Due to a communications embargo imposed by the Province, the County has had zero insight into the secretive assessment model review process that took place over the spring and summer of 2020. The County was granted mere days in which to engage local Ministers and MLAs before Legislature breaks for the summer.
Additionally, the County has a four-week time window (again, during the dead of summer) for any advocacy efforts regarding this highly consequential matter. Below is a timeline of events to date. The County will add to this timeline as events unfold.
January - July, 2020
Province Invites Oil & Gas Advocates to the Table
The Government of Alberta led a review of the assessment model for oil and gas properties.
According to the Government of Alberta, the review was intended to “modernize” the assessment model for oil and gas properties to enhance industry competitiveness while ensuring municipal viability.
January - July, 2020
January - July, 2020
Province Snubs Municipal Leaders
Notably, no municipal leaders were involved in the Government of Alberta's assessment model review. However, the following organizations were invited to the table:
- Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers
- Explorers and Producers Association of Canada
- Canadian Energy Pipeline Association
- Canadian Property Taxpayers Association
January - July, 2020
Province Imposes Gag Order on Proceedings
Despite the County's Avocacy group Rural Municipalities of Alberta (RMA) being present at the assessment model review, the Province placed a communications embargo on the proceedings.
Not only was the County was given no opportunity to participate; the County had no foreknowledge that such a review was taking place.
January - July, 2020
July 23, 2020
Province Briefs Ministers and Decision-Makers
The Government of Alberta finalized potential recommended changes to the model and briefed relevant provincial ministers and decision-makers on its recommendations.
July 24, 2020
County Gets the News
The County learns of the Province's assessment model review from its advocacy body Rural Municipalities of Alberta (RMA) via a webinar.
The content of the webinar was met with universal concern and dissent by the municipal leaders present.
July 24, 2020
July 24, 2020
Advocacy Period Begins
The County is given just one week to engage Ministers and MLAs before they break for the summer.
The County is given four weeks to advocate in opposition to the Province's assessment model review; again, in the middle of summer with no Ministers or MLAs present.
July 30, 2020
Reeve Calls Special Meeting of Council
Lac Ste. Anne County Reeve Joe Blakeman called a Special Meeting of Council to ratify its plan of action in opposition to the Province's assessment model review.
July 30, 2020
Ratepayers are Strongly Encouraged to Get Involved
HONOURABLE TRACY ALLARD (UCP)
Minister of Municipal Affairs
Municipal Affairs
132 Legislature Building, 10800 - 97 Avenue
Edmonton, AB, Canada
T5K 2B6
Phone: 780.427.3744
Fax: 780.422.3744
Email: minister.municipalaffairs@gov.ab.ca
Facebook: Tracy Allard
MR. SHANE GETSON (UCP)
MLA for Lac Ste. Anne-Parkland
Constituency Office
#18, 4708 Lac Ste. Anne Trail North
P.O. Box 248
Onoway, Alberta T0E 1V0
Phone:780.967.0760
Fax:780.967.4338
Email:LacSteAnne.Parkland@assembly.ab.ca