Ship and Rail Compensation Canada Introduces Local Government Checklist for Major Rail Accidents
The checklist is a practical and easy to use tool designed to simplify the compensation process by breaking it down into clear, actionable steps. Ship and Rail Compensation Canada manages two funds: the Ship Fund and the Rail Fund. The Rail Fund compensates anyone affected by major railway accidents involving crude oil on a federally […]
Alberta Municipal Affairs Seeking Arbitrators and Mediators
Alberta Municipal Affairs is currently expanding its roster of private sector mediators, arbitrators, and mediation/arbitration practitioners. Alberta Municipal Affairs’ Municipal Dispute Resolution initiative offers municipalities the opportunity to engage qualified mediators, arbitrators, and practitioners to resolve intermunicipal disputes and those arising from negotiations related to Intermunicipal Collaboration Frameworks (ICFs). The roster is managed by Alberta […]
AUC Consultation on Amended Rule 007
The Alberta Utilities Commission has issued a draft blackline version of Rule 007: Facility Applications and have invited written feedback from interested parties. Following the AUC’s 2024 consultation on Rule 007, to which RMA made a written submission, the AUC has issued a draft blackline version of Rule 007: Facility Applications. The draft blackline describes […]
Domestic Animals: Measures to Protect Municipalities from Liability
Background From a liability insurance standpoint, there is no “free first bite,” nor is “he’s never bitten anyone before” a valid legal defense. In general, liability arising from a dog attack falls upon the dog’s owner, but recent cases have implicated municipalities. Here, we present some best practices being leveraged by municipalities and information about […]
RMA Looks Forward to Working with the Government of Alberta to Solve Unpaid Oil and Gas Property Tax Issue
NISKU, ALBERTA, MARCH 24, 2025 – Last week, the Rural Municipalities of Alberta (RMA) released member data identifying that as of December 31, 2024, at least $253.9 million of municipal property taxes have gone unpaid by oil and gas companies. Despite government efforts to address the issue, the findings make it clear that these measures […]
Government of Alberta to Introduce Integrated Water Program to Support Water Infrastructure Development
The Ministry of Transportation and Economic Corridors is launching a new program to enhance water infrastructure for industrial and agricultural use. The Government of Alberta, through the Ministry of Transportation and Economic Corridors (TEC), is in the process of developing the Integrated Water Program (IWP) intended to improve and expand water infrastructure across the province. […]
RMA’s Legislative Update: Week of March 10 to 14, 2025
Following the release of Budget 2025 on February 27 and Constituency Week from March 4 to 8, MLAs returned to the Legislature for the Spring Session on Monday, March 10. RMA’s next Legislative Update will come on March 28, 2025, following a one-week hiatus for RMA’s 2025 Spring Convention. Visitors to the Legislature this week […]
RMA Releases Rural Charitable Gaming Community Guide
As the final component of the “Losing Bet” campaign, RMA has released a community guide to support member advocacy. The current charitable gaming model is a “Losing Bet” for rural Alberta. The model requires rural organizations to travel farther, wait longer, and earn lower revenues than organizations located in Edmonton or Calgary. Despite hosting more […]
Municipal Wildfire Reporting Tool & Training Session
The Government of Alberta has developed a Wildfire Reporting Tool and is hosting an information and training session to teach municipalities how to use the new tool. The Government of Alberta is responsible for mitigating wildfire risk and maintaining the safety of Albertans. To help fulfill that mandate, Alberta Wildfire is introducing a reporting tool […]
RMA Launches Rural Economic Development Toolkit
The Rural Economic Development Toolkit is a great tool to help ramp up economic development efforts or launch an economic development advisory committee in your community. The RMA’s Rural Economic Development Toolkit is now live! The toolkit includes practical guidance and tools for: RMA is officially launching the toolkit at the 2025 Spring Convention. We […]