President’s Message

Alberta’s economy improved steadily throughout 2022, despite a series of interest rate hikes and inflation. It was great to see Albertans resume in-classroom learning, extra-curricular activities, in-person meetings and socializing with friends and family. Once again, I was encouraged by the great resiliency, commitment, and collaboration our member communities showed in the face of adversity.

We advocated relentlessly on your behalf to the provincial and federal governments in 2022 on a wide array of issues, including public safety and policing, health care and Emergency Medical Services (EMS), infrastructure funding, broadband internet service and much more.

Throughout the year, we repeatedly called on the Government of Alberta to create a province-wide public safety task force, address the ‘root causes’ of crime, and bolster Alberta’s under-resourced justice system. We also encouraged them to put the potential creation of a provincial police service to a vote through a referendum. We worked with the provincial government to address health care and Alberta’s struggling EMS system. We continued to champion the principle of securing fair, predictable long-term funding for municipalities. Our multi-year effort to ensure municipalities of all sizes across Alberta have reliable high-speed Internet service led to a commitment of $780 million in increased funding for related projects in 2022.

This year’s Convention & Trade Show in Calgary was a personal highlight of mine. It was great to see more than 1,100 delegates get together in late-September to share thoughts, exchange ideas and enjoy one another’s company. I was also extremely pleased with the way our Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal ceremonies in Calgary and Edmonton were delivered. We recognized 440 accomplished Albertans at our medal awards ceremonies, making them the largest events of their kind in Alberta.

I am excited at what 2023 holds for ABmunis’ members, and I look forward to working with you to ensure our member communities are properly supported and resourced by our provincial and federal governments.

Cathy Heron President