In the heart of southeastern Alberta’s grasslands lies Special Areas 2, 3, and 4. Special Areas is made up of the communities of Consort, Empress, Hanna, Oyen, Veteran, and Youngstown, and many farmers and ranchers who live in the surrounding Special Areas. Just a couple of hours away from major urban centres, Special Areas offers all the amenities of big-city life without the inconveniences of traffic and crowds.
The Special Areas Board was set up under the Special Areas Act in response to the extreme hardship of the depression in the 1930s. This region was first populated by settlers who braved the weather and harsh living conditions to carve out lives for themselves.
Since then, the Special Areas Board has been providing rural municipal government services and public land management to residents and businesses. The Board looks after roads and parks, provides water and emergency services, manages public land and community pastures, and develops economic and conservation strategies.
Living in the Special Areas is a unique experience. With ample land and accessible real estate prices, there are endless opportunities to make your dreams a reality, while still leaving plenty of time to relax on the front porch or explore the great outdoors. Get to know our region and discover why it’s a great place to start a business, raise a family, visit, or retire.
The Special Areas Board is committed to listening to residents and using feedback to guide decisions. Between May and September 2025, we asked residents to share their thoughts on quality of life, municipal services, governan...
Special Areas Advisory Council closed out the year with a three‑day meeting in Hanna, tackling issues ranging from healthcare and irrigation to road construction and waste management. The session marked the final gathering of...
The Special Areas Board is excited to share Mr. Jordon Christianson has accepted a temporary (two year) role as the Director of Regional Initiatives with the Special Areas Board. “Jordon’s work on these key priorities will he...
