Municipal Alberta
Consultant's Words Sting County
WHITECOURT -- Woodlands County councillors took umbrage at a commissioned tourism study in which consultant wrote he wouldn't visit the area unless he was hiding from somebody. (Whitecourt Star)
City Buys Notorious Bar
CALGARY -- No sooner had the city suspended the business licence of a bothersome bar in response to complaints by police, it purchased the property for $10.9 million. (Calgary Sun)
Ethical Investments Shot Down
CALGARY -- A committee shot down a proposal to include social and environmental ethics in the city's investment portfolio. (Metro Calgary)
New Taxes Denied
CALGARY -- Members of a committee examining new revenue streams turned down the idea to impose new taxes, but will continue to explore options. (CBC)
Energy Costs Reduced
MEDICINE HAT -- The city saved more than $14,000 in energy costs over six months as a result of efficiency projects funded in part from Climate Change Central's Municipal Energy Efficiency Assistance Program. (City of Medicine Hat)
311 Phone System Launched
EDMONTON -- Citizens can now dial 311 anytime to access city information, programs and services. (City of Edmonton)
Grants Bring Rural High Speed
EDMONTON -- Municipalities and other agencies are eligible to receive up to $500,000 for projects to bring high-speed internet service to rural communities. (High River Times)
Kudos For Infrastructure Management
EDMONTON -- Edmonton has won an inaugural public-sector leadership award for a ground-breaking program to assess and manage its $33 billion worth of roads, sewers, bridges and other infrastructure. (Edmonton Journal)
E-Voting Idea Dropped
GRANDE PRAIRIE -- The city has dropped the idea of establishing internet voting for municipal elections. (Grande Prairie Daily Herald Tribune)
Cabbie Rest Period Proposed
GRANDE PRAIRIE -- Taxi drivers may require at least eight hours off duty within a 24-hour period, if the City of Grande Prairie moves forward with plans to change the Business Licence Bylaw. (Grande Prairie Daily Herald-Tribune)
Outstanding Achievement Award: Municipal Excellence
SHERWOOD PARK -- Strathcona county and a private developer developed a new model for planning and development to earn the Minister's Award for Outstanding Achievement. It an excellent practice posted on MEnet, Alberta's Municipal Excellence Network. (www.menet.ab.ca)
Capital Board Denies Expansion
SHERWOOD PARK -- The Capital Region Board denied an amendment to Strathcona County's municipal development plan that would expand Androssan by 160 acres. (Sherwood Park News)
Solve congestion With Transit
AIRDRIE -- A comprehensive review of the city's transportation system shows that improving public transit will reduce traffic congestion. (Airdrie Echo)
Bulk Water Rate Tripled
AIRDRIE -- The cost to draw bulk water from the municipal system was more than tripled to $4 per cubic metre. (Airdrie Echo)
Staff Seek Wage Thaw
BANFF -- Town staff are okay with a freeze on cost of living increases but asked council, in vain, to allow the step increases based on time served. (Banff Crag and Canyon)
Taxes Cut
CANMORE -- Town council approved a budget that will see the average homeowner pay $44 less. (Canmore Leader)
Petition Opposes Sign Bylaw
DRAYTON VALLEY -- A business owner presented a petition to ask town council to overturn its bylaw banning sandwich boards on municipal property. (Drayton Valley Western Review)
Four-Wheeling For Resale
EDSON -- The town is considering four-wheel drive trucks to replace its two-wheel drive pickups because the resale value is greater. (Edson Leader)
Acclamations Fill Vacancies
FAIRVIEW -- A councillor was acclaimed to fill the mayor's seat, and his old post was also filled by acclamation. (Fairview Post)
Advisor Job Raises Hackles
FORT MCMURRAY -- The city's operating budget increased by $166 million over last year, but it was the $250,000 salary for a consultant to the mayor that drew the most fire. (Fort McMurray Today)
New Old Arena
GIBBONS -- Town council plans to attach a new library and community centre to the old arena and hopes that it complies with a grant from Sturgeon County. (Fort Saskatchewan Record)
Nearly 3,000 Against New City Hall
FORT SASKATCHEWAN -- A citizen's committee garnered 3,000 signatures for a petition calling for a plebiscite on a $25 million borrowing bylaw to finance a new city hall. (Fort Saskatchewan Record)
Rock Band Draws Tourists
HANNA -- Fans of the rock band Nickelback from all over the world like to drop into town and check out some of their old haunts. (Hanna Herald)
School Land Swap Considered
JASPER -- A public meeting will be held in January to discuss a land swap between the town and school board to allow for a new high school and French school. (Jasper Booster)
Racetrack Development Progresses
LACOMBE -- Only a few clauses remain to be worked out in a complex development agreement before county council can give the go-ahead for construction of a thoroughbred horse racing track and slots casino. (Lacombe Globe)
Spitting Allowed
LEDUC -- A prohibition on spitting was removed from a proposed community standards bylaw which was finally accepted. (Leduc Representative)
Fire Trucks Purchased
CLARESHOLM -- The MD of Willow Creek will purchase three fire trucks now before upgraded standards hike the price in 2009. (Nanton News)
Lack Of Respect Mutual
PINCHER CREEK -- Complaints about the CAO are not entirely without merit, said an investigator from Alberta Municipal Affairs, but trust and respect is a two-way street and the mayor and council must also work to overcome management problems. (Pincher Creek Echo)
911 Rate Hiked
LEGAL -- A rate hike for 911 service from $1.36 per capita to $4 in 2010 has the town looking around for another service provider. (Morinville and Redwater Town and Country Examiner)
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.
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 Saskatchewan
Thief Sentenced To Yorkton
YORKTON -- The mayor welcomes the opportunity for his city to be part of a positive influence on a young offender convicted of serial car thefts and "banished" to Yorkton to live with relatives by a Winnipeg judge. (CBC)
Threatened Towns Get Cash
REGINA -- Four municipalities hard hit by forest industry closures will receive $4.8 million from the federal government to work toward alternate development. (CBC)
Lead Testing Begins
SASKATOON -- The city will test lead levels in tap water of 50 homes and begin a more comprehensive program in the summer. (Regina Leader-Post)
Electrical Fault Blows Manhole Cover
REGINA -- An electrical arc in an underground conduit was forceful enough to blow the lid off a manhole although it did not ignite any gases as was feared. (Regina Leader-Post)
Water Capacity To Double
LLOYDMINSTER -- Expansion of the water treatment plant will double its capacity and cost $14 million. (Lloydminster Meridian Booster)
Welcome Signs Costs Inflate
NIPAWIN -- New welcome map highway signs cost nearly $5,000 each more than originally anticipated. (Nipawin Journal)
Munis Recruited To Attract Physicians
NIPAWIN -- The regional health authority has invited municipalities to help with its efforts to recruit and retain physicians. (Nipawin Journal)
From Zero To $63M In One Year
MOOSE JAW -- The city will request an increase in its debt limit to $63 million from $37 million to finance its recreation centre project, although the city carried no debt at the beginning of 2008. (Moose Jaw Times Herald)
Multiplex Decision Appealed
MOOSE JAW -- A group of residents opposed to the construction of a recreation centre at more than double the cost voters had approved during a plebiscite have appealed a lower court decision to allow the new bylaw to pass. (Moose Jaw Times Herald)
Get Projects Ready: Flaherty
SASKATOON -- Federal Finance Minister Jim Flaherty says he and his provincial and territorial counterparts all agree shovels have to be in the ground quickly if projects are going to stimulate the economy and help create jobs. (Saskatoon Star Phoenix)
Fire Services Studied
SWIFT CURRENT -- A comprehensive study of fire services strategy is being undertaken in response to rapid population and development growth. (
Saskatchewan Municipal Contact Info
To track down municipal officials in Saskatchewan, MuniMall recommends starting with the Municipal Directory System, maintained by Saskatchewan Municipal Affairs.
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 Manitoba
Paramedics Fired On Prostitution Charges
WINNIPEG -- Two paramedics were fired by the city for soliciting prostitutes while on the job. (CBC)
Court Foils Multiplex Plan
WINNIPEG -- A court of Queen's Bench Justice sided with ratepayers who contended the rural municipality did not present an adequate plan for financing the construction of a recreational centre. (Portage Daily Graphic)
IKEA Gets $18.5M Road Work
WINNIPEG -- The city and province will spend $18.5 million to widen two recently-completed roads to accommodate a retail development featuring an IKEA store. (Winnipeg Free Press)
Recycling Termination Reconsidered
BEAUSEJOUR -- The local Association for Community Living will continue to provide recycling services with additional money original slated for the town's waste management. (Beausejour Review)
Ousted Reeve Feels Vindicated
LAC DU BONNET -- The Manitoba Ombudsman says the Rural Municipality owes the former reeve an apology after the council ousted him for being absent for three consecutive meetings after refusing to grant him a leave of absence. (Lac Du Bonnet Leader)
Fired CAO Replaced
ROSSER -- The Rural Municipality of Rosser chose from among nine applicants to replace the CAO dismissed three months ago without notice. (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.
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 North
Nunavut Election Results
IQALUIT, NU -- Municipal elections were held Dec. 8. Here are the results. (Nunatsiaq News)
Safety Committee Established
IQALUIT, NU -- The city's response to a series of violent incidents includes the establishment of a public safety committee. (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.
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 Ontario
2010 AMO Conference Locale
TORONTO -- The City of Windsor and the County of Essex will jointly host the 2010 Association of Municipalities of Ontario conference. (Association of Municipalities of Ontario)
Assessments Unrealistic, McGuinty Says
TORONTO -- Municipal property assessments issued this fall are "unrealistic" given the drop in the real estate market, Premier Dalton McGuinty admitted. (Globe and Mail)
CAO Search Begins
WOODSTOCK -- A candidate search has begun to replace Oxford County's retired CAO Ken Whiteford. (Woodstock Sentinel Review)
Rental Bylaw Considered
THOROLD -- City council is split over the terms of a rental licensing bylaw to deal with problem rental properties and absentee landlords. (Thorold News)
Recyclable Material Hoarded
KENORA -- Contractors collecting recyclable material are storing the goods and hoping for a recovery in prices. (Kenora Daily Miner and News)
Residents Dump On Waste Fee
BROCKVILLE -- Residents were very vocal about their opposition to implement a user-pay system for waste management, and the matter was dropped. (Brockville
Solar Energy Park Approved
AMHERSTBURG -- Town council approved the site plan for a large solar-powered electrical generating station. (Amherstburg Echo)
Industry To Establish Bottle Recycling
SARNIA -- In an effort to stave off further bans on bottled water, an industry group will establish bottle recycling bins in public parks and facilities and undertake a public relations campaign to get people to use them. (Sarnia This Week)
Pols Take 30% Raise
OWEN SOUND -- Grey County councillors will receive a 30 per cent raise as recommended by a citizen's committee. (Owen Sound Sun Times)
Retirement Crunch Awaits
SARNIA -- A city councillor is calling for a complete staff restructuring light of the fact that 60 per cent of employees will be eligible to retire in two years. (Sarnia Observer)
CAO's Exit Package Being Negotiated
TRENTON -- No one will provide details as to the "mutually agreed" departure of CAO Bill Arthur. (Trenton Trentonian)
Mediator Called In Transit Strike
OTTAWA -- A federal mediator has been called in to try to settle a strike of transit employees. (CBC)
Union Turns Up Heat
PETERBOROUGH -- The union representing outside workers have requested a no-board report which could put them in a strike or lockout position on Jan. 10. (Peterborough Examiner)
Carbon Monoxide Detectors Eyed
NORTH BAY -- City council has asked staff to draft a bylaw to make carbon monoxide detectors mandatory in all homes. (North Bay Nugget)
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 13,000 local government readers from coast to coast.
Municipal Atlantic
Cancer Claims To Cost Millions
FREDERICTON, NB -- The province was warned a year ago that municipalities would face millions of dollars in added costs to provide compensation benefits for firefighters who become ill with cancer. (CBC)
Councillor Sued By Pension Board
SAINT JOHN, NB -- The board of trustees that manages the municipality's pension funds has sued a city councillor for alleging illegal activities. (Saint John Telegraph-Journal)
Councillor Quits Pension Board
SAINT JOHN, NB -- A city councillor resigned from the city's pension board citing council's actions give credence to "misleading statements, allegations and innuendo." (Saint John Telegraph-Journal)
Industry Closures May Force Tax Hike
DALHOUSIE, NB -- Residents may see a hefty tax increase to make up for losses with the closures of a paper mill and chemical plant. (CBC)
Recycling Pilot Reprieved
ST. JOHN'S, NL -- A community uproar over plans to end a curbside recycling pilot project prompted the city to cut its travel budget by $150,000 to fund the program. (CBC)
Company Town No More
GRAND FALLS-WINDSOR, NL -- A company town built by a paper manufacturer now faces a future without the company. (CBC)
$224M In Gas Tax Funds
HALIFAX, NS -- Nova Scotia municipalities will receive more than $223 million in federal aid for infrastructure projects through the federal gas tax fund. (CBC)
Seamy Questions Okay
HALIFAX, NS -- The questions asked in lie detector tests for police and firefighter job applicants are okay, a city report says, but the purchasing of the service -- operated by off-duty officers -- does not meet standards. (CBC)
New Transit Tax Considered
HALIFAX, NS -- Halifax regional council is considering a new charge levied on all households to fund the public transit service. (CBC)
Council Overturns Planning Board
CHARLOTTETOWN, PE -- Resident's objections won over town councillors who voted to reject the recommendation of the city's planning board to allow a multi-storey condominium development on the waterfront. (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.
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.
Current Events
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.
This email was not sent without asking your prior permission. Please follow this link to subscribe or unsubscribe. All subscriptions are free.
The MuniMall
Newsletter is published biweekly via email from
Government Studies at the University of Alberta.
Comments, concerns, suggestions, submissions? Email MuniMall Manager Bob Burrows at
robert.burrows@ualberta.ca or call Bob at 780-492-5717.
MuniMall respects your privacy. We use redirects and pixels in the Newsletter to better understand the likes and dislikes of our readers and to create a better product in the future. For more information, please see our Privacy Statement.
Copyright © 2008 University of Alberta
