New report looks at viability of small communities in Alberta

Alberta Municipalities has released a What We Learned report from the ongoing Future of Municipal Governance Government (FOMG) project, highlighting findings from the research paper “Assessing the Viability of Small Communities: The Alberta Model.” 

This report delves into the social and economic factors affecting community viability and offers strategic policy recommendations aimed at supporting municipalities in maintaining their sustainability.

The What We Learned report emphasizes three key recommendations for the Ministry of Municipal Affairs to consider in the viability review process:

1. Enhanced reporting & review processes: ABmunis advocates for the maintenance and improvement of reporting and viability review processes to help communities monitor their sustainability. The paper suggests integrating more effective indicators, such as the duration of vacant council seats, to better assess political viability.
2. Strengthening inter-municipal relationships: As the dynamics between towns, villages, and their respective municipal districts and counties evolve, there is a growing need to address the implications of municipal dissolution. The report calls for increased attention to the financial repercussions for receiving municipalities.
3. Support for communities opposing dissolution: For communities that have voted against dissolution but continue to struggle, ABmunis urges the development of an action plan to assist these residents. The organization stresses the importance of guiding communities toward effective resolutions.

ABmunis’ initiative underscores a proactive approach to ensuring the future viability of small communities across Alberta, aiming to foster sustainable growth and resilience in the face of evolving challenges. For more detailed insights, the full report, and the rest of the FOMG reports, can be accessed on the FOMG web page.