Viability reviews for municipalities

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 passed a resolution requesting a viability review
• have implemented the mitigation tools found in the capacity building toolkit
• believe the municipality is in jeopardy of becoming, or is, no longer viable

The council request must also include a completed Municipal Sustainability Strategy Self-Assessment Questionnaire.

Petition

Electors of a municipality can petition the Minister of Municipal Affairs to undertake a viability review.

To petition the Minister, electors must submit a petition that includes:

• signatures of electors numbering at least 30% of the municipality’s population (in a summer village, signatures of electors equal to at least 50% of the number of summer village residences)
• 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, electors should contact the Municipal Viability team at [email protected] or by phone at 780-427-2225 or toll-free by dialing 310-000 first.

Minister’s discretion

The Minister of Municipal Affairs can initiate a viability review if they believe it’s warranted.

The Minister may choose to initiate a viability screening to decide if a viability review, or if another process, would be more appropriate. A viability screening involves government staff gathering information to understand municipal concerns and identify why the council request or petition was made.

The Minister may also initiate a viability screening if a municipality is considered at risk for 3 consecutive years through its municipal indicators.

If the Minister initiates a viability review, ministry staff will conduct the review, including collecting information for the viability report. In undertaking the review, the Minister also commits to holding a vote of the electors on the question of dissolution at the conclusion of the review.

Information is collected for the review from:

• the municipality
• the potential receiving municipality
• an infrastructure audit of the municipality
• public engagement and community involvement, which can include: 
  • written submissions
  • surveys
  • public information sessions

During a review, the municipality is eligible to apply for grant funding for an infrastructure audit through the Alberta Community Partnership program. This audit assesses municipal infrastructure and creates a roadmap for future capital improvements.

A Viability Review Support Group (VRSG) is also created. This group is composed of councillors and administration from the review and potential receiving municipality, in addition to appointed representatives from the municipal associations. The VRSG reviews the draft viability report and makes recommendations for long-term sustainability of the community.

Public engagement

Throughout the viability review, the ministry organizes engagement opportunities to inform residents on the viability review process and collect feedback. Engagement activities include:

• an initial public information session to outline the viability review process and gather information
• a survey to gather detailed input from community residents and business owners
• a mid-review public information session to update residents and business owners on the viability review process and gather additional information
• a pre-vote public information session to discuss the viability review report and review the options presented

Public engagement events and activities are promoted online and in letters to community residents. Following the initial and mid-review engagement sessions, supporting resources and documents will be made available highlighting common concerns.

After the review is complete, a report is prepared for the municipality. This report is sent to all residents and property owners and presented to the community in a pre-vote meeting.

The report typically describes 2 options for the municipality:

1. remain an incorporated municipality and work towards municipal sustainability
2. dissolve and become a hamlet in the receiving municipality and the changes and impacts that residents may expect

The report also contains recommendations for the municipality to improve its viability should electors vote for the incorporated municipality to remain.

After the pre-vote public information session, a vote of electors is conducted 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 whose place of residence is in the municipality on election day

According to the LAEA, residents of another municipality, or who own property but whose primary place of residence is not in the municipality, are not eligible to vote. Refer to the LAEA for specific regulations concerning voter eligibility in a summer village.

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.

To vote, eligible electors must produce identification. Acceptable forms of identification can be found in the Voter Identification Requirements.

The vote asks electors to choose whether the municipality should remain in place with proposed changes, or dissolve and become a hamlet in the receiving municipality.

If a majority of electors vote for the municipality to remain (and implement changes), the Minister will issue directives the review municipality must comply with. If a majority of electors vote for the municipality to dissolve, the Minister must 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.

The Minister of Municipal Affairs initiated an expedited viability review of the Town of Gibbons in February 2026. This review started at the request of the Town of Gibbons council.

Current status

Municipal Affairs has developed the viability review report for the Town of Gibbons with input from the town and Sturgeon County. The report can be viewed online at Viability review report : Town of Gibbons.

The Minister has called for a vote of the town electors on the question of dissolution. The vote is an important factor the Minister will consider, along with the viability review report and other information, and will determine whether the town will remain a stand-alone municipality, or if dissolution will be recommended to the Lieutenant Governor in Council. Should Gibbons remain a town, the Minister will issue directives ordering the council to take actions, based on the viability review, that he considers appropriate to support the viability of the municipality.

Municipal Affairs will host a public information session to review the viability review report and provide information on the upcoming vote of electors. The presentation will conclude with a Q&A session for attendees.

The public information session will take place:

Date: June 10, 2026
Time: 7pm to 9pm
Location: Gibbons Community Cultural Centre, 5115 51 Street, Gibbons, Alberta  T0A 1N0

The information session will also be livestreamed at:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84724373955?pwd=yTNmYlrWroaIsHi89QNFaa3DucGnAN.1
Meeting ID: 847 2437 3955
Passcode: 764777
Please note, individuals attending the presentation online will not be able to ask questions. 

The information session will also be livestreamed. The link to the livestream will be added to this website prior to the event. Please note, individuals attending the presentation on YouTube will not be able to ask questions. 

Vote of the Electors

The vote of the electors on the question of dissolution has been set by Ministerial Order No. MSD: 025/26, signed by Minister Williams on April 20, 2026. This vote will be conducted as per the requirements of the Local Authorities Election Act.

The vote will take place:

Date: June 24, 2026
Time: 4 pm to 8 pm
Location: Gibbons Community Cultural Centre, 5115 51 Street, Gibbons, Alberta  T0A 1N0

Date: June 25, 2026
Time: 10 am to 4 pm
Location: Gibbons Community Cultural Centre, 5115 51 Street, Gibbons, Alberta  T0A 1N0

Electors will be asked the following question on the ballot:

Based on the findings of the Town of Gibbons viability review, which one of the two options below do you support for the future of Gibbons? (Select one only)

Option 1. The Town of Gibbons remains a town. 
Option 2. The Town of Gibbons dissolves and Gibbons becomes a hamlet in Sturgeon County.

A person is eligible to vote on this important question if the person:

• is at least 18 years old
• is a Canadian citizen
• resides in Alberta, and 
• the person’s place of residence on voting day is in the Town of Gibbons

Per the Local Authorities Election Act, special (mail-in) ballots are available to electors who are on the permanent electors register and who are unable to vote at the voting station on voting days. An elector may request their name be added to the permanent electors register, or apply for a special ballot, from the Returning Officer by mail, phone or email.

Mail:     
Attention: Returning Officer – Town of Gibbons Viability Vote17th Floor, 10155 102 Street, Edmonton, Alberta, T5J 4L4
Phone: Toll-free at 310-0000, then 780-427-2225
Email: [email protected]

It is the responsibility of the person requesting a special ballot to return the ballot package to the Returning Officer at the address above by 12 pm (noon) on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, to be counted in the vote.

For further information on voting procedures and identification requirements, please read How to Vote – Viability Review Vote of Electors.

Past activities

Alberta Municipal Affairs held a public information session on March 11, 2026. This session provided residents, property owners and other community members an opportunity to learn about the viability process and ask questions about the viability review.

• Town of Gibbons Viability Review: Initial Public Information Session presentation

A viability review was initiated for the Village of Carbon in July 2025. This review started because of a sufficient petition.

Current status

Alberta Municipal Affairs is collecting information from the Village of Carbon and the surrounding Kneehill County.

Alberta Municipal Affairs created an initial public information summary reviewing input provided by attendees at the initial public information session and through the survey.

• Village of Carbon Viability Review: Initial Public Information Summary

Past activities

Alberta Municipal Affairs held an initial public information session in Carbon on February 4, 2026. This session provided residents, property owners and other community members an opportunity to learn about the viability review process, discuss what would be included in the viability review report and provide initial input on the viability of the Village of Carbon. The ministry also shared a public survey with residents.

• Village of Carbon Viability Review: Initial Public Information Session presentation

A viability review was initiated for the Village of Donalda in July 2025. This review started at the request of the Minister of Municipal Affairs.

Current status

Alberta Municipal Affairs is collecting information from the Village of Donalda and the surrounding County of Stettler.

Past activities

Alberta Municipal Affairs held an initial public information session in Donalda on January 21, 2026. This session provided residents, property owners and other community member an opportunity to learn about the viability review process, discuss what will be included in the viability review report and provide initial input on the viability of the Village of Donalda. The ministry also shared a public survey with residents.

• Village of Donalda Viability Review: Initial Public Information Session presentation 

A viability review was initiated for the Village of Cremona in March 2025. This review started at the request of the Minister of Municipal Affairs.

Current status

With input from the Village of Cremona and the surrounding Mountain View County, Alberta Municipal Affairs is preparing a viability review report that will be shared with residents and property owners. Once the report has been distributed, the ministry will hold a pre-vote public information session to review the contents of the report prior to the vote on the question of dissolution. This vote will be conducted as per the requirements of the Municipal Government Act.

While initially scheduled for June 2026, due to delays in the village’s infrastructure audit, Alberta Municipal Affairs has chosen to delay the vote until September 2026. Once a new vote date is confirmed, the ministry will share this information with residents and electors by mail.

Past activities

Alberta Municipal Affairs held an initial public information session in Cremona on November 19, 2025. This session provided residents, property owners and other community members an opportunity to learn about the viability review process, discuss what will be included in the viability review report and provide initial input on the viability of the Village of Cremona. The ministry also shared an online public survey.

Additionally, following initial public engagement from October 2025 to January 2026, Alberta Municipal Affairs created an initial public information summary reviewing input provided by attendees at the initial public information session and through the survey.

Alberta Municipal Affairs held a mid-review public information session in Cremona on March 25, 2026. This session provided an update on the viability review process, discussed the contents of the Cremona viability review report, and gathered additional input on the development of the viability review report.

• Village of Cremona Viability Review: Initial Public Information Session presentation 
• Village of Cremona Viability Review: Initial Public Information Summary
• Village of Cremona Viability Review: Mid-Review Public Information Session presentation

A viability review was initiated for the Village of Empress in January 2026. This review started because of a sufficient petition.

Current status

Alberta Municipal Affairs is collecting information from the Village of Empress and the surrounding Special Areas.

Past activities

Alberta Municipal Affairs held an initial public information session in Empress on April 13, 2026. This session provided residents, property owners and other community members an opportunity to learn about the viability review process, discuss what will be included in the viability review report and provide initial input on the viability of the Village of Empress. The ministry also shared a public survey with residents.

• Village of Empress Viability Review: Initial Public Information Session presentation

The Summer Village of Ma-Me-O Beach voted to remain a summer village in September 2025. The Minister issued directives to the summer village to achieve viability and it must provide annual updates on the progress of the directives until June 2031.

Public notices and reports

• Summer Village of Ma-Me-O Beach Report

The Village of Bittern Lake voted to remain a village in April 2025. The Minister issued directives to the village to achieve viability and it must provide annual updates on the progress of the directives until June 2030.

Public notices and reports

• Village of Bittern Lake Report

The Village of Delia voted to remain a village in April 2025. The Minister issued directives to the village to achieve viability and it must provide annual updates on the progress of the directives until June 2030.

Public notices and reports

• Village of Delia Report 

The Village of Halkirk was dissolved to become a hamlet within the County of Paintearth on January 1, 2025, per Order in Council 362/2024.

The Village of Warner voted to remain a village in March 2022. The Minister issued directives to the village to achieve viability and it must provide annual updates on the progress of the directives until June 2027.

Public notices and reports

• Village of Warner Report

The Village of Cereal was dissolved and became a hamlet in Special Areas on January 1, 2021.

Public notices and reports

• Village of Cereal Report

The Village of Dewberry was dissolved and became a hamlet in the County of Vermilion River on January 1, 2021.

Public notices and reports

• Village of Dewberry Report

The Village of Hythe was dissolved and became a hamlet in the County of Grande Prairie on July 1, 2021.

Public notices and reports

• Village of Hythe Report

The Village of Wabamun was dissolved and became a hamlet in Parkland County on January 1, 2021.

Public notices and reports

• Village of Wabamun Report 

The Town of Granum was dissolved and became a hamlet in the Municipal District of Willow Creek on February 1, 2020.

Public notices and reports

• Town of Granum Report

The Town of Manning voted to remain a town in October 2020. The Minister issued directives to the town to achieve viability and it must provide annual updates on the progress of the directives until June 2025.

Public notices and reports

• Town of Manning Report

The Village of Bawlf voted to remain a village in October 2020. The Minister issued directives to the municipality to achieve viability and it must provide annual updates on the progress of the directives until June 2025.

Public notices and reports

• Village of Bawlf Report

The Village of Ferintosh was dissolved and became a hamlet in Camrose County on January 1, 2020.

Public notices and reports

• Village of Ferintosh Report

The Village of Gadsby was dissolved and became a hamlet in the County of Stettler on February 1, 2020.

Public notices and reports

• Village of Gadsby Report

The Town of Grande Cache was dissolved and became a hamlet in the Municipal District of Greenview on January 1, 2019.

Public notices and reports

• Town of Grande Cache Report

The Village of Berwyn voted to remain a village in May 2018 and was subject to directives until June 2023. The village has requested to continue annual reporting and the Minister has approved additional reporting until June 2026.

Public notices and reports

• Village of Berwyn Report

Based on input from the public and the Viability Review Team, the Minister chose not to conduct a vote for the Village of Champion and issued directives for the village until June 2023. The village met all directives and is no longer subject to ministry review.

Public notices and reports

• Village of Champion Report

The Village of Hussar voted to remain a village in October 2018 and was subject to directives until June 2023. The village met all directives and is no longer subject to ministry review.

Public notices and reports

• Village of Hussar Report

The Village of Innisfree voted to remain a village in November 2018 and was subject to directives until June 2023. The village met all directives and is no longer subject to ministry review.

Public notices and reports

• Village of Innisfree Report

The Village of Rycroft voted to remain a village in July 2018 and was subject to directives until June 2023. The village met all directives and is no longer subject to ministry review.

Public notices and reports

• Village of Rycroft Report

The Village of Hill Spring voted to remain a village in December 2017 and was subject to directives until June 2023. The village met all directives and is no longer subject to ministry review.

• Village of Hill Spring Report

Based on input from the Village of Clyde council and the Viability Review Team, the Minister chose not to conduct a vote and issued directives for the village until June 2021. The village met all directives and is no longer subject to ministry review.

Public notices and reports

• Village of Clyde Report