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 June 2024 edition of the Monthly Resolution Update Bulletin features the following resolutions:
3-21F: Vegetation Management on Alberta Provincial Highways
Prohibited noxious weeds and unsafe vegetation in the ditches of provincial highways bring concerns for both landowners and users of the road. Landowners can be fined for failing to control noxious weeds on their property, while just metres from their fence lines, the same weeds are flourishing in the ditches of provincially-managed highways and spreading seeds back onto their properties; this results in member municipalities issuing weed notices to the Province, which puts them into an uncomfortable position. Further, the overgrowth of vegetation along highways creates unsafe conditions for drivers due to reduced visibility and the increased likelihood of animal strikes on the road.
In 2022, the Government of Alberta indicated they would undertake a review of their vegetation management plan. The RMA has since learned that the vegetation management plan was updated for the 2023 weed season. To further progress on this resolution in 2024, the RMA will be seeking to review the GOA’s updated vegetation management plan – as it has not yet been made available – to compare against the old plan, and determine whether members’ concerns were specifically addressed in the plan itself. RMA also plans to engage with member municipalities to gauge the effectiveness of the revised vegetation management plan.
6-21F: Historical Resources Impact Assessments
Because the Government of Alberta response indicates that there are no plans to consider changes to the current historical resources impact assessment process and no intention to develop a compensation plan for landowners required to bear the cost of Historical Resources Impact Assessments (HRIAs), this resolution is currently assigned a status of Intent Not Met.
To further progress on this resolution and reopen opportunities for dialogue and advocacy, the RMA is currently seeking data and information on all instances of surface materials projects developed with and without the requirement of an HRIA. The RMA is also seeking information on costs related to these surface development projects. The RMA envisions developing strong arguments to make progress towards this resolution by analyzing for instances where municipalities bear the costs of HRIAs, demonstrating the depth of the issue for municipalities and landowners.
17-23F: Sustainable Community Hospice Funding Model
The resolution calls for enhanced investment in community hospices in rural and small urban municipalities. The RMA sent the resolution to Alberta Health, Alberta Health Services, and Alberta Seniors, Community and Social Services. While the responses received indicate the Government of Alberta plans to enhance hospice services, they do not indicate a commitment to provide sustainable funding for community hospices.
To help meet the asks of this resolution, the RMA is working to find out where community hospices are located outside of Edmonton and Calgary, the demographics of Albertans who use hospice and the demand for hospice services, how community hospices are funded and how hospices and municipalities work together. In 2023, ABMunis members passed a similar resolution also titled “Sustainable Community Hospice Funding Model”. The RMA will connect with ABMunis to discuss how we might better advocate for community hospices together.
Stay tuned for future editions of the Monthly Resolution Update Bulletin, where we will continue to feature updates on selected resolutions.
Wyatt Skovron
General Manager of Policy & Advocacy
780.955.4096
wyatt@RMAlberta.com