The Rural Municipalities of Alberta (RMA) association passed a dozen resolutions at its recent convention in Edmonton calling for action on such things as support of the energy industry and increased children’s health-care funding.
The resolutions call for action by the provincial government set to be elected on April 16.
The RMA represents 69 rural municipalities, including Mountain View and Red Deer counties. The resolutions are used as part of the organization’s lobbying efforts with the provincial government.
One resolution calls for support for the energy industry. Specifically, it calls on the provincial government to “further develop and implement a targeted, national education and marketing campaign on behalf of Albertans in order to offset foreign protectionism and de-marketing campaigns, regulatory delays and the combined infrastructure and economic factors that are creating a significant, negative effect on Canada’s local, provincial, and national economies.”
It also calls on the provincial government to “provide resources to offset the combined negative impacts affecting the energy industry through the continuation of the Petrochemicals Diversification Program, key energy industry-supporting infrastructure development, and a continued strong presence and advocacy with federal, municipal and foreign governments.”
The background note accompanying the resolution states, in part, that, “many Alberta families and businesses are suffering in lost jobs, income, and property values due in part to the lack of market access for Alberta oil.”
Another resolution calls on the provincial government to “delay the Bighorn Country proposal until an inclusive and comprehensive consultation process that includes and respects First Nations, municipalities, stakeholder groups and residents of Alberta can be developed.”
The Bighorn Country proposal would see the creation of new provincial parks, including the Ya Ha Tinda Provincial Park west of Sundre.
The proposal has garnered opposition from some stakeholder groups who say the consultation process to date has been flawed.
The background note accompanying the resolution states, in part, that the proposal “has the potential to impact the oil and gas, agriculture and forestry industries, which are drivers of the Alberta economy and a source of revenue for the provision of government programs and services.
“The government of Alberta’s current consultation format does not foster open and effective dialogue between key stakeholders and provincial officials.”
Another resolution calls on the government to “amend their policies and requirements on Crown land dispositions (leases) for not-for-profit organizations and that the government engage in additional public consultation with municipalities and not-for-profit organizations on the policies, requirements and process to lease Crown lands.
The background note accompanying the resolution states, in part, that, “changes to policy have forced not- for-profit organizations to turn to local municipalities and seek unbudgeted financial support and administrative guidance to renew dispositions for which they have historically been upstanding, long-term stewards.
“The new disposition system for Crown lands has been designed for industrial applications and is not practical or financially sustainable for not-for-profit organizations wishing to maintain or renew their dispositions.”
One of the new requirements in the distribution requires a $1,000 deposit per acre upon disposition renewal, which is “not something that most organizations are aware of until their lease renewal comes around and therefore they have not typically budgeted for it.”
Another resolution calls on the government to “direct the Alberta Utilities Commission to establish a method of ensuring that there is funding in place for abandoned solar energy plants to be decommissioned and reclaimed in an environmentally responsible way.”
The background note accompanying the resolutions states, in part, that, “if a solar power plant is abandoned during or after its lifecycle, the components and associated infrastructure may be abandoned on the landscape, becoming an unsafe and unsightly nuisance, creating a costly cleanup for landowners and affected municipalities.”
Another resolution calls on the government to “update the Code of Practice for Compost Facilities to reflect, at a minimum, the Standards for Composting Facilities in Alberta.”
The background note accompanying the resolution states, in part, that, “as more municipalities in Alberta are implementing an organic collection program, composting facilities will likely increase in number and be sited close to communities.”
Another resolution calls on the government to “make all aspects of children’s health care a priority by making excellent pediatric care accessible to all Alberta children, regardless of where they live, and support enhancements to existing infrastructure and programming in order to provide an increased level of care to children.”
The background note accompanying the resolution states, in part, that, “children’s health care is unique and requires a different approach than adult care given that children are particularly vulnerable to illnesses and infections, many of which can have lifelong ramification if not properly treated.”
Another resolution calls on the government to “facilitate the formation of a free, year-round, all hours, mental health crisis hotline dedicated to the agriculture industry, providing farm families with direct access to uniquely qualified professionals and resources, who have both an understanding of mental health issues and agriculture-specific stresses.”
Mountain View County councillor Al Kemmere is the president of the RMA.
