‘ SPRING convention14 Convention Highlights March 17-19, 2014 March 17 - Trade Show TRADE SHOW With over 130 booths, this year’s AAMDC Spring Trade Show was bustling with excitement. Companies and sup- pliers from around the country shared their products, ideas and opportunities with AAMDC members. This year’s Trade Show fell on St. Patrick’s Day, which had many attendees in a festive mood. In the afternoon Irish dancers accompanied by the sounds of a live accordion performed for a large crowd of onlookers. The dancers spun and tapped to the cheers of the crowd. Many exhibitors brought in equipment for attendees to see firsthand including graders, tires, street sweepers and traf- fic signs. Every year the Trade Show is a great opportunity for AAMDC members to see the products they are purchas- ing up close and personal. As the Trade Show came to a close, members and suppliers were invited to the AAMDC Aggregated Business Services Open House to meet and engage with Aggregated Busi- ness Services staff members. AAMDC Aggregated Business Services (ABS), which is com- prised of the Trade Division, PFA, and Jubilee Insurance, continues to focus on delivering excellent member servic- es. As our ABS service offerings and volumes grow, so too does our accommodating staff. You will find two additional marketing staff on our team this year. Victor Tabamo was added as a second Client Relations Manager, with a focus on Southern Alberta, and Miranda Marcinkoski was hired as our ABS Administrative Coordinator. This year, the Trade Division has coordinated larger dis- counts and more educational opportunities, Jubilee Insurance has been able to be productive despite the negative effects of the southern Alberta flooding on insur- ance premiums, and PFA has grown significantly in several provinces. These achievements are a testament to our staff and to our program design. We encourage all members to review our three business units to see how we are evolving to better serve our members. AAMDC Spring 2014 Convention 2 Trade Show Focus AAMDC Spring 2014 Convention 3 March 18 - Convention OPENING CEREMONIES The 2014 AAMDC Spring Convention began on a beauti- ful morning in the heart of Edmonton. The convention kicked off with warm remarks from President Bob Barss who welcomed over 600 attendees from around Alberta who filled the Shaw Conference Centre to hear from provincial leaders, voice their ideas on current issues and engage with fellow members. HON. KEN HUGHES, MINISTER OF MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS The Honourable Ken Hughes was the first speaker of the day. He touched on Alberta’s strong economy and noted that continued success depends on all communities in HON. DOUG HORNER, the province working cooperatively. Minister Hughes PRESIDENT OF TREASURY BOARD AND discussed issues that are important to rural municipalities MINISTER OF FINANCE including the increased MSI funding provided in the 2014 The Honourable Doug Horner provided attendees with a provincial budget. He also explained that a refreshed thorough presentation on the balanced budget for 2014. MGA, along with new technologies and efficiencies, will In his speech, Minister Horner touched on significant pro- make Alberta a leader in municipal administration. Minis- vincial contributions to infrastructure projects including ter Hughes ended with an update on the flood recovery schools, post-secondary institutions, health facilities and process in the province. He suggested a collaborative roads. He also explained Alberta’s four rules of borrowing: future with emergency officials and better management of our watersheds will make for long term and sustain- 1. Borrowing must be limited to 3.0% of operational able solutions. revenue. 2. Borrowing must protect Alberta’s AAA credit rating. 3. Borrowing must be used only for the capital plan. 4. Borrowing must include a clear repayment plan. Minister Horner ended his engagement with a look at Alberta’s future and emphasized the need for investment in the value chain for agriculture. HON. TIM UPPAL, MINISTER OF STATE FOR MULTICULTURALISM Honourable Tim Uppal, Minister of State for Multicultural- ism, spoke about the Government of Canada’s commit- ments to develop infrastructure in rural areas. In particu- lar, Minister Uppal spoke on the Building Canada Fund and the recent announcement that $1 billion would be set aside for municipalities with populations of less than 100,000. Minister Uppal also touched on the importance of public-private partnerships in developing infrastruc- ture. After discussing a new free trade agreement with Korea, Minister Uppal closed his speech by highlighting the Government of Canada’s recent announcements on the movement of grain and rail safety. AAMDC Spring 2014 Convention 4 March 18 - Convention DR. DEBORAH EASTLICK, BREAKOUT SESSIONS ALBERTA ENERGY REGULATOR Dr. Deborah Eastlick of the Alberta Energy Regulator GETTING ON TRACK: RAIL SAFETY FROM THE (AER) highlighted how municipalities can get involved MUNICIPAL PERSPECTIVE with the AER’s project review process. She outlined the This workshop produced lively discussion and great dia- main steps to involvement including the pre-application logue between the four panelists and AAMDC members. phase, application phase and decision making phase. Issues related to communication between municipalities Dr. Eastlick provided delegates with a number of online and railways, progress on hazardous materials regula- resources including maps and YouTube videos to help tions, and responsibility for track maintenance were a increase awareness of the AER’s programs. Municipalities few of the many topics discussed. Panelists from the rail looking for more information can email industry, the provincial government, the FCM, and an [email protected]. AAMDC member municipality produced some fascinating discussions on rail safety priorities and responsibilities. HON. WAYNE DRYSDALE, MINISTER OF TRANSPORTATION ROAD CONSTRUCTION 101 Minister of Transportation, Wayne Drysdale provided the In this workshop, James Morgan and Garth Mcculloch audience with an update on the transportation budget from WSP (formerly Genivar) provided a comprehensive which has a distinct focus on infrastructure rehabilita- review of the road construction process from the first tion. In fact, the province will invest $735 million in the draft to the final shovel. The workshop featured a thor- rehabilitation of roadways in the 2014 budget. Minister ough explanation of the legal environment associated Drysdale highlighted another round of GreenTrip funding with the tendering process for road construction projects which opens on April 15, 2014. He also announced fund- by Paul Stucco from Brownlee LLP. Just in time for the ing to repair and prevent further damage to the roads 2014 construction season., the diverse combination of and bridges impacted by last summer’s flooding. Minister panelists gave the audience excellent insight into the Drysdale closed his speech with a notice to watch for con- road construction process. sultation opportunities regarding the draft strategy for a 50 year transportation plan. LOCAL BRIDGES, BIG DECISIONS The Government of Alberta’s Local Road Bridge Program (LRBP) has served as a source of funding for municipali- ties to build and maintain their local bridges. This work- Visit shop provided an opportunity for participants to engage with panelists involved in the LRBP review to discuss us AAMDC.com proposed program changes that could be implemented when funding is renewed. AAMDC members asked a Online number of questions from the floor about the program, bridge design and the work AAMDC is doing to advocate on this issue. AAMDC Spring 2014 Convention 5 March 18 - Convention KEYNOTE ADDRESS: WARREN MACDONALD Warren Macdonald, a climber and outdoor adventurer, shared his story with a captive audience. Warren explained his background and history with the outdoors as well as his experience on a hike where a boulder fell, trapping him for two days, and eventually required the amputation of both his legs. He spoke about the importance of perception and how he approached his situation through the eyes of an explorer. He identified the three steps that got him to this stage: ac- ceptance, responsibility, and crisis. He used the obstacles he encountered to build resilience and shared stories about his experiences adjusting to life without legs. Warren demon- strated that if you remove distraction and focus on what is possible, anything can happen. Resolutions The following resolutions were endorsed: • 1-14S: Privitization of the Alberta Land Titles Registry System • 2-14S: Increasing Railway Capacity for Grain Shipments • 3-14S: Wildlife Damage Compensation Program • 4-14S: Species at Risk Act • 5-14S: Water/Wastewater Infrastructure Funding • 7-14S: Amend Provincial Legislation to Provide for Placement of Automatic External Defibrillators in Public Facilities including Schools • 8-14S: Timber Salvage on Recreational Areas • 10-14S: Proposed Amendments to the Determination of Population Regulation to Provide Greater Flexibility for the Counting of Shadow Population Resolutions Committee Chair Al Kemmere, Mountain View County District 1 Ben Elfring, MD of Taber District 2 Pat Alexander, Clearwater County District 3 John Schonewille, Leduc County District 4 Leanne Beaupre, County of Grand Prairie District 5 Eric Anderson, County of Minburn AAMDC Spring 2014 Convention 6 March 19 - Convention Ministerial Forum The AAMDC was honoured to welcome all Ministers and Associate Ministers who