Auditor General Releases Report on Alberta Seniors, Community and Social Services
The Auditor General of Alberta released a report summarizing the findings of a review on processes to assess and manage the condition of affordable housing in Alberta. On November 18, 2024, the Auditor General released a report regarding Alberta Seniors, Community and Social Services (SCSS). The audit found that SCSS does not have effective processes […]
RMA Legislative Update: Week of November 18 to 21, 2024
The Legislative Update resumes this week after a two-week hiatus for RMA’s Fall Convention, where the Premier and several Cabinet ministers attended and answered questions from rural municipal leaders, and the Legislature’s constituency week, during which MLAs were out of the Legislature and working in their constituencies. Notable visitors to the Legislature this week included […]
New Water Licensing System Requires Action from Some Water License Holders
New online tool requires action from holders of a water license issued prior to November 2021. The Government of Alberta has launched the Digital Regulatory Assurance System to help Albertans manage water licences and associated water use information including water use reporting, more efficiently. Action is required from anyone that holds a water licence that […]
Government of Alberta Announces Rural Health Grants
The Government of Alberta announced two health grants for rural communities across the province The Government of Alberta (GOA) recently announced two new grants that are intended to provide funding for non-physician clinic team members and funds for municipalities to put towards clinic operations. Rural Team Recruitment Grant The Rural Team Recruitment Grant is open […]
Government of Alberta Announces Police Funding Model Cost Freeze
The Government of Alberta is temporarily freezing the amount rural municipalities are responsible for paying through the Police Funding Model for front-line policing services in Alberta. The Police Funding Regulation introduced the Police Funding Model (PFM), which was phased in over several years. Rural municipalities that receive policing services under the Provincial Police Services Agreement […]
RMA Fall 2024 Endorsed Resolutions
Resolutions form an important part in identifying direction for the RMA’s advocacy efforts. The RMA membership endorsed the following resolutions in Fall 2024: 1-24F Attraction and Retention Strategy for Rural Health Care Professionals (County of Stettler) 2-24F Increased Funding Support for Rural Family and Community Support Services Programs (Vulcan County and Wheatland County) 3-24F Collection […]
Applications Open for the Ethnocultural Grant and Anti-Racism Grant Programs
The Government of Alberta has opened applications for the Ethnocultural Grant and Anti-Racism Grant Programs The Government of Alberta has opened two grant programs to support community-driven initiatives that celebrate Alberta’s diversity and address racism. Up to $13.5 million over three years has been dedicated to help support community organizations and Indigenous communities promote the […]
The Rural Municipalities of Alberta Announces New Leadership and Board of Directors
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE The Rural Municipalities of Alberta (RMA) elects a new President, Vice President, and a newly elected District Director to its Board of Directors to advance RMA’s mission and advocate for rural communities. November 7, 2024, NISKU, AB – The Rural Municipalities of Alberta (RMA) announces Kara Westerlund, Councillor of Brazeau County, as […]
Below the Drill – Week 6
This is the final edition of a six-week campaign that shared how Government of Alberta policies have impacted municipal tax revenue In recent years, the Government of Alberta (GOA) has implemented several policy initiatives to reduce oil and gas industry costs at the expense of municipal revenue. Over the past six weeks, the RMA’s Below […]
RMA Releases Final Report and Recommendations on Rural Municipal Infrastructure Deficit
The final report in the RMA’s four-part infrastructure deficit series outlines the overall deficit and provides a series of recommendations for government, rural municipalities, and the RMA Over the past several months, the RMA, in conjunction with Tantus Solutions Group, has undertaken an ambitious study to assess the current infrastructure deficit in rural municipalities. This […]