Initial RMA Reaction to Bill 21
New legislation would give provincial government power to take control of local emergency response On May 9, the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Services introduced Bill 21: Emergency Statutes Amendment Act, which amends six pieces of legislation. Of note for RMA members are the proposed amendments to the Emergency Management Act, the Forest and […]
RMA Participates in Senate Committee Meeting on Advertised Broadband Speeds
RMA presented to the Senate Committee on Transport and Communications regarding advertised internet speeds not meeting user experience Bill C-288 is being reviewed by the Standing Senate Committee on Transport and Communications. The bill would require internet service providers (ISPs) to provide additional information when advertising a service such as the typical speeds achieved during […]
Survey Open on Sub-Regional Caribou Recovery Plans
Survey seeks input on Bistcho Lake and Cold Lake sub-regional caribou recovery plans The Government of Alberta is seeking input on regulations related to the Bistcho Lake and Cold Lake sub-regional caribou recovery plans. These plans were completed two years ago and are the first two of 11 sub-regional plans covering 15 caribou ranges being […]
Applications Open for Drought and Flood Protection Program
$125 million available to municipalities and Indigenous communities to improve drought and flood resiliency Introduced in Budget 2024, the Drought and Flood Protection Program will be funded at $25 million per year for five years. The program is designed to help municipalities design and construct projects that protect critical infrastructure from drought and flooding and […]
New Water Licensing System Requires Action from Some License Holders
New online tool requires action from holders of a water license issued prior to November 2021 The Government of Alberta has launched a new tool to help Albertans manage water licences and associated water use information more efficiently, including water use reporting. If you hold a water licence that was issued prior to November 2021, […]
AUC Consultation on Rule 007
The Alberta Utilities Commission has announced their first consultation following provincial policy changes on renewable energy The Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC) issued a bulletin on May 2 outlining their next steps in response to the changes to provincial policy regarding renewable energy. The consultation focuses on the AUC’s Rule 007. For RMA members, Rule 007 […]
RMA Concerns With Bill 20 Impacts on Municipal Democracy
Bill 20 allows the Government of Alberta unreasonable control over municipal decision-making. RMA is hopeful that promised amendments to the bill will correct this over-reach On April 25, 2024, Bill 20: Municipal Affairs Statutes Amendment Act, 2024 was introduced in the Legislative Assembly. Bill 20 makes significant amendments to both the Municipal Government Act (MGA) and the Local Authorities Elections Act (LAEA). On […]
Provincial Drought Response Plan Released
The plan is intended to help guide the province through drought conditions, prioritizing water for human health and safety The Government of Alberta has released their Drought Response Plan. The plan provides guidance on drought response to all users of water, including municipalities. Drought conditions can change rapidly and impact different areas in very different […]
Commitment to Bill 20 Amendments A Step in the Right Direction for RMA
Nisku, AB, May 2, 2024 – Earlier today, Minister of Municipal Affairs Ric McIver released a statement committing to amending Bill 20: Municipal Affairs Statutes Amendment Act, 2024 to address the unwarranted provincial overstep into municipal democracy that was included in the initial version of the bill. The RMA appreciates the Minister’s commitment to amending […]
Grants to Support Wildfire Fighting and Resiliency
NRCan Forest Sector provides funding to organizations to help diversify forest products, markets, and processes to support the competitiveness of Canada’s forest sector The Canadian Forest Service provides grants and contribution funding for wildland fire related activities through two main initiatives: the Fighting and Managing Wildfires in a Changing Climate Program to train and equip […]