â–º Listen Live

Municipal Leaders Caucus headed to Vermilion

Local municipal leaders will be gathering in Vermilion for Alberta Urban Municipalities Association Municipal Leaders’ Caucus next week.

President Barry Morishita will be visiting five locations across the province to discuss issues and collect feedback on important to regional government leaders.  The second stop on the tour will be in Vermilion on August 6th.

Morishita began touring the province for these meetings two years ago after being elected as president of the association.

“It gives me the opportunity to understand what’s happening locally even more intimately and understand how some individual regulations, rules or decisions made at other levels can affect communities. Communities in Alberta do some amazing things on their own in spite of some of the regulatory and funding constraints they have.”

Topics on the agenda include the Fair Deal Panel recommendations as they relate to municipalities and the Local Government Fiscal Framework.

“Alberta is changing, it’s modernizing and there are some issues that I think COVID has brought out some of the weaknesses in the system that we currently have. I think that it’s really important for our members to get some input in how the board responds and work with the government on providing solutions for those things.”

Another topic up for discussion is the recommendation of a new provincial police force. Morishita says they want to ensure local lawmakers have a good understanding of the expectations of a community police body.

“We want to make sure members understand their rights and what to expect from community policing, what the RCMP are supposed to be providing their communities and making sure we are working with them to provide the tools they need to do effective community policing.”

He adds, “that’s important and a new program and we want to hold them to the promises made by the provincial government.”

The meeting will end with a roundtable discussion on specific issues members choose to discuss.

“We’ll be there as long as it takes to get there issues out and make sure they’re getting served by the AUMA board.”

Morishita says all the information and discussions will help shape their policies and procedures going forward.

The tour starts in Fairview on July 29th and then move to Vermilion, Stony Plain, Nanton and Sylvan Lake. The meeting in Stony Plain is planned to be available virtually.

- Advertisement -

Related Articles

- Advertisement -

Latest News

Town of Wainwright has lowest cost of living in Alberta

Overall for 2024, on all items, Wainwright comes in at 92.5 meaning its about eight per cent cheaper to buy something in Wainwright compared to Edmonton. Lloydminster comes in at 94.6, meaning prices on average are about two per cent more expensive than Wainwright.

Road expansion for Cenovus Energy Hub begins July 15

If your regular commute takes you along 40 Avenue, from July 15 you will have to adjust that as Lloydminster road crews will lead road upgrades near the soon to be completed Cenovus Energy Hub.

Grace United cancels Sunday service following small fire

In the aftermath of the minor fire at Grace United Church, Lloydminster on Thursday July 3, Sunday service has been cancelled as the church deals with cleanup.

Lloydminster fire crews put out minor fire at Grace United Church

A minor fire at Grace United Church in downtown Lloydminster engaged the efforts of Lloydminster fire crews on Thursday, July 3.

Parade Marshals announced for Lloyd Ex

With the Lloyd Ex Fair celebrating 120 years, the prestigious role of the Parade Marshals to herald the start of the summer festival are Terence Bexson of Marshall and Lyle & Alison Lee of Lloydminster.
- Advertisement -