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.
Special Areas hosted an information session in Cereal on Wednesday, April 22 at 7 pm. This public meeting shared options related to the operation of the CJ Peacock Centre, as well as answering questions the community had rega...
Special Areas completed annual ratepayer meetings on June 30, 2026, hosting meetings throughout May and June. The tour covered more than 1,200 kilometres, giving residents across the region an opportunity to meet with their A...
Congratulations to all the families in Special Areas who received the 2026 BMO Farm Family Award. Special Area No. 2 – WaltonFamily (Walton Land & Cattle) Special Area No. 3 – Andrew Family (Andrew Ranches) Th...
