Government of Alberta Introduces Bill 50: Municipal Affairs Statutes Amendment Act, 2025
The Municipal Affairs Statutes Amendment Act (Bill 50) has recently been tabled in the legislature. Bill 50, the Municipal Affairs Statutes Amendment Act, 2025, proposes changes to numerous key municipal processes, and if passed, the Bill will amend three major pieces of legislation: the Local Authorities Election Act (LAEA), the Municipal Government Act (MGA), and […]
Government of Alberta’s Provincial Priorities Act Takes Effect
The Government of Alberta’s Provincial Priorities Act (Bill 18) is now in effect as of April 1, 2025. The Government of Alberta’s Provincial Priorities Act (PPA) officially came into effect on April 1, 2025. This legislation establishes a new framework for municipalities and designated municipal entities when entering, altering, or renewing agreements with the federal […]
Government of Alberta Expanding OHS Proactive Inspection Program
Effective April 1, 2025, the OHS Proactive Inspection Program has been expanded to include counties/municipal districts, towns, and villages. Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) expanded the Proactive Inspection Program to include counties/municipal districts, towns, and villages; the program previously only included cities. Each year, OHS proactively inspects employers to monitor compliance with legislation. The Proactive […]
RMA Seeking Nominees to Participate on Safety Codes Council Building Sub-Council
RMA’s position on the sub-council is currently vacant. The Safety Codes Council (SCC) is a statutory corporation that oversees the development and administration of safety standards throughout the province. The SCC includes twelve sub-councils focused on reviewing and developing safety codes for specific disciplines. RMA serves as a nominating organization for one position on the […]
Government of Alberta Removes 10% Holdback on Some Water License Transfers
The Ministry of Environment and Protected Areas has removed holdbacks on most water license transfers to retain 10% of the license to increase water availability and promote efficiency. On April 4, 2025, the Government of Alberta announced the removal of the 10% holdback on most water license transfers. Administered by Environment and Protected Areas, this […]
Government of Alberta Introduces Further Legislation for New Police Agency
If passed, Bill 49 would allow municipalities to choose the new policy agency as their local policing provider, rather than the RCMP. In Spring 2024, the Government of Alberta (GOA) announced the Public Safety Statutes Amendment Act, which amends the Police Act to allow for the creation of an independent agency police service. This police […]
Affordable Housing Design Catalogue
The Government of Canada recently introduced the first product launch of the Housing Design Catalogue organized by the Canada Mortgage Housing Corporation (CMHC). The Housing Design Catalogue speaks directly to the operative clause in Resolution 9-23F: Review of Affordable Housing Funding Programs: FURTHER BE IT RESOLVED that the RMA advocate to the GOA to create […]
RMA’s Legislative Update: Week of April 7 – 11, 2025
With the Assembly not sitting last week, provincial representatives returned to their regular routine ready to introduce, discuss, and debate some of the more consequential Bills in recent memory. Visitors to the Legislature this week included a delegation from the Scottish Parliament and representatives of the Canadian Hard-of-Hearing Association. All visitors and guests received the […]
Mature Asset Strategy: Flawed Process Leads to Flawed Outcomes
NISKU, ALBERTA, APRIL 4, 2025 – The Rural Municipalities of Alberta (RMA) is disappointed by the Government of Alberta’s Mature Asset Strategy (MAS), released yesterday. The report lacks justification and clarity, offering recommendations that prioritize reduced industry liability and regulatory requirements without addressing the critical issue of accountability for payment of taxes or surface leases, […]
Mature Asset Strategy Final Report Released
The Government of Alberta has released the final report of the Mature Asset Strategy (MAS). The MAS was launched in summer 2024 with the intent of developing a series of recommendations to support continued operations of and manage liabilities associated with Alberta’s aging oil and gas assets. RMA was invited to participate directly in some […]