Regionalization
Published February 8, 2008
There has been a significant amount of information given out by the Provincial Government, our own County and as well, numerous individuals over the past couple of months on the pros and cons of regionalization. While everyone seems to unilaterally agree that cooperation and participation on projects benefiting the entire Capital Region are necessary and worthwhile, where they seem to digress is in the details.
The Radke Report, now known as the Stelmach/Danyluk Report (Ray Danyluk is the current Minister of Municipal Affairs who commissioned and then adopted many of the recommendations in the report) started this dialogue because of two significant aspects coming out of the report. The first was the lack of important detail on how certain aspects of the report were to be fleshed out and second was the complete change of direction as per governance of the region; i.e. A new non-elected superboard which will have binding power over all municipalities in the region.
While I am not pleased with the uncertainty caused by these aspects of the report and especially the supposed "veto power" given to one municipality due to the size of their population, I believe now is the time to pool our resources and formulate a plan to derive some positives from this situation. We should be lobbying all our neighbours to determine whether there is a method by which other municipalities could also exercise veto powers over specific projects. I further believe we need to start dialoguing with all the municipalities on options or possibilities that might make this plan work for individual municipalities as well as the entire region.
There has also been a lot of criticism of our current MLAs on their position and why they were not fighting for their constituents. I have been to meetings with Council and our present MLAs where their position has been outlined and a number of suggestions have been given to Council on possibilities of turning this negative to a positive. Some of these did help us to formulate a strategy on what to do and how to get there. We must remember that while these representatives are elected by ourselves, they also are only a small number in a large government group that may not always see the overall plan in the same manner that we do. We must also remember we will continue to need the advocacy and strong support of our MLAs in lobbying the government for any changes we deem necessary.
I have recently been appointed as the alternate on the new superboard representing Strathcona County. As a Councillor for Strathcona County, I am looking forward to working with the Provincial Government as well as all my colleagues in this region and putting together a plan that will benefit not only Strathcona County but the entire Capital Region.
Vic Bidzinski
Councillor, Ward 1
464-8005
bidzinski@strathcona.ab.ca.
Last updated: Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Page ID: 1931