The business plan for the three years commencing April 1, 2006 was prepared under my direction in accordance with the Government Accountability Act and the government's accounting policies. All of the government's policy decisions as of February 23, 2006 with material economic or fiscal implications of which I am aware have been considered in preparing the business plan.

The Ministry's priorities outlined in the business plan were developed in the context of the government's business and fiscal plans. I am committed to achieving the planned results laid out in this business plan.

[Original Signed]

Rob Renner, Minister of Municipal Affairs
February 28, 2006

THE MINISTRY

Major responsibilities include helping municipalities provide accountable, well-managed, responsive, and effective local government for Albertans; administering a safety system that promotes fire protection and strives to ensure buildings and equipment are constructed and maintained to safe standards; and managing provincial emergency management programs and supporting municipalities, so they are prepared to deal with major emergencies and disasters.

The Ministry also includes the Municipal Government Board, an independent, quasi-judicial board that conducts hearings on matters defined in the Municipal Government Act; the Special Areas Board that provides municipal services and long-term land management for three special areas in southeast Alberta; and National Park Improvement Districts that provide limited municipal services.

Primary clients and stakeholders include municipalities and their related organizations and associations, organizations accredited under the Safety Codes Act, and industry-based safety and emergency management groups. The Ministry consults and works with the local government sector, delegated authorities, the public, industry, and other provincial and federal government departments as an integral and ongoing part of its activities.

Viable, responsive, and well-managed local governments and a public safety system that results in safe buildings, equipment and facilities, and effective emergency management.

Municipal Affairs works in partnership with Alberta's municipalities, other provincial government departments, our federal partners, local authorities, various organizations focused on local matters, and the private sector to ensure Albertans live in safe, well-managed communities and are served by open, effective, accountable and well-managed local governments.

As a Ministry, we value and support honesty, fairness, professionalism, and accountability, while focusing on exceptional service for our clients. We value our staff and their contributions of innovation, creativity, collaboration and open communication. These elements are key in achieving our Ministry's vision.

This plan supports the following four goals in the three-year Government of Alberta (GoA) 2006-09 Strategic Business Plan that are aligned with Opportunity 4: Making Alberta the best place to live, work and visit:

• Goal 8: Alberta will have a financially stable, open and accountable government.
• Goal 9: Alberta will have strong and effective partnerships with municipal, provincial, territorial, federal and foreign governments.
• Goal 10: Alberta will be a fair and safe place to work, live and raise families.
• Goal 14: Alberta will have a supportive and sustainable infrastructure that promotes growth and enhances quality of life. In support of Goals 8 and 14, Municipal Affairs works with municipalities to provide financial support.

In support of Goals 9 and 10, the Ministry partners with stakeholders to promote a comprehensive safety system, an effective emergency management program and well-managed local governments.

Municipal Affairs strives to fulfill its mandate of ensuring that Albertans live in safe, well-managed communities. Rapid growth, shifting demographics, reliance on technology, and the vulnerability of a resource-based economy all impact local government operations. Industry clustering, potential threats to security, complex regulatory frameworks and compliance requirements, and a shortage of skilled labour are challenges that impact Municipal Affairs' business activities. The Ministry business plan includes strategies to respond to Albertans' priorities. Four opportunities and challenges have been identified that may affect business plan outcomes:

With the ongoing support of partners, the Ministry is committed to addressing new opportunities and challenges, accommodating new technologies, and developing effective solutions to meet the changing needs and priorities of Albertans.

A key priority for the Ministry is to work with municipal partners to reassess and better define the roles and responsibilities of municipal governments and their relationship with the provincial government. Subsequently, the most appropriate funding vehicles that affect these roles and responsibilities will be determined. Increased clarity regarding roles and responsibilities will enable each order of government to more efficiently and effectively deliver the services for which it is responsible.
Objective: An understanding that clearly delineates which order of government is best suited for delivering which services, as a result of the Ministry working with municipal partners and the municipal associations.

Local and world events have emphasized the need to enhance existing provincial government emergency management and develop provincial and local capabilities to deal with major emergencies and disasters.
Objective: Alberta has in place an effective emergency management system and partnerships to ensure its citizens and infrastructure are safe from all hazards and that response and prevention activities are planned.

The Ministry is working with other ministries, in the context of the land-use framework, to keep land-use policies current, so they meet the challenges and needs of municipalities and Albertans in a way that balances the interests of all parties.
Objective: An updated set of land-use policies that are coordinated with and supported by affected provincial ministries and municipal associations, as a result of the Ministry working with other ministries and municipal partners.

The Ministry continues to encourage and facilitate partnerships involving joint planning, innovation and common opportunities including shared resourcing in the delivery of services and programs. This approach provides opportunities to deliver services more effectively, making the most of limited resources.
Objective: An increase in the number of municipalities working cooperatively to improve service delivery, including partnerships established through the Regional Partnerships Initiative.

Safety legislation is undergoing review to ensure it is current and responsive to changing needs. Work is ongoing to introduce harmonized, objective-based codes in the building, fire and plumbing disciplines through national and international codes and standards. The establishment of a unifying framework for the fire service in Alberta is one of the significant initiatives underway that will provide a strong foundation for innovation in the fire service.
Objective: Alberta will continue to meet national and international safety code standards and have a framework for delivering fire services that meet individual community needs.

The Ministry will continue to evaluate the impact of high growth on municipalities, including infrastructure, land-use, service, and revenue needs, in order to assist in building the capacity of these municipalities and improving the coordination of the government's response to these growth-related challenges.
Objective: High growth municipalities and the Province are better able to anticipate and meet growth-related challenges, resulting in a reduction in the number of disputes caused by development pressures, and helping ensure that Alberta's continued economic growth is not impeded by a lack of infrastructure and services.

Through partnerships, cooperation, and a legislative framework, the Ministry promotes Alberta's prosperity and the Alberta Advantage by encouraging the development of an efficient and responsive local government sector that provides the services and infrastructure Albertans and businesses need.

1.1 Provide support systems, deliver programs and encourage partnerships that foster excellence in local governance, management and service delivery by:

• building relationships and reviewing the land-use planning system to identify and develop policies and mechanisms that better support rural and urban municipalities in cooperating with their neighbours to better manage challenges arising from rapid growth,
• assisting municipalities in addressing the challenges of climate change by supporting energy efficiency and conservation,
• promoting the sharing of knowledge among municipalities to support a culture of improvement and the development of strategies for more effective governance, administration, land-use planning, financial management, and service delivery,
• developing and coordinating education, and information services and products that include training programs, online information, and workshops for Ministry stakeholders, and
• providing management and administrative services for the Special Areas and National Park Improvement Districts.

1.2 Support the resolution of local and intermunicipal governance and management matters by:

• providing advice on governance, administration, financial management, and land-use planning to local governments and associated local service-delivery organizations,
• supporting intermunicipal cooperation and self-directed dispute resolution through mediation and facilitation, and
• supporting the local dispute resolution initiative to help municipalities resolve internal disputes with staff and citizens.

1.3 Enhance the relationship between the province and municipalities by:

• supporting the Minister's Council on Municipal Sustainability as a forum for proactively discussing important municipal concerns and as a vehicle to help develop common solutions to resolve provincial-municipal problems,
• acting as an advocate for municipalities within the provincial government to improve provincial understanding of and responsiveness to municipal issues and concerns,
• improving the provision, coordination, and implementation of policies, programs, and services that enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of local services by working cooperatively with other ministries, municipalities, other provinces, Metis settlements, the federal government and other organizations,
• reviewing the provincial land-use framework to better achieve mutually beneficial provincial, municipal and land-owner interests, and
• reviewing current policies, programs, and legislation to determine what changes and new initiatives may be required to help high-growth municipalities address growth pressures.

1.4 Complete an enhanced review of the Local Authorities Election Act to ensure it provides public confidence in the election process while allowing flexibility to local authorities to address local circumstances.

1.5 Conduct a review of the Municipal Government Act in consultation with the municipal associations, municipalities, and other stakeholders to ensure the legislation meets current requirements.

1.6 Facilitate a legislative framework that enables municipalities to operate successfully and meet the local needs of Albertans by monitoring provincial legislation and regulations related to municipalities and recommending changes, where appropriate, that support improved approaches to local governance, election processes, and service delivery.

1.7 Assist municipalities having sustainability or accountability problems in examining and pursuing innovative approaches or restructuring that will address these issues.

The Ministry contributes to the financial sustainability of local governments, which are responsible and accountable to their citizens, by providing financial support, advice and services.

2.1 Assist municipalities to meet the financial reporting and accountability requirements contained in the legislation and regulations by:

• providing financial and procedural advice to municipalities, and
• monitoring municipalities' financial statements and information returns.

2.2 Improve municipal capacity by providing financial support to local government initiatives by:

• administering the Unconditional Municipal Grant Program, the Municipal Sponsorship Program, the Grants in Place of Taxes Program, and other existing municipal grant programs,
• evaluating, reviewing and modifying existing grant programs and developing new grant initiatives, where enhanced support for local government communities is appropriate, and
• working with municipalities, other Government of Alberta departments and the federal government to improve long-term municipal sustainability.

2.3 Assist sustainability in high-growth municipalities by promoting innovative strategies.

2.4 Work with municipal associations to develop a long-term strategy that helps municipalities realize the benefits of SuperNet.

The Ministry promotes a fair, reliable and transparent system of generating local and provincial revenue through taxation of property. The key result is an assessment and property tax system that is accurate, understandable, predictable, and timely.

3.1 Promote an assessment and property tax system that is accurate, predictable, transparent and timely by:

• demonstrating leadership by exhibiting a high level of professional standards and good practices in assessment, while helping municipal officials and ratepayers to better understand and deal with the assessment system in Alberta,
• administering assessment procedures and guidelines on an ongoing basis, and reviewing regulated assessment procedures and guidelines regularly,
• developing and maintaining handbooks and guides, and providing professional advice to ensure that assessment practices and methodologies are current, and
• maintaining a comprehensive program of annual statistical audits and a five-year cycle for assessment procedure audits for each municipality.

3.2 Contribute to an effective and efficient system for assessment and taxation by:

• providing timely and accurate linear property assessments,
• providing timely and accurate equalized assessments and education tax requisitions, and
• facilitating appropriate sharing of data to improve the assessment, equalized assessment, and education taxation requisition processes.

Albertans are confident that the homes, buildings and facilities where they work, live and do business, and the associated equipment, such as elevators and electrical, heating and plumbing systems, are constructed and maintained to safe standards. They are also confident that prevention programs and the fire service contribute to a reduction in fire incidents.

4.1 Initiate a comprehensive review of the Safety Codes Act that includes:

• addressing connections to other provincial acts, and
• clarifying the roles of municipalities and other safety system partners.

4.2 Maintain appropriate codes and standards by working with the Safety Codes Council in:

• conducting technical reviews and improving codes and standards, which include adoption of new editions of the electrical, electrical and communication utility, electrical installations at oil and gas facilities, private sewage, passenger ropeways, and boilers and pressure vessels codes anticipated for 2006-07,
• harmonizing codes and standards used in Alberta with national and international models, and
• implementing objective-based codes for the building, fire and plumbing disciplines.

4.3 Support delegated authorities in effectively applying codes and standards by:

• maintaining an appropriate administrative and regulatory framework,
• working with the Safety Codes Council to implement the considerations of the Safety System Review Report,
• monitoring the performance of accredited municipalities, corporations, agencies, and delegated administrative organizations (Alberta Boilers Safety Association, Alberta Elevating Devices and Amusement Rides Safety Association, and Petroleum Tank Management Association of Alberta),
• instituting improved technical communications and advisory services and launching a public awareness campaign, and
• enhancing relationships with stakeholder organizations.

4.4 Foster an effective fire service through initiatives that include:

• assisting the Fire Services Advisory Committee to develop a unifying framework that defines the scope of Alberta's fire service and provides communities with the option of choosing the service standards that are most appropriate to meet local needs,
• maintaining an inventory of province-wide fire service resources, and
• recognizing first responders with the Alberta Emergency Services Medal.

4.5 Lead and support effective fire and injury prevention programs by:

• promoting public education through initiatives such as Risk Watch, Alberta Fire News, and targeted campaigns,
• maintaining and enhancing a fire statistics information system,
• expanding partnerships with associations and industry, and
• tailoring programs to address the needs of Aboriginal communities.

4.6 Monitor the Safety Codes Council's administration of outstanding grants to owners of sites remaining in the Underground Petroleum Storage Tank Site Remediation Program as well as monitor their completion of the program.

Alberta's communities and the provincial government, in collaboration with partners that include all orders of government, the private sector and non-government organizations establish a comprehensive emergency management system.

5.1 Lead and coordinate Alberta's emergency and disaster mitigation processes by developing and maintaining:

• emergency management policy and legislation,
• early warning systems including the Alberta Emergency Public Warning System and the Alberta Emergency Notification System,
• consolidated provincial risk assessments, and
• provincial preventive initiatives, including the Alberta Counter-Terrorism Crisis Management Security Measures Best Practices Guide.

5.2 Coordinate and manage plans for major emergencies and disasters by:

• developing and maintaining provincial emergency management plans,
• supporting municipalities (including Métis settlements) and First Nations in developing, maintaining and exercising their emergency management plans, and
• supporting and developing partnerships to increase response capability.

5.3 Coordinate the provincial response to major emergencies and disasters by:

• assisting in municipal and First Nations activation procedures,
• activating and operating the cross-government Emergency Management Alberta Operations Centre as requested,
• coordinating information flow among all orders of government, the private sector and non-government organizations, and
• conducting a comprehensive lessons-learned process with all partners to ensure that emergency plans and capabilities are maintained and improved.

5.4 Lead provincial recovery activities in response to major emergencies and disasters by:

• activating disaster recovery procedures, including compiling information on the effects of major disasters, and developing disaster financial assistance programs,
• coordinating activities such as payment of financial assistance and requesting federal assistance under the disaster financial assistance arrangement, and
• coordinating the deactivation of emergency operations after the event, including the audit of all operations and programs as required.

5.5 Develop a strategy to ensure there is appropriate provincial and municipal oversight and response during major emergencies and disasters.

An efficient, effective and responsive appeal system that is seen as being fair and impartial by all parties to a complaint or appeal. The key results are timely processing of appeals filed with the Board and high-quality, independent processes, decisions and solutions.

6.1 Ensure timely processing of appeals filed with the Board by:

• redeveloping the Board's databases to achieve the efficient recording, tracking, analyzing and managing of all appeal activity,
• investigating advanced case management procedures for selected appeals to ensure timeliness in hearing and deciding appeals,
• working with stakeholders to expedite the scheduling and hearing of appeals,
• scheduling, monitoring and tracking all decision-making and writing activities to ensure compliance with established timelines and procedures, and
• reviewing and revising administrative procedures regarding withdrawals to ensure that resources are assigned appropriately.

6.2 Maintain an appeal system that provides high-quality, independent processes, decisions and solutions by:

• providing ongoing training to strengthen adjudication skills for sustaining high quality, timely, consistent and independent processes and decision-making,
• obtaining feedback from stakeholders on an annual basis to gauge board performance, areas of strength, and areas requiring improvement, and·
• exploring, developing and piloting various processes for expediting appeals such as alternate dispute resolution methods, advanced appeal management, and one-member panels.

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