Alberta Municipal Affairs is a ministry of the Executive Council of Alberta. Its major responsibilities include assisting municipalities in the provision of local government, administering a safety system for the construction and maintenance of buildings and equipment, and managing Alberta's network of municipal and library system boards.[1]
As of December 2010, the Minister for Municipal Affairs was Hector Goudreau.[2]
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The Municipal Affairs ministry was established on December 20, 1911, following the example set in Saskatchewan, with the purpose of implementing the new municipal legislation regarding incorporation of towns, villages, rural municipal districts, improvement districts and cities.[3]
Legislation passed in 1968, such as the Municipal Government Act[4] and Local Authorities Election Act[5], further improved and consolidated the provision of local government in the province.
On December 15, 2006, the new ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing was created from Alberta Municipal Affairs and Seniors and Community Supports. Libraries, community and voluntary sector services, previously under the authority of Alberta Community Development, were amalgamated in the new ministry.[6]
On March 12, 2008, Premier Stelmach reverted Municipal Affairs and Housing back to Municipal Affairs by moving the responsibilities over housing and the voluntary sector to the new ministries of Housing and Urban Affairs and Culture and Community Spirit respectively.[7]
The Department of Alberta Municipal Affairs includes "Local Government Services" and "Public Safety".
Local Government Services provide support, advice and other assistance to Alberta's urban, rural and specialized municipalities.
Branches of the service are:
Public Safety regards safe buildings, equipment and facilities and emergency response, regulated by the Safety Codes Act. [8]
Public Safety is comprised by:
The Municipal Government Board is an independent Board that has jurisdiction granted by the Municipal Government Act. The Municipal Government Board exists to rule on matters such as appeals/complaints resulting from property assessments, intermunicipal disputes and annexation recommendations.
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