The Alberta Government introduced some amendments to several pieces of legislation pertaining to local governance on April 8.
Minister of Municipal Affairs Richard McIver introduced Bill 50 at a press conference earlier in the day before introducing it in the legislature that afternoon.
According to McIver, the bill seeks to strengthen local governance and collaboration while streamlining processes and increasing protections for home buys and builders.
“We’re proposing updates to legislation to ensure that Albertans’ local governments deliver them the best results by working collaboratively, and that their investments in new homes are protected," said McIver, via a media release in conjunction with the press conference. "Our proposed amendments are based off consultations with industry and municipal partners and will help our government deliver just that for Albertans.”
Of the changes announced, the most significant is the removal of Council Codes of Conduct for municipal councils.
According to McIver, codes of conduct were introduced into the Municipal Government Act at the request of councils several years ago and they have not worked out the way they should; instead of providing a solid framework for expected behaviour, they have instead been "weaponized" against council members which has led to "mistrust" and "disfunction" in some areas.
The amendments introduced will repeal requirements for councils to set their own codes of conduct and prevent them from establishing their own going forward. Another complication with the code of conduct that the amendments seek to address is that municipal chief administrative officers (CAOs), council employees, have often been called to referee when disputes arise between councillors.
Instead of a code of conduct, the province will install a third-party ethics commissioner to handle disputes, removing CAOs from having to act as mediators, and develop a set of common practices for running council meetings.
Intermunicipal Collaboration Frameworks
Several years ago, via the Municipal Government Act, the province introduced the requirement for all municipalities to develop Intermunicipal Collaboration Frameworks (ICFs) with their neighbours.
While the ICFs have made sense as a requirement for rural municipalities, such as counties, and their urban partners, some have expressed concern about the needs of two rural municipalities when they do not overlap services.
McIver noted during the press conference that services such as water, wastewater, waste and transportation must be covered under an ICF, however, in cases of two counties, where none of those services overlap, the requirement to develop an ICF will be waived, provided that both municipalities agree via a council motion.
"Alberta Municipalities is encouraged by the provincial government’s efforts to improve legislation related to Intermunicipal Collaboration Frameworks by clarifying rules and streamlining processes," said Tyler Gandam, Alberta Municipalities president. "We also welcome its efforts to improve the quality of newly built housing and make home warranties more effective.”
Local Authorities Election Act
Bill 50 is proposing changes to the Local Authorities Election Act (LAEA), which would "improve fairness and transparency in local elections."
Amendments will allow campaign funds to be shared between political parties and their candidates, similar to what is done at the provincial level. To ensure transparency, parties will be required to disclose their financial records ahead of the October 2025 municipal elections.
Another amendment to the LAEA is in support of Jasper. Changes will allow residents who are still displaced due to last year's wildfires to vote and run in the upcoming municipal elections this fall, provided they are committed to returning to the community.
Finally, another change to the LAEA is the allowance of "elector assistance terminals" for those electors with special needs. The terminals can not be connected to the internet, do not count ballots, and must generate a paper ballot to be counted by hand, as per legislation.
"The Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB) fully supports the proposed amendment to the LAEA," said Robert Fenton KC, Chair of the Canadian National Institue for the Blind. "This amendment will ensure that all Albertans who are blind, Deafblind, or have low vision will have equal opportunity to vote secretly and with dignity in upcoming municipal elections.”
Protections for new home buyers
Bill 50 also introduces amendments to protect new home buyers.
In the case of owner-builders who chose not to buy a new home warranty, if the home is sold within the first ten years, the usual time span of a new home warranty, a caveat will be placed alerting the prospective home buyer that they may have to do extra- due-diligence, such as home inspections.
Other amendments include increased flexibility for warranty exemptions.
"The Government of Alberta and Municipal Affairs continue to show leadership in strengthening consumer protection while supporting housing affordability," said Scott Flash, CEO, BILD. "The proposed changes will help ensure homes continue to be built to high safety and quality standards, while supporting increasingly efficient systems and procedures for administering new home (warranties).”
