Municipal Affairs

This week, over 1,200 delegates from across Alberta have gathered here at Calgary’s TELUS Convention Centre for what Alberta Municipalities is calling the province’s largest municipal gathering — the 2025 Alberta Municipalities Convention and Trade Show. Running through Friday, the event brings together councillors, mayors, and municipal officials from every corner of Alberta — all here to take co...

In the City of Leduc, Alberta, a new council term is underway — bringing together a mix of fresh and familiar faces.  Last month, residents headed to the polls, electing a new council t steer the city forward.  Among those elected was Councillor Shawn Raymond.  He now joins his colleagues and the Mayor in leading the city forward over the next four years.  We sat down with Councillor Raymond to ta...

In the Village of Beiseker, Alberta, a new council term is hitting the ground running— bringing together a mix of fresh faces and familiar faces.  Among those is Councillor Neil Young. He joins his colleagues in leading the village forward over the next four years.  We sat down with Councillor Young to talk about leadership, priorities for the term ahead, and what comes next.  This… is Municipal A...

It’s shaping up to be one of the largest gatherings of municipal leaders Alberta has seen in years.  From November 12th to 14th, mayors, councillors, and administrators from across the province will converge on downtown Calgary for the Alberta Municipalities convention — a three-day summit where the people who help run our cities, towns, and villages come together to debate, decide, and chart the...

A significant step toward strengthening relationships between municipalities and First Nations communities took place in Saskatoon this month.  The Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association, known as SUMA, and the Office of the Treaty Commissioner have formalized a new partnership through the signing of a memorandum of understanding.  The agreement was signed following a traditional Pipe Cerem...

Strychnine — a name that carries a long legacy across the Prairies. For decades, it was the go-to pesticide for gopher control in Alberta.  That is, until the federal government began phasing out its use on Richardson’s ground squirrels back in 2020 — and then banned it outright in 2024. The small animal at the centre of it all — the Richardson’s ground squirrel, known more commonly as the gopher...

In the Town of Canmore, Alberta, a new council term is underway — bringing together a mix of fresh faces and returning members around the table. On October 20th, residents headed to the polls, electing a blend of new councillors and familiar voices — all ready to help shape Canmore’s future. Among them is Councillor Wade Graham, re-elected by the citizens of Canmore to continue serving on Council....

In the Municipal District of Taber, Alberta, a new term is beginning — and at the head of the table sits a familiar face. On October 20th, residents went to the polls, casting their votes for a mix of new councillors and returning voices — each ready to shape the MD’s next chapter. Just a week later, at the first meeting of the new council, members turned once again to a trusted leader. Tamara Miy...

“Change is here.” Those were the words of Premier-Designate Currie Dixon, speaking to a packed crowd in Whitehorse as news broke that the Yukon Party would be returning to power—ending nine years of Liberal rule. Dixon will now lead a majority government, with 14 MLAs securing the Yukon Party’s place as the new governing force. The Yukon NDP, under Leader Kate White, will take on the role of Offic...

In the County of Grande Prairie, Alberta — a new chapter is unfolding, and it begins with a familiar name. On October 20th, residents headed to the polls, casting their votes for the people they believe will shape their community’s future — some new voices, and some well-known ones returning to the table. Just a week later, at the very first meeting of this new council, the group turned to a trust...

The Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities has been keeping a full schedule this fall, leading up to their mid-term convention happening November 5th and 6th in Regina. From meetings in Ottawa with federal ministers and opposition members, to continued advocacy on the challenges facing rural Saskatchewan — including the ongoing trade tariffs between Canada and China — SARM has been activ...

Welcome to a special edition of Municipal Affairs. Last week, during our live Municipal Votes episode, we had the opportunity to speak with several retiring municipal leaders from across Alberta. These dedicated individuals have spent years serving their communities, guiding growth, and helping shape the places we call home. In this special episode, we’ve brought all of those heartfelt conversatio...

Welcome to a special edition of Municipal Affairs. Earlier this week, during our live Municipal Votes episode, we had the privilege of sitting down with several acclaimed municipal leaders from across Alberta.  These conversations offered valuable insight into local governance, community priorities, and the vision shaping Alberta’s towns and cities. For this special episode, we’ve brought all of t...

In Vermilion, Alberta, a new chapter is beginning — and it comes with a familiar name. On Monday, October 20th, residents went to the polls and placed their trust in Robert Snow — electing him as the town’s next Mayor with a strong majority. Snow, a first-term councillor before his mayoral run, secured 1,017 of the 1,276 votes cast for the position. Now, he steps into leadership with a mix of expe...

Welcome to a special edition of Municipal Affairs. Earlier this week, during our live Municipal Votes episode, we had the privilege of sitting down with several acclaimed municipal leaders from across Alberta.  These conversations offered valuable insight into local governance, community priorities, and the vision shaping Alberta’s towns and cities. For this special episode, we’ve brought all of t...

Welcome to a special edition of Municipal Affairs. Earlier this week, during our live Municipal Votes episode, we had the privilege of sitting down with several acclaimed municipal leaders from across Alberta.  These conversations offered valuable insight into local governance, community priorities, and the vision shaping Alberta’s towns and cities. For this special episode, we’ve brought all of t...

Over the past year, municipal leaders from across Canada have been raising their voices, calling on the federal government to take stronger action on public safety — and in particular, to make changes to Canada’s bail system.  From major cities to small towns, mayors and councils have been expressing the same concern: repeat violent offenders being released back into communities too quickly, only...

The ballots are counted, the signs are coming down, and across Alberta, the dust is finally starting to settle. It’s been just a few days since voters went to the polls in the municipal elections — shaping the councils and county tables that will steer their communities for the next four years. And while some familiar faces will be returning to their seats, there’s also a new wave of leaders stepp...

Welcome to Municipal Affairs . For the first time in 160 days, the Saskatchewan Legislature is set to sit once again.  Lawmakers will return to Regina on Wednesday, marking the start of a new session — and a return to many of the same debates that defined the spring. Despite the long summer recess, the issues facing Saskatchewan communities haven’t gone anywhere. Questions around infrastructure, m...

Welcome to Municipal Affairs, B.C.’s communities and families are facing uncertain times. Sluggish economic growth, rising government deficits, and aggressive tariffs from U.S. President Donald Trump are putting real pressure on our province’s economy. Across B.C., the standard of living is slipping instead of rising. And that raises a fundamental question: what kind of future will we leave to the...

Today we are back in the nation’s capital—Ottawa—where a delegation of Saskatchewan municipal leaders recently gathered to speak with one unified voic.  On October 1st and 2nd, SARM President Bill Huber, along side representatives from across Saskatchewan—including municipal leaders from Regina, Saskatoon, Moose Jaw, Prince Albert, Swift Current, North Battleford, and Yorkton—joined forces with pr...

On today’s episode, we’re taking you to the nation’s capital—Ottawa—where a delegation of Saskatchewan municipal leaders recently gathered to speak with one unified voice on behalf of our province’s cities, towns, and rural municipalities. On October 1st and 2nd, representatives from across Saskatchewan—including mayors from Regina, Saskatoon, Moose Jaw, Prince Albert, Swift Current, North Battlef...

With October 20th only a few days away, we are at our final episode of Alberta Municipal Votes 2025.   And for that, we turn our attention Home, to the City of Calgary, Alberta. We are honoured to sit and speak with Council Candidate Kourtney Penner. *************************************************** Learn More About Today's Guest: Website: https://www.co11aborate.ca/ Facebook: https://www.fa...

With October 20th only a few days away, we are at our penultimate episode of Alberta Municipal Votes 2025.  And for that, we turn our attention to Cypress County, Alberta. We are honoured to sit and speak with Council Candidate Robin Kurpjuweit *************************************************** Learn More About Today's Guest: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/robin.kurpjuweit.council/ Instag...

With October 20th only a few days away, the race for municipal office across Alberta is starting to wind down. From every corner of the province, candidates for mayor, reeve, and council are stepping forward with ideas for stronger communities, smarter growth, and brighter futures. In this edition of Alberta Municipal Votes 2025, we turn our attention to Brazeau County, Alberta.  We are honoured t...