One Emergent Resolution Added to Spring 2024 Order Paper
To this point, the RMA has received one emergent resolution for the Spring 2024 Resolutions Session. The RMA’s Resolutions Committee has determined that the submitted resolution meets the criteria for emergent resolutions, as outlined in section E of the RMA’s Resolutions Process Policy. As a result, the resolution has been added to the Order Paper […]
2023 Wildfire Season Survey Briefing Now Available
The RMA has released a briefing of the 2023 Wildfire Season Survey for member awareness Following the 2023 wildfire season and in preparation for future wildfire seasons, the RMA released a survey to understand the experiences, challenges, victories, and lessons learned for rural municipalities across the province. This survey was open throughout December 2023 and […]
Alberta Budget 2024 – 2025: RMA Initial Analysis
The Government of Alberta has released Budget 2024 and the 2024 – 2027 Fiscal Plan. RMA President Paul McLauchlin’s initial reaction to Budget 2024 is as follows: For rural municipalities, Budget 2024 shows that the Government of Alberta is making a commitment to improving planning, mitigation, response, and resiliency to natural disasters, including drought and […]
RMA Supportive of Most Changes to Renewable Energy Development in Alberta
The Minister of Affordability and Utilities released policy changes from the AUC’s Module A report Following the six-month renewable energy pause and AUC inquiry into renewable energy development, the Minister of Affordability and Utilities released several policy changes that will impact renewable energy approval processes and reclamation requirements moving forward. The changes include: A requirement […]
RMA Seeking Participants for Volunteerism in Rural Alberta Study
RMA has partnered with the Alberta Centre for Sustainable Rural Communities (ACSRC) at the University of Alberta to conduct a study on volunteerism in rural Alberta The Alberta Centre for Sustainable Rural Communities (ACSRC) at the University of Alberta, in collaboration with the RMA, are conducting an academic research study that explores recent trends in […]
RMA Supports Changes to Renewable Energy Development, Looks Forward to a Stronger Municipal Voice in the Process
Nisku, AB, February 29, 2024 – On February 28, 2024, the Government of Alberta released its renewed path forward for renewable energy development. The approach includes several changes to the project approval and reclamation process, including automatic standing for municipalities in Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC) hearings, stronger reclamation requirements for renewable projects, and restrictions on […]
Drought Webinars for Municipalities Now Open for Registration
The RMA and ABmunis are hosting two collaborative webinars to prepare members for the 2024 drought season The RMA and ABmunis are co-hosting two webinars for municipalities to learn and prepare for the expected 2024 provincial droughts. Preparing Northern Municipalities for Drought (municipalities north of Red Deer) Thursday, March 7, from 1:00 to 2:00 pm […]
Band-Aid Solutions Fall Short: Some Oil and Gas Companies Continue to Ignore Property Taxes as Regulator Sits on Hands
Nisku, AB, February 27, 2024 – The Rural Municipalities of Alberta (RMA) has conducted a member survey identifying that, as of December 31, 2023, at least $251.8 million of municipal property taxes have gone unpaid by oil and gas companies. This marks the sixth consecutive year that the RMA conducted the survey, and unfortunately the […]
RMA Assigns Statuses to Five 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 […]
Resolutions for the RMA 2024 Spring Convention Now Available
The resolutions that will be presented during the resolution session at the RMA 2024 Spring Convention are now available. The following resolutions were submitted prior to the RMA’s resolution deadline: 1-24S Declining Fire Department Services Across Rural Alberta (Smoky Lake County) 2-24S Water Apportionment Performance (MD of Taber) 3-24S Continued Support for Regional Economic Development […]