President’s Summit & Spring MLC wrap-up
The President’s Summit on the Future of Municipal Government and the 2023 Spring Municipal Leaders’ Caucus (MLC) attracted about 350 participants to the Westin Hotel in downtown Edmonton from March 29 to 31.
The President’s Summit, which is typically held once every two years, gave participants plenty of practical ideas and examples from ABmunis’ Future of Municipal Government (FOMG) initiative that can be used to enhance regional collaboration. The presentations by authors of various FOMG discussion papers were informative and thought-provoking. The small group discussions and workshops afterwards led to some ‘aha’ moments and a clearer understanding of the benefits of intermunicipal collaboration. Participants also provided valuable input on how the policy and legislative framework around collaboration could be improved.
The momentum and enthusiasm generated at our President’s Summit carried over into the 2023 Spring MLC. Alberta Municipalities' election strategy was unveiled to a jam-packed conference room and its theme – Think Alberta, Vote Local – was well-received. The strategy is intended to ensure ABmunis’ key issues of public safety and policing, health care and Emergency Medical Services (EMS), and Alberta’s $30 billion infrastructure deficit are addressed by political parties and individual candidates during the May 2023 provincial election.
Participants considered the following two Requests for Decision (RFDs) on March 30:
- Strengthening Provincial Regulations to Improve Safety of Unlicensed Private Day Homes submitted by the City of Calgary
- Lack of Consultation Between Alberta Health Services, the Provincial Government, and Municipalities submitted by the Town of Ponoka.
Both RFDs were voted on and approved by those members in attendance. They will now be reviewed by one of the association's standing committees, which will make recommendations on next steps to ABmunis' Board of Directors.
Premier Danielle Smith and Opposition Leader Rachel Notley delivered pre-election speeches to more than 300 participants on March 31. Each highlighted the accomplishments of their respective political parties and outlined why their parties are worthy of Albertans’ trust, confidence and votes. Municipal Affairs Minister Rebecca Schulz also addressed participants and encouraged them to celebrate the improvements her ministry has made to the Local Government Fiscal Framework (LGFF) and relations between municipalities and the provincial government.
The media panel featuring pollster Janet Brown, Edmonton Journal columnist Keith Gerein, Red Deer Advocate managing editor Byron Hackett and CBC analyst Jason Markusoff led to some insightful discussion about Alberta’s current political environment and what the major issues will likely be in the May 2023 provincial election.
We are extremely pleased with the turnout and the participation that took place at this year’s President’s Summit and Spring MLC. We appreciate the excellent guest presentations and many thoughtful discussions that occurred at both events. The feedback and input you provide on this year’s events will help make our future events even better.
