Clearwater County officials are set to attend the fall Rural Municipalities of Alberta (RMA) conference in early November.
RMA conference, which is held twice a year in the fall and spring, gives rural leaders a chance to network, take in breakout sessions, and bring forth resolutions which the RMA will lobby the provincial government for.
While Clearwater County will not be bringing any resolutions to the upcoming conference, Reeve Michelle Swanson said the county was asked to second a motion from Mountainview County.
The resolution is in regards to changes for water license approvals, including the use of fresh water for fracking.
If approved, it would call on the provincial government to:
- “develop alternatives to the use of fresh water for hydraulic fracking”
- “require the oil and gas industry to reduce water use proportional to all other users if drought restrictions are implemented”
A total of 21 resolutions from counties in every corner of the province have been proposed. Swanson says just about every resolution contains touchpoints that most rural municipalities can support.
She adds, issues like housing, affordability and health care are issues that affect everyone in the province — whether rural or urban.
Clearwater County most recently brought forward a successful resolution to the March 2019 conference titled Reinstatement of the Municipal Officer’s Expense Allowance.
Among all scheduled events, Swanson says she looks forward to ministerial forums, where municipalities get a chance to speak directly with provincial ministers such as Minister of Health Adriana LaGrange, or Finance Minister Nate Horner.
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith is scheduled to address the delegation, while former The National anchor Peter Mansbridge will be the keynote speaker.
The RMA goes Nov. 4-7 at the Edmonton Convention Centre.
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