About the Capital Region Plan

The board

How will this regional blueprint be drafted? A regional board of all 25 municipalities will create a long-range regional growth management plan by 2010.

How will it work? By making decisions based on a majority vote with consideration to population. At least 17 of the 25 members representing at least 75 per cent of the region’s population need to agree before a decision is approved.

That means municipalities must co-operate and seek consensus. It also means the City of Edmonton, with 70 per cent of the region’s population, will need the support of least 16 of its neighbours for a decision to move forward.

More information about the board

Cost-sharing

Municipalities will not be expected to share revenues. However, municipalities can identify a project benefiting the region where cost sharing may be appropriate.

The province will work with the board to develop a cost-sharing framework that would reflect the benefits received and ensures no municipality pays more than they are able. The province will continue to fund its share of required projects and will continue to advocate for federal funding.

The regional plan

The plan will deal with four main priorities that impact the region.

1. Regional land-use planning
   identifying residential, commercial, industrial and protected areas and core infrastructure including roads, rail, pipelines, transit and utility corridors.
2. Inter-municipal transit
   planning a public transportation network to include future high-growth areas.
3. Information services
   developing an electronic system for municipalities to share planning information.
4. Affordable housing
   determining the location and quantity of low-income and market-affordable housing required.

Secondary priorities include planning and monitoring of water and waste management, policing, emergency services, social services, recreation and economic development.

The plan will only apply to regional issues affecting more than one municipality.

The province’s role

The Alberta government will take a leadership role in regional planning by:

• providing start-up funding and ongoing support to the board;
• sharing transportation plans and policies on process water for industries;
• advocating for federal funding;
• designating utility corridors;
• determining roles and responsibilities for ambulance services;
• continuing to work on housing, workforce challenges and environmental standards for air emissions and protection of land, water and ecosystems; and
• approving plans developed by the board.

What will change?

• Municipalities will have an effective way to identify regional initiatives, make decisions and resolve disputes.
• Future needs can be identified and addressed.
• Combined expertise of a regional board will benefit municipalities.
• Future conflict and costly duplication will be minimized.
• Municipalities will be more effective in bringing issues to the provincial and federal governments.

What will stay the same?

• Residents will continue to be served by existing municipal governments.
• Residents will continue to elect their own municipal councils.
• Residents will continue to pay property taxes and fees determined and collected by their own municipalities.
• Municipalities will continue to determine and provide services for their communities.
• Local bylaws and licensing requirements will remain in effect.
• Existing approved municipal plans will go ahead.