Municipal Alberta
Municipal Affairs Annual Report
EDMONTON -- Alberta Municipal Affairs Annual Report has been released. Large PDF file. (Alberta Ministry of Municipal Affairs)
Centennial Grants Announced
EDMONTON -- Alberta 2005 Centennial Legacies grants totaling $33M have been awarded to 45 community-owned and-operated projects across Alberta announced Gene Zwozdesky, Minister of Community Development. (Government of Alberta - News Release)
Energy Saving Loans
EDMONTON -- A total of $1.2 million in interest-free loans is being provided to 13 municipalities to help achieve energy savings in their operations. (Government of Alberta - News Release)
CAO Vacancy
OKOTOKS -- The search is on for a new Town CAO. PDF file. (Town of Okotoks - Human Resources)
Former Mayor, Council Shafted
PINCHER CREEK -- In an unexpected move, incoming Mayor Don Anderberg called an organizational meeting for Oct. 6, much to the surprise of the incumbents who were not seeking re-election. (Pincher Creek Echo)
No More Tax Breaks
VULCAN -- Despite reducing tax penalties in August, councillors voted down a plan to eliminate them until the New Year. (Vulcan Advocate)
Annexation Complete
COCHRANE -- After years of planning, months of negotiations and then months more of waiting, the Town of Cochrane got the news they were waiting for. (Cochrane Times)
Cops Still Good Guys
CALGARY -- Current complaints of police misconduct aren't likely to cost the force valuable credibility, says Calgary's top cop. (Calgary Sun)
New Member In Academy
CALGARY -- Susan Gray, CMC, Assistant Deputy Clerk of the City of Calgary, has been accepted as a member in the Master Municipal Clerk Academy Program of the International Institute of Municipal Clerks (IIMC). (IIMC Press Release submitted to MuniMall)
Town Feels Ignored
LACOMBE -- Although the Alberta Urban Municipalities Association (AUMA), of which Lacombe is a member, has pushed the Province for equitable police funding for a while, its latest effort ignores communities like Lacombe with their own police services, according to Town officials. (Lacombe Globe)
New Manager
NISKU -- Leduc County Council announced the appointment of Doug Wright as its new County Manager, replacing interim County Manager, Larry Majeski, who served the County for 35 years. (Leduc County Press Release submitted to MuniMall)
Rurals, Urbans Work Together
EDMONTON -- The AUMA and AAMD&C are pleased to present a Cost-sharing Tool Kit as part of the recommendations of the AUMA/AAMD&C Urban/Rural Cost-Sharing Task Force. (AUMA)
Municipal Excellence Winners Announced
EDMONTON -- Five Alberta municipalities have received a Minister's Award for Municipal Excellence in recognition of innovation and leading practice in local government. (Government of Alberta Press Release)
Visioning Sessions Have Excellent Focus
VILNA -- In May 2000, the Village of Vilna participated in a Community Visioning Session with the community stakeholders, including students, local clubs, seniors, business people and community leaders. An award-winning practice recently posted on MENet, Alberta's Municipal Excellence Network. (MENet.ab.ca)
Toilet Rebates Offered
SHERWOOD PARK -- Strathcona County is offering a $50 rebate to residents who replace their high-volume toilet with a lower volume model. (Strathcona County)
Gloves Are Off
ST. ALBERT - While Edmonton's municipal election plods along with occasional outbreaks of minor controversy, St. Albert is in the midst of a bare-knuckle campaign. (Edmonton Journal)
Top Job Filled
FORT SASKATCHEWAN -- Fort Saskatchewan City Council decided to promote from within when filling the position of City Manager. (City of Fort Saskatchewan Press Release submitted to MuniMall)
New Town Planner
VERMILION -- The Town of Vermilion has hired Allan Wilson to the position of town planner/development officer. (Vermilion Standard)
15 Minutes Of Fame
HINTON -- Fifteen minutes is not a lot of time, so Hinton town councillors have prepared to make the most of their brief sitdown with Premier Ralph Klein. (Hinton Parklander)
No Need For Speed
MAYERTHORPE -- The Town of Mayerthorpe is lobbying Alberta Transportation to keep speed limits at a minimum along highway 43 within the town cooperate limits. (Mayerthorpe Freelancer)
CAO Moves On
SWAN HILLS -- After ten and a half years of dedicated exemplary service, the Town of Swan Hills is losing Town Manager Brad Watson to the Town of Barrhead. (Town of Swan Hills Release submitted to MuniMall)
Transit System Takes Off
COLD LAKE -- The Cold Lake Transit System is now operational, and City Hall is receiving kudos for its new system and knowledgeable drivers. (Cold Lake Sun)
Absentee Mayor Draws Fire
FORT MCMURRAY -- Mayoral challenger Tom Griffin took aim at incumbent Doug Faulkner for leaving the country during the current election campaign, but his other opponents are less critical of the move. (Fort McMurray Today)
Two Seats Dropped
FALHER -- For the first time since 1989, voters in the Town of Falher will elect a full council in municipal elections on Oct. 18 -- but with a reduced number of councillors. (Smoky River Express)
Alarming Ambulance Service
VERMILION -- Vermilion Valley Ambulance received several bills from the Town of Vermilion stemming from several separate incidents. (Vermilion Standard)
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.
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Municipal Saskatchewan
SARM Salutes BSE Aid
REGINA -- The Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities (SARM) welcomes the provincial contribution to the national Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) relief program. PDF file. (SARM)
Timely Debate
REGINA -- The provincial government is once again willing to consider a switch to daylight saving time. Municipal leaders in the eastern part of the province also want Saskatchewan to move its clocks ahead each spring. (CBC Saskatchewan)
Switch To Be Considered
MELFORT -- The City of Melfort council will discuss the request for support from the City of Yorkton and the Yorkton Chamber of Commerce to implement the use of Daylight Saving Time (DST) in the province. (Melfort Journal)
Switch A No-Brainer
ESTEVAN -- The City of Estevan has lent their support to the voices of discontentment regarding the province's reluctance to embrace daylight saving time. (Estevan Mercury)
Bad Investment
SWIFT CURRENT -- Investing in a parkade in Swift Current's downtown core is not a good investment, especially when it comes at a loss of $60 thousand a year. That is what the City of Medicine Hat has found out. (SwiftCurrentOnline.com)
Leisure Costs Spiral
YORKTON -- Yorkton city councillors heard a presentation they were hoping wouldn't come -- another request for an additional $1.53 million for the Yorkton Family Leisure Centre. (Yorkton News Extra)
Town Workers Walk Out
KAMSACK -- CUPE members who work for the Town of Kamsack walked off the job to demonstrate their anger over the employer's final offer. (CUPE News)
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.
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Municipal Manitoba
AMM On The Road
WINNIPEG -- Representatives from the Association of Manitoba Municipalities (AMM) will meet with Councils from several Central and Western district municipalities to discuss issues the AMM board has been working on, and to hear from the councils. (AMM Press Release)
Heritage Grants Huge
WINNIPEG -- Culture, Heritage and Tourism (CHT) Minister Eric Robinson announced that more than $435,000 in heritage grants and lotteries funding was shared by 102 Manitoba communities in the first six months of this year. (Government of Manitoba Press Release)
City Threatened With Suit
WINNIPEG -- A north Winnipeg businessman is threatening to take the city to court after a civic committee rejected a rezoning request for his property near Oak Point Highway. (The Times)
New CAO
BEAUSEJOUR -- Kristine Schwanke has been hired as the new CAO for the RM of Brokenhead. (Beausejour Review)
Shared Services Pitched
CARMAN -- Working together to provide waste disposal services is the route a group of local residents would like to see the Rural Municipality of Dufferin and Town of Carman councils take. (Carman Valley Leader)
Abbatoir Clears Hurdle
DAUPHIN -- The Rural Municipality of Dauphin held a public hearing on the application for locating an abattoir in Industrial Park. (Dauphin Herald)
Residents Shoot Down Gun Bylaw
ST. CLEMENTS -- If St. Clements council was looking for equal representation for and against their proposed gun bylaw, they'll have to send out invitations. (Selkirk Journal)
Earful From Council
WINKLER -- A touring opposition leader Stuart Murray heard plenty when he asked Winkler city council what was on their minds. (Winkler Times)
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.
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Municipal North
Pool Tanked
FORT SMITH, NT -- Fort Smith may not get a new pool or daycare this year as bids for the joint-project came in twice as high as expected. (CBC North)
Development Proceeds
YELLOWKNIFE, NT -- The Yellowknife development appeal board will allow construction of a 100-unit subdivision to proceed. (CBC North)
Alienated Community Gets Voice
IQALUIT, NU - Residents of Apex, Iqaluit's older and disaffected satellite community, have a new voice on city council. (CBC North)
Sinking Feeling
IQALUIT, NU --The city of Iqaluit has delayed the opening of the Arctic Winter Games arena indefinitely. Part of the arena's concrete floor is still sinking. (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. Best contact listing by far in Nunavut is the Nunavut Association of Municipalities Communities Directory.
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Municipal Ontario
Households Get Nuke Vote
KINCARDINE -- As part of a 3-month public consultation process accepted by council, every "household" in the Municipality of Kincardine will be entitled to 1 vote on the acceptance or rejection of a nuclear waste facility located next to the Bruce Power nuclear plant. (Kincardine News)
User Fees Coveted
LONDON -- Middlesex County officials want money collected through ambulance user fees to be used to offset the costs of running the service. (Strathroy Age Dispatch)
CAO Saga Continues
WATERLOO -- Waterloo City Council announced that former Region of Waterloo CAO Gerry Thompson has been contracted to assist council in their efforts to appoint a new CAO for Waterloo. (City of Waterloo - Media Release)
$7.5G Enviro Fine
BRANTFORD -- The City of Brantford has been fined a total of $7,500 - plus victim fine surcharges - after pleading guilty to one count under the Environmental Protection Act (EPA) and one count under the Ontario Water Resources Act (OWRA). (Ontario Ministry of the Environment - News Release)
Rural Councillors Rage
HAMILTON -- Hamilton's rural councillors are furious that an attempt to harmonize the city's firearms bylaw has put them in the line of fire, and claim that city staff ignored rural councillors when the bylaw was drafted. (Ancaster News)
$75M Lawsuit Political
HAMILTON -- Hamilton councillors say the $75 million lawsuit against the federal government and former MP Sheila Copps is politically motivated. (Mountain News)
Grants For Water Quality
BRAMPTON -- To help keep Peel's water clean, rural landowners can now tap into a government grant. (Brampton Guardian)
Former Mayor Charged
BRAMPTON -- Former 3-time Brampton mayor Peter Robertson has been charged with acting illegally as a real estate broker under the Real Estate and Business Brokers Act. (Brampton Guardian)
Ex-Councillor Faces Sex Raps
BRAMPTON -- A former Brampton city councillor who attempted a political comeback has been charged with molesting young boys more than 30 years ago. (Brampton Guardian)
City Appoints Poet
TORONTO -- Toronto City Council appointed Pier Giorgio Di Cicco as Toronto's new Poet Laureate (Toronto - canada.com)
CAO Still In Limbo
PORT PERRY - Yvonne de Wit's fate as Scugog's CAO remains up in the air as lawyers for the municipality requested more time to deal with the matter. (durhamregion.com)
Sewage Projects Approved
MARKHAM -- Ontario Environment Minister Leona Dombrowsky approved sewer projects across York Region, including a controversial project through Markham. (yorkregion.com)
City Eyes Suing Province
PICKERING -- The City of Pickering is looking at taking the Province to court over issues surrounding Seaton. (durhamregion.com)
Biodiesel Buy-In
WHITBY -- The Town of Whitby public works department is exploring biodiesel as an alternative fuel source for Town-owned vehicles and equipment. (durhamregion.com)
Not Scared By Trash Talk
WHITBY -- U.S. presidential hopeful John Kerry didn't scare Durham Region officials when he said he'd close the border to Ontario garbage. (mykawartha.com)
New Garbage Deal
OWEN SOUND -- Michigan officials have agreed to accept Owen Sound's residential waste starting next spring. (Osprey Media Group - Owen Sound Sun Times)
EcDev Reorg Eyed
PETERBOROUGH -- The county may be forced to pay $193G to leave the regional economic development agency, but a county official says the county wants to keep the organization intact. (Osprey Media Group - Peterborough Examiner)
Staff Move Controversial
TRENTON -- A war of words has begun between Quinte West Mayor Bob Campney and Sidney Coun. Doreen Reid over the controversial issue of moving social services staff out of Trenton's downtown core into a new building. (Osprey Media Group - Trenton Trentonian)
$12G Water Fine
GANANOQUE -- The Separated Town of Gananoque has been fined $12,000 after pleading guilty to two counts of non-compliance with the Ontario Water Resources Act (OWRA). (Ontario Ministry of the Environment - News Release)
Downtown Gets Funding Boost
HAWKESBURY -- The Ontario government is supporting the revitalization of Hawkesbury's downtown core by investing in the Place des Pionniers project, announced Jean-Marc Lalonde, MPP for Glengarry-Prescott-Russell. (Ontario Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing)
EcDev Boss Steps Down
L'ORIGNAL -- The director of planning and economic development for the United Counties of Prescott-Russell has announced his resignation. Second story down. (Vankleek Hill Review Online)
Transit Stalls
NEW TECUMSETH -- Town Transit will lose its $70,000 municipal subsidy December 31, after New Tecumseth councillors voted to phase out further involvement in financing a fixed route transit system. (New Tecumseth Free Press Online)
Lose-Lose Scenario
PENETANGUISHENE -- The Town of Penetanguishene is in a jam when it comes to Simcoe County's new trash tag system. (simcoe.com)
Water Takeover
COBALT -- Citing rising costs and staff requirements, the Town of Cobalt has opted to take over operation of its water treatment system from he Ontario Clean Water Agency (OCWA). (Temiskaming Speaker)
Mayor Fires Back
NORTH BAY -- Mayor Vic Fedeli fired back at a former city executive who accused him of creating a negative attitude toward the North Bay Heritage Festival and Air Show. (Osprey Media Group - North Bay Nugget)
911 Arrives
KIRKLAND LAKE -- At long last residents of Kirkland Lake and area will be able to dial 911 for emergency help. (Osprey Media Group - Northern News)
High Noon Stand Off
SUNDRIDGE -- Should former Joly councillor Doug Bruce set foot on Joly Township property, Council says it will have him charged and arrested. (Almaquin News)
Reeve Resigns
ENGLEHART -- The newly-amalgamated municipality of Charlton and Dack has a new reeve, after its first reeve Lenard (Skip) Williams, who was acclaimed in last year's municipal elections, resigned. (Temiskaming Speaker)
Ontario Municipal Contact Info
To track down municipal officials in this province, MuniMall recommends starting with Community Profiles, maintained by Ontario Economic Development.
Contribute to MuniMall
Does your municipality have anything new and noteworthy to publicize? Send your release to MuniMall, and reach over 9,000 local government readers from coast to coast.
Municipal Atlantic
Crosswalk Countdowns
CHARLOTTETOWN, PE -- Clocks are being installed at some pedestrian crossings in Charlottetown to show people how much time they have to get across the street. (CBC - Prince Edward Island)
Music To Their Ears
CHARLOTTETOWN, PE -- In response to demands from organizers, the City of Charlottetown has put together a $50G combination of cash and donations to help secure the 2006 East Coast Music Awards. (CBC - Prince Edward Island)
Feeling Left Out
CORNER BROOK, NL -- The area's MP and a city councillor say they are astounded neither of their offices were contacted to participate in a conference on growing the province's rural economy. (Western Star)
Please Sir, I Want More
GANDER, NL -- The federal government signed a cheque totalling $2.5 million to go towards Gander's and Glenwood and Appleton's water treatment projects, but Gander Mayor Claude Elliott said it's still not enough. (Beacon)
Revolutionary Sewage Plant
MARYSTOWN, NL -- Marystown is home to the first municipal-sized sewage treatment system in Canada that is completely natural, has no moving parts, requires no electricity, no additives, has no odor and is expected to provide trouble-free operation for 50-100 years. (Southern Gazette)
Community Policing Pondered
PORT AUX BASQUES -- In light of a recent increase in vandalism, community service officers may soon be back on the streets of Port aux Basques. (Gulf News)
Province Butts Out
FREDERICTON, NB -- A province-wide smoking ban will mean New Brunswick smokers will have to put out their cigarettes in indoor public spaces and workplaces around the province. (CBC News)
Hurricane Help
FREDERICTON, NB -- Help is on the way for people who suffered storm damage when the remains of Hurricane Bonnie passed over central and northwestern New Brunswick in August, says Public Safety Minister Wayne Steeves. (New Brunswick - News Release)
Landmark A Nightmare
SHEDIAC, NB -- Vandals have taken over the historic Shediac Hotel, prompting fire officials to demand the 150-year-old building be torn down and Mayor Raymond Cormier says the poor shape of the hotel is the reason council voted to demolish it. (CBC - New Brunswick)
New Tax System
HALIFAX, NS -- Municipal taxation of natural gas distribution systems in Nova Scotia will be based on a combination of assessment and revenues, rather than just assessed property value. (Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations - News Release)
Liaison Group Scores Award
HALIFAX, NS -- A public-private liaison group from the Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM) has received a provincial innovation award. (Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations - News Release)
$1.6 M For Roads
PICTOU, NS -- Motorists in Cumberland and Pictou counties can look forward to $1.6M in road improvements. (Department of Transportation and Public Works - News Release)
Canso's Future
CANSO, NS -- Residents of Canso will soon be receiving information from Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations to help them decide the future of their town. (Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations - News Release)
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.
Contribute to MuniMall
Does your municipality have anything new and noteworthy to publicize? Send your release to MuniMall, and reach over 9,000 local government readers from coast to coast.
Current Events
The Next 30 Days:
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Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of Municipalities 54th Annual Convention and Trade Show
-- Mile One Stadium, St. John's, NL October 7-10, 2004.
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Creative City Network's 3rd Annual National Conference
-- Radison Hotel, Regina, SK October 13-16, 2004
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Urban Design: Theory and Practice course
-- Fort Calgary Historic Park, Calgary, AB October 18-19, 2004
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Urban Design: Visual Communication course
-- Fort Calgary Historic Park, Calgary, AB October 20-21, 2004
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Urban Design: Designing Integrated Neighbourhoods course
-- Fort Calgary Historic Park, Calgary, AB October 22-23, 2004
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Creating & Enforcing Municipal By-Laws 2nd Annual Conference
-- Four Seasons Hotel, Toronto, ON October 25-26, 2004.
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Local Government Leadership (LGL) Development Program
-- Royal Roads University, Victoria, BC October 25-28, 2004.
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Conference: "What is Good Public Policy in Canadian Municipalities?"
-- Ottawa Marriott Hotel, Ottawa, ON October 28-29, 2004.
More Events on MuniMall
See the MuniMall website for a much more comprehensive listing of regional municipal events.
List Your Event
Have an event to publicize? It's easy to inform us.
Getting Wired
New Election Gadgets
CALGARY -- The city of Calgary unveils several neat election gadgets on its website, including "What ward do I live in?" "Where Do I Vote?" and an online request for the new mail-in ballot.
Rec Registration Goes Online
HALTON HILLS, ON -- Convenience and immediacy are the watchwords when the Town of Halton Hills' Recreation Department launches Reg-e, its online registration system on Dec. 1. (Georgetown Independent and Free Press)
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