WOODLANDS COUNTY-The Town of Whitecourt and council believe regions are stronger together and that is why they have suggested to Alberta Municipal Affairs as well as Premier Jason Kenney, himself that the province consider amalgamating or merging municipalities.
Whitecourt mayor Maryann Chichak said she penned the letter on behalf of the council making the case that merging urban and rural municipalities would eliminate red tape and competition for funding as well as create efficiencies in delivering services.
She was also quick to point out that the suggestion did not come about due because of the recent dispute over being able to come to a cost-sharing and service agreement regarding essential services.
On Aug. 26, 2019, Town of Whitecourt councillors voted 6-1 to give two years’ notice that they terminate the Water and Wastewater Agreement between the two municipalities. The agreement, signed in 2013, brought town water and sewer services out to the airport, as well as several properties in the Old Ferry Road area on Highway 32 side of Whitecourt.
The move was in response to the county’s decision to terminate the Inter-municipal Cost-Sharing Agreement in June. As part of the agreement, Woodlands County shared in the cost of several services with Whitecourt, including policing and fire.
"It was looking at the global picture of a provincial economic recovery plan and looking at the merging of municipalities to create prosperous economic regions," she said.
Chichak noted municipalities were already struggling due to the economic slowdown that started in 2015 and that has only been compounded by recent events due to the Russia-Saudi Arabia price war of oil that started in March as well as the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.
"If you look at it holistically, there is the potential to look at efficiencies that would create a more effective government that would allow regions to seek economic investment into a region and [newly merged] municipalities could continue to prosper and provide services to residents at a very effective price," she said.
Chichak noted the mergers did not necessarily only have to be based on combining neighbouring rural municipalities such as Whitecourt and Woodlands County or the County of Barrhead and the Town of Barrhead, but those who have similar economic interests.
"The merging of rural and urban together might create new regions," she said. "Beyond the scope of Whitecourt and Woodlands or the County of Barrhead and Town of Barrhead. It would be more of a global approach."
She said the merging of municipalities into larger regional centres would have several benefits; the first being efficiencies through the elimination of duplicate services, i.e. the need to have one municipal office and council. Furthermore, municipalities would save through the economy of scale, with the price of providing services decreasing. Chichak used the example of lower street paving costs due to volume.
She also said the amalgamation of municipalities would eliminate much of the competition for investment capital.
"To seek investment dollars as a region to help the entire area prosper makes more sense to me than each community individually fighting for the same funds," Chichak said.
The concept of merging urban and rural or municipalities with similar economic interests and challenges isn't new, she said.
"I sat on the [Alberta Urban Municipalities (AUMA) board for five years and whether you call it specialized municipalities, amalgamation, regionalization or mergers has always been a matter for discussion," Chichak said. "It is looking at ways municipalities can collectively working together for one taxpayer ... because our residents don't know or care where borders start and stop. They just want services provided at a reasonable cost and when you look at delivering things collectively there are so many things that can be delivered more efficiently."
She noted they also received letters of support from the Town of Drayton Valley and the Town of Rocky Mountain House.
Response from Municipal Affairs
Municipal Affairs Minister Kaycee Madu, while commending Whitecourt Council for looking "more broadly at the wellbeing of municipalities and regions" of the province, suggested municipalities have the option of exploring amalgamation at any time. It should be noted that although municipalities start the amalgamation process, ultimately the decision would be made by the province.
After receiving the minister's response at their May 8 meeting, Whitecourt council decided to send their suggestion of merging municipalities directly to Premier Jason Kenney.
Woodlands County reaction
Mayor John Burrows said they are in the process of drafting a response and until they did so and forwarded it to Whitecourt council it would be unfair to comment.
That being said Burrows noted their disappointment in not being notified by Whitecourt council before writing to Municipal Affairs, adding they only found out about it after their council meeting.
Barry Kerton, TownandCountryToday.com
