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Overview
A viability review is a process that helps municipalities determine their ability to continue as a municipality or develop a plan that leads to viability. These reviews support communities to plan for long-term success.
There is no absolute definition or formula for what makes a municipality viable, either in Alberta or in most other jurisdictions. However, in general, municipal viability concerns come down to efficiency of resources and the effectiveness of local services and infrastructure. Complete the Municipal Sustainability Strategy Self-Assessment Questionnaire to better understand your community’s viability.
The viability review process brings information together and empowers residents to make informed decisions about the future of their community.
Viability reviews analyse a municipality’s:
- community
- governance
- administration
- services
- finances
- infrastructure
Each viability review is unique to the specific municipality and the length of time varies depending on multiple factors. These include the completion of an infrastructure audit and council and staff vacancies. Generally, viability reviews take between 12 to 18 months to complete.
Viability report
The viability review results in a viability report. This document summarizes information collected from the municipality, residents, and the neighbouring municipality, and provides a comparison of what may happen if the municipality votes to remain or dissolve. The report also includes recommendations that support sustainable governance should electors vote to remain. Reports are not meant to examine municipal council or administrative practices.
Following the review, electors participate in a vote. This vote determines whether the municipality should remain an incorporated municipality or if it should dissolve and become a hamlet in the neighbouring municipality.
If you have any questions about viability reviews, contact the Municipal Viability team at [email protected] or by phone at 780-427-2225 or toll-free by dialing 310-000 first.
Cost
The cost of a review varies depending on the complexity and the time it takes to complete.
Costs are distributed between Municipal Affairs and municipalities as follows.
Municipal Affairs
- Ministry staff time and materials for researching, writing, printing, and distributing information, reports, voter ballots, and other documents.
- Any costs for presentations, public information sessions, and the voting stations, which may include facility rentals and newspaper advertising.
- A municipal grant up to $120,000 to pay for an infrastructure audit.
Municipalities
- Municipal staff time to compile information.
- Remuneration for councillors to attend viability review meetings.
- Any additional costs determined by the municipality, which may include travel and additional council meetings.
Review process
Active viability reviews
Summer Village of Ma-Me-O Beach
A viability review was initiated for the Summer Village of Ma-Me-O Beach in December 2023. This review started at the request of the Minister of Municipal Affairs.
Current status
With input from the Summer Village of Ma-Me-O Beach and the surrounding County of Wetaskiwin, a viability review report is being prepared that will be shared with residents and property owners. Once the report has been distributed, a pre-vote public information session will be held to review the contents of the report prior to the vote on the question of dissolution. This vote is anticipated to be held in early 2025 and will be conducted as per the requirements of the Municipal Government Act.
Past activities
An initial public information session was held to explain the viability review process with the community on February 21, 2024. This session covered what to expect during the viability review, and participants had the opportunity to share their thoughts on the viability of Ma-Me-O Beach. The ministry also shared an online public survey.
An in-person, mid-review public information session was held in Ma-Me-O Beach on August 10, 2024, to provide an update on the viability review process, to discuss the contents of the Ma-Me-O Beach viability review report, and to provide input on the development of the viability review report:
Village of Bittern Lake
A viability review was initiated for the Village of Bittern Lake in October 2023. This review started because of a sufficient petition.
Current status
With input from the Village of Bittern Lake and the surrounding Camrose County, a viability review report is being prepared and will be shared with residents and property owners. Once the report has been distributed, a pre-vote public information session will be held to review the contents of the report prior to the vote on the question of dissolution. This vote is anticipated to be held in late 2024 and will be conducted as per the requirements of the Municipal Government Act.
Past activities
An initial public information session was held in Bittern Lake to review the viability review process with the community on January 11, 2024. This session included tabletop exercises and a public survey. This public survey was also available online. Based on this initial information session, an additional information document was prepared for the public.
A mid-review public information session was held in Bittern Lake on June 19, 2024, to provide an update on the viability review process and an opportunity to gather additional public input.
- Bittern Lake Initial Session Presentation
- Village of Bittern Lake Viability Review – Additional Information
- Bittern Lake Mid-Review Presentation
Village of Delia
A viability review was initiated for the Village of Delia in January 2023. This review started at the request of the village council.
Current status
With input from the Village of Delia and the surrounding Starland County, a viability review is being prepared and will be shared with residents and property owners. Once the report has been distributed, a pre-vote public information session will be held to review the contents of the report prior to the vote on the question of dissolution. This vote is anticipated to be held in late 2024 and will be conducted as per the requirements of the Municipal Government Act.
Past activities
An initial public information session was held in Delia to review the viability review process with the community on March 22, 2023. This session included tabletop exercises and a public survey.
A mid-review information session was held in Delia on October 4, 2023, to provide an update on the viability review process and an opportunity to gather additional public input.
Village of Halkirk
An additional vote of electors on the question of dissolution was approved for the Village of Halkirk in June 2024. This vote was initiated at the request of the village council and included an update of the village’s February 2022 viability review report.
Current status
Residents of the municipality voted on October 8 and October 9, 2024, to dissolve the Village of Halkirk and that Halkirk become a hamlet in the County of Paintearth. As a result of the vote, the Minister of Municipal Affairs must recommend to Cabinet and the Lieutenant Governor in Council that the municipality be dissolved with a recommended effective dissolution date of January 1, 2025.
The Ministry of Municipal Affairs has appointed an official administrator to help the village navigate the transition process. The official administrator will not be involved in the day-to-day operations of the village.
Past activities
An initial public information session was held in Halkirk on July 8, 2024, to learn about the additional vote of electors, the update of the February 2022 viability review report, and to provide an opportunity for public input. This session included a public survey.
A pre-vote public information session was held in Halkirk on September 24, 2024, to review the contents of the updated report and answer questions about the report and the vote of electors.
Completed viability reviews
Contact
Connect with Municipal Sustainability:
Phone: 780-427-2225
Toll free: 310-0000 before the phone number (in Alberta)
Email: [email protected]