Municipal Alberta
More P3s Possible
HIGH RIVER -- More private-public partnerships are envisioned in the provincial government's throne speech. (High River Times)
Fire Bylaw Updated
NANTON -- The town will update its fire services bylaw to harmonize it within a regional framework. (Nanton News)
Amalgamation Consultant Hired
BLACK DIAMOND -- Black Diamond and Turner Valley have agreed to hire a consultant to guide their amalgamation. (Western Wheel)
Second Fastest Growth
OKOTOKS -- Census data indicate Okotoks grew 46.7 per cent in five years, the second fastest in the country. (CBC Calgary)
Money To Fight Vandalism
AIRDRIE -- Council approved a $25,000 budget for its anti-vandalism committee to fund various programs to curb bad behaviour. (Airdrie Echo)
Recycling Plan Sent Back
CALGARY -- Seeing a $21 per household price tag for curbside recycling, councillors sent the plan back to staff for more work. (CBC Calgary)
Nears Million Mark
CALGARY -- New information from the 2006 census shows Calgary has outpaced Canada's national growth rate over the last five years. (CBC Calgary)
Free Bus Passes For Poor
BANFF -- Free public transportation is now available for riders classified as low income. (Banff Crag and Canyon)
Green Municipal Funds Sought
BANFF -- The town is making multiple applications for funding for waste diversion projects from the Green Municipal Fund. (Banff Crag and Canyon)
Rabbit Eradication Proposed
CANMORE -- Residents will be surveyed about what they think should be done with the 1,000 rabbits that populate the town. (CBC Calgary)
Staff Morale Plummets
CANMORE -- Town employees don't understand the decisions or direction of their supervisors in senior management, and they trust the town far less than they did two years ago. (Canmore Leader)
Eyes Kept On Plan
CANMORE -- Council appointed a public body called Vision Keepers to ensure the town stays on track with its strategic plan. (Canmore Leader)
Tourism Association Formed
COCHRANE -- A newly formed tourism association announced its board of directors. (Cochrane Times)
Sell Land To Locals, Town Urged
STRATHMORE -- Local developers were vexed that their purchase proposal was not given favoured treatment over larger Calgary developers. (Strathmore Standard)
Councillors' Cars Vandalized
IRRICANA -- Vandalism to councillors' cars appeared politically motivated, judging by the targets and graffiti. (Rocky View Weekly)
Munis Cement Cooperation
DIDSBURY -- Didsbury Town Council has joined other area municipalities in accepting a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with Mountain View County, cementing a future relationship between the two governments. (Didsbury Review)
Water Licence Delayed
DRUMHELLER -- The town is prepared to block water flow for a development in Balzac. (Drumheller Mail)
Death Claims Councillor
BOWDEN -- The death of a town councillor is the second vacancy after another moved away. (Olds Albertan)
City Faces More Service Requests
RED DEER -- The city will help other municipalities meet their water and sewage treatment needs -- as long as it doesn't heighten development conflicts or cost city ratepayers. (Red Deer Advocate)
Candidates Handbook: Municipally Excellent Practice
RED DEER -- A comprehensive, one-stop guide to information a candidate for municipal election needs was developed to answer increasing questions staff were often asked. Another cool practice posted on MEnet, Alberta's Municipal Excellence Network. (www.menet.ab.ca)
Mayor Nixes Secession
SUNDRE -- The mayor dismissed a suggestion that the town secede from Mountain View County and join Clearwater County. (Mountain View Gazette)
Border Clash
EDMONTON -- Edmonton and Strathcona County are in a boundary dispute that has halted approval of the county's revised Municipal Development Plan. (Edmonton Journal
Stiffer Fines For Rowdiness
EDMONTON -- Bar-goers who fight or urinate in public may be faced with stiffer fines to quell rowdy behavior. (CBC Edmonton)
Surplus $11.2M
EDMONTON -- The city credits growth related revenue and better than expected return on investments for an $11.2 million preliminary surplus for 2006. (City of Edmonton)
New Buses Coming
SHERWOOD PARK -- Strathcona County will see new low-floor buses on its streets as early as this fall, county administration said after a joint federal-provincial funding announcement. (Sherwood Park News)
Water Tap Closes
HINTON -- The town has a decade to find an alternate source of potable water after given notice by its private supplier that it wants to concentrate on its core forest products business. (Hinton Parklander)
Business Licencing Taken Over
JASPER -- As of April 1, business owners will be renewing their licences with the municipality instead of Parks Canada. (Jasper Booster)
CAO Hired
MAYERTHORPE - After a long search, the town has hired a graduate of the UofA's Local Government Certificate Program as their new CAO. (Mayerthorpe Freelancer)
Student Takes Honorary Post
COLD LAKE -- A junior high school student was sworn in as the first "Mayor for a Morning." (Cold Lake Sun)
Offsite Levies Explained
COLD LAKE -- Developers were told that "growth must pay for growth" in explaining why offsite levies must be recovered from development projects.
CAO Named
FAIRVIEW -- A municipal councillor from the Birch Hills was hired to assume the role of CAO in Fairview. (Fairview Post)
Long-Term Planning Needed
VERMILION -- Urban centres must plan for long-term design and develop growth plans for at least 20 years, says the county reeve. (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
City Grows By One
MOOSE JAW -- Community leaders take little comfort in the stability of Moose Jaw's population -- an increase of one person from 2001 to 2006. (Moose Jaw Times-Herald)
Population Drops
REGINA -- Information from the 2006 census show the province's population is shrinking but its biggest cities have grown. (CBC Saskatchewan)
Councillor Unconvinced Airport Pays
MOOSE JAW -- The city will spend $250,000 a year on airport maintenance although it generates only $12,000 in fees. (Moose Jaw Times-Herald)
Referendum On New Tax
MOOSE JAW -- Residents will vote on a tax to raise $12.3 million on a new arena project. (Moose Jaw Times-Herald)
Small Towns Get Smaller
PRINCE ALBERT -- The city's population dropped by 154 people, according to census data. (Prince Albert Daily Herald)
$5B Pumped Into Transportation
SASKATOON -- The province announced $5 billion funding over 10 years to improve transportation links. (Southwest Booster)
SaskWater Rates Hiked
MOOSE JAW -- SaskWater announced rate increases affecting 23 municipalities, 46 water utility boards and 23 industrial customers. (Government of Saskatchewan)
New Rural Roads Money
REGINA -- The government announced $10 million in new municipal funding for rural road infrastructure projects. (Government of Saskatchewan)
Saskatchewan Municipal Contact Info
To track down municipal officials in Saskatchewan, MuniMall recommends starting with the Municipal Directory System, maintained by Saskatchewan Government Relations.
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Municipal Manitoba
Municipal Construction Delays Feared
WINNIPEG -- City officials fear labour negotiations underway in many of the construction trades may delay construction of a new water plant. (CBC Manitoba)
Surliness Prompts Apology
WINNIPEG -- The city has apologized for an ill-mannered crew who work for the city's recycling collection contractor. (CBC Manitoba)
Pesticide Regulations Pondered
WINNIPEG -- A city committee will take the first steps to regulate pesticide use on private property. (CBC Manitoba)
Recycled Paper Market Drops
WINNIPEG -- Paper mill closures have resulted in the city getting lower prices for its recycled paper.
Clerk Pockets Fine Payments
WINNIPEG -- A longtime employee with the provincial justice department is facing charges after allegedly pocketing the cash she collected from provincial offence fines over nine months in 2005. (CJOB)
Provincial Growth Slow
WINNIPEG -- The rate of growth around the provincial capital is higher than the city itself. (CBC Manitoba)
Storm, Sewer Systems Separated
CARMAN -- Council approved $650,000 to separate the storm system from the sewer system and add sewer lines. (Carman Valley Leader)
Public Gets Pre-Budget Look
GIMLI -- Council threw its books wide open to give the public a chance to more fully understand the municipality's fiscal challenges and financial position. (Interlake Spectator)
Stink Over Sewage
MORDEN -- Town council says the province is unfairly singling out some rural communities over their treatment of waste water. (Morden 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
City Eyes P3s
IQALUIT, NU -- Public-private partnerships may be the answer to aging infrastructure. (Nunatsiaq News)
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
Watermain Break Destroys Road
COURTICE -- A large portion of a road was washed out after a 24-inch watermain burst. (Durhamregion.com)
Assault Charges Cost Election
BOWMANVILLE -- The former mayor of Clarington said domestic assault charges on which he was recently acquitted cost him the election in the fall. (Durhamregion.com)
Hospital Requests Town Money
BOWMANVILLE --The local hospital foundation requested $2 million from the municipality for expansion and upgrades. (Durhamregion.com)
Soil Test Results Released
PORT HOPE -- The city will release results from tests conducted on soil from a sewage plant that is now stockpiled. (Northumberland Today)
City Holds On To Cash
KAWARTHA LAKES -- The city will hire its own groundwater and surface water consultant rather than give a "blank cheque" to the conservation authority. (Lindsay Daily Post)
Fraud Charges Laid
BELLEVILLE -- The manager for a candidate's successful election bid last fall was charged with fraud in relation to campaign funds. (Kingston Whig-Standard)
Teens Get Defib Training
OTTAWA -- Grade 10 students will get training from city paramedic staff to use heart defibrillators. (CBC Ottawa)
Bingo Licence Suspended
TORONTO -- A charity which owns the building where a city councillor had his constituency office has had its charitable bingo licence suspended. (Toronto Star)
Outsourced Trash Collection Ousted
TORONTO -- Residents in the former City of York will have their trash picked up by Toronto crews, replacing private contractors. (Toronto Star)
Salt Use Reduced
TORONTO -- The city has reduced its road salt usage by about 15 per cent over the past few years. (Toronto Star)
Suburbs Explode
TORONTO -- The fastest growing areas of the country were just beyond Toronto's borders, while the country's largest city lagged behind the national average. (CBC Toronto)
Feds Fund Transit Studies
DOWNSVIEW -- The federal government will fund up to $962 million toward transit in the greater Toronto area. (Durhamregion.com)
Fed Funds Temporary Fix
TORONTO -- Nearly $1 billion in federal funding for transit in the GTA is a temporary fix that knocks the legs out from a request for long-term funding. (Toronto Star)
Subway Extension Done Deal
OTTAWA -- The final piece of the puzzle is in place to build the first-ever subway line beyond the border of Toronto into York Region, with a stop at York University. (Toronto Star)
Debt And Decay Increase
TORONTO -- The city's debt level is skyrocketing and Toronto is falling further behind on much-needed repairs, city council was told as members approved this year's capital budget. (Toronto Star)
Growth In Outskirts Hurts Core
MILTON -- Sprawling commercial development is causing a stagnation of core communities. (Toronto Star)
Nursing Home Sale Pondered
HAMILTON -- The city of Hamilton is again exploring the idea of selling one of its two nursing homes because of escalating costs. (Hamilton Spectator)
Wind Farm Expansion Okayed
NORFOLK -- Town council approved zoning changes to allow an additional 34 wind turbines along the Lake Erie shore. (Brantford Expositor)
Careers In Water Encouraged
WALKERTON -- Ontario is encouraging students to take up careers as drinking water professionals. (Government of Ontario)
Minister Meets Mayors, CAOs
ESSEX -- Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing John Gerretsen met with area mayors and CAOs to learn about their issues. (Amherstburg Echo)
Sewer Money To Boost Economy
SARNIA -- The province announced $3 million funding toward the city's wastewater management as part of $190 million economic stimulus package. (Government of Ontario)
Toxins Elevated But Harmless
THOROLD -- The regional public health department said some elevated levels of toxins are present but they pose no health risk following an explosion and fire at a hazardous waste processing plant. (Niagara Region)
Eco-Friendly Budget Approved
GEORGINA -- A budget loaded with "green" initiatives received council approval following a marathon 10-hour session. (Yorkregion.com)
Munis Liable For Damage: Lawyer
NEWMARKET -- An environmental lawyer says municipalities may be liable for damages caused during floods if the sewer and drain systems are deficient. (Yorkregion.com)
Region Wants More JPs
MARKHAM -- Provincial offences cases are being withdrawn because of a shortage of justices of the peace. (Yorkregion.com)
Fake Gun Ban Sought
RICHMOND HILL -- The mayor wants the town to be the first to pass a bylaw banning the sale of replica guns. (Yorkregion.com)
Ex-Mayor Named JP
CALEDON -- Former Caledon mayor Carol Seglins is one of seven new Ontario justices of the peace working out of Newmarket. (Yorkregion.com)
Mayor Hot Over Stolen Email
VAUGHAN -- Mayor Linda Jackson says she "will not rest" until she finds out who stole her emails during last year's municipal election. (Yorkregion.com)
Parking Fees Waived
WHITCHURCH-STOUFFVILE -- Town council decided to boost new and expanding businesses by waiving fees they are required to pay for parking. (Yorkregion.com)
Faces Animal Cruelty Charges
BRECHIN -- Ramara township mayor says he is not guilty to animal cruelty charges following the deaths of 18 elk on his farm, suggesting the cause was malfeasance as a result of the election. (Orillia Packet and Times)
Architect Resigns
COLLINGWOOD -- The architect for a new library resigned amid debate over his vision. (Enterprise-Bulletin)
No Spinoff, No Money
NORTH BAY -- East Ferris township reeve said his municipality need not pay court security costs to the City of North Bay because it gets no economic spinoff in return. (North Bay Nugget)
Offence Bylaws Rewritten
KIRKLAND LAKE -- Bylaws for various offences are being rewritten so enforcement officers can write tickets instead of charging offenders in court. (Northern News)
New Plant Stinks
SAULT STE. MARIE -- The most expensive municipal project in the city's history smells bad. (Sault Star)
Water Meters Eyed
COCHRANE -- Water meters may help conservation efforts to extend the life of the water plant. (Cochrane Times-Post)
Overtime Costs Decline
KENORA -- Overtime paid to city staff decline significantly over two years. (Kenora Daily Miner and News)
Ontario Municipal Contact Info
To track down municipal officials in this province, MuniMall recommends starting with Community Profiles, maintained by Ontario Economic Development.
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Municipal Québec
Parking Rate Increase Cut
COTE-SAINT-LUC -- City council more than halved its proposed monthly parking fees following a one-man protest campaign. (CBC Montreal)
City Eyes Emissions Cuts
MONTREAL -- The City of Montreal plans to cut its greenhouse gas emissions by 20 percent as part of a five-year plan for sustainable development. (CBC Montreal)
Lead Leachates In City Water
MONTREAL -- Pregnant women and children are advised to abstain from drinking tap water because of trace levels of lead found in older homes. (CBC Montreal)
Union Action Prompts Class Action
MONTREAL -- A group of 35,000 drivers is seeking millions of dollars in damages that allegedly occurred when city workers created traffic gridlock during a union protest. (CBC Montreal)
Mechanics Vote To Strike
MONTREAL -- Transit mechanics voted to strike to back up their demands. (CBC Montreal)
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Municipal Atlantic
Trash Must Be Canned
ST. JOHN'S, NL -- Trash must be put out for curbside pickup in seagull-proof containers. (CBC Newfoundland and Labrador)
Garbage Collectors Strike
LEWISPORTE, NL -- Municipal garbage collectors went on strike to protest a proposal to contract out the service. (CBC Newfoundland and Labrador)
Population Drops
ST. JOHN'S, NL -- Newfoundland and Labrador's population has continued to drop, although results of the 2006 census show the rate of decline has slowed. (CBC Newfoundland and Labrador)
Games Bid Dropped
HALIFAX, NS -- After seeing a $1.7 billion price tag to host the 2014 Commonwealth Games, the city killed its bid. (CBC Nova Scotia)
Games Prompts Mayoral Bid
HALIFAX, NS -- A municipal councillor says the decision to drop the Commonwealth Games bid has prompted her to run for mayor. (CBC Nova Scotia)
Stadium Replacement Wanted Anyway
HALIFAX, NS -- The head of the Commonwealth Games bid wants to push for a new Halifax Metro Centre to be funded from some of the government money allotted for the bid. (Halifax Daily News)
Games Answers Demanded
HALIFAX, NS -- The deputy mayor is drafting a list of questions she wants answered regarding the 2014 Commonwealth Games bid. (Halifax Daily News)
Rec Managers Hired
SACKVILLE, NS -- Two managers were hired to run the newly consolidated parks and recreation department. (Sackville Tribune-Post)
Water Privatization Studied
SACKVILLE, NS -- Town leaders are reviewing the only proposal it received to operate the water treatment plant. (Sackville Tribune-Post)
Engineer Retires
TRURO, NS -- The town engineer announced his retirement after 35 years working for the municipality. (Truro Daily News)
Assessment Caps Opposed
HALIFAX, NS -- Municipal leaders voted unanimously to oppose the current proposal to link property assessment to inflation. (Union of Nova Scotia Municipalities)
Rural Areas Decline
HALIFAX, NS -- Halifax continues to grow while rural areas around Nova Scotia continue to see a drop in their numbers, the latest census shows. (CBC Nova Scotia)
Drivers Bumped From Parking Lot
HALIFAX, NS -- Council agreed to bump drivers from a downtown parking lot for exclusive city use after redesigning the city square. (CBC Nova Scotia)
CAO Death Prompts Audit Call
SHEDIAC, NB -- The deputy mayor wants an audit of the town's finances following the sudden death of its town manager after anonymous letters surfaced in the community. (CBC New Brunswick)
Amalgamation Not Necessary
ROTHESAY, NB -- The mayor says amalgamating with nearby Saint John is not necessary to guarantee services in the community. (CBC New Brunswick)
Info Act Exemption Under Review
FREDERICTON, NB -- The provision that exempts municipalities from the Right to Information Act is being reviewed. (CBC New Brunswick)
Buses Get Veggie Power
FREDERICTON, NB -- A fuel additive made from vegetable oil will be tested in city buses to see if it improves economy. (CBC New Brunswick)
Cities Attract Population
DIEPPE, NB -- The population of New Brunswick is shifting from rural areas to cities, according to new census figures. (CBC New Brunswick)
Sustainability Consultant Sought
STRATFORD, PE -- Stratford will be the first island municipality to hire a sustainability consultant. (CBC PEI)
Games Venue Scrapped
CORNWALL, PE -- Scrapping the proposed construction of a baseball diamond for the 2009 Canada Games is among the cuts made to keep the tax rate status quo but assessment growth fuels an increase. (CBC PEI)
Mayor Woos Developers
GEORGETOWN, PE -- The mayor plans to wine and dine realtors to encourage more development and to attract more people to move into the town. (CBC PEI)
Island Grows Slowly
CHARLOTTETOWN, PE -- There were about 500 more people living on Prince Edward Island in 2006 than there were in 2001. (CBC PEI)
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. The List of New Brunswick Municipalities provides contact info for cities, towns, and villages in that province, as well as the names of elected officials.
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Current Events
The Next 30 Days:
-
Green Roofs Policy Workshop
-- Peterborough, ON March 22, 2007
-
Green Roofs Policy Workshop
-- Toronto, ON March 26, 2007
-
Municipal Communications Forum - West
-- Edmonton Marriott at River Cree Resort, Edmonton, AB March 28-29, 2007
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Green Roofs Policy Workshop
-- Halifax, NS March 29, 2007
-
12th Canadian National Conference and 3rd Policy Forum on Drinking Water
-- Saint John, NB April 1-4, 2007
-
Association of Municipal Tax Collectors of Ontario (AMTCO) Spring Training Seminar
-- Blue Mountain, Collingwood, ON April 15-17, 2007
-
2007 Canadian Environmental Conference and Tradeshow
-- Toronto, ON April 16-17, 2007
More Events on MuniMall
See the MuniMall website for a much more comprehensive listing of regional municipal events.
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