FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Council Highlights – April 14, 2026
Valleyview, Alberta
Steering Committee Formed to Review Council Board and Committee Participation
Council has approved appointments to a newly established Steering Committee that will support a review of how Council members are assigned to boards and committees. Councillors Christine Schlief, Chad Taylor, and Reeve Ryan Ratzlaff have been appointed to serve on the committee, which will also include Administration representatives, with the term running through October 2026.
The Steering Committee will follow recommendations from the Council Compensation Review Committee and assess the time commitment and value of existing boards and committees. Findings from this work will inform a more balanced approach to committee participation for Council’s consideration.
Surplus Vehicle Donated to Support Search and Rescue Operations
A surplus 2014 Ram pickup truck, previously used as a fire command vehicle, will be donated to the Grande Cache Search and Rescue Society following Council approval. The vehicle had been declared surplus earlier this year and was originally slated for auction.
The donation will provide the volunteer organization with a dedicated response vehicle, improving its ability to support emergency operations and transport equipment during search efforts. The Grande Cache Search and Rescue organization plays an important role in assisting municipal emergency services, and this contribution allows continued public value from an asset no longer required for municipal use while strengthening local emergency response capacity.
Sponsorships Approved for Northwestern Polytechnic Fundraising Events
Support has been approved for two major 2026 fundraising events hosted by Northwestern Polytechnic, with $6,500 allocated from the Community Services Sponsorships budget. Funding includes $1,500 for the NWP Golf Classic on June 5 and $5,000 for the President’s Ball on October 17, both taking place in Grande Prairie.
These long-standing events raise funds for equipment, technology, and programming that strengthen post-secondary education and workforce development in the region. The institution serves many local residents through a range of academic and trades training opportunities, and the sponsorship reflects continued investment in accessible, high-quality learning that aligns with regional industry needs.
Council Approves Letter to Province on Rural Renewal Stream Program Concerns
Council has approved a letter to the Province raising concerns about the transfer of immigration-related responsibilities to local municipalities without corresponding resources. This follows an earlier direction from Committee of the Whole recommending that Administration bring forward correspondence outlining these concerns to the Ministry responsible for the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program.
The letter, addressed to the Honourable Joseph Schow, Minister of Jobs, Economy, Trade and Immigration, highlights challenges experienced through the Rural Renewal Stream program, including administrative pressures, limited outcomes, and impacts on local employment. It also reflects Council’s previous discussions regarding the program’s effectiveness and includes updated input on youth employment and the gap between expected and actual results.
Tender Award – Grovedale Floating Liner
A tender was issued on January 22, 2026, for the construction of the Grovedale Floating Liner Repair on the Alberta Purchasing Connection. The Grovedale Floating Liner project is being advanced to address issues identified in one of the existing lagoon storage cells. An engineering assessment determined that the most effective and sustainable solution is to construct a new lagoon storage cell, place it into service, and temporarily take the affected cell offline to complete the necessary liner repairs. The tender closed on March 10, 2026. Administration received one proposal for evaluation, which fully met the mandatory requirements for consideration. Council awarded the tender for the Grovedale Floating Linter (Project CWW19001) to MCL Group in the amount of $7,622,897.45 (excluding GST), and authorized up to $5,784,587.58 for contaminated soil removal associated with the scope of the project, for a total construction value of $13,407,485.03, with funds to come from Capital Project CWW19001.
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Upcoming Events and Meetings
- April 21, 2026 – Committee of the Whole, Grande Cache Public Service Building
- April 28, 2026 – Regular Council Meeting, Valleyview Council Chambers
- May 12, 2026 – Regular Council Meeting, Valleyview Council Chambers
Media inquiries may be directed to:
Stacey Sevilla | Manager, Communications & Marketing | Direct: 780-524-7625
stacey.sevilla@mdgreenview.ab.ca
Download a full copy of the April 14, 2026, RCM Highlights here.