Alberta’s urban municipalities gathered last week for their annual convention and as part of that event were provided with an update on the provincial government’s progress in rewriting the Municipal Government Act.
It is the ultimate legislation that governs municipalities across Alberta and while the rewrite was initiated by the Progressive Conservatives, the now governing NDP announced it will follow the same timelines.
The modernized MGA, said Minister of Municipal Affairs Deron Bilous, will be ready before the next municipal election in 2017.
“After years of consultation and a lack of leadership from the previous administration, our government is following through on its commitment to modernize municipal legislation,” Bilous said. “The structure will stress working together, growing together, and making our province better together. We are committed to a new era in provincial-municipal relations, one where communities work together to create a more collaborative, modern, efficient and sustainable future.”
A key area of the MGA is municipal partnerships, as collaborative and innovative ways to approach service delivery by cities and towns is encouraged. As a result, the two key metropolitan regions of Edmonton and Calgary will form growth management boards.
While the MGA sets out how municipalities are governed, funded and developed, Mayor John Borrowman said the new government has not specifically addressed any of the issues Canmore council identified in a letter to the government yet.
“I don’t think there were any specific details of some of the more substantive issues many municipalities are waiting to hear about,” he said. “A lot of municipalities at AUMA gave similar input in terms of tools municipalities need to function these days. But I’m optimistic the NDP government will be receptive to a lot of the suggestions provided.”
It is expected MGA changes will be released in draft form this fall and the legislation will be introduced in the legislature in spring of 2016 and proclaimed before fall 2017 municipal elections.
“I am pleased the new government has made this firm commitment to pass a revised MGA in 2016,” said Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi. “After years of consultation, it is good to see action on this important file.”
The MGA was introduced in 1995 and has been under review since 2012 in consultation with Albertans and municipal representatives. An amendment was passed in spring this year to add things that had consensus from municipal and industry representatives.
Outstanding issues include property assessment, taxation powers, affordable housing, land dedication, offsite levies, appeal boards and enforcement.
In Canmore’s submission, it asked for off site levies, for example, to be imposed on emergency services, recreation and transit facilities, libraries and pedestrian and cyclist improvements.
