Municipal Affairs

Alberta's municipal landscape is about much more than Calgary and Edmonton. Across the province, mid-sized cities and towns are experiencing significant growth, facing infrastructure pressures, and working to balance the needs and expectations of their residents.

So, one year after the 2025 Alberta Municipal Election, what's happening in these communities? What challenges are emerging, which local priorities are taking shape, and how has the municipal landscape evolved over the past twelve months?

Joining us for a roundtable discussion are Airdrie Mayor Heather Spearman, Okotoks Mayor Tanya Thorn, and Canmore Mayor Sean Krausert.

As part of our Everything's Local Live Show Series, we're looking beyond Alberta's two largest cities to explore the issues shaping communities across the province.

I'm your host, Christopher Brown, and this is Municipal Affairs.

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Municipal Affairs is Part of The Cross Border Network

©2026

Alberta's municipal story extends well beyond its major cities. Across rural Alberta, municipalities are managing vast geographic areas, critical infrastructure, agricultural communities, and the growing demands of local service delivery.

But one year after the 2025 Alberta Municipal Election, what's changed for rural municipalities? What challenges are keeping local leaders up at night, and where are they seeing opportunities for their communities?

For this conversation, we're bringing together two Reeves from very different corners of the province: Reeve Tamara Miyanaga of the M.D. of Taber and Reeve Lisa Rosvold of the M.D. of Bighorn.

As part of our Everything's Local Live Show Series, we're taking a closer look at the realities and priorities shaping rural Alberta.

Two Reeves. Two municipalities. One conversation about rural Alberta.

I'm your host Christopher Brown, and this is Municipal Affairs.

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Municipal Affairs is Part of The Cross Border Network

©2026

It's been one year since Albertans elected municipal leaders across the province. So, twelve months later, are Alberta's municipalities better off today than they were on election day?

From Summer Villages to our province's largest cities, local governments are facing very different challenges, from growth and infrastructure to affordability, finances, and service delivery.

Are urban municipalities thriving, or simply keeping pace with growing demands? And how are smaller communities navigating the pressures of local government?

As part of our Everything's Local Live Show Series, we're taking a province-wide look at the state of municipal affairs one year after the 2025 election.

Joining us is Alberta Municipalities President Dylan Bressey.

I'm your host, Christopher Brown, and this is Municipal Affairs.

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Municipal Affairs is Part of The Cross Border Network

©2026

One year ago, Calgarians elected a new mayor and council, setting a new direction for one of Canada's largest cities. Twelve months later, how much has changed, and where does Calgary stand today?

On this episode of Municipal Affairs, we're taking stock of Mayor Jeromy Farkas's first year in office. We'll look at the priorities shaping the city, progress on major initiatives, and the challenges that remain unresolved.

With three years left in his term, what is the vision for Calgary moving forward, and which decisions will have the biggest impact on the city's future?

As part of our Everything's Local Live Show Series, marking the one-year anniversary of the 2025 Alberta Municipal Election, we're joined by Calgary Mayor Jeromy Farkas.

I'm your host Christopher Brown, and this is Municipal Affairs.

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Municipal Affairs is Part of The Cross Border Network

©2026

Every municipality has its own story. A different population, a different set of priorities, a different set of challenges—and a different vision for what the future should look like.

But one year after the 2025 Alberta Municipal Election, local leaders across the province are all facing the same fundamental question: how do you turn the expectations of an election campaign into real progress for the people you represent?

For some communities, that means managing growth and expanding infrastructure. For others, it’s about affordability, maintaining essential services, supporting local businesses, or making sure the community retains the character that makes it home.

And while the circumstances may differ, the responsibility is the same: making decisions today that will shape the community for years to come.

So, what does the state of play look like across Alberta after the first 365 days of a new municipal term?

As part of the Cross Border Network Live Show and our Everything’s Local Live Show Series, this episode of Municipal Affairs brings together four mayors from four different communities to compare experiences, share lessons, and look ahead.

Vermilion Mayor Robert Snow, Sturgeon County Mayor Alanna Hnatiw, Calmar Mayor Krista Gardner, and Stony Plain Mayor William Choy join us to discuss their first year in office—the challenges they’ve faced, the progress they’ve made, and the priorities still ahead.

Four mayors. Four different communities. Four perspectives on local leadership.

And one important conversation about what it takes to build stronger communities across Alberta.
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Municipal Affairs is Part of The Cross Border Network

©2026

Communities rarely find themselves in trouble overnight. More often, the warning signs are there for years: infrastructure that’s falling behind, difficult conversations that never happen, local businesses that struggle to survive, or decisions that solve today’s problem while creating a bigger one for tomorrow.

And the challenge for municipal leaders is recognizing those warning signs before they become full-blown crises.

One year after the 2025 Alberta Municipal Election, councillors and mayors across the province have had a year to confront the realities of local government. They’ve faced competing priorities, difficult budget decisions, growing expectations, and the pressure to deliver results in an increasingly complicated environment.

But what separates a community that simply survives from one that actually thrives? How can municipal leaders recognize when their community is heading in the wrong direction—and what can they do to change course?

On this episode of Municipal Affairs, as part of the Cross Border Network Live Show and our Everything’s Local Live Show Series, we’re looking beyond the headlines to examine the decisions, habits, and warning signs that can shape a community’s future.

Doug Griffiths, author of 13 Ways to Kill Your Community, joins us to reflect on the past year in municipal government, identify the challenges communities should be paying attention to, and discuss what may be coming next.

Because the decisions municipalities make today don’t just shape the next budget or election cycle. They can determine the future of an entire community.
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Municipal Affairs is Part of The Cross Border Network

©2026

Rural Saskatchewan is the backbone of Canada’s agricultural economy. Its farmers feed the world. Its roads and highways move billions of dollars in goods. And its communities keep the province running.

But behind that economic engine are growing challenges — from rural crime and rising fuel costs to aging transportation infrastructure, unreliable broadband, and the future of Canadian agriculture.

Last week, the Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities took those concerns straight to Ottawa. SARM’s board met with federal ministers, parliamentarians, senators, and senior officials, making the case that rural Saskatchewan needs more than promises. It needs investment, effective policies, and results.

At the centre of that effort is SARM President Bill Huber, who says rural communities cannot shoulder these responsibilities alone.

The questions are significant. Will federal bail and sentencing reforms make a difference in communities where police response times can be measured in hours? Can Ottawa help producers compete in an increasingly uncertain global marketplace? And as artificial intelligence begins to reshape agriculture and healthcare, will rural Saskatchewan have the broadband and infrastructure needed to keep pace?

The delegation even had an unexpected opportunity to speak with Prime Minister Mark Carney on Parliament Hill.

So, what did SARM take to Ottawa — and what, if anything, did it bring home?

On this episode of Municipal Affairs, we sit down with SARM President Bill Huber to discuss the priorities, the conversations, and what comes next for rural Saskatchewan.

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Municipal Affairs is Part of The Cross Border Network

©2026

A year into a municipal term, there’s a big question worth asking: are Alberta’s communities getting ahead, or are they simply trying to keep up?

Across the province, urban municipalities come in all shapes and sizes. From summer villages and smaller towns to regional centres and Alberta’s largest cities, each community has its own priorities. But many are wrestling with similar pressures: affordability, infrastructure, population growth, housing, public safety, and the rising cost of delivering the services residents depend on.

At the same time, these communities are places of opportunity. They’re attracting new residents, supporting local businesses, building neighbourhoods, and finding new ways to respond to changing needs.

So, one year after the 2025 Alberta Municipal Election, how healthy are Alberta’s urban municipalities? Where are they thriving, where are they falling behind, and what will it take to turn today’s challenges into tomorrow’s opportunities?

We’re exploring those questions on Municipal Affairs, recorded as part of the Cross Border Network Live Show and our Everything’s Local Live Show Series.

Alberta Municipalities Vice President Erin Stevenson joins us to examine the state of urban Alberta and reflect on what the past year has meant for communities across the province.

Because the strength of Alberta’s cities, towns, villages and Summer villages isn’t measured by growth alone. It’s measured by whether they can build communities where people want to live, work, and stay.
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Municipal Affairs is Part of The Cross Border Network

©2026

When we talk about the state of Alberta, it’s easy to focus on the big cities. But across rural Alberta, communities are dealing with their own set of challenges—and making decisions that have a very real impact on the province as a whole.

From maintaining roads and infrastructure across vast distances to addressing housing, emergency services, economic pressures, and the challenges of delivering essential services with limited resources, rural municipalities often have to do more with less. And when the needs of a community grow faster than the resources available to meet them, local leaders are left with some difficult choices.

Now, one year after the 2025 Alberta Municipal Election, it’s time to take stock. What has changed for rural Alberta? Where are communities making progress, and what issues continue to demand attention?

As part of the Cross Border Network Live Show and our Everything’s Local Live Show Series, this episode of Municipal Affairs takes a closer look at the past 365 days across rural Alberta.

Rural Municipalities of Alberta President Kara Westerlund joins us to discuss the pressures facing rural communities, the progress being made, and what needs to happen next.

Because rural Alberta isn’t on the sidelines of the province’s future. It’s an essential part of it.
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Municipal Affairs is Part of The Cross Border Network

©2026

The Saskatchewan Legislature has officially opened its fall sitting, following the delivery of the 2026 Speech from the Throne. The government has outlined priorities ranging from public safety and disaster preparedness to community infrastructure and affordability.

There are some announcements that matter to municipalities, including support for rural policing, wildfire resilience and community rinks. But there are also some notable gaps.

There were no new commitments to tackle municipal revenue sharing, roads and bridges, water and wastewater infrastructure, or the broader financial pressures facing local governments.

As MLAs return to the Legislature, SUMA hopes municipal issues will be front and centre in the conversations and decisions that shape Saskatchewan’s future.

Because strong communities are the foundation of a strong province.

Today, we’ll talk with SUMA President Randy Goulden about the opening of the legislative sitting, what municipalities heard in the Speech from the Throne, and what SUMA hopes to see from the provincial government in the months ahead.

All that today on Municipal Affairs. I’m Christopher Brown

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Municipal Affairs is Part of The Cross Border Network

©2026