Resources are continuously monitored for legislative updates and revised as needed to reflect changes to the Municipal Government Act, the Local Authorities Election Act, and related legislation.
Overview
The following list of publications and resources are intended to provide information on specific components of local government, council and administration.
For assistance with resources published by the Government of Alberta, contact a Municipal Advisor at [email protected] or 780-427-2225, toll-free in Alberta by dialing 310-0000 first.
For assistance with grants for municipalities, contact a Grants Advisor at [email protected] or 780-422-7125, toll-free in Alberta by dialing 310-0000 first.
For assistance with resources published by third-parties, contact the third-party directly.
General resources
- Access to Information Act (ATIA)
- Acronym List
- Alberta Ombudsman
- Find a municipal official
- Land and Property Rights Tribunal
- Local Authorities Elections Act
- Municipal Government Act
- Municipal Affairs Statutes Amendment Act, 2024
- Municipal Affairs Statutes Amendment Act, 2025
- Municipal Affairs and Housing Statutes Amendment Act, 2026
- Municipal data and statistics
- Municipal indicators
- Protection of Privacy Act (POPA)
Administration
- Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) Handbook
- Employment standards
- Labour relations
- Municipal Affairs Administrators’ Training Initiative (MAATI) recorded sessions
- Municipal Sustainability Strategy
- Political Acumen Toolkit – A resource from the Canadian Association of Municipal Administrators (CAMA) to develop political acumen as a core competency for municipal leaders
- Residents’ Guide – Your Local Government – A resource from CAMA to help residents better understand how their municipality works
- Retention and scheduling of municipal records
- Roles and responsibilities of municipal officials
- Training for Municipal Officials
- Welcoming and inclusive communities toolkit
Bylaws, policy and legislative matters
- Basic Principles of Bylaws
- Municipal Census Manual
- Preparation of Meeting Minutes
- Procedure Bylaw and the Agenda
Collaboration and dispute resolution
- Board Leadership and board Governance (Community Development unit services)
- Collaboration Within and Among Municipalities
- Collaborative Governance Initiative
- Cost sharing for success toolkit – co-developed by Rural Municipalities of Alberta (RMA) and Alberta Municipalities (ABmunis)
- Intermunicipal Collaboration Frameworks
- Municipal Collaboration and Dispute Resolution
- Municipal Dispute Resolution
Community engagement and public participation
- Petition information for electors
- Public input toolkit with digital engagement
- Public participation in municipal government
- Public Participation Policies and Public Notification: A Guide for Municipalities – co-developed by RMA and ABmunis
Council
- CAO Performance Evaluation Toolkit – developed by CAMA
- Closed Meetings of Council
- Hiring a Chief Administrative Officer
- Leading Effective Council Meetings – developed by CAMA
- Pecuniary and Conflict of Interest for Municipal Councillors
- Performance Appraisal System – Chief Administrative Officer
- Roles and responsibilities of municipal officials
- What Every Councillor Needs to Know: A council member’s handbook
Elections
- Municipal elections
- Municipal election forms
- Running for Municipal Office – co-developed by ABmunis and RMA
Emergency management and protective services
Finance
- A Guide to the New Legislative Requirements for Municipal Financial and Capital Plans
- Asset management
- Debt Limit Worksheet
- Financial Reporting Requirements
- Grants for municipalities
- Municipal Financial and Statistical Data
- Tax Rate Bylaw Case Study
Information bulletins
Find information bulletins related to key municipal dates and changes that may affect municipalities.
Infrastructure and utilities
- Local road bridges
- Municipal Climate Change Action Centre – A joint initiative by municipal associations and the Government of Alberta to provide funding, technical assistance and education to support Alberta municipalities to address climate change.
- Roadside development next to provincial roads and highways
- Waste Management
- Water and wastewater
- Water for Life Strategy
Planning and development
- Brownfield redevelopment
- Expropriation Act
- Land Annexations
- Municipal historic resource designation
- Municipal planning and development documents
- New home warranty
- Provincial land-use framework
- Residential builder licensing
Property assessment and taxation
- Assessment bulletins
- A Guide to Equalized Assessment in Alberta
- A Guide to Property Assessment and Taxation in Alberta
- A Guide to Tax Recovery in Alberta
- Assessment review boards
- Community Revitalization Levy
- Municipal tax incentives
- Municipal property assessment
- Property Tax Exemptions
- Property Tax: Adding Amounts to the Tax Roll
Contact
Connect with Municipal Affairs at:
Phone: 780-427-2225
Toll free: 310-0000 before the phone number (in Alberta)
Email: [email protected]