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Overview
A viability review is a process that helps municipalities determine their ability to continue as a municipality or develop a plan that leads to viability.
The process brings decision makers together and empowers communities to make decisions about their future through collaboration and cooperation.
The review analyzes the municipality's:
- governance
- finances
- infrastructure
- services
The review evaluates if a municipality is viable and can provide recommendations to achieve this. It is not meant to examine municipal councils or administrative practices.
Each viability review is unique to the specific municipality and the length of time varies dependent upon multiple factors, including the completion of the infrastructure audit and council and staff vacancies.
Cost
The cost of a review varies depending on the complexity and time it takes to complete.
Costs are distributed between Municipal Affairs and municipalities as follows.
Municipal Affairs
- ministry staff time and materials for researching, writing, printing and distributing information and reports
- the cost of public meetings and community engagement activities
- a municipal grant to pay for the infrastructure audit
Municipalities
- costs of municipal staff to compile information
- travel costs to meetings
- costs of additional council meetings
- remuneration for councillors to attend review meetings
Review process
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Step 1. Begin a review
A review can be started in one of 3 ways:
Council request
Councils can write to the Minister of Municipal Affairs to request a review if:
- they have completed the self-assessment questionnaire
- they have implemented the mitigation tools found in the capacity building toolkit
- they believe the municipality is in jeopardy or no longer sustainable
A completed self-assessment questionnaire must be included with the written request.
Citizen petition
Citizens of a municipality can petition the Minister of Municipal Affairs to begin a review.
To petition the minister, citizens must complete a petition that includes:
- the signatures of 30% of the municipality’s eligible voters (50% of eligible voters for summer villages)
- a statement of representative of petitioners
- an affidavit for each person that witnessed signatures
All legislated requirements for petitions are outlined in the information handout on petitions.
Before starting a petition, citizens should contact the Municipal Viability Team by phone at 780-427-2225 or email at [email protected].
Minister’s discretion
The Minister of Municipal Affairs can initiate a viability review if they believe it’s warranted.
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Step 2. Ministry screening
A viability screening is not required in advance of a viability review but may be completed under certain circumstances to help the minister decide if a review or another process is necessary. This can involve staff gathering information and documents to understand any issues and why the council request or citizen petition was made.
A viability screening may also take place when a municipality is considered at risk for three consecutive years through the municipal indicators.
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Step 3. Information collection
If the minister decides a viability review is necessary, the minister will commit to holding a vote of the electors on the question of dissolution at the conclusion of the review.
The information collected for the review comes from:
- ministry staff
- information supplied by the municipality being reviewed
- information supplied by the receiving municipality
- the municipality’s infrastructure assessment or audit
- stakeholder engagement and community involvement, which can include:
- written submissions
- surveys
- open houses
- public meetings
During a review, municipalities can apply for funding through the Alberta Community Partnership program to pay for the completion of an infrastructure assessment.
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Step 4. Recommendations and options
After the review, ministry staff provide a report to the municipality.
The report includes 2 options for the municipality:
- recommendations for the municipality to reach viability
- a description of the changes and impacts to residents if the municipality was dissolved
The report is also sent to residents and presented at a public meeting.
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Step 5. Public vote
After the public information session for residents, a vote of electors is held and administered by ministry staff in accordance in accordance with the Local Authorities Election Act (LAEA).
To be eligible to vote, a person must be:
- at least 18 years of age
- a Canadian citizen
- a resident of Alberta and their place of residence is located in the local jurisdiction on election day
According to the LAEA, residents of another municipality, or who own property but whose primary place of residence is not in that municipality, are not eligible to vote.
A person’s primary residence is usually the one to which their tax returns are addressed, is on their driver’s licence, or the address their mail is addressed and delivered
In order to vote, eligible electors must produce identification for inspection. Acceptable forms of identified can be found here: Voter Identification Requirements
A public vote is held on the following 2 options:
- implement changes to achieve viability, or
- dissolve and become part of a neighbouring municipality
If a majority of residents vote for option one (implement changes), the minister will issue directives which the review municipality must comply with. If the majority of residents vote for option 2 (dissolve), minister is required to recommend dissolution to the provincial cabinet, who will then make the final decision on dissolution.
For more information about dissolution, see the Dissolution section on Municipal restructuring.
Depending on the outcome of the vote, the minister will either issue a ministerial directive or recommend municipal dissolution to the cabinet, who will make the final decision to dissolve the municipality.
Active viability reviews
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Village of Halkirk
Current status
On April 17, 2020, the Minister of Municipal Affairs initiated a viability review for the Village of Halkirk in response to a request from council. The viability review will examine the village’s governance, administration, operations, finances, infrastructure, services and community well-being to determine how the community can best move forward.
A virtual public information meeting was held for residents, local businesses and property owners are to learn about the Village of Halkirk viability review, as well as ask questions about the process.
The village is conducting a study of its infrastructure to assess its condition and project major repair and replacements requirements for the next ten years. Upon completion of the study, the results will be incorporated into the viability review.
Questions related to the viability review can be provided by email to [email protected] or by calling 780-427-2225 (dial 310-0000 first for toll-free access).
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Village of Warner
Current status
On December 18, 2020, the Minister of Municipal Affairs initiated a viability review for the Village of Warner in response to a sufficient petition of village electors. The viability review will examine the village’s governance, administration, operations, finances, infrastructure, services and community well-being to determine how the community can best move forward.
In early March 2021, letters were sent to residents and property owners providing general information about the viability review. Residents and property owners were invited to complete an online survey for input into the viability review report and to participate in an online initial public information session on March 18, 2021.
Questions related to the viability review can be provided by email to [email protected] or by calling 780-427-2225 (dial 310-0000 first for toll-free access).
Public notices and reports
Completed viability reviews
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Town of Grande Cache
The Town of Grande Cache was dissolved and became part of the Municipal District of Greenview on January 1, 2019.
Public notices and reports
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Town of Granum
The Town of Granum was dissolved and became part of the Municipal District of Willow Creek on February 1, 2020.
Public notices and reports
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Town of Manning
Current status
A vote of the electors of Manning on the question of dissolution was held October 28 and October 29, 2020, in accordance with the Local Authorities Election Act.
Of the 367 valid ballots cast, 88% (324 ballots) supported remaining as a town, while 12% of voters (43 ballots) supported dissolving and becoming a hamlet in the County of Northern Lights.
The Minister has issued directives to Manning to achieve viability, based on the recommendations within the viability review report. The Town of Manning will have to provide annual updates on the progress of the directives for 4 years.
Public notices and reports
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Village of Bawlf
Current status
A vote of the electors of Bawlf on the question of dissolution was held October 20 and October 21, 2020, in accordance with the Local Authorities Election Act.
Of the 166 valid ballots cast, 54% (90 ballots) supported remaining as a village, while 46% of voters (76 ballots) supported dissolving and becoming a hamlet in Camrose County.
The Minister has issued directives to Bawlf to achieve viability, based on the recommendations within the viability review report. The Village of Bawlf will have to provide annual updates on the progress of the directives for 5 years.
Public notices and reports
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Village of Berwyn
Current status
Following a vote of electors in which electors voted to remain a village, the minister provided the Village of Berwyn with directives through a Ministerial Order to ensure continued viability. The village will continue to report on the implementation of the directives until June 2023.
Public notices and reports
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Village of Cereal
The Village of Cereal was dissolved and became part of the Special Areas on January 1, 2021.
Public notices and reports
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Village of Champion
Current status
The minister decided on December 11, 2018, based on the input from the public and the VRT, a vote would not be conducted and viability directives were issued.
The village completed its update regarding progress on the minister’s directives in May 2019 and will provide annual updates until June 1, 2023.
Public notices and reports
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Village of Clyde
Current status
The minister reviewed the council decision and the recommendations from the VRT and issued directives (MO No: MSL:054/16) to the municipality. The village is providing annual reports until June 1, 2021 to the ministry on the completion of the directives.
Public notices and reports
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Village of Dewberry
The Village of Dewberry was dissolved and became part of the County of Vermilion River on January 1, 2021.
Public notices and reports
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Village of Ferintosh
The Village of Ferintosh was dissolved and became part of Camrose County on January 1, 2020.
Public notices and reports
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Village of Gadsby
The Village of Gadsby was dissolved and became part of Stettler County on February 1, 2020.
Public notices and reports
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Village of Hill Spring
Current status
The minister issued directives (MO No: MSL:122/17) to the municipality on December 19, 2017.
The village is directed to develop an action plan (including timelines) as to how the council plans to address each of the recommendations in the viability plan, to prepare a 10-year capital plan, and to provide copies of the 2 plans to Municipal Affairs.
The village is to report to the ministry annually, until June 1, 2023, on the progress of the implementation of the plans.
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Village of Hussar
Current status
The minister issued directives (MO No: MSL:072/18) to the municipality on October 3, 2018.
The village is directed to develop an action plan (including timelines) as to how the council plans to address each of the recommendations in the viability plan, to prepare a 10-year capital plan, and to provide copies of the 2 plans to Municipal Affairs.
The village is to report to the ministry annually, until June 1, 2023, on the progress of the implementation of the plans.
Public notices and reports
- Hussar Viability Plan
- Read the minister's letter to residents (PDF, 50 KB) on completion of the viability review.
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Village of Hythe
Current status
On June 9, 2021, the Lieutenant Governor in Council approved the dissolution of the Village of Hythe.
Effective July 1, 2021, the Village of Hythe will be dissolved and become a hamlet in the County of Grande Prairie No. 1.
Public notices and reports
- Order in Council 168/2021 (PDF, 180 KB)
- Village of Hythe Viability Report – March 2021 (PDF, 1.3 MB)
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Village of Innisfree
Current status
Following a vote of electors in which electors voted to remain a village, the minister provided the Village of Innisfree with directives through a Ministerial Order to ensure continued viability. The village will continue to report on the implementation of the directives until June 2023.
Public notices and reports
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Village of Rycroft
Current status
The minister issued directives (MO No: MSL:055/18) to the municipality on July 19, 2018.
The village is directed to develop an action plan (including timelines) as to how the council plans to address each of the recommendations in the viability plan, to prepare a 10-year capital plan, and to provide copies of the 2 plans to Municipal Affairs.
The village is to report to the ministry annually, until June 1, 2023, on the progress of the implementation of the plans.
Public notices and reports
- Village of Rycroft Viability Plan
- Read the minister's letter to residents (PDF, 82 KB) on completion of the viability review.
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Village of Wabamun
The Village of Wabamun was dissolved and became part of Parkland County on January 1, 2021.
Public notices and reports
Contact
Connect with Municipal Sustainability:
Phone: 780-427-2225
Toll free: 310-0000 before the phone number (in Alberta)
Email: [email protected]
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