions.
For more information, contact RMA’s Policy and Advocacy team at advocacy@rmalberta.com or 825.319.2383.