Wednesday, March 16, 2022 Vol. 45, No. 11
Your LOCAL Paper
Census shows 9 per cent population drop in Viking, Irma
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Taekwon Do Club takes home several medals
Patricia Harcourt Editor
The 2021 Statistics Canada population census reveals a rural countryside experiencing declining numbers of people living in its small urban centres, and farmers and others in its rural municipalities. This trend is also reflected in local towns and villages, as well as people living in Beaver County and the MD of Wainwright. No local centres or rural municipalities in this area saw an increase in its populations between the 2016 census and last year’s gathering of statistics. In fact, all have experienced a decrease in numbers, some more than others. Viking and Irma populations were hit the hardest by this drop. The Town of Viking population fell by 9 per cent in the five years between the federal government’s census taking. In 2016, the population was 1,083 people. But this fell to 986 in 2021 which means that 97 fewer people live in Viking as of last year. The Village of Holden’s population dropped from 350 in 2016 to 338 in 2021, a loss of 3.4 per cent or 12 persons fewer. Beaver County’s population has dropped the least, by only 0.6 per cent. Figures show the population in 2016 was 5,905 compared to 5,868 in 2021. This is a drop of 37 people in five years. Beaver County’s statistics include the hamlets of Bruce and Kinsella, which aren’t separated out from the overall population statistics. The Village of Irma’s population has also decreased almost as much as Viking’s, in terms of percentages. Irma had 521 residents in 2016 compared to 477 last year. This constitutes a drop of 8.4 per cent, or 44 fewer people. And the MD of Wainwright No. 61 has lost more population percentage-wise than its neighbour to the west in Beaver County. The population of the MD of Wainwright is down 4.2 per cent from the previous census. In 2016 there were 4,464 people compared to See CENSUS P3
A group shot of the Viking Adrenaline Taekwon Do Club at the national championships held in Regina March 11-12 where the club brought home13 medals in all three categories. The Viking Adrenaline Taekwon Do club made the long trek to Regina on March 11-12 to attend the ITF Canadian National Taekwon Do Championships. David Andreson had nine students attending the event to compete from white belts up to black belt. There were over 200 competitors in attendance from all across Canada. There has not been an in-person competition to attend in over two years, so everyone was very excit-
ed to get out there and compete. In total our little club took home five Bronze, three Silver and five Gold medals! Mr. Andreson was very proud of all his students who participated. Adrenaline Taekwon Do is excited to be expanding to Killam starting in April, and is always open to new members in Viking. The club will be preparing for another tournament in June and Westerns in the fall.
2 - Beaver County Chronicle, March 16, 2022
Procedural Bylaw given first reading Patricia Harcourt A new procedural bylaw was given first reading at Beaver County Council’s regular meeting March 2. The bylaw is being put in place to clarify certain roles and responsibilities for setting meeting agendas, making protocol at meetings stronger, clarifying the debate process and business planning. The initial revamping started with a recommendation from the corporate governance review to amend the role of the CAO in setting agenda topics for council to use in their meetings. The new council asked administration to also look at amendments for council regarding debate and meeting protocols, and having council more involved in developing agendas. It has been decided by council that the reeve and deputy reeve form an agendas committee for that purpose. “The committee’s mandate and guidelines include the review and approval of agenda items for council and governance and priority committee meetings,” said Assistant CAO Margaret Jones, in her report to council. “The proposed bylaw includes amendments that will streamline meeting processes for both staff and council,” stated the report. The bylaw includes an ‘introduction of consent agendas’ for disposition of agenda items which do not require council discussion or debate, to enable quick handling of routine matters.
Nothing can be rescinded without a Notice of Motion taking place. There will be a change to the council meeting commencement according to motion #21-343. Council agenda packages will be electronic only and councillors have been provided the necessary printers to print out a copy if needed. Closed session items will have information sent in advance of the meeting if council needs additional time to review it. Discussion of this ended with council passing a motion to amend Section 48 of Bylaw 221119 to read as follows: “The CAO shall recommend the agenda items to be included under the closed session heading of the agenda in accordance with the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FOIP), and shall be responsible for the security of any confidential documents. Background information related to closed session agenda items will be distributed separately and in a secure manner with the agenda.” Councillor Dale Pederson (Division 5) then made the motion to pass first reading of the amended bylaw, which was carried. Second reading will be considered at the next regular meeting in two weeks’ time. Once passed, discussion on the motion will be allowed after first reading has ben completed instead of waiting for second reading to take place as was done previously.
Claystone Waste e is a municipally con ntrolled corporation established in 20 20 by the Town of Viking, Vikin 2020 ng Town of Tofield Tofield, Village of Ryley, Village of Holden and Beaver County. Claystone Waste is committed to being a responsive community partner and to operating with the highest standards of environmental and operational excellence in the delivery of waste management services. Claystone Waste operates the following facilities:
Beave ver Regional Landfill 50117 17 Ran ange Ro Road 17 173
780. 0.663. 3.2038
The Beaver Regional Landfill is open six days a week, k, Monday to Saturday. It is an engineered, sanitary class 2 landfill that
accepts municipal solid waste from Beaver County and the surrounding municipalities, as well as significant volumes of class 2 non-hazardous industrial wastes. In addition to the regional landfill, Claystone Waste operates five transfer stations. County residents can bring bagged household garbage, e, and other dry waste, such as broken chairs, furniture, e, mattresses and scrap wood for disposal. The location and hours for each transfer station is noted below:
Kinsella Transfer Station 46418 18 Ran ange Ro Road 113 13
x x
Wednesdays: Fridays:
780. 0.663. 3.2038
11:00 am to 5:00 pm 11:00 am to 5:00 pm
Viking Transfer Station 12503 To Town wnship ip 480
x x
Tuesdays: Saturdays:
780. 0.71 718.79 7956
10:30 am to 5:30 pm 10:30 am to 5:30 pm
Tofield Transfer Station 51032 32 Ran ange Ro Road 191
x x x
Wednesdays: Fridays: Saturdays:
780. 0.662. 2.27 2731
10:30 am to 5:30 pm 10:30 am to 5:30 pm 10:30 am to 5:30 pm
Lindbrook Transfe fer Station 51008 Ran ange Ro Road 201 x x x
Tuesdays: Thursdays: Saturdays:
780.662. 2.270 704
10:30 am to 5:30 pm 11:30 am to 6:30 pm 10:30 am to 5:30 pm
Ryley Transfe fer Station 50117 17 Ran ange Ro Road 17 173
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Administration Offices 50117 17 Ra Range Ro Road 17 173 (S (Secon onda dary Hi Highwa way 854) 4) 780. 0.663. 3.2038
Box ox 32 322 Ry Ryley, y, AB T0B 0B 4A 4A0
Toll Fr Free 1. 1.855. 5.22 221. 1.2038
Administration offices are open Monday to Friday from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm and are closed from 12:00 to 1:00 pm.
Beaver County Chronicle, March 16, 2022 - 3
County rejects plan for gas company’s tax arrears Patricia Harcourt A natural gas company asking for a preferred payment plan for back owed property taxes from 2019-2021 had its request denied by county council March 2. Council reasoned that other companies had come to make arrangements with the county before the taxes were actually due. In several of these cases, payment arrangements were made and tax penalties were waived. Long Run Exploration Ltd. has outstanding taxes for 2019, 2020, and 2021, stated Assistant CAO Margaret Jones, in her report to council, for a total amount owing of $860,000. “The county has entered into tax agreements with other companies that owed taxes in amounts as great as, or greater than, the amount owed by Long Run,” she stated. However, she said there was a difference in that, “these companies were proactive in requesting tax payment agreements before penalties were incurred and only received relief from future penalties.”
Jones added that, for that reason, “caution should be exercised in setting aside precedent.” The company, in its request, stated that all future taxes would be paid on time, she said. But the company is “asking for a complete waiver of all past and future penalties.” Earlier, she explained that like many other resource based companies, Long Run “is starting to recover from the financial challenges it faced when the natural gas market was struggling,” and now wants to clear up the tax arrears. Deputy Reeve Gene Hrabec (Division 3) stated he has received a call from an irate ratepayer asking why there is better service for some over others. Hrabec said he wanted “all ratepayers to get the same type of service,” referring specifically to those companies that aren’t paying their lease holders. Councillor Dale Pederson (Division 5) agreed and his motion was passed to have the company make a lump sum payment for all property tax arrears and lease arrears with landowners. After that,
Stay and Play in Bruce
the county would be open to working out a budget for the new 2022 tax year. Councillor Barry Bruce (Division 4) said: “I totally agree this should happen,” adding companies have quit paying landowners for their leases “often long before.” “If they aren’t paying them we’re not in agreement to get an arrangement,” explained Interim CAO Rick McDonald. “It’s some kind of leverage.” Hrabec also agreed with the motion. “I think it’s important to note it is a double edged sword,” he
Priorities Continued from BCC1
capacity of county staff,” said McDonald’s report. McDonald added that, “The recent public participation survey played a key role in establishing the strategic priorities and the Summary Report identifies many items for council’s consideration,” recommending that the GPC pro-
said. “They are not paying these years so other taxpayers, including lease holders, have to make up for it. “Let’s all play in the sandbox… because every taxpayer still has to pay that tax burden,” he said, also noting that the county had to write off collecting some school taxes because of these non-payments of taxes. Reeve Kevin Smook (Division 1) called the key part of the motion where it states, “we are prepared to negotiate.” The motion carried. vide recommendations upon review for possible policy changes. “In addition, the county has a 2020-2030 Strategic plan that should now be reviewed in light of the recent priorities established by Council.” A motion by Councillor Lionel Williams (Division 2) to accept the recommendations was passed. “The stars aligned and it has come together very good,” said Deputy Reeve Gene Hrabec (Division 3).
Dust Control Spring Application Beaver County Council has reinstated the dust control subsidy program and residents will pay 50% of the product cost. To view the Beaver County dust control policy, letter and application forms please visit www.beaver.ab.ca/departments/ public-works/dust-control. The County reserves the right to maintain the sites in a manner suitable to the Public Works Department. Residents desiring spring applications of dust control on the County road adjacent to their property must apply by 11:59pm., April 15, 2022 to: Beaver County 5120-50 St Ryley, Alberta T0B 4A0 Office hours: 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday Please note: 1. Applications post marked before or on April 15, 2022 will be accepted. 2. Applications may also be paid at the Beaver County Service Centre or over the phone using VISA or M/C, however applications must be submitted first.
Proposed Procedural Bylaw
Beaver County Council is considering amendments to its Procedural Bylaw. This Bylaw outlines the procedures for Council and Committee meetings, delegations, and public hearings. Go to www.beaver.ab.ca to view a copy of the proposed Bylaw.
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