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Part of Municipal Affairs funding programs

Municipal Sustainability Initiative

Helps support local infrastructure priorities and build strong, safe and resilient communities.

Overview

The Municipal Sustainability Initiative (MSI) will be replaced by the Local Government Fiscal Framework (LGFF) in 2024-25. However, the delivery of the MSI program will continue until local governments have expended MSI funding allocated prior to 2024 and met all program reporting conditions.

Funding

Local governments were allocated more than $15.2 billion while the MSI program was in place between 2007 and 2023. Communities have been able to build and rehabilitate:

  • roadways and bridges
  • water and wastewater systems
  • public transit facilities
  • recreation and sport facilities
  • other key local priorities

View historical MSI capital and operating allocations by local government.

Accessing unspent MSI funding

Local governments will continue to access their unspent MSI funding including credit items through the existing Municipal Sustainability Initiative Online (MSIO) system. Any capital funding not spent within 5 years after the funding was allocated must be returned to the province.

Eligibility

Local governments with unspent MSI funding determine projects and activities to be funded based on local priorities within the general criteria set out in the program guidelines and are encouraged to take a long-term approach to planning for capital projects. Local governments may choose to contribute funds for use towards eligible MSI projects to other local governments, regional services commissions or non-profit organizations.

Eligible projects

A detailed list of eligible project activities is available in the MSI capital and/or operating guidelines located in the Program resources section.

  • Capital projects

    Eligible capital projects include:

    • roads and bridges
    • public transit vehicles or facilities
    • emergency services facilities or equipment
    • water and wastewater systems
    • solid waste management facilities or equipment
    • other municipal buildings such as recreation and sports facilities, libraries, public works buildings and cultural and community centres

  • Operating projects

    Eligible operating projects include:

    • capacity building activities that improve efficiency or effectiveness
    • municipal services
    • planning activities
    • assistance to non-profit organizations

Program resources

MSI capital and operating guidelines:

Additional resources:

Reporting

Annual Statements of Funding and Expenditures (SFEs) are due by May 1 of the following year.

  • SFEs for the 2023 program year are due by May 1, 2024.

MSI capital reporting

All MSI capital documentation, including MSI capital project applications and amendments, and capital SFEs, must be submitted through the MSIO system within MAConnect.

See the MSIO Capital SFE User Guide for additional information, or contact MSIO system support.

MSI operating reporting

All MSI operating documentation including SFEs must be submitted through the MSI Operating Portal.

The MSI Operating Portal is accessed through the MSIO system within MAConnect. Once in MSIO, you must click on the red MSI-Operating 2022-2023 SFEs hyperlink in the top right corner to access the portal.

To meet the Government of Alberta’s security requirements, and access to the portal, you will then be required to login to the Alberta.ca account for your local government.

See the MSI Operating Portal User Guide for additional information. Contact Alberta.ca support for more help.

Request access to MSIO

To request access to MSIO or an MAConnect Stakeholder Agreement, or for MSIO support, contact us.

MSI IT system user guides

Grant recipients

Accepted projects by local government:

Contact

Connect with the programs:

Hours: 8:15 am to 4:30 pm (open Monday to Friday, closed statutory holidays)

MSI program:
Phone: 780-422-7125
Toll free: 310-0000 before the phone number (in Alberta)
Email: [email protected] (MSI Capital Grants) or
[email protected] (MSI Operating Grants)

MSIO support or to request a MAConnect Stakeholder Agreement:
Phone: 780-644-2413
Toll free: 310-0000 before the phone number (in Alberta)
Email: [email protected]

Communications questions or to discuss project recognition opportunities:
Phone: 780-422-7125
Toll free: 310-0000 before the phone number (in Alberta)
Email: [email protected]

General Grant and Education Property Tax information:
Phone: 780-422-7125
Toll free: 310-0000 before the phone number (in Alberta)
Email: [email protected]

Alberta.ca account information:
Phone: 1‐844‐643‐2789
Email: [email protected]  
Website: https://account.alberta.ca/ui/account/contact