CEO’s Message

Following a difficult and often unpredictable 2021, we spent 2022 focusing our association’s time and effort on those key issues you said were important to you and your residents. We also worked hard to deliver programs and services that met your communities’ diverse needs and expectations.

Our advocacy team worked steadily throughout 2022 to ensure the provincial and federal governments knew precisely where our members stood on numerous critical issues. We ensured your concerns and preferences were known and clearly understood by ministers, MLAs, and ministry staff. We advanced your interests in 2022 on key issues such as policing, health care and EMS, and infrastructure funding. When it came to the Local Government Fiscal Framework (LGFF), we presented a fair and well-reasoned proposal to Alberta Municipal Affairs.

We launched Power+, an innovative and long-term solution to meet municipalities’ electricity needs, in early 2022. More than 120 municipalities and not-for-profit organizations expressed interest in getting in on the action. Our electricity program continues to work to secure rates below market forecasts for participating members, resulting in cost savings of $34 million in 2022. Our Insurance and Risk Services offset premiums by providing a rebate of $3 million to shield members from market shocks and dramatic premium increases, thereby delivering budget stability. Finally, our Employee Benefits renewal rates increased an average by just under seven per cent in 2022, which is well below market pricing.

Our Clean Energy Improvement Program (CEIP) continued to make great strides in 2022. Another nine municipalities passed Clean Energy Improvement bylaws during the year, and we added six more communities to the program. This innovative financing tool enables residential and commercial property owners to access flexible, long-term financing through their municipality, improving their ability to pay for energy efficiency and renewable energy upgrades.

Alberta Municipalities’ members worked together to accomplish considerable success in 2022. With your continued enthusiasm and support, I am confident we will continue showing great strength in members in the year ahead.

Dan Rude CEO