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Mayor's Message: Red Deer shines as host of ABmunis conference

The mayor recently attended the Alberta Municipalities conference
kenjohnstonapril2024-66
Ken Johnston is the Mayor of Red Deer.

This past month, I had the privilege of attending the Alberta Municipalities (AB Munis) annual convention, and what an incredible experience it was. Red Deer had the honour of hosting this important event, and from start to finish, it was a resounding success. I want to take this opportunity to share some key highlights, updates, and reflections from the convention that are especially relevant to us as a community.
First and foremost, Red Deer shone as the host city for this year's convention. Feedback from attendees was overwhelmingly positive, with AB Munis President Tyler Gandam calling the event a "resounding success." This praise is a testament to the hard work of our city staff, volunteers, and local businesses who made sure everything ran smoothly. A special commendation to the management and staff at Westerner Park for the superb venue, quality of meal service, and shuttle service on the grounds. Exceptional! In fact, the convention was such a hit that AB Munis has already committed to returning to Red Deer in just three years—sooner than the originally planned five! This is a huge win for us, and it speaks volumes about the strength of our community as a destination for major provincial events.
During the convention, Red Deer brought forward three resolutions, all of which passed with strong support from fellow municipalities. This is an exciting outcome for our city, as it shows that our priorities are shared by many other communities across the province. The resolutions were calling for provincial shelter visioning, permanent supporting housing funding, and the ability to continue using compressed natural gas in our buses until 2035.
In addition to our own resolutions, several other debates and decisions aligned closely with Red Deer's long-standing advocacy efforts. Notably, resolutions passed in favor of using electronic vote tabulators and reforms to the Grants in Place of Taxes (GIPOT) program—both issues we've championed. There was also a significant push toward provincial education tax reforms, which is another area where we've been vocal in advocating for change. These are wins that will have a direct impact on how we continue to govern and serve our citizens.
One of the biggest wins we can celebrate as a result of past advocacy efforts is the recent announcement regarding the municipal borrowing rate. At the convention, Premier Danielle Smith revealed that the Government of Alberta is lowering the municipal borrowing rate—a change we've been pushing for the past year. Lowering this rate will help ease the financial burden on municipalities like ours, allowing us to invest in important infrastructure and community projects more affordably. This is a clear example of how persistent advocacy can lead to real, tangible results.
The convention also provided a platform to discuss some of the most pressing issues facing municipalities across Alberta. Common themes included fiscal challenges, the rising cost of living due to inflation, and the ongoing need to support citizens struggling with mental health and addictions. Access to quality healthcare was another major point of concern, especially for smaller communities.
One of the most universally discussed topics was housing. Whether it’s a large city or a small town, municipalities across the province are feeling the pressure when it comes to providing affordable, accessible housing. This issue is one we’re familiar with here in Red Deer, and we’ll continue to explore solutions at the local level while advocating for more provincial and federal support.
One of the great things about conventions like this is the opportunity to learn from other leaders. This year, I had the privilege of co-hosting a learning session with Mayor Wood from Red Deer County. Our session focused on navigating City/County relationships—something both Mayor Wood and I have a lot of experience with. It was encouraging to see how much interest this session sparked, as many attendees were keen to learn more about fostering productive partnerships between urban and rural municipalities.
Throughout the week, my fellow Councillors and I also had several formal meetings with provincial cabinet ministers, including the Minister of Municipal Affairs and the Minister of Justice. These conversations were invaluable in making sure Red Deer's priorities—whether it's housing, economic development, or public safety—were front and center. Beyond the formal meetings, there were also plenty of informal opportunities to connect with ministers and fellow municipal leaders to keep these discussions going.
As we look ahead, the success of this convention has set a strong foundation for the future. The positive momentum from our meetings and the resolutions passed will help ensure that Red Deer remains on the provincial radar, particularly on issues that directly affect us. We will continue to push for progress on everything from housing to health care, all while keeping fiscal responsibility top of mind.
In closing, I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone who played a part in making this year’s Alberta Municipalities convention such a memorable and impactful event. Hosting a provincial gathering of this scale is no small feat, but as always, Red Deer rose to the occasion. I look forward to seeing how the relationships and decisions from this convention will benefit our community in the months and years to come.
Until next time, thank you for your continued support and engagement. Together, we are making Red Deer stronger.

Ken Johnston is the mayor of Red Deer.