Rural Municipalities of Alberta

Rural Municipalities of Alberta The Rural Municipalities of Alberta (RMA) is an independent association comprising Alberta’s 69 counties and municipal districts.

Since 1909, we have helped rural municipalities achieve strong, effective local government.

As summer evolves, so does the increase in facility rentals for occasions such as weddings, family reunions and other ev...
06/19/2026

As summer evolves, so does the increase in facility rentals for occasions such as weddings, family reunions and other events requiring larger community spaces. Municipalities and non-profit organizations are often the primary providers of these facilities and play an important role in supporting community use.

With increased demand comes increased exposure to risk. The RMA Insurance team has released guidance to help municipalities and organizations better manage facility rentals and support safe, well-managed use for all parties involved.

Read more: https://vist.ly/58eh2

“To imagine a rural community without volunteers is to imagine something simply unrecognizable.”This observation, from “...
06/18/2026

“To imagine a rural community without volunteers is to imagine something simply unrecognizable.”

This observation, from “Declining Rates of Volunteerism in Alberta and the Increasing Threat to Rural Municipalities,” reflects the essential role volunteers play in rural communities.

Volunteer firefighters are a key part of that foundation, and they play a critical role in ensuring fire safety in rural communities. Yet many municipalities are facing ongoing challenges in recruiting and retaining volunteers.

With Resolutions 1 24S and 5 24F, RMA members are calling for increased provincial support to help municipalities maintain local fire departments and adequately compensate volunteers. This would include increases in the Fire Services Training Program budget, as well as increases in tax credits for volunteers. Doing so would help municipalities procure updated equipment and fairly compensate volunteer firefighters for their dedicated community service.

Specifically, Resolution 1 24S also calls for government collaboration with partners such as the Fire Underwriters Survey assist municipalities in addressing declining fire department services.

Learn more and read provincial and federal government responses to RMA’s resolutions:
1-24S: https://vist.ly/58akw
5-24F: https://vist.ly/58akv

Read the “Declining Rates of Volunteerism in Alberta and the Increasing Threat to Rural Municipalities “ Volunteerism Report: https://vist.ly/58akz

Join us next week for two different webinars on very important topics concerning rural municipalities: 📣 RMA Webinar on...
06/17/2026

Join us next week for two different webinars on very important topics concerning rural municipalities:

📣 RMA Webinar on Regional Advisory Councils (RACs)
📆 Monday, June 22 | 10:00 - 11:00am
👉 Regional Advisory Councils (RACs) are intended to represent communities across the province to identify health care issues in their regions and explore potential solutions. RMA is hosting a webinar with Alberta Primary and Preventative Health Services to give an opportunity to members to better understand the role of Regional Advisory Councils.
🔗 https://vist.ly/5863y

-and-

📣 Bill 28 Webinar: Rural Municipal Impact Analysis
📆 Thursday, June 25 | 12:00 - 1:30pm
👉 Join RMA President, Kara Westerlund, and senior RMA staff as they walk RMA's new Bill 28 impact analysis and provide an opportunity for members to ask questions and share their perspectives.
🔗 https://vist.ly/5863u (View a copy of the newly released Impact Analysis here!)

How do you renew your driver’s license if you cannot drive to a registry?A growing number of Albertans are facing this q...
06/16/2026

How do you renew your driver’s license if you cannot drive to a registry?

A growing number of Albertans are facing this question when it comes time to renew licenses, registration, or update personal information.

Ten rural registries have closed since 2021. With fees for most registry services unchanged since 2005, registries in rural Alberta are forced to choose between operating at a loss or closing their doors. Closures are particularly challenging for rural Albertans who lack options to travel to more distant registries or who do not have access to the internet.

Through Resolution 8 25F, RMA is calling on the Government of Alberta to establish a more sustainable and equitable fee model for registries. Updated fees would help ensure all Albertans continue to have access to essential services close to home.

The Ministry of Service Alberta and Red Tape Reduction is considering this issue, but no formal updates have been announced to date. RMA will continue to monitor developments and advocate for a solution that supports long term service access.

Learn more about Resolution 8 25F:
https://vist.ly/57zim

Bill 28 received Royal Assent in May 2026 and introduces wide-ranging amendments across areas of municipal responsibilit...
06/15/2026

Bill 28 received Royal Assent in May 2026 and introduces wide-ranging amendments across areas of municipal responsibility, including planning and development, aggregate pits, seniors and social housing, regulated assessment, governance and accountability, municipal transparency, and oversight of public institutions.

RMA’s further review confirms that, taken together, these changes continue a multi-year trend of reduced municipal autonomy, increased provincial intervention, and the downloading of additional costs and risks onto municipalities, residents, and businesses.

RMA recently released a new report focused specifically on the autonomy and financial impacts of key provisions, including those that may shift decision-making authority, alter municipal revenue stability, or introduce new provincial oversight mechanisms.

Access the full Municipal Impact Analysis of Bill 28: https://vist.ly/57uy5

📣WEBINAR ALERT: June 25, 12-1:30pm📣

RMA understands the importance of Bill 28 to our members. In conjunction with this new analysis, RMA will be hosting a members-only webinar to dive deeper into the impact assessment. Join RMA President Kara Westerlund and senior RMA staff to learn more, ask questions, and offer perspectives.

Learn more and register: https://vist.ly/57uy5

Summer conditions bring increased operational activity, but they also introduce heightened exposure to heat-related risk...
06/12/2026

Summer conditions bring increased operational activity, but they also introduce heightened exposure to heat-related risks for municipal staff, assets, and facilities. Prolonged heat exposure, combined with outdoor work and increased facility use, can impact safety, productivity, and equipment performance.

The RMA Insurance team has released a bulletin containing guidance to help municipalities identify common heat-related risks and implement practical measures to protect employees, maintain operations, and reduce potential liability.

Read more: https://vist.ly/57kmh

Everyone needs to pay their taxes.RMA continues to call on the Government of Alberta to implement the Property Tax Accou...
06/11/2026

Everyone needs to pay their taxes.

RMA continues to call on the Government of Alberta to implement the Property Tax Accountability Strategy (PTAS), including commitments to make property tax compliance a condition of holding an Alberta Energy Regulator (AER) license.

Resolution 3‑24F called for stronger tools to address unpaid taxes, including measures such as freezing licenses where arrears exist and using royalty mechanisms to recover outstanding amounts from companies that walk away from their obligations.

The PTAS Final Report outlines practical steps to strengthen oversight, enforce compliance, and reduce the risk of growing municipal arrears.

RMA is urging progress and follow-through on the implementation of these commitments to ensure that no operator in Alberta gets away without paying their fair share.

After all, paying property taxes is essential not only to support municipal services, but also the very infrastructure that these operators rely on across Alberta.

Learn more about Resolution 3-24F: https://vist.ly/57fru

View the joint final PTAS report release: 03-13-26-PTAS-Final-Report-FINAL.pdf

View RMA’s priorities and expectations for government action on PTAS: 04-27-26-PTAS-Implementation-Brief.pdf

💻📣 WEBINAR ALERT: Regional Advisory Councils (RACs) RMA is hosting a webinar alongside Alberta Primary and Preventative ...
06/10/2026

💻📣 WEBINAR ALERT: Regional Advisory Councils (RACs)

RMA is hosting a webinar alongside Alberta Primary and Preventative Health Services to better understand the role of Regional Advisory Councils.

RACs are intended to represent communities across the province to identify health care issues in their regions and explore potential solutions. As the RAC’s mandate is to represent their communities’ health care perspectives and unique needs, RMA sees immense value in creating meaningful connections between RACs and RMA members.

We invite RMA members to join us on Monday June 22 from 10:00 - 11:00am. This webinar will be facilitated by Chris Bourdeau, Executive Director & Advisory Councils Secretariat with Alberta Primary and Preventative Health Services.

To register: https://vist.ly/57b8z

A stable source of energy is always in the public’s interest.Alberta’s grid is evolving, and the province must take poli...
06/09/2026

A stable source of energy is always in the public’s interest.

Alberta’s grid is evolving, and the province must take policy action that accounts for long‑term demand while maintaining affordability. This includes integrating renewable energy in a way that strengthens overall system reliability.

RMA members endorsed Resolution 18‑24F, which calls on the Government of Alberta to ensure renewable electricity projects contribute meaningfully to grid stability.

This means setting clear expectations for minimum energy generation capacity and ensuring projects are appropriately scaled to meet system needs. Alberta requires renewable projects that are aligned with real‑world demand, not just market opportunity.

Grid stability also depends on the infrastructure that carries electricity across the province. Alberta’s transmission and distribution systems must be resilient, modernized, and adequately funded. Without sustained investment, the grid will not be able to reliably integrate new renewable capacity or meet the growing needs of communities, industries, and consumers.

Albertans deserve an energy future that is both innovative and reliable. This starts with building a stable, well‑integrated grid capable of supporting the renewable electricity that will power the province for decades to come.

Learn more about Resolution 18-24F: https://vist.ly/576rj

⛳ LAST CALL FOR REGISTRATION! ⛳On June 19th, we'll be hitting the links alongside the team at Canoe Procurement Group of...
06/08/2026

⛳ LAST CALL FOR REGISTRATION! ⛳

On June 19th, we'll be hitting the links alongside the team at Canoe Procurement Group of Canada, for our annual Charity Golf Tournament. Join us at Cougar Creek Golf Resort in Carvel, AB for a day of golfing for a good cause as we raise money for the Stollery Children's Hospital Foundation.

To learn more and to register: https://vist.ly/562dx.

Please register by June 10th!

Address

2510 Sparrow Drive
Nisku, AB
T9E8N5

Opening Hours

Monday 8:15am - 4:30pm
Tuesday 8:15am - 4:30pm
Wednesday 8:15am - 4:30pm
Thursday 8:15am - 4:30pm
Friday 8:15am - 4:30pm

Telephone

+17809553639

Website

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