MOUNTAIN VIEW COUNTY - Reeve Angela Aalbers is voicing concerns with proposed new provincial legislation that would allow the Smith government to fire municipality elected officials.
If passed the Municipal Affairs Statutes Amendment Act, Bill 20, would allow the provincial cabinet to remove sitting municipal elected officials if cabinet ministers decided removal is in the public interest.
The legislation will also create cabinet authority to require a municipality to amend or repeal any bylaw.
“Mountain View County is disappointed with Bill 20 and its implications for dedicated elected officials committed to serving their communities,” Aalbers told the Albertan.
As municipal representatives, councillors recognizes the provincial government's constitutional jurisdiction over municipal affairs, as outlined in the Municipal Government Act (MGA), she said.
“The MGA assigns municipal governments the responsibility of promoting good governance, environmental well-being, economic development, and providing necessary services and facilities to foster safe and sustainable communities,” she said.
She also noted that municipalities are tasked with collaborating with neighbouring jurisdictions to plan, deliver, and fund inter-municipal services, she said.
“We believe the province already has the mechanisms in place to address issues such as municipalities exceeding their jurisdiction,” she said. “Therefore, we see the proposed legislative changes as unnecessary.
“Our stance remains that municipalities should be consulted on legislative changes affecting our ability to represent our constituents. Unfortunately, in this instance, we have not been afforded that opportunity, which undermines the trust and collaborative relationships we have worked hard to cultivate with the province.”
On May 2, Municipal Affairs Minister Ric McIver issued a statement regarding Bill 20.
“To ensure this is abundantly clear, we will be working with municipalities to propose amendments to the legislation and clarify that this would only be used in very limited circumstances,” McIver said.
“We will also be working with municipalities to propose amendments for the legislation and clarify that this would only be used in very limited circumstances related to areas that are primarily overseen by the province.”
In response to McIver’s statement, Rural Municipalities of Alberta president Paul McLauchin said, in part, “While engagement on such controversial and impactful changes to provincial-municipal relations should have occurred long before a bill was drafted and tabled, we do give the minister credit for listening to our concerns and coming to the table.”
The RMA represents 69 municipalities, including Mountain View and Red Deer counties.
