Acting as an advisory body to Council, the Agricultural Services Board (ASB) provides vital expertise and resources to help manage weed, pest, soil and water conservation programs; assist in the control of livestock diseases; promote and develop agricultural policies; undertake Council-mandated projects; and assist with the preparation of the County’s Agricultural Services budget. The ASB is bound by the terms of the Agricultural Service Board Act. Bylaw 21-2017 was adopted in 2017, converting the ASB structure from Council as a whole to a committee that included local agricultural producers as integral members.

The purpose of the Assessment Review Board is to adjudicate assessment disputes between Lac Ste. Anne County and its assessed persons or taxpayers in an impartial, fair, and timely manner.

The mandate of the Emergency Advisory Committee is to provide a vital connection between County ratepayers and relevant County staff on matters of emergency preparedness and management. Established pursuant to the Emergency Management Act by County Bylaw 22-2014. The Emergency Advisory Committee meets at least once annually to review updates to the County’s Municipal Emergency Management Program of Planning and Preparedness. The committee may also advise Council on the status of the Emergency Management Program and any related initiatives.

The Enforcement Review Committee was established to review enforcement orders that have been issued by County Enforcement Officers at the request of ratepayers. Established by Bylaw 04-2015, the committee consists of three County Council members selected on a rotational basis. In accordance with the bylaw, a Council member must abstain from any hearing related to their own division. Members of Council will be selected for the Enforcement Review Committee by the Secretary on an as-needed basis. Meetings of the Enforcement Review Committee are held based on scheduled hearings. When a hearing is scheduled, the meeting at which the hearing will be heard is held in Council Chambers at 56521 Range Road 65. Members of the public are welcome to attend and observe these meetings.

With oversight into all aspects of County operation, the role of the Municipal Committee is to set policies, adopt bylaws, approve budgets, and approve or deny requests. Each Municipal Committee meeting tables many matters that must be heard and dealt with accordingly. Council does so in adherence to the Municipal Government Act, along with any other relevant municipal legislation as required. Municipal Committee meetings are normally held twice per month, but this schedule may be changed as required. Members of the public are welcome to attend and observe these meetings. Should a member of the public wish to address the Municipal Committee, an appointment must be booked at least eight working days prior to the meeting.

Established under the Municipal Government Act, Section 626, by Bylaw #26-2008, the Municipal Planning Commission is the purview of Lac Ste. Anne County Council as a whole. In general terms, the Municipal Planning Commission is in place to govern land use matters with respect to subdivision and development within the County. Beginning in 2001, the County trialled a schedule of additional meetings in the months of May, June, July, August and September (usually held on the first Wednesday of every month). This new schedule was designed to take pressure off regular Council meetings. Today, the County generally schedules Municipal Planning Commission meetings throughout the year.

The purpose of the Agricultural Service Board Provincial Committee is to achieve a collective voice for Agricultural Services Boards (ASB) across Alberta that would facilitate and represent both the diversity and commonalities of regional Agricultural Services Boards. The outcome of this representation includes better sharing of information and communication between the ASBs and Alberta Agriculture and Forestry regarding current issues and government policy. Councillor Giebelhaus was appointed to this committee several years ago and is currently still appointed. Regional representatives are elected biannually at the ASB Regional Meetings and serve for a term of two years.

The Alberta Beach Inter-municipal Development Plan Committee was established to create an Inter-municipal Development Plan (IDP) with the Village of Alberta Beach that also incorporated the Summer Villages of Sunset Point and Val Quentin. Planners reference this document when making recommendations to Council for managing or changing land use, and to address growth issues in these communities. Since the initial IDP was completed, the committee has met as required whenever development has occurred within the plan’s boundaries. Given that the Inter-municipal Development Plan has recently expired, County administrators are in the process of updating the plan. This next phase of the Inter-municipal Development Plan will be funded by a $215,000.00 Regional Collaboration Program Grant from the Province of Alberta.

The Alberta Recreational Lakes Committee is a collaborative inter-municipal initiative spearheaded by Alberta Environment and Parks. Formerly known as Central Alberta Recreational Lakes, the Alberta Recreational Lakes Committee provides an opportunity for stewards and stakeholders of lakes in Central Alberta to address common issues and concerns. Although there are no regularly scheduled committee meetings, an annual forum is hosted by different lake stewardship groups in Alberta such as Pigeon Lake, Sylvan Lake, Gull Lake, Lake Isle and Lake Wabamun. During their annual meeting, the committee’s mandate includes discussing the status of local environments, learning about emerging issues, and working toward maintaining and protecting lake and watershed health.

The Athabasca Watershed Council works in partnership with the Government of Alberta, stakeholders and indigenous peoples to achieve the three goals of the province’s Water for Life strategy: healthy aquatic ecosystems; reliable, quality water supplies for a sustainable economy; and safe, secure drinking water. This group works to build relationships, share information, and inform the planning and policy decisions that affect the Athabasca River watershed. The Athabasca Watershed Council is one of eleven provincial Watershed Planning and Advisory Councils designated by Alberta Environment and Parks. Vital stewards of Alberta’s major watersheds, Watershed Planning and Advisory Councils are independent, non-profit organizations that report on the health of our watersheds, lead collaborative planning, and facilitate education and stewardship activities.

Content pending.

The East End Bus Committee is a registered society whose purpose is to provide programming and transportation services to area seniors. Current society membership includes representation from Lac Ste. Anne County, the Village of Alberta Beach, the Town of Onoway, and Summer Villages, plus a member-at-large. Core business areas within the East End Bus Committee include scheduled shopping and appointment trips to Edmonton and Spruce Grove, and its Seniors in Motion excursion program that provides a social opportunity for participants to enjoy culture, recreation and entertainment by participating in area events, activities and facilities. The committee schedules its meetings approximately twenty-six times per year, rotating between the Town of Onoway and Village of Alberta Beach.

Lac Ste. Anne County has partnered with the Town of Mayerthorpe and Woodlands County to develop the West End Bus Committee and its subsequent programming. The current West End bus fleet includes a 2011 Mercedes Sprinter with wheelchair lift; a 2009 Dodge Sprinter; and a 2001 Dodge Minivan with wheelchair lift. The West End Bus Committee’s programs are designed to facilitate social interaction and recreational opportunities for regional senior citizens. Specifically, the Seniors Excursion Program provides transportation and admission at subsidized rates to various events, activities and shopping excursions. In addition, the program provides seniors and persons with disabilities with cost-reduced access to a wheelchair-accessible minivan to attend medical appointments.

Lac Ste. Anne County is justifiably proud of the three campgrounds it owns and operates (Paddle River Dam Campground, Lessard Lake Campground and Sangudo Riverside Campground), and has formed a committee to ensure their optimal upkeep. The Campground Committee provides recommendations and guidance to Council regarding the needs of each of these County campgrounds. Stewardship of the County’s open spaces and boat launch areas is also the purview of the Campground Committee.

Funded by Western Economic Diversification Canada, Community Futures has supported rural economic diversification since 1986. A community-based non-profit staffed by business professionals and guided by a volunteer Board of Directors, Community Futures provides a range of small business services and business management tools for those seeking to start, expand, franchise or sell a business. This group hosts specialized business programs, organizes exciting regional business events, and actively works with community and business leaders to foster rural economic growth. Given the importance of small business to Alberta’s shifting economy, one of the primary focuses of Community Futures is to foster entrepreneurial development by providing financial and technical support to small business ventures.

Funded by Western Economic Diversification Canada, Community Futures has supported rural economic diversification since 1986. A community-based non-profit staffed by business professionals and guided by a volunteer Board of Directors, Community Futures provides a range of small business services and business management tools for those seeking to start, expand, franchise or sell a business. This group hosts specialized business programs, organizes exciting regional business events, and actively works with community and business leaders to foster rural economic growth. Given the importance of small business to Alberta’s shifting economy, one of the primary focuses of Community Futures is to foster entrepreneurial development by providing financial and technical support to small business ventures.

Alexis Nakota Sioux Nation is an integral part of the community and the indigenous consultation process. As such, County Council deemed it advantageous to form a committee that would deal directly with the indigenous population and create a go-forward working relationship.

As a pioneer taxonomist/botanist, George Pegg made major contributions to the field of botany in the early 1900s with his vast pressed plant collection, his curation of an extensive botanical book library, and his cultivation of a unique and spectacular garden — which is now a provincially-designated Historic Resource. Following his death, the George Pegg Botanic Garden Society was formed in 1988 to preserve the site and promote the legacy of the Pegg Family. In 1990, the Pegg family donated the 12.6-acre homestead site to Lac Ste. Anne County. The County has an agreement assigning operational control of the garden and associated historic resource to the society. However, due to the County having a vested interest in this property, one member of Council is appointed to the society.

The County is involved in two economic initiatives — the first of which is Growth Alberta, established to promote small businesses in County communities that in turn support sustainable regional growth. Membership in Growth Alberta is local, but encompasses a vast area comprised of Lac Ste. Anne County, Woodlands County and Barrhead County, as well as the Towns of Swan Hills, Whitecourt, Mayerthorpe, Village of Clyde, and some school regions. Membership funds aid in facilitating special projects. Growth Alberta promotes an annual Small Business Awards, and a Youth Expo. The second initiative is WILD Alberta, which promotes travel and tourism in the region by way of annual publications that highlight area attractions such as rodeos, festivals, concerts, Canada Day celebrations, fairs and parades.

The mission of community-based watershed stewardship group Lac La Nonne Enhancement and Protection Association is to preserve and enhance Lac La Nonne and its surrounding habitat for current and future generations to enjoy. Established as a not-for-profit association in 1985, Lac La Nonne Enhancement and Protection Association is dedicated to engaging its members in projects and activities aimed at improving Lac La Nonne and its watershed. In addition, this group strives to educate its members and the public at large about the importance of responsible management of the region’s natural areas through workshops, tours and newsletters. The association’s membership is derived from the campers, cottagers, residents and visitors who inhabit area subdivisions, summer villages, campgrounds and resorts.

The Lac Ste. Anne County Library Board consists of two Councillors and six members-at-large representing Alberta Beach, Darwell, Mayerthorpe, Onoway, Rich Valley and Sangudo. The board is primarily responsible for the operations of the Darwell Public Library, Rich Valley Public Library and Sangudo Public Library. Each of these County service points has a society which, through agreement with the board, oversees the day to day operations of their specific library. Because County residents participate at libraries located within urban neighbour entities, the board also provides funding to the Mayerthorpe Public Library, Alberta Beach Municipal Library and Onoway Public Library. The board is mandated to meet five times per year with meetings typically established at the first meeting each year.

The Ste. Anne Emergency Response Center (ERC), located in the Town of Mayerthorpe at 4814-42 Avenue, opened May 15, 1993. The facility has been jointly owned and operated by Lac Ste. Anne County and the Town of Mayerthorpe since its inception. The ERC Main Facility is occupied by the municipalities’ respective Fire Service departments, as well as a leased space to Associated Ambulance & Services (Whitecourt) Ltd. Essentially, the ERC facilitates emergency response capability in the west end of Lac Ste. Anne County and the Town of Mayerthorpe, for both Fire and Ambulance services. A secondary facility, the ERC Training Facility, provides space for the region’s emergency services training needs. Each municipality contributes two (2) Elected Councillors, one (1) Administrator, and jointly engage the County/Town Fire Chief, comprising the ERC Committee responsible for ongoing management of the facility. The primary role of the ERC Committee is to make recommendations to their respective Councils in relation to the operations and budgetary management from year to year, with each municipality contributing to, and sharing, the revenue/loss.

The Lac Ste. Anne Foundation helps seniors, individuals and families find adequate, suitable and affordable housing. This group is responsible for ensuring the provision of safe and caring accommodations to citizens at an affordable cost, with priority of service given to those residing within the Foundation’s geographical jurisdiction. The Foundation currently provides housing management to 151 lodge/supportive living units; 113 senior self-contained units; and 22 community housing units. In addition to managing affordable housing matters, the Lac Ste. Anne Foundation also provides program administration for the Direct to Tenant Rent Supplement and Private Landlord Rent Supplement program in Whitecourt, Mayerthorpe, Sangudo, Alberta Beach, Gunn and Onoway.

The Lake Isle, Lac Ste. Anne Water Quality Management Society is a non-profit society dedicated to promoting the protection of Lake Isle and Lac Ste. Anne. The society’s goal is to mitigate any future deterioration of the County’s water. Types of activities include outreach and education; planning, project and program development; and research and monitoring. Reporting to the members of the society, this committee typically holds ten meetings per year at the discretion of the Chairman.

The Mayerthorpe Inter-municipal Development Committee was established to create an Inter-municipal Development Plan and Area Structure Plan between Lac Ste. Anne County and the Town of Mayerthorpe. Since forming the committee, the Inter-municipal Development Plan component has been created and is pending approval. Upon its approval, the subsequent Area Structure Plan and Cost-Sharing Agreement will be developed.

The Millar Western Public Advisory Committee is composed of representatives of stakeholder groups including towns and counties, recreational organizations, other industrial forest users, contractors, aboriginal communities and area residents. Meeting quarterly and performing one field tour each summer, this committee monitors the company’s environmental performance in meeting government-mandated standards in Millar Western’s logging replanting and pulp operations. This group also advises on forest management issues, reviews operating plans, and discusses a wide range of topics related to Millar Western’s forest and manufacturing operations. In addition to committee members and stakeholder representatives, these meetings are also attended by neutral facilitator; and Millar Western public relations, field and mill manager representatives.

As the Watershed Planning and Advisory Council for the North Saskatchewan River Basin, this committee is involved in many aspects of watershed management, providing insight and advice to municipalities, government, stewardship groups and others. The board is comprised of eighteen directors; five of whom are municipal. Lac Ste. Anne County’s major role in the committee is its participation in the Sturgeon River Watershed Alliance as a sub-watershed of the North Saskatchewan Watershed. The North Saskatchewan Watershed Alliance Committee is one of eleven provincial Watershed Planning and Advisory Councils designated by Alberta Environment and Parks.

The Onoway Inter-municipal Development Committee was established to create an Inter-municipal Development Plan and Area Structure Plan between Lac Ste. Anne County and the Town of Onoway. Since forming the committee, the Inter-municipal Development Plan component has been created and is pending approval. Upon its approval, the subsequent Area Structure Plan and Cost-Sharing Agreement will be developed.

The partnership of six municipalities that initiated the Onoway Regional Medical Clinic will soon be established as a municipally-controlled corporation. The clinic’s Board of Directors provides high-level strategic direction to the clinic. Terms of reference for this group are noted in the Pre-incorporation Agreement signed by all participating municipalities.

The Physician Recruitment Committee represents a joint initiative between the Town of Onoway, the Village of Alberta Beach, and other Summer Villages within Lac Ste. Anne County. Each municipality provides funding to support this initiative and to retain a physician in the east end of the County.

The Sturgeon River Watershed Alliance is an inter-municipal partnership with a mandate to protect and improve the health of the Sturgeon River Watershed. The Sturgeon River Watershed Alliance includes a Steering Committee comprised of elected officials, plus a Technical Advisory Committee consisting of staff from participating municipalities. The alliance is also supported by the North Saskatchewan Watershed Alliance and Alberta Environment and Parks. The primary objectives of the Steering Committee are to build on the findings of the Sturgeon River State of the Watershed report by overseeing the development of a management plan for the Sturgeon River Watershed; and to work consistently and collaboratively to implement the management plan recommendations.

Comprised of Lac Ste. Anne County Council members, the Union Negotiating Committee works collaboratively with union representatives to negotiate contract terms for unionized employees in order to ensure fairness and equity for all. The frequency of these meetings and negotiations is based solely upon the terms of each given contract.

The Upper Athabasca Watershed Council is a Regional Advisory Council that represents municipalities and other groups regarding all aspects of the Upper Athabasca watershed. This council provides advice based on local insights and perspectives regarding current and future land use activities and challenges in the region. It is important that Lac Ste. Anne County has representation on this Watershed Council as well as that of North Saskatchewan; however, the Upper Athabasca Council is not as far along in developing its plan. A regional advisory council is composed of a cross-section of individuals who live, work, recreate and/or have an interest in the region, and can strategically consider what is best for the entire region at a holistic level.

The West Inter-Lake District (WILD) Water Commission was originally formed to explore the possibility of providing potable water to the south and easterly portion of Lac Ste. Anne County. The members forming the Board of Directors for the WILD Water Commission are from Lac Ste. Anne County, Town of Onoway, Alberta Beach, Wabamun, Parkland County, and each of the fourteen Summer Villages within the boundaries of Lac Ste. Anne County, along with Alexis Nakota Sioux Nation. This commission has successfully completed two key phases of this initiative to date. The first phase resulted in potable water being routed to Wabamun, and the recently completed Phase II has brought water to Onoway and Alberta Beach. The commission is presently working on planning and designing Phase III of the project. The commission meets monthly to discuss operations and planning, with the board representatives reporting back to their respective Councils.

The Darwell Wastewater Lagoon Commission authority was established when the Darwell Lagoon was expanded with the cooperation of the Summer Villages of Silver Sands and South View. Meetings are held as required to discuss the operation and expansion of the lagoon.

The Highway 43 East Waste Commission is a regional waste management services commission. It is a standalone business entity that works jointly with the Village of Alberta Beach, the Towns of Mayerthorpe and Onoway, the Hamlet of Sangudo and twelve Summer Villages in a regional cost-shared recycling program. The Commission holds regular meetings approximately every six weeks, which deal primarily with operational management of its regional solid waste site near Gunn.

The Board of Directors for the North 43 Lagoon Commission is comprised of Council members from Lac Ste. Anne County and the Summer Villages of Yellowstone, Ross Haven and Castle Island. This commission was established to manage the operation and maintenance of a sewage lagoon north of Lac Ste. Anne Lake. The commission meets every second month to discuss the maintenance and operation of the lagoon. Although the directors report back to each respective Council, the commission is empowered to operate with autonomy, making decisions regarding the lagoon’s management that are independent of any of the municipalities represented.