Alberta municipalities call for targeted support
‘Investing in rural municipalities is essential to the broader Canadian economy and social fabric,’ writes the Rural Municipalities of Alberta in its pre-budget submission. / ISTOCK PHOTO
The federal government must allocate targeted support for rural communities if Canada’s economy is to thrive, says the Rural Municipalities of Alberta (RMA).
“The government can empower rural communities to thrive and support the energy and resource sectors that Canada depends upon,” the RMA wrote in its pre-budget submission in advance of Budget 2026. “Investing in rural municipalities is essential to the broader Canadian economy and social fabric.”
The RMA, which represents 68 municipalities, districts and counties in Alberta, makes seven recommendations to better support rural communities in Alberta amid a changing global economic landscape.
Rural Alberta makes up 85 per cent of the province’s landmass and serves as the foundation of its resource economy.
To avoid delays and administrative burdens on producers, RMA said the federal government should work with provinces to standardize regulations across Canada. “Harmonizing vehicle weights and dimensions across the country will reduce fuel consumption, lower transport costs, and streamline the movement of essential goods,” said RMA.
In a recent podcast appearance, former Deputy Prime Minister and current co-chair of the Coalition for a Better Future Anne McLellan said Canada must address systemic issues with interprovincial trade. “We are leaving tens of billions of dollars every year in GDP on the table,” she told David Wojcik, host of the Mississauga Board of Trade podcast.
To maintain and increase economic productivity and access, “strategic federal investment should target last-mile infrastructure that connects farms and resource sites to major rail lines and ports,” so that “the federal government can improve supply chain resilience and help rural Alberta remain competitive in the global marketplace,” wrote RMA.
Climate change is making wildfires more common. According to NRCAN’s Wildland Fire Information System, there are currently 792 active wildfires in Canada.
Rural communities are dealing with “significant recruitment and retention challenges” and disproportionately rely on volunteer first responders, said RMA. To close these gaps, the federal government should dedicate capital funding to modernize rural fire halls and communication systems as well as “increase the Volunteer Firefighters Tax Credit to reflect the rising cost of living and the essential nature of this service.”
