Specialized municipality status
Effective January 1, 1996, Strathcona County was granted status as a specialized municipality by the Province of Alberta.
What does this mean?
Strathcona County's classification as a specialized municipality provides for the unique needs of a municipality that includes both a large urban centre and a significant rural area and population.
The County includes the urban area of Sherwood Park and a large rural area with eight hamlets. As a result, the needs of residents in various parts of the community are quite different.
Specialized municipality status means that the Province of Alberta recognizes Sherwood Park and the Urban Service Area immediately around as equivalent to a city for purposes of programs and grants. Rural Strathcona County, meanwhile, is recognized as equivalent to a municipal district for programs and grant purposes.
Order in Council 761/95
This Order in Council changed the status of Strathcona County from a municipal district to a specialized municipality.
Alberta Association of Municipal Districts and Counties: Information on Municipal government in rural Alberta. Follow the links: Publications-Information papers-Municipal Government in Alberta.
Last updated: Wednesday, March 03, 2010
Page ID: 2138