Two rural municipalities in Alberta are expressing concerns about the costs associated with implementing Bill 20, a proposed legislation by the Alberta government. One of the major changes that the bill would bring is the requirement for all municipalities to conduct their public hearings electronically. While larger cities like Edmonton and Calgary already do this, smaller communities like the Village of Duchess and Calmar are worried about the financial implications. For example, Village of Duchess Coun. Deborah Reid-Mickler mentioned that they would need to upgrade their internet, purchase equipment, and potentially hire an IT professional. Meanwhile, Calmar Coun. Krista Gardner stated that upgrading their audio-video systems could cost around $30,000, which is equivalent to a one percent tax increase for residents of the town.
Municipal Affairs Minister Ric McIver defended the bill by stating that smaller communities could provide a phone-in option for public hearings, minimizing the costs associated with implementing electronic public hearings. However, rural municipalities argue that there are additional costs involved, such as the requirement to keep a permanent list of electors. Reid-Mickler raised concerns about the lack of administrative staff to handle such tasks, stating that this could result in hours of costly fixing for their municipality. Despite criticism from numerous municipal representatives, McIver is working on amendments to address these concerns. However, there is no timeline for when these amendments will be introduced, leaving municipalities feeling left out of the consultation process.
The rural municipalities feel that they should have been consulted before such significant changes were imposed on them. Calmar Coun. Krista Gardner expressed frustration over the lack of consultation, stating that it is difficult to believe that the government will work with them on the implementation of these ideas when they were not consulted initially. The ongoing debate over Bill 20 is causing uncertainty for municipalities, especially with the deadline for the next municipal elections in October 2025. McIver aims to have the bill passed through the legislature by the end of May, emphasizing the importance of meeting the deadline for the upcoming elections.
Overall, the concerns raised by rural municipalities in Alberta regarding the implementation of Bill 20 highlight the challenges smaller communities face in adapting to new legislation. The financial burden of upgrading infrastructure for electronic public hearings and maintaining a permanent list of electors is a significant issue for municipalities like the Village of Duchess and Calmar. The lack of consultation with municipal representatives has added to the frustration, with calls for more collaboration and communication between the government and rural communities. As the debate over Bill 20 continues, it remains to be seen how amendments will address the concerns of municipalities and ensure a smooth implementation process leading up to the upcoming municipal elections in October 2025.
