Unpaid Oil & Gas Taxes: Worsening Crisis Calls for a Collaborative Solution
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE NISKU, ALBERTA, MARCH 12, 2025 – The Rural Municipalities of Alberta (RMA) has conducted a member survey identifying that as of December 31, 2024, at least $253.9 million of municipal property taxes have gone unpaid by oil and gas companies. This marks the seventh consecutive year of the survey which highlights the […]
RMA Statement on United States Tariffs on Canada
In response to the tariffs imposed on Canada by the United States this week, RMA President Kara Westerlund has made the following statement: The United States’ blanket 25% tariffs on Canada, along with the 10% tariff on Canadian energy exports, will have direct and lasting impacts on rural municipalities, rural residents, and the resource-based sectors […]
Board Governance Review Committee Delivers Recommendations
Be ready to vote on the Board Governance Review Committee’s recommendations at RMA’s 2025 Spring Convention In order to operate effectively and remain accountable to members, RMA is committed to undertaking a review of the association’s governance structure every four years. RMA undertook its most recent review beginning in December 2024. The Board Governance Review […]
Celebrating International Women’s Day
International Women’s Day is a global day to celebrate and honor the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women and girls. At RMA, we are proud to have three great women leaders as a part of our Board of Directors: Kara Westerlund (President), Amber Link (Director, District 2), and Karen Rosvold (Director, District 4). […]
Government of Alberta to Bring the Provincial Priorities Act into Force
The Government of Alberta recently filed the Provincial Priorities Regulation with the King’s Printer and intends to bring the Provincial Priorities Act and Regulation into force on April 1, 2025. The Provincial Priorities Act, 2024 (formerly Bill 18) requires provincial entities to obtain approval from the Government of Alberta before entering into, amending, extending, or […]
Wildfire Working Group Summary Report Now Available
The RMA’s Wildfire Working Group (WWG) met throughout the summer of 2024 and again in January 2025 to develop a strategy to manage wildfires outside the Forest Protection Area (FPA), as requested by RMA resolution 7-23F: Strategy for Management of Wildland Fires Outside Forest Protection Area. This work has culminated in RMA’s Wildfire Working Group […]
Government of Alberta Conducting Review of Land and Property Rights Tribunal Processes
The Government of Alberta is organizing a review of the Land and Property Rights Tribunal to improve efficiency and effectiveness. The Land and Property Rights Tribunal (LPRT) is responsible for decisions related to land use planning, development, right of entry, compensation, and assessment matters. These responsibilities, which were formerly managed by the Municipal Government Board, […]
Government of Alberta Releases Police Review Commission Survey
The Government of Alberta is gathering input regarding the Police Review Commission. The Police Review Commission (PRC) is a new agency that will independently investigate complaints against the police in Alberta. The PRC was created in response to long-standing calls for policing reforms to meet the public’s evolving expectations around increased accountability and transparency. […]
RMA Releases a Report on Charitable Gaming in Alberta
As the final component of the “Losing Bet” campaign, RMA is releasing a report on charitable gaming in Alberta. The current charitable gaming model is a “losing bet” for rural Alberta. The model requires rural organizations to travel further, wait longer, and earn lower revenues than organizations located in Edmonton or Calgary. Despite hosting […]
Public Engagement Course Open for Registration
Effective public engagement is key to fostering transparency, inclusivity, and trust in municipal decision-making. Registration is now open for the Elected Official’s Education Program (EOEP) Public Engagement online course. Students in this course will: This course will be held on March 27, April 3, and April 10 from 6:30pm to 8:45pm. All EOEP sessions are […]