Highlights: Standing Policy Committee meetings 2022-23

The second round of ABmunis' standing policy committee meetings of the 2022-23 term took place in January and February 2023. Each of the six standing policy committees meets four times per term.

Infrastructure Committee
The scope of matters addressed by this committee includes municipal infrastructure financing, related grants and transfers, tangible capital assets, asset management, transportation and public works, roads and bridges, rights of way including utilities, and disaster planning and emergency management.

At its meeting on January 27, the Committee:
•    Received and classified the government response to Resolution 2022 B3: Operational Transit Funding for Small to Medium Sized Municipalities as intent not met – further action will be taken at a high engagement level. 
•    Received and classified the government response to Resolution 2022 C5: Traffic Safety Act for Angle Parking in Cul-de-Sacs as intent not met – further action will be taken at a medium engagement level. 
•    Heard a presentation from Alberta Transportation and Economic Corridors on Highway Vicinity Management Agreements.

Municipal Governance Committee
This committee encompasses municipal legislation, property assessment and tax policy, municipal revenue and cost sharing, intermunicipal cooperation, the municipal sustainability strategy, roles and responsibilities of municipalities, citizen engagement, Indigenous relations, and resolutions policy and procedure.

At its meeting on February 2, the Committee:
•    Approved an update to ABmunis’ “Organizational Readiness Framework to Build Respectful Relationships with Indigenous Communities”, which supports the development of organization and member knowledge on Indigenous history and culture and engaging in reconciliation. 
•    Received and classified the provincial government’s response to Resolution 2022 B7:  Intermunicipal Collaboration Frameworks as “intent not met – further action will be taken” at a high level of engagement. 
•    Heard a presentation from Elections Alberta staff, including Glen Resler, Chief Electoral Officer and Election Commissioner, on the Local Authorities Election Act, senate elections and referendum votes.  

Small Communities Committee
This committee is responsible for reviewing and providing advice on opportunities and challenges affecting the sustainability of small communities, access to health care outside metropolitan areas, as well as providing a small communities perspective on key Alberta Municipalities policy initiatives.

At its meeting on February 8, the Committee:
•    Heard a presentation from Tracy Sopkow, CEO of the Rural Health Action Plan on their current programs and initiatives related to attraction and retention of healthcare professionals.
•    Had a discussion with Susan Prendergast, President, and Karen Parker, Vice President, of the Nurse Practitioner Association of Alberta on their efforts to advocate for a compensation model. 
•    Received updates on the status of Emergency Medical Services, the Future of Municipal Government project, ABmunis’ 2023 provincial election campaign, and the Alberta Broadband Fund guidelines. 

Safe and Healthy Communities Committee
This committee’s scope includes matters pertaining to health and safety (including emergency medical response and police funding); social programs (Family and Community Support Services (FCSS), poverty reduction, affordable housing, and homelessness); culture and recreation; and welcoming and inclusive communities.

At its meeting on February 10, the Committee:
•    Heard a presentation on the Virtual Opioid Dependency Program from Dr. Nathaniel Day, Medical Director of the Virtual Opioid Dependency Program, Alberta Health Services. 
•    Received and categorized the government response to Resolution B10: Advancing Action on Alberta’s Drug Poisoning Crisis as intent partially met – further action will be taken at a medium to high level of engagement.
•    Received and categorized the government response to B12: Municipal Identified Unique Housing Priorities as intent partially met – further action will be taken at a medium level of engagement. 
•    Received and categorized the government response to B11: Mental Health and Wellness for Public Safety Personnel as intent not met – further action will be taken at a medium to high level of engagement. 
•    Had a presentation and discussion with Eric Engler, Chief of Staff from the Ministry of Mental Health and Addiction. 

Sustainability and Environment Committee
The scope of matters addressed by this committee includes matters pertaining to water; climate change; clean air, brownfields; solid waste management; land use planning and cumulative effects management; and municipal sustainability planning.

At its meeting on February 16, the Committee:
•    Recommended to the Board a set of municipal water management principles to guide our advocacy efforts on water issues as part of ABmunis’ water policy review. 
•    Received and categorized the government response to Resolution 2022 B4: Grant Alignment with Provincial Regulatory Requirements as incomplete Information—further action will be taken at a medium engagement level.

Economic Strategy Committee
The scope of topics addressed by this committee includes matters and resolutions related to labour and immigration; jobs, economy, innovation, and technology; energy policies and market access; and advanced education.

At its meeting on February 24, the Committee: 
•    Received and categorized the government response to Resolution E3: Hydrogen Industry Support as intent partially met further action will be taken at a low engagement level.
•    Received and categorized the government response to Resolution C2: Equitable Provincial Charitable Gaming Model as intent not met further action will be taken at a medium to high engagement level. 
•    Heard presentations and discussion with Alberta Energy on Alberta’s Hydrogen Roadmap and on the Community Economic Development Training Program. 

Please send ABmunis' Policy and Advocacy staff an advocacy [at] abmunis.ca (email) if you have questions about the work being performed by these standing policy committees.