Municipal Alberta
Junior Fire Fighters: Municipally Excellent Practice
FAIRVIEW -- The fire department started a Junior Volunteer Fire Fighter program to mentor youth and prepare them for actual duties as a way to ensure there are enough recruits to replace retiring fire fighters. It's an excellent practice recently posted on MEnet, Alberta's Municipal Excellence Network. (www.menet.ab.ca)
Housing Handout Proposed
EDMONTON -- City council voted to require a developer to provide five per cent of his new housing units to the city at less than market value and will consider the requirement to all new housing developments. (Edmonton Journal)
City Protests County Plan
EDMONTON -- The city wants the Alberta Municipal Government Board to rule on parts of Strathcona County's Municipal Development Plan that it says will put pressure on city services. (Edmonton Journal)
Fake Bomber To Court
CALGARY -- A two-day preliminary hearing has been set to begin March 17 for the man at the centre of a four-hour police standoff when he brandished a fake bomb at city hall. (Calgary Herald)
Parks Upgrades To Cost $75M
CALGARY -- The city will spend $75 million on improvements in three parks. (Calgary Herald)
City Commits To LRT Funding
CALGARY -- The west leg of the LRT is now officially on the books, with money set aside to buy land, order new trains and with councillors set to debate the final alignment in two weeks. (Calgary Herald)
Annexed Lands In Water Limbo
CALGARY -- An exclusive neighbourhood is stuck in water limbo as a result of annexation a decade ago and the private well system can't meet needs. (CBC Calgary)
Brownfield Plan Funded
ST. ALBERT -- The Green Municipal Fund has granted $55,000 to the city to develop a brownfield remediation and redevelopment plan. (Federation of Canadian Municipalities)
Energy Plan Funded
PINCHER CREEK -- The Green Municipal Fund has granted $25,000 to the town to develop water and energy conservation measures in the construction of a new multi-purpose facility. (Federation of Canadian Municipalities)
Premier To Speak
NISKU -- Premier Ed Stelmach will address rural municipal leaders Nov. 22 as part of the annual meeting of the Alberta Association of Municipal Districts and Counties. (AAMDC)
Life Quality Declines
CALGARY -- Turned off by traffic jams, increasing crime and housing costs, the majority of Calgarians polled by the city said their quality of life has deteriorated in the past three years. (CBC Calgary)
Bribe Charges Dismissed
EDMONTON -- Charges were dismissed against a company accused of bribing police officers in order to land a city contract. (CBC Edmonton)
Transit Numbers Discouraging
AIRDRIE -- After acquiescing to protests to reinstate a dial-a-bus service, the usage figures are worse than what lead the city to cut it in the first place. (Airdrie Echo)
Sun Powers Crosswalk Signals
AIRDRIE -- The city installed solar-powered crosswalk signals, thought to be the first in Alberta. (Airdrie Echo)
LED Lights Town Street
BANFF -- Eight energy-efficient LED street lights were installed after being donated by their manufacturer. (Banff Crag and Canyon)
Ski Hill Operator May Sue
CANMORE -- A ski hill operator says he may sue the provincial and municipal governments after his lease was cancelled. (Canmore Leader)
Suites Bylaw Passed
DRAYTON VALLEY -- With the passage of a new land-use bylaw that allows secondary suites, now the town must ensure that new and existing suites conform to bylaws and the building code. (Drayton Valley Western Review)
Utility Onus To Owners
FAIRVIEW -- An omnibus utility bylaw will see the responsibility for payment shifted from tenants to property owners. (Fairview Post)
Logo Options Vetted
FORT SASKATCHEWAN -- Online voters will get a chance to choose among four logo designs for the city. (Fort Record)
Airport Expansion Accelerated
GRANDE PRAIRIE -- Terminal expansion plans have been moved up seven years to accommodate higher than anticipated traffic. (Daily Herald Tribune)
Planner Explains Role
HIGH RIVER -- To mark World Town Planning Day, the town planner explained the role of the department. (High River Times)
Second Enforcer Hired
HINTON -- A new administrative assistant for the bylaw enforcement and fire departments will also provide relief enforcement duties. (Hinton Parklander)
Staff Make Transition
SANGUDO -- Former village staff have been working to make the transition after the village was dissolved. (Mayerthorpe Freelancer)
Petitions Target CAO, Others
PEACE RIVER -- Residents are fomenting non-confidence in the county's CAO, development officer and the way building permits are considered. (Peace River Record-Gazette)
New EUB Bill "Muzzling"
SHERWOOD PARK -- A county councillor says the new bill that will split the Energy and Utilities Board into two entities has provisions to muzzle protests. (Sherwood Park News)
Pol Would Drink Effluent
STRATHMORE -- A town councillor said he would be prepared to drink sewage plant effluent "right at the end of the pipe" before he would drink directly from the Bow River. (Strathmore Standard)
Country Living Under Threat
VULCAN -- Rural landowners are protesting development nearby that will add homes, noise, smell and traffic. (Vulcan Advocate)
Developer Pans Policy
WETASKIWIN -- A developer says it is not right that the county is withholding service capacity information until he spends a large amount of money to create an area structure plan. (Wetaskiwin Times Advertiser)
City Mum On Land Deal
LETHBRIDGE -- The city is considering a $2.1 million downtown land purchase but won't say what it might be for. (Lethbridge Herald)
Ski Hill Seeks Help
BARRHEAD -- The county may consider "looking after it as our own" a private ski hill that requires some upgrades. (Barrhead Leader)
Winter Games Awarded
BONNYVILLE -- The Lakeland region will host the 2010 Alberta Winter Games. (Bonnyville Nouvelle)
Garbage Collection Halved
CARSTAIRS -- Council decided to go biweekly on trash collection to reduce the amount residents are throwing out. (Carstairs Courier)
Survey Supports Status Quo
DIDSBURY -- Of the 17 per cent of residents who returned a survey, more than half supported the current system of internal reeve selection for the county council. (Didsbury Review)
Asbestos To Be Reburied
OKOTOKS -- Asbestos found in a landfill reclamation project will have to be treated carefully. (Okotoks Western Wheel)
Royalty Future Uncertain
TURNER VALLEY -- The impact of changes to petroleum royalties is difficult to determine because the effects are multi-layered. (Okotoks Western Wheel)
Joint Planning Begins
RED DEER -- The city and county awarded the consultant contract to develop a joint area structure plan for the 140,000 acres that surround the city. (Red Deer Advocate)
Sewage Downloaded In Error
CANMORE -- A computer error in Canmore's wastewater treatment plant resulted in 950 cubic metres of sewage spilling out of the holding tank. (Rocky Mountain Outlook)
Pet Licences To Be Enforced
MEDICINE HAT -- The city's pet licensing bylaw will be enforced in November and December. (City of Medicine Hat)
CAO Contract Extended
EDMONTON -- The city manager's contract due to expire in December 2008 was extended to February 2010. (City of Edmonton)
Fire Service Extended
GRANDE PRAIRIE -- The City and County of Grande Prairie have agreed to a two-year extension to their existing fire agreement, paving the way for development of a regional fire service. (Joint release hosted on Munimall)
Profiles Earn Accolades
LEDUC -- Red Deer County, Wheatland county and the County of Barrhead were recently awarded first prize trophies for their community profiles on AlbertaFirst.com. (AlbertaFirst.com release hosted 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
Cell Towers "A Blight"
SASKATOON -- One city councillor has called for a moratorium on new cellphone towers until telecom companies improve their public consultation. (CBC Saskatchewan)
Equalization Fight Re-Evaluated
REGINA -- Premier-designate Brad Wall said he will not commit to continuing the previous government's legal challenge against Ottawa over equalization payments. (CBC Saskatchewan)
SPCA Needs Cat Fees
REGINA -- The local Humane Society wants the city to revisit a cat licensing bylaw because it needs the money to control them. (CBC Saskatchewan)
Downtown Land Costs Studied
MOOSE JAW -- Despite three attempts to stall the motion, city council approved spending $180,000 to study all land-related costs associated with building the proposed multiplex at a downtown location. (Times-Herald)
Tax Comparisons Released
PRINCE ALBERT -- Benchmark figures compare property taxes among 11 municipalities and show the city's tax burden grew more slowly than others. (Daily Herald)
Mayor Writes Column
SWIFT CURRENT -- The mayor signed on to write a Mayor's Forum column in the local newspaper to address questions circulating on "Coffee Row." (Southwest Booster)
Town Restricts Moving Homes
MEADOW LAKE -- Homes built before 1997 can't be moved into town, but there is a discretionary provision in the new bylaw. (Meadow Lake Progress)
City Ponders Pro Fundraisers
MELFORT -- The city may hire a professional fundraising firm to secure money for a new multi-use facility. (Melfort Journal)
More News
For more local government news across the province, MuniMall recommends Municipalities Today, published monthly by Saskatchewan Government Relations.
Saskatchewan Municipal Contact Info
To track down municipal officials in Saskatchewan, MuniMall recommends starting with the Municipal Directory System, maintained by Saskatchewan Government Relations.
Municipal Manitoba
Fire Destroys Park Building
STONEWALL -- Authorities are calling suspicious a fire that destroyed a park building causing $5.5 million in damage to the building and artifacts. (Winnipeg Free Press)
City Workers Bad Drivers
WINNIPEG -- With more than 400 collisions involving the city's fleet of 1,500 vehicles, a city committee wants city staff to get some driving lessons. (CBC Manitoba)
Firebug Sought
KILLARNEY -- The town is offering a $5,000 reward for information about a string of arsons. (CBC Manitoba)
City Urges Speedy Construction
WINNIPEG -- Contractors for city construction projects may be encouraged to work at night and weekends, face penalties for missing deadlines and receive bonuses for finishing ahead of schedule. (CBC Manitoba)
Water Coolers Removed
ALTONA -- Saying municipal water is just fine, the town will remove water coolers from municipal offices. (CBC Manitoba)
Personal Questions Unwarranted
WINNIPEG -- A group of disabled women have filed a human rights complaint against the city's Handi-Transit system, saying they are offended by personal questions they must answer to use the service. (CBC Manitoba)
"Life Lease" Housing Accepted
BEAUSEJOUR -- Council accepted a development proposal to build seniors housing which will uses a "life lease" option as opposed to a traditional condominium. (Beausejour Review)
Fare-Free Kids Get Older
WINNIPEG -- Although a city committee okayed transit fare hikes up to 12 per cent, it increased the age that children can ride free. (CBC 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
Concrete Plant Approved
WHITEHORSE, YK -- City council has approved a controversial concrete plant after years of opposition and s Supreme Court fight. (CBC North)
Bus Money Granted
YELLOWKNIFE, NT -- Six communities in the Northwest Territories will receive money for public transit projects from the federal and territorial governments. (CBC North)
Business As Usual, Mostly
HAY RIVER, NT -- Municipal business will be conducted as normally as it can after the territorial government disbanded town council over election irregularities. (CBC North)
Booze Restrictions Spur Optimism
KUGLUKTUK, NU -- The mayor hopes a recently approved alcohol education committee will help to clamp down on bootleggers who charge up to $400 for a bottle of vodka. (Nunatsiaq News)
Council Welcomes RCMP Visit
IQALUIT, NU -- For the first time in nearly seven months, the Iqaluit RCMP has sent a delegation to Iqaluit city council. (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.
Municipal Ontario
Bridge Collapse Injures Workers
LUCKNOW -- A bridge under construction collapsed, sending six workers to hospital. (Lucknow Sentinel)
Ombudsman Blasts Secrecy
TORONTO -- Ontario ombudsman Andre Marin said citizens would be furious if they knew how much municipal business is conducted behind closed doors. (Toronto Star)
City Distrusts Ombudsman
NIAGARA FALLS -- The city clerk cautioned against using the Ontario ombudsman to investigate secrecy complaints because he is seen as overly critical. (Niagara Falls Review)
Mayor Promotes Privatization
OTTAWA -- Selling the municipal power utility is one way to meet a tax freeze target, says the mayor. (Ottawa Business Journal)
Mayor Demands Apology For Strike
TORONTO -- The head of the transit workers union should apologize to the people of Toronto for an illegal strike that occurred in May 2006, says the mayor. (Globe and Mail)
Region Urges Paper Bags
THOROLD -- Niagara Region wants residents to use paper bags or reusable containers for leaf and yard waste collection instead of plastic bags. (Regional Municipality of Niagara)
Mayors Eye Top Cop Shop
THOROLD -- Municipal leaders are lined up to host a new regional police headquarters although one has not been approved. (Niagara Falls Review)
Ethical Standards Plagiarized
FORT ERIE -- A town councillor copied nearly word for word a code of conduct for business improvement area directors from an internet website. (Niagara Falls Review)
Women Refs Get Own Room
ST. CATHARINES -- Women referees will no longer share dressing rooms with their male counterparts. (St. Catharines Standard)
Half-Year Budget Only
BELLEVILLE -- The county will only budget for social programs until it's clear how a new provincial child benefits program will be funded. (Belleville Intelligencer)
Crime Task Force Urged
BRANTFORD -- A city councillor suggested a task force be established to reduce weapon-related violent crime. (Brantford Expositor)
Audit Finds "Minnow"
CHATHAM -- A fishing expedition that resulted in an election finance audit found only minor discrepancies but the city will foot the bill anyway. (Chatham Daily News)
Forensic Audit Costly
CHATHAM -- The mayor intends to call for a complete forensic audit of the municipality despite a warning that it will be very expensive. (Chatham Daily News)
Elvis Festival Turns Profit
COLLINGWOOD -- Councillors were all shook up to learn the Elvis Festival turned around and made a profit. (Collingwood Enterprise Bulletin)
Colour Standard Enrages Retailer
COBOURG -- A downtown business owner says she is so unhappy with the treatment she has received from the town's heritage advisory committee that she has asked council to intervene. (Northumberland Today)
Policing Study "Incomplete"
COBOURG -- A majority of councillors and police board members say a report that $3 million can be saved by switching to the OPP is flawed and incomplete. (Northumberland Today)
Wind Power Application Vague
MEAFORD -- Town council turned down an application for a research wind turbine because the permit applications were too vague. (Owen Sound Sun Times)
Staff Underpaid, Overworked
SAUGEEN SHORES -- Town employees are earning about two-thirds the average pay. (Owen Sound Sun Times)
New Commissioner Welcomed
BARRIE -- Ed Archer is the city's new commissioner of corporate services. (Barrie Examiner)
Energy Efficient Homes Being Built
NEWMARKET -- Solar heating and super insulation are two hallmarks of new homes being built. (Town of Newmarket)
Home Purchase Assistance Examined
CORNWALL -- The city will examine the idea of helping low-income residents to raise down payments on home purchases. (Cornwall Standard Freeholder)
Works Chief Retires
KINGSTON -- The public works commissioner will leave at the end of this month, ending two decades of employment with the city. (Kingston Whig Standard)
Ads Create Consternation
KAWARTHA LAKES -- An advertisement in a local newspaper about garbage collection was completely inaccurate and published without the town's knowledge. (Lindsay Post)
Tourist Project Killed
SAULT STE. MARIE -- City council accepted its solicitor's advice to cancel a contract to sell land to develop a tourism project. (Sault Star)
Coffers Bulge From Building
SUDBURY -- A development boom that has exceeded expectations has resulted in a budget surplus. (Sudbury Star)
City Urged To Block Dam
TIMMINS -- A lobby group has urged the city to oppose the construction of a power dam on a pristine section of the Mattagami River. (Timmins Daily Press)
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
Residents Get Dust Compensation
MONCTON, NB -- Residents will receive $400 per household from the city as compensation for enduring dust clouds caused by sewer construction. (CBC New Brunswick)
City Tries To Save Church
FREDERICTON, NB -- The city is trying to work out a land swap to prevent the demolition of a 114-year-old church. (CBC New Brunswick)
Cultural Coordinator Hired
SACKVILLE, NB -- The new coordinator of the cultural capital program has a mountainous task ahead of him. (Sackville Tribune Post)
Late-Night Revelers Named
ST. JOHN'S, NL -- Members of city council used embarrassment as a weapon to respond to recurring complaints of loud noise and partying at a rental property. (CBC Newfoundland and Labrador)
County Governments On The Way
ST. JOHN'S, NL -- The president of Municipalities Newfoundland and Labrador says the implementation of county governments is inevitable and could solve a number of problems. (CBC Newfoundland and Labrador)
Chain Of Office Amalgamated
GRAND FALLS-WINDSOR, NL -- Almost two decades after neighbouring central Newfoundland towns amalgamated, a new chain of office has been crafted to symbolize their political unity. (CBC Newfoundland and Labrador)
CUPE Accepts Layoffs
BISHOP'S FALLS, NL -- Unionized municipal workers have agreed to waive a no-layoff clause in their contract to help keep the local arena. (CBC Newfoundland and Labrador)
Sewage Plant Opening Celebrated
HALIFAX, NS -- After four years in the works, a new sewage treatment plant is finally running, ending the dumping of 180 million litres of wastewater into the harbour. (CBC Nova Scotia)
Infrastructure Funding Deal Made
HALIFAX, NS -- Premier Rodney MacDonald called a new agreement for $634 million in infrastructure funding a major step to improve roads, transit, water and sewage systems. (CBC Nova Scotia)
Costs Uploaded
HALIFAX, NS -- Municipalities will stop paying for jails and provincial housing in five years, saving $85 million in property taxes. (CBC Nova Scotia)
Cleanup Begins
SYDNEY, NS -- The cleanup has begun in Eastern Canada after the remnants of Hurricane Noel washed out roads, downed trees and left an estimated 200,000 homes and businesses without power. (CBC Nova Scotia)
Water Search Begins
CHARLOTTETOWN, PE -- The exploration for another water source will begin soon in a project that could cost as much as $12 million. (CBC Prince Edward Island)
Earlier Budget May Net Savings
CHARLOTTETOWN, PE -- The city hopes it can save on construction costs if it can complete its budget earlier than March. (CBC Prince Edward Island)
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.
Current Events
The Next 30 Days:
-
2nd Annual Municipal Communications Conference
-- Toronto, ON Nov. 19-20, 2007.
-
Association of Manitoba Municipalities annual convention
-- Brandon MB Nov. 26-29, 2007.
-
Canadian Waste & Recycling Expo
-- Vancouver BC Nov. 28-29, 2007.
-
Alberta Urban Municipalities Association convention
-- Calgary AB Nov. 28-30, 2007.
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Alberta Capital Region Alliance (ACRA) Fall General Assembly
-- River Cree Resort, Enoch, AB Dec. 7, 2007.
More Events on MuniMall
See the MuniMall website for a much more comprehensive listing of regional municipal events.
Getting Wired
Postcard Gallery Launched
MEDICINE HAT -- The city launched an online photo gallery that lets users send photographs and postcards from its website. (City of Medicine Hat)
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