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 May 2025 edition of the Monthly Resolution Update Bulletin features the following resolutions:
Resolution 12-25S: Enabling Service of Offence Notices for Bylaw Matters via Ordinary Mail
Currently, there are limited economic and practical options for rural municipalities to deliver violation tickets to those that have committed an offence. For most offences, the only method permittable under the law is to have officers hand deliver the violation ticket to the accused. This is a potentially risky task; expenses and dangers increase the further into remote or sparsely populated areas the accused is.
Resolution 12-25S seeks to remedy these concerns by having RMA advocate to the Government of Alberta (GOA) to permit more efficient delivery systems for violation tickets. Doing so would have benefits in terms of both public safety and administrative efficiency.
RMA recently received a promising response to Resolution 12-25S from the Ministry of Justice and Alberta Courts and Justice Services. The response indicated a willingness to work with RMA to help remove or reduce these administrative burdens and unnecessary red tape delaying and discouraging enforcement. In the meantime, RMA will continue to research viable and efficient methods to deliver violation tickets and other notice-related documents to residents of rural municipalities, as well as language to update current legislation that addresses these concerns.
Resolution 8-25S: Opposition to Water Act Amendments and Lack of Consultation
In recent months, the GOA has conducted stakeholder engagement that seeks to increase water availability and streamline water management processes in Alberta. RMA provided input on phase one of the engagement which concluded in January 2025. On April 28th, Alberta Environment and Protected Areas announced the launch of Phase Two of the engagement process.
The GOA has committed to adhering to the Water For Life strategy; keeping the “First-In-Time, First-In-Right” system; not implementing changes that reduce current water allocations; and not adding any new royalties, bulk, or volumetric pricing for water.
However, the engagement process will inform future Water Act amendments and may represent significant changes to water management in Alberta. Through Resolution 8-25S, RMA members have expressed their concerns with the possibility of large-scale changes, particularly without adequate municipal consultation. While it appears that high-risk inter-basin water transfers will continue to require approval by an act of the legislature, the recently launched survey requesting stakeholder input includes questions that suggest the GOA is considering changes to inter-basin transfer criteria and to major river basin boundaries. Simplifying water management processes like inter-basin transfers without proper transparency and accountability mechanisms could have significant impacts on both local economies and ecosystems.
RMA participated in the recent online water engagement webinar and is reviewing the survey questions carefully to provide meaningful and comprehensive input that will best support our members and their needs concerning water management and availability. We encourage members to also complete the survey on behalf of your municipalities by June 30th.
Celebrating Rural Health Week and RMA’s Healthcare Resolutions
In May, RMA celebrated Alberta Rural Health Week organized by the Rural Health Professions Action Plan of Alberta (RhPAP). We invited RMA members and the Government of Alberta to join us in recognizing the healthcare professionals who work tirelessly to strengthen healthcare services across rural Alberta.
We’d like to recognize the rural healthcare resolutions RMA members have endorsed, all of which are seeking change to better support rural healthcare and rural healthcare workers.
- Resolution 5-25S: Rural Participation on the Integration Council for Refocusing Alberta’s Health Care System
- Resolution ER1-24S: Government Support for Physician Assistants
- Resolution 1-24F: Attraction and Retention Strategy for Rural Healthcare Professionals
- Resolution 17-22F: Government Funding for Nurse Practitioners
- Resolution 2-22F: Laboratory and X-Ray Technologists Training for Rural Healthcare
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 and Advocacy
780.955.4096
wyatt@rmalberta.com