Special Areas Advisory Council met on September 25 for their last regular meeting prior to the October municipal election. Neal Roes, Advisory Councillor for Special Area No. 2 – Subdivision 2, is not standing for re-election, so this was the last meeting of this group of elected representatives. Shaune Kovitch, Chair of the Special Areas Board, thanked Neal for his dedication and commitment to serving his community over the past twelve years on Advisory Council. More information on the election for Special Area No. 2 – Subdivision 2 is available at https://specialareas.ab.ca/elections/.

Trent Caskey, Director of Property Administration, shared an update on the 2023 Tax Recovery Land Sale (TRLS). There continues to be strong interest from residents and leaseholders; over 950 quarters of land have been applied for under the current tax recovery sale as of this fall. Approved in July 2023, this policy gives eligible leaseholders in the Special Areas an option to purchase up to four quarters (640 acres) of municipal tax recovery land within their holdings. This policy is in effect until July 16, 2026; leaseholders who wish to determine if they are eligible should contact their local district office prior to the policy expiring.

Darren Jones, Director of Finance and Administration, confirmed 2025 expenditures are expected to be close to budgeted levels. Renewable energy projects have increased revenues because of growth in linear assessment, strengthening Special Areas financial position. There is pressure on the Special Areas Board to support services which have been traditionally a provincial responsibility, including  healthcare and provincial policing. The group discussed the need to determine clear funding priorities moving forward.

The opportunities and challenges facing medical clinics in the Special Areas was a key area of focus for this meeting, including Consort, Hanna and Oyen. Advisory Council members who represent Special Areas on each medical clinic board shared updates on their projects and programs. The Consort & District Medical Centre Society (Consort medical clinic) reported the Nurse Practitioner pilot project is continuing to see great success, with strong community support for this type of healthcare delivery model. The Advisory Councillor who sits on the Hanna and District Medical Corporation (Hanna medical clinic) shared due to the recent passing of Dr. Mdawe, a new family doctor is being recruited to join the clinic. Finally, an update on the construction of the new doctor’s clinic in Oyen was shared from the Big Country Medical Dental Board (Oyen medical clinic).

Jordon Christianson provided an update on the work he is doing on behalf of Special Areas related to regional health assessment. There are concerns in many areas along the eastern side of the province, and the group is working to put forward recommendations to the province later this year. Advisory Council discussed how challenging recruiting medical professionals is for rural remote regions like the Special Areas. The group confirmed how critical it is to have locally accessible healthcare services and highlighted the need for a regional approach to healthcare worker recruitment and incentive programs moving forward.

Brent Fecho, Superintendent of Roads & Equipment, shared an update on the 2025 planned road program. Crews this season have been managing through a number of challenges, including significant delays from unusually wet weather throughout the summer. As a result, several projects have been  deferred into 2026. Crews have taken advantage of the warmer fall weather, focusing on completing current projects and extending the construction season where possible.

Later that afternoon, Allan Stober, CAO of Acadia Foundation Seniors Housing, toured Advisory Council through the 14-bed dementia and assisted living unit being constructed in Oyen.

This project is a partnership between the Special Areas Board, the Acadia Foundation, and the Government of Alberta. Construction is over 60% complete and should be completed by spring 2026. Once operational, this facility will provide dementia care and supportive living services to the region, allowing residents who require higher levels of care to remain closer to family and friends.

The next meeting of the Advisory Council is planned for after the October 20 municipal election.

For more information on Advisory Council visit https://specialareas.ab.ca/about/board-and-advisory-council/.