CONVENTION HIGHLIGHTS FALL 2018 PRESIDENT’S SPEECH RMA President Al Kemmere took the stage at the fall Rural crime is a major issue across Alberta. President convention to deliver his semi-annual address. The Kemmere provided an update on RMA’s advocacy efforts, assessment year modifier (AYM) issue has been a major including pushing for the province’s creation of a rural challenge for many members, as the late decision to freeze crime action plan. Since the action plan was implemented AYMs had significant budgeting implications for many RMA earlier in 2018, overall rural crime rates have decreased, members. President Kemmere shared an update on RMA’s which is an initial positive sign that the province’s advocacy on this issue, as well as his concern with the investment in the issue is paying dividends. RMA is also continued lack of information on the topic from Alberta involved in the province’s ongoing review of the Police Act, Municipal Affairs. which is expected to wrap up sometime in 2019. As the Municipal Sustainability Initiative (MSI) will end RMA works closely with the Federation of Canadian in the 2021 – 22 budget year, RMA has engaged with Municipalities (FCM). Recent work has been to raise the Government of Alberta and the Alberta Urban FCM’s focus on rural issues through supporting content Municipalities Association (AUMA) to begin determining development for the FCM conference, sponsoring a what municipal funding will look like following the MSI’s resolution calling for the Government of Canada to adopt expiry. RMA supports a predictable funding model that a “rural lens” when making policy decisions, and other acknowledges the important role that municipalities play collaboration on issues such as rural broadband, asset in maintaining infrastructure and providing services. RMA management, and cannabis legalization. is willing to be a partner in Alberta’s economic recovery, In addition to their advocacy work, RMA provides and views municipalities similarly to sectors such as health members with important business services. President and education in terms of the extent to which they should Kemmere provided an update on RMA Trade, RMA Fuel be impacted by provincial financial challenges. RMA and RMA Insurance. All three business units had great expects discussions on municipal funding to intensify in the years, which speaks to their effectiveness in supporting near future and will provide members with updates as they members and the critical role they play in supporting become available. RMA’s advocacy work and overall sustainability. On the agriculture file, President Kemmere touched on The final topic discussed by President Kemmere was RMA’s several topics. First up was agriculture plastic recycling. member engagement efforts. In addition to ongoing RMA has participated on a working group to develop information-sharing through the Contact newsletter, solutions to the lack of agriculture plastic recycling the President’s Letter, Advocacy Report Card and other in Alberta. The working group has made progress in means, RMA works with members through a variety emphasizing the importance of an ag plastic recycling of committees. Member visits are also a great tool to solution to the Government of Alberta and are hopeful maintain a face-to-face relationship with members and get that provincial funding will be in place for a pilot shortly. the local perspective on a variety of issues. President Kemmere also provided updates on RMA’s work related to Fusarium, Clubroot, and issues related to President Kemmere wrapped up his speech highlighting drought and excessive moisture. RMA’s rebrand and its continued importance as a rural municipal advocate. Although the name has changed, The Local Authorities Pension Plan (LAPP) is undergoing RMA has represented rural municipalities and rural issues a governance restructuring. As LAPP is important for for over 100 years. With 69 members, RMA has a unique municipalities in their role as employers, RMA has been perspective to offer to other levels of government and we involved in the review process. At this point, details are pride ourselves on being the voice for rural Alberta. not yet finalized, but RMA has represented their members’ perspectives and support the full funding of the plan. CONVENTION HIGHLIGHTS FALL 2019 2 OPENING CEREMONIES R.W. HAY AWARD RMA’s fall 2018 convention kicked off with a great The R.W. Hay Award is supported jointly by the RMA and rendition of O Canada from Strathcona County resident the Society of Local Government Managers (SLGM), and Peyton Klassen. Delegates then received greetings from demonstrates appreciation for the chief administrative the Honorable Lois Mitchell, Lieutenant Governor of officers who play such a critical role in implementing Alberta, who spoke passionately about her appreciation council visions in rural municipalities across Alberta. of the important role that rural Alberta plays in This year’s recipient was Theresa Van Oort, CAO of the the province’s economy and identity. The opening County of Northern Lights. Theresa has been a strong ceremonies were also an opportunity for the RMA’s leader at the County of Northern Lights for many years, board of directors, as well as honored fraternals and and is highly deserving of the recognition. Theresa was dignitaries, to be recognized and thanked for their also recognized with a long service award for 35 years of contributions to rural Alberta. The opening ceremonies service to rural municipalities! also provided an opportunity for delegates to remember former RMA members who have passed away since the previous convention. The opening ceremonies wrapped up with long service awards. These awards recognize rural municipal administrators and elected officials for their dedication. Awards were handed out for 9, 15, 20, 30, 35 and 45 years of service. CONVENTION HIGHLIGHTS FALL 2019 3 ADDRESS FROM THE PROVINCE: HONOURABLE SHAYE ANDERSON Shaye Anderson, Minister of Municipal Affairs, provided delegates with an update of key issues impacting municipalities in the province. Minister Anderson focused on two key issues in his address. The first was an update on the province’s efforts to develop and legislate a long- term municipal funding program to replace the Municipal Sustainability Initiative when it concludes in 2022. Minister Anderson spoke to the importance of providing municipalities with predictable funding, as well as the need to develop a model that is financially sustainable for municipalities and the province. Minister Anderson explained that the new model would be indexed to changes in provincial revenue in order to strengthen the partnership between municipalities and the province. The second issue addressed by Minister Anderson was the ongoing challenge that rural municipalities face in paying education property tax requisitions on uncollectible linear oil and gas property. The Minister provided an update on the Property Education Requisition Credit (PERC) program, which was introduced at the fall 2017 RMA convention and intended to provide financial support to municipalities unable to collect education property taxes from bankrupt oil and gas companies. To this point, approximately three million dollars has been provided to 37 municipalities, and applications are still being accepted. Minister Anderson also touched on the issue of assessment year modifiers (AYM) and the budgeting challenges that the late decision to freeze modifiers caused for municipalities. Alberta Municipal Affairs is currently reviewing the AYM model, and hopes to bring draft AYMs for the coming year forward very soon. CONVENTION HIGHLIGHTS FALL 2019 4 MUNICIPAL CLIMATE CHANGE ACTION CENTRE The Municipal Climate Change Action Centre (MCCAC) is a partnership between RMA, AUMA and the Government of Alberta. MCCAC Director Trina Innes provided an update on the program and the important role it plays in supporting municipalities in their efforts to address climate change. MCCAC recently received $54 million in government funding, which has led to the development of several new programs that are already open or will be available to municipalities soon, including the Alberta Municipal Solar Program, the Municipal Energy Manager program, the Community Generation program, and others. For more information, visit MCCAC.ca. PREMIER NOTLEY Premier of Alberta, the Honorable Rachel Notley provided an update on her government’s efforts to support rural Alberta and grow the province’s economy. Premier Notley spoke to many of the ongoing challenges faced by both the provincial government and Albertans, including the oil price decline, federal resistance on pipeline construction, and natural disasters. In the face of these challenges, Premier Notley identified that her government did not panic to cut services; instead they prioritized stability to protect communities and jobs by ensuring core services continued to be available and through investment in new infrastructure and technologies to support and diversify Alberta’s economy. Despite the challenges, Alberta’s economy was Canada’s fastest-growing last year, with 90,000 new jobs. Unfortunately, many Albertans continue to struggle, but Premier Notley emphasized that providing access to job opportunities, retraining, and other services continues to be a government priority. Premier Notley also discussed a number of rural municipal issues, including long-term legislated municipal funding, rural crime, and others. Premier Notley concluded her address by emphasizing the importance