LATEST NEWS

Alberta Environment and Parks (AEP) is seeking feedback from stakeholders on the Code of Practice for Hydrovac Facilities and Waste Control Regulation amendments regarding the definitions for the words “earth” and “inert waste".

AEP will be conducting this engagement over Talk AEP. AEP has pre-recorded presentations and an FAQ document that outline different sections of the code and the proposed amendments to the Waste Control Regulation. Access to the feedback form is restricted to registered participants. To participate, sign in or register for a Talk AEP account.

The deadline for feedback in December 18, 2020. If there is a commonality of questions and discussion topics from stakeholders, AEP will arrange a conference call to address these.

For clarification, assistance in completing the feedback form, or any other questions, please contact AEP.WasteRegulation@gov.ab.ca.

Alex Mochid
Policy Advisor
780.955.4085
alex@RMAlberta.com

Tasha Blumenthal
Director of Advocacy and External Relations
780.955.4094
tasha@RMAlberta.com

Data from rural internet speed test results will be used to inform RMA advocacy

RMA is excited to announce the launch of an Internet Performance Test program. This initiative involves RMA partnering with the Canadian Internet Registration Agency (CIRA) to measure internet speeds in rural Alberta.

Highspeed rural internet is critical for economic development, engaging in the digital economy, and working and learning from home. The Government of Canada has announced the goal of providing access to 50 Mbps download and 10 Mbps upload speeds to all Canadians by 2030. The internet speed test will allow RMA to demonstrate the current state of broadband in rural Alberta and use this information to drive advocacy for federal funding.

To test your internet speed, please visit the CIRA Internet Performance Test page and review the testing protocol, which is available at the top of the page. When you are ready to test your internet speed, click the “Test Your Internet Speed” button and follow the instructions.

Warren Noga
Policy Advisor
780.955.4079
warren@RMAlberta.com   

Tasha Blumenthal
Director of External Relations and Advocacy
780.955.4094
tasha@RMAlberta.com   

Government of Canada opens applications for funding to connect all Canadians to 50/10 Mbps speeds

The Government of Canada has announced that application intake for the Universal Broadband Fund (UBF) is now open. The UBF will provide $1.75 billion in funding to support high-speed internet projects across Canada. The UBF has been designed to connect Canadians living in rural and remote communities to high-speed internet at speeds of at least 50/10 Mbps. The program will be funding Canadian entities to extend broadband infrastructure in areas that do not currently have access this level of high-speed internet.

Municipalities may be eligible to apply for the UBF. To look at the opportunities and to learn more about applying, visit the application section.

While the UBF is accepting applications, help is available to understand every aspect of this program, from forms to maps. To ask technical questions about the UBF, please contact the Government of Canada by telephone at 1.800.328.6189 or via email at get-connected@canada.ca.

Warren Noga
Policy Advisor
780.955.4079
warren@RMAlberta.com   

Tasha Blumenthal
Director of External Relations and Advocacy
780.955.4094
tasha@RMAlberta.com   

The following resolutions that were endorsed at the RMA 2017 Fall Convention are now expiring. For details on the last provided update, please visit the RMA Resolution Database.

1-17F	Centralization of Industrial Properties Assessment
2-17F	Completion of Alberta’s Land-use Framework Prior to Establishment of Conservation and Protected Areas for Species at Risk
3-17F	Municipal Action on Caribou Recovery Planning
4-17F	Water Act Approvals for Municipal Projects on Municipal Land
5-17F	Alberta Energy Regulator – Amendment to Transfer Approval Process
6-17F	Financial Support from AAMDC for Appeal of Virginia Hills/Dolomite Decision
8-17F	Provincial Communications Plan for Farm Workplace Legislation
9-17F	AAMDC Refusal to Engage in Exploratory Discussion to Merge with AUMA
10-17F	Provincial Industry-led Methane Flaring Strategy
12-17F	Specialized Clinical Counselling and Therapy for Distressed Emergency First Responders
13-17F	AAMDC Advisory Committee to Support the Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission in Reviewing Charitable Gaming in Alberta
14-17F	Cannabis Act
15-17F	Stopping the Implementation of Proposed Federal Tax Reforms
18-17F	Integrate Emergency Social Services into Emergency Management at Provincial Level
19-17F	Builder Licensing Program Impacts
ER1-17F	Support for Trans Mountain Expansion Process
ER2-17F	Continued Provincial Funding Support for Agriculture Service Boards and Agricultural Societies
ER3-17F	Effective Representation for Rural Albertans in Alberta’s Legislative Assembly

Though expired resolutions no longer form part of the RMA’s formal active advocacy efforts, all relevant resolutions are considered when issues or consultation opportunities arise.

Wyatt Skovron
Senior Policy Advisor
wyatt@RMAlberta.com

Tasha Blumenthal
Director of External Relations & Advocacy
tasha@RMAlberta.com

Resolutions form an important part in identifying direction for the RMA’s advocacy efforts. The RMA membership endorsed the following resolutions in fall 2020:

1-20F	Police Funding Model Freeze (MD of Lesser Slave River)
2-20F	Blue-Ribbon Panel to Review Unpaid Taxes Owed by Oil and Gas Companies (Birch Hills County)
3-20F	Support for Alberta Farmland Trust (Wheatland County)
4-20F	Provincial Policing Costs Levy – Designate as a Requisition (Lacombe County)
5-20F	Legislated Notice Requirement (Big Lakes County)
6-20F	Government of Alberta Embargoed Committee Work (MD of Willow Creek)
7-20F	Amendments to Municipal Government Act Section 619 (MD of Willow Creek)
8-20F	Enhancing Support for Farmers When a State of Agricultural Disaster is Declared (Leduc County)
9-20F	CRTC Aggregate Wholesale Pricing to Mandate Rural Investment (Big Lakes County)
10-20F	Weed Issues on Oil and Gas Sites in Rural Alberta (MD of Taber)
12-20F	Expansion of Elk Hunting for Management in Agriculture Production Areas (Leduc County)
13-20F	Provincial Government Disaster Recovery Program Payments (County of Grande Prairie)
15-20F	Security Deposits for Dispositions (Saddle Hills County)
16-20F	Federal and Provincial Disaster Support (RM of Wood Buffalo)
17-20F	Rural Small Business Properties Assessment Sub-Classes Amendment (RM of Wood Buffalo)
18-20F	Municipal Decision-making on Fire Bans in Hamlets Within Forest Protection Area (Mackenzie County)
19-20F	Reinstatement of the Benefit Contribution Grant for Early Childhood Educators (RM of Wood Buffalo)

RMA will incorporate endorsed resolutions into advocacy efforts and will report back to the membership as developments are available. The above resolutions can be viewed on the RMA Resolutions Database, or view the complete package of the endorsed resolutions.

Wyatt Skovron
Senior Policy Advisor
wyatt@RMAlberta.com

Tasha Blumenthal
Director of External Relations & Advocacy
tasha@RMAlberta.com

RMA’s long service awards recognized elected officials and administrators with nine, 15, 20, and 25 years of service

Each year during the fall convention, RMA recognizes rural municipal elected officials and administrators with long service awards. Long service award recipients have displayed commitment and dedication to municipal governance. This year, RMA recognized the following individuals for nine, 15, 20, and 25 years of municipal service.

Nine Years

• Bruce Beattie, Mountain View County


• Jim Duncan, Clearwater County


• Diane Elliott, County of Paintearth


• Willis Fitzsimmons, Saddle Hills County


• Shawn Hathaway, County of Warner


• Richard Lorenz, Red Deer County


• Phillip Massier, Red Deer County


• Duncan Milne, Mountain View County


• Dennis Nanninga, County of Barrhead


• John Vandermeer, Clearwater County

Fifteen Years

• Evan Berger, MD of Willow Creek


• Greg Boehlke, Rocky View County


• Darcy Geigle, Cypress County


• Al Kemmere, Mountain View County


• Glenn Koester, Wheatland County


• Darrell Troock, County of Barrhead


• Jim Wood, Red Deer County

Twenty Years

• Sheila Kitz, County of St. Paul


• Bill Lane, County of Barrhead

Twenty-Five Years

• Bob Barss, MD of Wainwright


• Robert Brochu, MD of Smoky River


• Tyrrill Hewitt, County of Paintearth


• Jack Lyle, Camrose County


• Ian Sundquist, MD of Willow Creek

RMA would like to congratulate all 2020 long service award recipients for their commitment to supporting their local community and rural Alberta.

Cindy Carstairs
Administrative and Convention Coordinator
780.955.4095
cindy@RMAlberta.com 

Tasha Blumenthal
Director of External Relations & Advocacy
780.955.4094
tasha@RMAlberta.com