RMA Confused and Concerned as Bill 20 Attacks Local Democracy

Nisku, AB, April 30, 2024 – On April 25, 2024, Bill 20: Municipal Affairs Statutes Amendment Act, 2024 was tabled for first reading. The RMA is frustrated by many of the changes that the bill proposes to the Municipal Government Act. Alberta’s municipalities play a crucial role in ensuring that local planning, infrastructure, and service […]

New Nurse Practitioner Primary Care Program Announced

The Nurse Practitioner Primary Care Program will support nurse practitioners to work independently and provide Albertans with more access to primary care clinics The Government of Alberta has announced the Nurse Practitioner Primary Care Program to enhance the ability of nurse practitioners to provide primary care through their own clinics, or independently within team-based primary […]

Government of Alberta Tables Bill with Major Municipal Impacts

Bill 20: Municipal Affairs Statutes Amendment Act, 2024, makes significant changes to both the MGA and LAEA 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). While […]

Major Water-Sharing Agreements Ready for Alberta

Government of Alberta has announced voluntary water sharing agreements negotiated with large water license holders With the coming summer expected to bring drought to Alberta, water license holders have been collaborating with one another and the Government of Alberta to develop voluntary water-sharing agreements. The intent of water-sharing agreements is to ensure access to water […]

Government of Canada Releases 2024 Budget

The 2024 Federal Budget is titled Fairness for All Generations On April 16, 2024, the federal budget was released. Key budget priorities included building homes, making life more affordable, and growing the economy with the next generation in mind. The RMA has undertaken an initial review of the budget and the following items are of […]

Wildfire Evacuation Human Rights Package Now Available

Report provides human rights information to those providing support in an emergency evacuation The Alberta Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has released an information package intended to support both evacuees and those providing support to evacuees. The report covers the human rights and responsibilities of evacuees, along with specific information on issues such as human rights […]

Apply for Alberta’s Health Advisory Councils

Albertans across the province are encouraged to apply for new advisory council positions to improve healthcare in their communities In November 2023, the Government of Alberta announced plans to restructure Alberta’s healthcare system. Alberta Health has committed to ensuring that local voices are directly contributing to better healthcare outcomes in their communities by creating twelve […]

RMA Assigns Statuses to Nine Fall 2023 Resolutions

Immediately after resolutions are endorsed by RMA members, the RMA sends the resolutions to the relevant provincial or federal ministry or organization for an initial response. Based on the response received, the RMA assigns the resolution a status and drafts an initial reaction. The RMA updates the resolutions database and issues bulletins with updates as […]

Bill 18: Provincial Priorities Act Receives First Reading

The RMA has several concerns with the Bill, which will require provincial approval for federal funding agreements with municipalities On April 10, 2024 Bill 18: Provincial Priorities Act was introduced in the Legislative Assembly. Bill 18 is intended to ensure the province reviews and approves any funding agreements made between the federal government and “provincial […]

Farm Restricted Class 1 Driver’s License Announced

The Government of Alberta is implementing a program to reduce barriers for farmers seeking a Class 1 driver’s license The Government of Alberta has launched a Farm-Restricted Class 1 Driver’s License, which will allow eligible farmers to obtain a Class 1 license without completing a pre-licensing training program. This license will allow eligible farmers and […]