Municipal Alberta
Town Gets Cop Money
PEACE RIVER -- Most of the $118,000 annual tab to hire another police officer for the town will be picked up by the province.
Partnership Includes Community Group: Municipally Excellent Practice
BONNYVILLE -- The Town of Bonnyville and the Municipal District of Bonnyville included a community-based non-profit society in their partnership to build and operate the Bonnyville and District Centennial Centre. It's another excellent practice posted on MEnet, Alberta's municipal excellence network. (www.menet.ab.ca)
Public Input Changes Bylaw
MAYERTHORPE -- Public input in a new property standards bylaw forced many changes, including definition of junked vehicles. (Mayerthorpe Freelancer)
Residents Mostly Satisfied
FORT SASKATCHEWAN -- The satisfaction rating of residents about municipal services grew by a percentage point with 89 per cent of 400 polled saying they are satisfied. (Fort Record)
Rescue Boat Decision Reversed
FORT SASKATCHEWAN -- The city held a closed meeting and reversed a budget decision to cut a replacement rescue boat from the fire department. (Fort Record)
Trade Loosening Expanded
EDMONTON -- Alberta and British Columbia have taken a major step toward full implementation of the Trade, Investment and Labour Mobility Agreement (TILMA), agreeing to special provisions that will extend the agreement to municipalities, academic institutions, school boards and the health sector (MASH). (Government of Alberta)
Land-Use Committee Struck
EDMONTON -- An MLA committee will assist the Alberta government with implementation of key priorities of AlbertaÕs Land-use Framework, including the development of a transportation and utility corridors strategy and a recreation strategy and a review of landownerÕs rights legislation. (Government of Alberta)
Arts Get Investments
EDMONTON -- The Alberta government and the City of Edmonton are contributing a combined $6.5 million to help strengthen key facilities in EdmontonÕs art and culture district. (Government of Alberta)
Pyramid Falls
EDMONTON -- Edmonton city council has narrowly voted down the controversial $750,000 leaning glass pyramid that was to have been built in northeast Edmonton as a new welcome sign to the city. (CBC)
EMS Rolls Out Segways
EDMONTON -- While illegal for public use, Edmonton's EMS has been equipped with a two Segways to hasten response times. (Edmonton Examiner)
Transit Service Expanded
SHERWOOD PARK -- New routes will allow 11,000 more people to use Strathcona
County's public transit when they are implemented in September. (Sherwood Park News)
Trailer Park At Risk
GIBBONS -- Residents of small trailer park are concerned they will be evicted in the town approves a condominium development. (Morinville Mirror)
Northern council chair appointed
EDSON -- MLA Robin Campbell was appointed to head the Northern Alberta Development Council. (Edson Leader)
Computer Analyzes Water System
EDSON -- A new computer model will soon be created to help direct the Town of Edson's engineering department on which water pipes need to be replaced and when. (Edson Leader)
Duplexes Nixed
HINTON -- In the face of opposition to rezoning applications, council chose to nix plans for duplexes and a Habitat for Humanity home. (Hinton Parklander)
Park Relationship Renewed
JASPER -- The municipality and Parks Canada renewed their relationship and announce plans to develop a community sustainability plan. (Jasper Booster)
Land Grab Irks Mayor
LEDUC -- The possibility that Edmonton may annex some land from Leduc County has the mayor seeing red. (Leduc Representative)
Secondary Suites Approved
CAMROSE -- The city approved a bylaw to allow secondary suites. (Camrose Canadian)
CAO Hands Over Reins
FERINTOSH -- Grant Johnson has left the CAO's job to move to Nova Scotia and the part-time job now belongs to Ray Hook. (Camrose Canadian)
New Rec Director
MILLET -- The town's new recreation director has roots in hockey in Canada and Germany. (Wetaskiwin Times Advertiser)
Party Marks Construction Finish
BANFF -- Banff is throwing an outdoor concert to celebrate the end of a $22 million construction project on the resort town's main street. (CBC)
Right Of Way Reduced
AIRDRIE -- Unable to secure the right of way for a two-lane divided roadway, the city revised a major project to an undivided road. (Airdrie Echo)
Residential Plan Nixes ASP
COCHRANE -- The MD of Rocky View opposed an area structure plan for a residential development because the land was designated for non-residential use according to an annexation plan in 2003. (Cochrane Times)
Transport Plan Sent Back
COCHRANE -- Councillors felt that population predictions in a consultant's transportation plan were too low and sent the draft back for revisions. (Cochrane Times)
Pesticide Ban Convoluted
CALGARY -- Hours of debate did not help clear the air, as Calgary city council voted on some convoluted amendments to move ahead on a ban on the cosmetic use of pesticides. (CBC)
Kid In Car Smoke Ban Imposed
OKOTOKS -- Okotoks has become the first municipality in Alberta to ban smoking in vehicles carrying children 16 years old and younger. (CBC)
May Scrap Population Cap
OKOTOKS -- The town is considering scrapping its renowned 35,000 person population cap as a result of new regional land-use policies. (High River Times)
Planner Tapped For CAO Job
HIGH RIVER -- Harry Harker was plucked from his job as planning director for Red Deer County to take on the town's CAO job. (High River Times)
Bylaw Officer Faces Assault Charge
HIGH RIVER -- A bylaw officer was charged with assault in relation to a domestic disturbance. (High River Times)
Golfers Guzzle Hospital Water
CROWSNEST PASS -- Water usage at a golf course is causing pressure problems at a hospital which is tied into the same loop. (Crowsnest Pass Promoter)
No Rush On Admin Building
DRAYTON VALLEY -- Although land has been cleared, Brazeau County is taking its time to consider designs for a new administration building. (Drayton Valley Western Review)
Residents Irate About Assessments
THORHILD -- Many irate taxpayers crammed the village council chambers to complain about property reassessments that saw many of their tax bills rise 40 to 50 per cent. (Redwater Tribune)
Pool Fate Goes To Plebiscite
THORHILD -- The village will undertake a referendum to determine what should be the fate of the municipal swimming pool. (Redwater Tribune)
Free Baggies For Dog Walkers
VERMILION -- Dispensers for plastic baggies have been installed at public parks to encourage dog owners to pick up the droppings. (Vermilion Standard)
Reservoirs To Be Studied
WILLOW CREEK -- Terms of reference have been adopted to study the cumulative effects of development on the three water reservoirs in the Municipal District. (Nanton News)
Six Apply For CAO Post
CHAMPION -- The village has received six applications for the vacant position of CAO. (Vulcan Advocate)
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
West Nile Mosquitoes Found
SASKATOON -- The variety of mosquito that spreads the West Nile virus has shown up in Saskatoon and Regina for the first time this year, health officials say. (CBC)
Roadside Memorials To Be Curbed
PRINCE ALBERT -- The city wants to put a limit on roadside memorials that mark fatal accident sites, but it's struggling to decide on a reasonable length of time. (CBC)
Construction Deadlines Imposed
PRINCE ALBERT -- A six-month building deadline imposed on buyers of 84 new Prince Albert lots is unreasonable given the current construction boom, some builders say. (CBC)
Home Inspections Lax
REGINA -- Many new homes built in small Saskatchewan communities are never inspected to make sure they meet the national building code, CBC News has learned. (CBC)
Referendum Lawsuit Launched
MOOSE JAW -- A lawyer said he intends to launch a lawsuit to force a second referendum on an arena complex. (Moose Jaw Times Herald)
City Hikes Rents
SWIFT CURRENT -- The city hiked rents for municipal facilities by five per cent. (Southwest Booster)
Fuel Enters Lagoon
MEADOW LAKE -- Gasoline and diesel fuel accidentally entered the town's sewage lagoon. (Meadow Lake Progress)
Saskatchewan Municipal Contact Info
To track down municipal officials in Saskatchewan, MuniMall recommends starting with the Municipal Directory System, maintained by Saskatchewan Municipal Affairs.
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Municipal Manitoba
Transit Labour Dispute
WINNIPEG -- The Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1505, which represents about 1,000 bus drivers and 250 maintenance workers in Winnipeg, has rejected the city's latest contract offer and is in an immediate strike position. (CBC)
School Expansion Denied
WINNIPEG -- A private school that has operated in a Winnipeg neighbourhood for more than 40 years may soon be looking for a new home after the city on Thursday denied it permission to expand. (CBC)
Waterpark Gets Subsidy
WINNIPEG -- In return for a $7-million subsidy from the city, a privately-owned waterpark will provide reduced admission from low-income families. (CBC)
Emergency Workers Learn Self Defence
WINNIPEG -- The city hopes a new course for emergency workers will help prevent violent attacks some face on the job. (CBC)
Sewer Upgrades Counter-Productive
WINNIPEG -- The Doer government is forcing Winnipeg to spend $10 million to $50 million on a sewage-treatment process that one of the world's leading freshwater scientists believes will actually make Lake Winnipeg filthier. (Winnipeg Free Press)
City Planner Moves On
WINNIPEG -- The city manager in charge of the South Point Douglas development is leaving Winnipeg to become the new planning director in Kelowna, B.C. (Winnipeg Free Press)
Skeeters Fogged
PORTAGE LA PRAIRIE -- The city's latest blast of fogging for the summer appears to have tamed some of the teeming mosquito population. (Portage Daily Graphic)
Youth Conduct Water Audit
GIMLI -- Half a dozen members of Gimli Youth Community Partnership are conducting a water audit -- in effort to establish patterns of use and ways to conserve water. (Interlake Spectator)
Cottagers Want Summer Vote
ST. LAURENT -- A crowd of cottage owners stormed out of WednesdayÕs St. Laurent council meeting under a cloud of disappointment and anger when the council defeated a motion to change the townÕs municipal election date to Aug. 31 from Oct. 31. (Interlake Spectator)
Councillor Kicked Off
LAC DU BONNET -- A byelection will be held to replace a councillor who was removed from the Rural Municipality of Lac du Bonnet council for missing three meetings in a row. (Lac du Bonnet Leader)
More Immigration Services Sought
MORDEN -- With a large number of immigrants choosing to live in the area, the town wants to host a meeting focusing on newcomer issues. (Morden Times)
Integrity, Transparency Denied
SELKIRK -- A motion to improve Ôintegrity, transparency and reliabilityÕ in the financial reporting of the City of Selkirk has been defeated for the second time in two months leaving the chair of SelkirkÕs audit committee uncertain of how to proceed. (Selkirk Journal)
Assistant CAO Retires
TEULON -- Mrs. Georgina Nelson, known to friends as ÔGeneÕ, will be retiring from the Teulon Town Office. (Stonewall Argus and Teulon 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
Ex-Mayor Memorialized
YELLOWKNIFE, NT -- More than 100 people gathered along Yellowknife's Frame Lake Trail to say goodbye to former mayor Pat McMahon who died after a lengthy illness. (CBC)
Cleanup Compensation Sought
YELLOWKNIFE, NT -- The City of Yellowknife wants to be compensated for land at the Giant Mine site that will not or cannot be cleaned up, Mayor Gordon Van Tighem said. (CBC)
Highway Poorly Maintained
INUVIK, NT -- Drivers heading up the Dempster Highway this summer say they've noticed the gravel road is in worse shape on the Yukon side than on the Northwest Territories side. (CBC)
Water Safe: Officials
BAKER LAKE, NU -- Recent tests done by the federal and Nunavut governments show that the drinking water in Baker Lake is safe, following concerns raised by a resident who alleged the water was making people ill. (CBC)
Projects Funded
RANKIN INLET, NU -- Two communities in Nunavut's Kivalliq region are sharing about $9 million in government money for new community centres, while Rankin Inlet received $1 million for upgrades to its community centre and arena. (CBC)
Parking Requirements Waived
WHITEHORSE, YK -- The developers of a downtown Whitehorse building have been spared from forking over $200,000 in parking fees to the city after council voted Monday night to waive parking requirements for the building. (CBC)
Toxic Soil Won't Be Disturbed
IQALUIT, NU -- Next summer's anticipated road work in Iqaluit's Lower Base area will not stir up contaminated soil there, city officials say. (CBC)
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
Bombardier Protests TTC Ruling
TORONTO -- Bombardier Inc. wants a chance to make a case at the political level that the TTC is wrong when it said the train-maker's LRT cars will derail on the city's tracks. (Globe and Mail)
Ont. Wants More Fed Money
TORONTO -- The Ontario government, fresh from signing an accord with Ottawa to receive billions of dollars for public transit, roads and bridges, is asking for a fresh infusion of $6-billion. (Globe and Mail)
Feds Unleash $7.8B
OTTAWA -- The federal government announced an infusion of $7.8 billion for infrastructure projects under the Building Canada program. (Globe and Mail)
Info Limits Defended
TORONTO -- Some Toronto councillors want complete access to the city's database to do their job, an argument tartly dismissed by the province's information and privacy commissioner. (Globe and Mail)
Recycling Received Enthusiastically
BRAMPTON -- About 80 per cent of residents are participating in Halton Region's recycling program and politicians are confident they will reach 60 per cent diversion. (Brampton Guardian)
Dental Program Cut Back
BRAMPTON -- Most of the funds allocated for a dental care program for children and adults with special needs has gone toward new dentures, and its popularity has prompted the region to cut back on denture replacement. (Brampton Guardian)
City Money Evaporates
HAMILTON -- Estimates range between $50 million and $14 million in the cost of the city's lost investment in the asset backed commercial paper meltdown. (Hamilton Spectator)
Murals Prevent Graffiti
OTTAWA -- The city may loosen its sign bylaw to allow residential murals to help prevent graffiti vandalism. (CBC)
Bi-Sign Bylaw Challenged
RUSSELL -- A well known anglophone-rights activist has filed legal papers asking a court to strike down the Township of Russell's recently passed regulation that requires new businesses to post signs in both English and French. (CBC)
Police Agree To Work With Region
ST. CATHARINES -- Niagara's police board has agreed to form a joint committee with regional staff to oversee police facility planning following months of feuding over plans to build a new headquarters. (Niagara Falls Review)
Council Rifts Hurtful
THOROLD -- Though the municipal body is productive, councillors are embittered over the decisions of the previous council. (St. Catharines Standard)
City, CUPE Reach Deal
BELLEVILLE -- The city and the union representing 250 workers will vote on a deal this week. (Belleville Intelligencer)
Bylaw Forces Graffiti Removal
ST. CATHARINES -- A new bylaw imposes a $150 fine if graffiti is not removed from private property, but also allows payment from the city to clean it. (St. Catharines Standard)
Items Added To Recyclable List
THOROLD -- Spiral bound containers such as frozen drink packages, potato chip containers and more can now be recycled -- caps are used for steel products and the cardboard as fuel for the steel mill. (St. Catharines Standard)
CAO Joins Township
PEMBROKE -- John Baird will take over as CAO of Laurentian Valley Township to replace retiring Darrel Ryan. (Pembroke Observer)
Chief Appointed To Heal FD
PRINCE -- A chief and deputy were appointed to head the volunteer fire department that has been in turmoil since the township council forced an injured firefighter out of light duty. (Sault Star)
Two Quietly Hired
SUDBURY -- Two new positions have been filled although no public announcement has been made yet, according to a city hall source. (Sudbury Star)
Bylaw Targets Nuisance
FONTHILL -- If youÕre going to spit on a sidewalk, tag a wall or take a swing at someone on Canboro Road, you may get a ticket from the bylaw officer. (St. Catharines Standard)
Council Urged To Expand Clinic
DURHAM -- The municipality is being urged to fund an expansion of health clinic to accommodate a full house of physicians. (Owen Sound Sun Times)
Clear Trash Bags Proposed
WIARTON -- Municipal officials are considering the use of clear garbage bags in an effort to increase diversion from the landfill. (Owen Sound Sun Times)
Property Owner Walks
SARNIA -- A five acre parcel of land that cost the city $3.4 million when the owner walked away from the mortgage will be sold for back taxes and a $200,000 federal lien on the land. (Sarnia Observer)
Bylaw Officer Convicted
WHITBY -- A former Pickering bylaw officer has been found guilty of operating a taxi licensing scam that saw him defraud the city and unsuspecting cab owners of thousands of dollars. (durhamregion.com)
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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Does your municipality have anything new and noteworthy to publicize? Send your release to MuniMall, and reach over 13,000 local government readers from coast to coast.
Contribute to MuniMall
Does your municipality have anything new and noteworthy to publicize? Send your release to MuniMall, and reach over 13,000 local government readers from coast to coast.
Municipal Atlantic
Run-Off Byelection Held
SAINT JOHN, NB -- A tie vote in the regular election prompted the city to hold a second vote and it was won with a sizable margin. (CBC)
Bio-Bags Need Air To Decompose
FREDERICTON, NB -- Conventional plastic shopping bags have disappeared from many Fredericton stores, but an official with the Fredericton Region Solid Waste Commission says their replacement isn't much better. (Daily Gleaner)
Rec Centre More Popular
FREDERICTON, NB -- The new community centre which includes the YMCA, meeting rooms and a walking track is getting more use than predicted, but utility costs are driving up the operation budget. (Daily Gleaner)
Budget Overrun Fueled
FREDERICTON, NB -- The City of Fredericton could be $638,000 in the hole by the end of this budget year due to rising fuel prices and more diesel and gasoline consumption driven up by a long winter and cold spring. (Daily Gleaner)
Gas-Tax Funds Disbursed
FREDERICTON, NB -- Taxes on fossil fuels are being used to pay for green infrastructure projects in six New Brunswick municipalities. (Daily Gleaner)
CAO Fights Dismissal
NACKAWIC, NB -- Nackawic's former chief administrative officer isn't going down without a fight, following town council's decision to dismiss the longtime employee. (Daily Gleaner)
Expropriation Divides Council
FREDERICTON, NB -- Four city councillors have refused to support an expropriation of land to add to the city's Killarney Lake holdings. (Daily Gleaner)
Mayor Fumes Over Graffiti
ST. JOHN'S NL -- The mayor of St. John's is furious after vandals sprayed graffiti on The Fighting Newfoundlander monument in a well-known public park. (CBC)
FCM Funds Water Meters
CORNER BROOK, NL -- The city has received $1.6 million from the Federation of Canadian Municipalities to monitor how people use water in an effort to cut down on consumption. (CBC)
No Water For Tax Delinquents
DEER LAKE, NL -- The town council of Deer Lake, on Newfoundland's west coast, began shutting off the water supply this week to people who owe municipal taxes. (CBC)
Beach Barrier Removed
PORT HOOD, NS -- Inverness County removed a barrier to a beach across a public road allowance that was set up by a private property owner. (CBC)
Uranium Mining Opposed
WINDSOR, NS -- West Hants municipal councillors are unanimous in their objection to uranium exploration and mining in the province. (Hants Journal)
Private Security Hired
GEORGETOWN, PE -- The town has hired a private security company to deal with bylaw infractions after failing to reach an agreement with two other town's to hire a enforcement official. (CBC)
Volunteers Fuelling Firetrucks
CHARLOTTETOWN, PE -- With the high price of diesel fuel, budgets are running low at many P.E.I. volunteer fire departments, prompting some volunteers to buy diesel out of their own pockets. (CBC)
"We Have Failed Miserably"
CHARLOTTETOWN, PE -- The mayor apologized to residents for a downtown festival that they describe as a "three-day drunken rock concert." (CBC)
Bike To Work, Take A Day, City Offers
SUMMERSIDE, PE -- the city is offering staff the opportunity to earn vacation credits if they use foot power to commute to work. (CBC)
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
-
13th Canadian National Conference and 4th Policy Forum on Drinking Water
Quebec City QC Oct. 3-7, 2008.
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
Parking Enforcement Goes High-Tech
BRAMPTON -- The Town of Halton Hills introduced a handheld computer and weather-proof ticket dispenser for its parking enforcement program. (Brampton Guardian)
BizPal Website Tested
FREDERICTON, NB -- Municipalities will be posting permit and regulation information on the provinces one-stop shopping BizPal website. (Daily Gleaner)
Website Feature Added
WINKLER -- Residents can now post their community photos, get the word out about local events, and sign-up for e-mail and text message alerts at the www.cityofwinkler.ca home page. (Winkler Times)
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