Partners in Prosperity:
congratulations to the new and returning ministers
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We are looking forward to working with Premier Danielle Smith, new and returning members to Cabinet, and members of the Capital Region Caucus. The EMRB is the Government of Alberta’s key partner in prosperity—what is in the best interests of the Edmonton Metropolitan Region is in the best interests of the province as a whole.
In the weeks and months ahead, members of the EMRB will be engaging with specific ministries on mutual priorities, including the Honourable Rebecca Schulz, Minister of Municipal Affairs, the Honourable Nate Horner, Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation, the Honourable Devin Dreeshen, Minister of Transportation and Economic Corridors, and the Honourable Brian Jean, Minister of Jobs, Economy, and Northern Development. Working together, we are confident we can build a stronger economy that supports vibrant communities with an unparalleled quality of life.
Click here to view the Premier’s announcement of the new cabinet.
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In the Spotlight:
EMRB’s award-winning growth plan, Re-imagine. Plan. Build.
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Our Region is among the youngest and fastest growing regions in all of Canada, generating $105 billion in GDP. We are the only table where 13 municipalities come together to undertake integrated long-term regional planning to prepare for an additional one million people and 470,000 jobs to take root in the Region in the next 25 to 30 years.
We know that regional prosperity and a high quality of life come from one place: the relentless pursuit of common goals and to implement our award-winning growth plan, Re‑imagine. Plan. Build.
Through the growth plan, we prioritize vibrant and sustainable communities. We create the conditions for the Region to be economically competitive on the global stage; we ensure the effective movement of goods, services, and people; and we promote compact growth and the protection of our natural living systems; we also ensure the wise management of agricultural resources and the promotion of value-added agriculture. By creating a Region that is visionary and world-leading, investment increases, and economic efficiency grows— adding jobs and growing our economy.
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Planning for Generations to Come:
growth plan five-year interim review
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We recognize that planning for the future never stops. We must continue to measure and track our progress and effectiveness in achieving the outcomes of the growth plan—a framework for responsible growth. It is imperative that we remain grounded in our data.
This year marks the start of our five-year interim review of the growth plan, with Mayor Heron as Chair and Mayor Acker as Vice-Chair leading a dedicated task force. With the assistance of a technical working group and outside consultants, Applications Management Consulting and Gary Gordon and Associates, work on the interim review is well underway.
The review includes updating population and employment projections to 2044. By looking at our growth rate and where this growth is occurring and reviewing our key performance indicators, we will be able to identify gaps and opportunities for improvement. The Board will have an opportunity to consider if amendments to the growth plan are needed. The interim review is not an extensive review of the growth plan, and will in fact set the foundation for when the Board completes the 10-year comprehensive review in 2025‑27. The interim review is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2023.
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The Art of the Possible:
seeking regional solutions to solid waste
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Our Region is foreseeing a million more residents within the next 25 to 30 years – the municipal services needed to keep pace with this future growth are significant. More specifically, how will we accommodate the solid waste of a million more residents?
With organics making up about half the waste we generate, costing the average Canadian household $1,766 on wasted food each year, the EMRB’s solid waste collaborative is focusing its efforts on developing a regional organics strategy.
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The first step in the process is to develop a data strategy to ensure we have reliable data. The data strategy will collect solid waste data from our partners on what we are currently generating. Once completed, this
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trusted, seamless sharing of solid waste data will provide a consistent base to move forward to the next phase—a well-designed and coordinated regional organics strategy.
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We can shift the way we think about organics, from a waste that must be managed to a resource that should be maximized. Canada is sitting on an untapped $200 billion sustainable economic development opportunity
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for forestry, agriculture, and municipal solid waste per year. In its May 2020 report “The Bio Revolution: Innovations transforming economies, societies, and our lives,” McKinsey Global Institute wrote: “The direct economic impact of the Bio Revolution could be up to $4 trillion a year over the next 10 to 20 years.” Organic material can serve a wide variety of purposes, including creating quality compost or biofuels and even making new products such as bioplastics.
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Congratulations:
announcing the newly appointed appeal committee members
We are delighted to announce that we have named 12 outstanding individuals to the inaugural Appeal Committee roster. These members are external to the organization and are highly qualified individuals that reflect a diverse skillset and experience, with strong rural and urban perspectives.
The role of this arm’s length independent committee is to conduct a hearing and issue a written decision with reasons, should EMRB not be able to resolve a formal dispute. You can find short profiles of our committee members here.
The establishment of the committee was the final step in enabling the implementation of the dispute resolution and appeal process. This process, which focuses on dialogue and mediation as the first steps to resolving a dispute before triggering an appeal hearing, is critical to ensuring the Board’s smooth, efficient operation.
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The Relentless Pursuit of Common Goals:
a vision of what we can accomplish together
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Our Region has long been Indigenous meeting grounds, and EMRB boundaries sit within the territories and traditional lands of many Nations, including:
- Kipohtakaw (Alexander First Nation)
- Maskekosihk (Enoch Cree Nation)
- Paul First Nation
At the EMRB, we recognize that we have a role to play in reconciliation. Through increased relationship building with Indigenous communities and by better understanding their diverse needs and interests, we will together build a better Region and a better future for all residents. We know that reconciliation is a journey, and through our work, we are committed to building meaningful, long-lasting relationships with, and learning from, Indigenous communities by seeking opportunities to achieve common goals.
To that end, we are pleased to announce that the EMRB has partnered with the Town of Devon to benefit from the support of Mitch Wincentaylo, Indigenous Engagement Coordinator. Mitch will provide advice and help connect EMRB with Indigenous communities in and around the Edmonton Metropolitan Region.
According to the 2021 Canadian Census, the Edmonton Census Metropolitan Area (CMA) had the second largest Indigenous population after Winnipeg CMA. Among large urban centres, the Indigenous population grew most in Edmonton (+11,400, +15.0%) between 2016 and 2021.
Learn more about Treaty 6 First Nations, the Métis Nation and
the TRC Calls to Action.
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EMRB 2022 Annual Charity Golf Tournament:
in support of the Leduc & District Food Bank
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Thanks to the Town of Devon for hosting this year’s successful tournament. Between our generous golfers, partners, and sponsors from across the Region, the Leduc & District Food Bank will receive an estimated $10,000 once all the funds are collected.
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