Municipal Alberta
Garburator Ban Pitched
OKOTOKS -- Most people with a garburator under their sink forget about their table scraps with the push of a button, but consultants for the Town of Okotoks say the food particles are creating a heavy burden on the wastewater treatment plant. (Western Wheel)
Power Line Sparks Battle
PINCHER CREEK -- An attempt by two powerful oil companies to block a new electrical transmission line from Pincher Creek to Lethbridge will not go unchallenged by town and Municipal District councillors. (Pincher Creek Echo)
Sustainable Defiance
VULCAN -- Vulcan County Coun. Grant Lahd wants to table Coun. Glenn Logan's proposal for a Vulcan County Sustainability Fund indefinitely, in defiant opposition of the idea. (Vulcan Advocate)
Water Supply Ensured
CHAMPION -- More than 7,000 people in southern Alberta have a secure water supply with the opening of the Little Bow Project. (Government of Alberta Press Release)
New Manager Named
CALGARY -- Owen Tobert has been hired as the city manager, 8 months after being appointed to temporarily fill the role. (CBC Calgary)
Growth Challenge
AIRDRIE -- With a recent census pegging Airdrie's population at 25,606 and revealing that 40% of residents have lived in Airdrie for less than 5 years, city staff members and elected officials are faced with the challenge of effectively managing growth. (Airdrie Echo)
MD Opposes Wells
CALGARY -- The MD of Rocky View has joined 8 interveners submitting letters of concern to the Alberta Energy and Utilities Board (AEUB) regarding the EOG Resources plan to drill a level-two critical sour gas well north of Bragg Creek. (Cochrane Times)
Mayor Slams Project
COCHRANE -- While the rest of council was embracing the RancheHouse and its underbudget status, Mayor Judy Stewart was slamming anyone and anything involved with the facility. (Cochrane Times)
Sewage Proposal Raises Stink
LACOMBE -- When it comes to disposing of sewage from lakeside subdivisions, Lacombe County is finding it can't please all the people at any time. (Red Deer Advocate)
Reeve Petition Tossed
RED DEER -- Red Deer Court of Queen's Bench Justice Eric Macklin has ruled in favour of Red Deer County and county manager Rob Coon, who had turned down a petition to elect a reeve. (Red Deer Advocate)
Crackdown On Rowdies
RED DEER -- Drunken rowdies who run wild in downtown Red Deer once the bars close have prompted city council to pass what some are calling the toughest rules in Canada. (CBC Edmonton)
Cities Need Immediate Help: Conference
RED DEER -- Red Deer Mayor Gail Surkan was one of 15 other mid-sized city mayors who met in Medicine Hat last week to discuss common issues facing their communities. (RedDeerExpress.com)
Beach Admission Fees?
SYLVAN LAKE -- Visitors to Sylvan Lake Provincial Park could pay to use beaches, reserve picnic tables and dock boats if the town takes over the park. (Red Deer Advocate)
Smoke Ban Resisted
ROCKY MOUNTAIN HOUSE -- Ponoka and Clearwater County will not join other Central Alberta communities in seeking tough new anti-smoking bylaws. (Red Deer Advocate)
Councillor Pleads Not Guilty
DRAYTON VALLEY -- A Drayton Valley town councillor who is facing criminal charges has entered pleas of not guilty. (Drayton Valley Western Review)
Regional Water Project Gets Boost
LACOMBE -- Two major pieces of an effort to pipe water north from the Red Deer River to at least five municipalities fell into place. (Lacombe Globe)
No Gas Pains -- Yet
WETASKIWIN -- Record high fuel prices should not affect city services for now, or cause a deficit this year, said officials. (Wetaskiwin Times Advertiser)
Trolleys On Last Legs?
EDMONTON -- Electric bus supporters face an uphill battle to save Edmonton's trolley fleet. (630CHED.com)
Cop Funding Agreement Gets Nod
EDMONTON -- AUMA held a special meeting on policing, and it was agreed that AUMA members be advised to sign the Letters of Agreement on policing costs. PDF file. (AUMA - News Release)
Subdivision Moves Ahead
ST. ALBERT -- A proposed controversial subdivision which would eventually house as many as 16,000 people on St. Albert's northern border could become a reality as early as July 6. (stalbertgazette.com)
Butt Ban Passed
FORT SASKATCHEWAN -- Following an emotional public hearing in a packed council chamber, council gave final approval to the smoking bylaw which pitted local restaurant owners and businessmen against a concerned public. (Sturgeon Creek Post)
Excellent Practices: Municipal Government Day Program
GRANDE PRAIRIE -- The City of Grande Prairie has developed an annual Municipal Government Day Program to encourage a sense of pride in City staff. Another cool practice posted this month on MENet, Alberta's Municipal Excellence Network. (MENet.ab.ca)
Good News For Ratepayers
FAIRVIEW -- CAO Lloyd Johnston told council 2 recent announcements by the provincial and federal governments will save the town substantial money each year. (Fairview Post)
New CAO
WORSLEY -- The Municipal District of Clear Hills has a new CAO. (Fairview Post)
No Deal On Cost-Sharing
PEACE RIVER -- The Town of Peace River has refused to sign a revised cost-sharing agreement proposed by the MD of Northern Lights, MD of Peace, and Northern Sunrise County. (Peace River Record Gazette)
Reeve Race Begins
SLAVE LAKE -- "We're all in the same boat and if we all row together in the same direction, we'll get where we need to go," says the man who hopes to replace resigning MD of Lesser Slave River Reeve Sheila Foley. (Lakeside Leader)
Cop Funding Agreement Signed
VERMILION -- Although mayor Judy Woyewitka is pleased with how much money Vemilion will save on policing costs, she feels the formula used to decide which communities receive help is unfair. (Vermilion Standard)
Dust Policy Cleaned Up
SPIRIT RIVER -- Saddle Hills County council has made significant changes to its dust control or calcium application policy to help residents combat dust. (Signal article reproduced with permission on MuniMall)
Alberta Municipal Contact Info
To track down municipal officials in Alberta, MuniMall recommends starting with Municipal Profiles, a very current set of listings maintained by Alberta Municipal Affairs.
Municipal Saskatchewan
Cop Appeals In Case Involving Ex-Mayor
PRINCE ALBERT -- One of two police officers convicted of obstructing justice in the impaired driving case against Prince Albert's former mayor is appealing his conviction. (CBC Saskatchewan)
Health Before Booze
KINDERSLEY -- People in 3 Saskatchewan communities are being asked whether they want new liquor board stores or not, although some municipal politicians would rather see the funding directed towards health care. (CBC Saskatchewan)
$2.27M Short In Lawsuit
MOOSE JAW -- The city's insurance will not cover the balance of damages awarded to a young woman rendered quadriplegic in an accident at a city intersection 13 years ago. (Times Herald)
Approval Process Slammed
LLOYDMINSTER -- A company responsible for many big developments in the Border City said the development process should not be slowed by upper administration. (Lloydminster Meridian Booster)
Landlords Oppose Bylaw
MEADOW LAKE -- Council delayed a decision on a proposed bylaw which would see landlords held responsible for water bills unpaid by tenants, after local landlords questioned the bylaw. (Meadow Lake Progress)
New Deal Stressed
REGINA, SK -- Mayor Pat Fiacco is asking citizens to consider a New Deal for cities when casting their vote on June 28. (City of Regina - News Release)
Saskatchewan Municipal Contact Info
To track down municipal officials in Saskatchewan, MuniMall recommends starting with the Municipal Directory System, maintained by Saskatchewan Government Relations and Aboriginal Affairs.
Municipal Manitoba
Residents Oppose Abbatoir
INWOOD -- RM of Armstrong residents are petitioning against a proposal for a sheep and goat abattoir. (Interlake Spectator)
RM Considers Legal Options
LAC DU BONNET -- The RM of Lac du Bonnet is meeting with legal counsel to decide what actions to take against Manitoba Hydro. (Lac du Bonnet Leader)
Bill 40 Blues
MORDEN -- There is growing opposition to Bill 40, which would eliminate the conditional use hearing process governing livestock operations and restrict conditions that municipalities may impose when approving an application. (Winkler Times)
The Katz' Meow
WINNIPEG -- He's the Katz's meow. Newly elected mayor Sam Katz proved a big hit at "party" headquarters, drawing rave reviews from more than a few local notables. (Winnipeg Sun)
No Break For Manager Turned Bank Robber
WINNIPEG -- Former Winnipeg city official and convicted serial bank robber Klaus Burlakow has failed in his attempt to have his sentence reduced. (CBC News: Winnipeg)
Manitoba Municipal Contact Info
To track down municipal officials in Manitoba, MuniMall recommends starting with Manitoba Municipal Profiles, maintained by Manitoba's Department of Intergovernmental Affairs.
Municipal North
Fire Alert
SWIFT RIVER, YK -- Residents and tourists in the community of Swift River have been told they may have to leave the community if the forest fire situation in the area gets worse. (CBC North)
Cabbies Want Bylaw Beefed Up
WHITEHORSE, YK -- The recent murder of a cab driver in Whitehorse has prompted cabbies to call for measures to improve their safety. The city bylaw requires cab drivers to provide service to any orderly person. (CBC North)
Boil Advisory May Lift
YELLOWKNIFE, NT -- Officials from the city of Yellowknife and the Stanton Territorial Hospital say the boil-water advisory for the area could be lifted soon. (CBC North)
Land Lease On Council's Radar
RANKIN INLET, NU -- A group of international scientists want to set up radar stations in Rankin Inlet and Inuvik, and Rankin Inlet council has approved a land lease for the project. (CBC North)
Municipal North Contact Info
To track down municipal officials in the Northwest Territories, MuniMall recommends starting with the MACA Community Database, maintained by the NWT's Municipal and Community Affairs. For Yukon contacts, try Yukon Community Profiles. We are not aware of any online directory for Nunavut; if you can recommend one, please email us.
Municipal Ontario
Mayors Meet MPs
ESSEX -- Bringing back the vitality of municipalities was the main concern at a meeting held in Belle River, where Essex MP Susan Whelan, Finance Minister Ralph Goodale, and local Essex county mayors thrashed out the issues. (Amherstburg Echo)
New GM
WINDSOR -- The City of Windsor is pleased to announce that Ronna Warsh will serve as the Interim General Manager of Social Services. (City of Windsor - Press Release)
CAO Position Survives
BRANTFORD -- City council has decided to keep the CAO position after all. (Brantford Expositor)
Pit Bull Ban In Works
CHATHAM -- Chatham-Kent council voted to have administration move forward on developing a bylaw to ban pit bulls and pit bull crosses. (Osprey Media Group - Chatham Daily News)
Amalgamation "Fraudulent"
ZURICH -- "Essentially, the whole premise is fraudulent," said Bayfield resident Bill Higgs about the province-wide practice of amalgamating several local communities into one. (Lakeshore Advance)
Growing Democracy
KENILWORTH -- It was a clear sign of democracy in action when a group of Grade 5 students met with Wellington North Council. (Mt. Forest Confederate)
Self-Insurance Considered
PORT ELGIN -- Mayor Mark Kraemer is upset with a refusal by insurance companies to cover equipment for contract snowplow operators and suggests a municipal self-insurance program might be better. (Shoreline Beacon)
Embarrassing Leak
ST. CATHARINES -- The City of St. Catharines is spending $190G to fix a leak in a fish pond, but that might be a bargain compared to the nearly $120G it spent last year topping up the pond with tap water. (Osprey Media Group Inc. - St. Catharines Standard)
Council Blamed For Tiger Attack
FINGAL -- As a 10-year-old boy recovers from a tiger attack, Southwold residents are furious that township council did not keep its promise to pass a bylaw controlling exotic animals. (The Chronicle)
Urban-Rural Gap Growing
GODERICH -- The real province of Ontario ends at the very edges of whatever boundary Toronto claims--this point was driven home recently with the release of a provincial government panel recommendation that suggested "unsustainable rural areas in Canada's heartland be taken off life-support and allowed to die a natural death." Editorial. (The Age Dispatch)
Emergency Plan Tested
WINGHAM -- Two tornadoes have touched down in Wingham, and the emergency plan swings into action. "Exercise Foundry" has begun, as directed by North Huron's community emergency management coordinator Kathy Adams. (Wingham Advance-Times)
Be Prepared
HAMILTON -- "Be prepared" is a principle taken very seriously at the City of Hamilton, especially when it comes to municipal emergencies. (City of Hamilton - News release)
Municipal Act Under Review
TORONTO -- The Ontario government is helping local governments better serve their residents by reviewing the Municipal Act, 2001 to make it more relevant to local government, said Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing John Gerretsen. (Ontario Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing - News Release)
Cops Not Stalking Me, Councillor Admits
TORONTO -- A Toronto city councillor backed away from an earlier allegation that police officers have been watching him since he joined the city's police services board. (CBC Toronto)
Smog Summit
TORONTO -- At the fifth annual Smog Summit, held at Metro Hall in Toronto, Mayor David Miller announced the City of Toronto's latest commitments to reducing energy use, and thereby reducing smog. (City of Toronto - News Release)
EcDev Shakeup "Crazy"
STOUFFVILLE -- Replacing Whitchurch-Stouffville's economic development department with a committee will prove to be a serious mistake, a former town manager said. (yorkregion.com)
Municipal Nature
BOWMANVILLE -- The importance of creating a natural environment as an integrated part of the structure of towns and cities was discussed at conference led by Darlington Nuclear. (durham.com)
Special Constables Not Wanted
VAUGHAN -- Councillors should make sure there are enough York Regional Police officers patrolling the city, rather than setting up their own squad, the president of a ratepayer association believes. (yorkregion.com)
Lifesaving Lauded
WHITBY -- The Town of Whitby was recently presented with the Burlington Cup, in recognition of having the largest lifesaving program in an Ontario community their size. (durham.com)
Mayors Support Grit
UXBRIDGE -- All three municipal leaders in the riding of Clarington/Scugog/Uxbridge made history as they came out publicly in favour of the candidacy of one person, local Liberal Tim Lang. (Port Perry Star)
Billing Practices 'Nightmare'
COBOURG -- Inaccurate projections and delayed billings by a provincial ministry caused serious financial problems for Northumberland County this year, leading directly to an unprecedented re-opening of the annual budget, says one county manager. (Online Independent)
Written Complaints Only
NAPANEE -- Town council has decided to uphold its policy that requires Greater Napanee residents to make bylaw enforcement complaints in writing. (Osprey Media Group - Napanee Guide)
Councillors Walk Out
PETERBOROUGH -- Two councillors walked out of a closed-door meeting at city hall protesting that the information shouldn't be kept secret. (Osprey Media Group - Peterborough Examiner)
Green Grant For Creative Sewage Solution
STIRLING -- Mayor Peter Kooistra of the Township of Stirling-Rawdon announced a Green Municipal Investment Fund project of almost $700G that will help construct a subsurface flow wetland to provide an environmentally sustainable sewage treatment solution. (Federation of Canadian Municipalities press release)
Board Fired
OTTAWA -- City council has voted to fire the entire board of the Ottawa Community Housing Corporation after months of complaints from residents about filthy conditions and lax security. (CBC Ottawa)
Skeeter Funds Cut
OTTAWA -- Municipalities across Ontario are getting less provincial funding this year to combat the West Nile virus. (Ottawa Citizen - canada.com network)
Director Resigns
NORTH BAY -- John Santarossa has resigned after less than 3 months as executive director of the Downtown Improvement Area in North Bay. (Osprey Media Group - North Bay Nugget)
Cop Shop Fixes Ordered
NEW TECUMSETH -- The Ministry of Labour has issued 12 work orders to bring the Nottawasaga OPP's Beeton headquarters up to standards at a cost of $151G. (New Tecumseth Free Press)
Town Appeals MOE Charges
ALLISTON -- The Town is appealing four charges laid against it, by the Ministry of Environment, associated with the Town's water treatment and distribution system. (New Tecumseth Free Press)
Election Charges Laid
NOELVILLE -- The mayor and a councillor in French River are among four people charged in connection with an Ontario Provincial Police investigation into voting irregularities in the municipality in last November's municipal election. (Osprey Media Group - The Sudbury Star)
Class Action Suit Brewing
MIDLAND -- A fight against high municipal taxes could lead to a class-action lawsuit on behalf of all condominium owners in the province. (Osprey Media Group - Midland Free Press)
New Councillor Sworn In
ALGOMA MILLS -- A new councillor, Georgina MacDonald, was sworn to fill the vacancy left by the sudden passing of Nelson Kreko. (Osprey Media Group - Elliott Lake Standard)
Can't Afford OPP
KIRKLAND LAKE -- The town will be investigating all its possibilities before it signs another contract with the OPP for police services. (Osprey Media Group - Northern News)
Nuke-Free North
TIMMINS -- Northern Ontario will remain free of nuclear waste if major city mayors have their way. (Thunder Bay's Source)
Ontario Municipal Contact Info
To track down municipal officials in this province, MuniMall recommends starting with Community Profiles, maintained by Ontario Economic Development.
Municipal Atlantic
Human Rights Case Closed
KENSINGTON, PE -- Lorna Deware's human rights fight with the Town of Kensington is over. (CBC - Prince Edward Island)
Council Considers City Lockup
CHARLOTTETOWN, PE -- Charlottetown City Council is taking another look at setting up jail cells closer to the city. (CBC - Prince Edward Island)
Pedestrian Safety Pondered
MONCTON, NB -- The City of Moncton is searching for ways to stop pedestrians and cyclists from crossing busy highways following the death of a 13-year-old girl. (CBC - New Brunswick)
Mayor Pleads For Help
CANSO, NS -- The mayor of Canso says residents are leaving his town by the dozens. (CBC - Nova Scotia)
. . . And Province Wades In
CANSO, NS -- Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations Minister Barry Barnet has written to the mayor and council of Canso, advising them that the current budget crisis in the town cannot continue and it is now time to consider other options. (Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations - News Release)
Angry Crowd Alleges Racism
HALIFAX, NS -- Former Africville residents and their descendants accused city hall of racism and thievery and demanded justice for their lost community. (The Daily News)
Talks Are On, Says HRM
HALIFAX, NS -- Halifax Regional Municipality is working with the federal and provincial governments to establish a fitting memorial for the former community of Africville. (Halifax Regional Municipality - News Release)
Town Wants Tourists Back
YARMOUTH, NS -- After US visitors dropped by 15%, Town Council will write a letter supporting a call for more customs and immigration stations and another letter to Transport Canada asking that a new terminal building be constructed. (The Vanguard)
Councillor Alleges Threat
ST JOHN'S, NL -- A St. John's city councillor says he has been threatened with violence because he changed his mind on the controversial plan to convert Memorial Stadium to a supermarket. (CBC - Newfoundland & Labrador)
Wasted Days, Wasted Nights
HARBOUR GRACE, NL -- As garbage piles higher and spills over into the woods behind towns in Conception Bay North and the province has turned down their latest proposal after 20 months of studies, mayors are throwing up their hands in frustration and disgust (The Compass)
Municipal Atlantic Contact Info
To track down municipal officials in Prince Edward Island, MuniMall recommends starting with the PEI Municipalities web page, maintained by InfoPEI. For Nova Scotia officials, try Municipal Contacts from Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations. For contacts in Newfoundland and Labrador, check out the Municipal Directory on this province's Municipal and provincial Affairs website. Though incomplete, the best online directory for New Brunswick municipalities is the Municipal Information list maintained by the Government of Canada Depository Services Program. If you can recommend other municipal contact lists on the Internet, please email us.
Getting Wired
New Website Puts Data On The Map
HALIFAX, NS -- A new Internet site will make it easier to find high quality Nova Scotia geographic data for municipal planning. (Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations - News Release)
City Website Scoops 4 Awards
HAMILTON, ON -- The City of Hamilton has picked up 'gold' awards and other accolades for Map.Hamilton.ca, a free map service on the Web that's changing the way people do business, access information and manage municipal services. (City of Hamilton - News Release)
High Speed Hits In North
ST. JOHN'S, NL -- Thirty-six communities will receive high-speed Internet service on the Northern Peninsula thanks to the efforts of a local economic development board and funding from the provincial government. (Government of Government of Newfoundland and Labrador Press Release)
Broadband Bliss In South
ST. JOHN'S, NL -- Twenty-four communities on the southern Avalon Peninsula will receive high-speed Internet services through the efforts of a regional economic development board and funding from the provincial government. (Government of Government of Newfoundland and Labrador Press Release)
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