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 […]
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 […]