Rural Leader Calls for Clarity on Alberta’s New Conduct Rules

Significant changes to municipal governance in Alberta have generated concerns among rural leaders. Kara Westerlund, a councillor from Brazeau County and president of the Rural Municipalities of Alberta (RMA), expressed her apprehensions regarding the recent enactment of Bill 50, which abolishes mandatory codes of conduct for municipal councillors. The law received royal assent on May 15, 2025, and is now under scrutiny as the fall session of the Alberta legislature approaches.

Concerns Over Implementation and Governance

Westerlund emphasized the need for ongoing dialogue between the RMA and the provincial government to address the implications of the new legislation. “There’s been some consultation, but we strongly believe that there needs to be more, especially around the dramatic changes in Bill 50 and the direction it seems to be going in,” she stated, highlighting the mixed reactions among member municipalities regarding the elimination of the old conduct codes.

The RMA is advocating for the establishment of an independent ombudsperson that municipalities can consult to fill the governance void created by the removal of the codes. This suggestion aims to provide a structured framework for addressing ethical concerns and disputes that may arise among council members.

Bill 50 amends several existing acts, eliminating the requirement for councils to maintain their own codes of conduct. It also modifies the roles of chief administrative officers (CAOs) and updates regulations surrounding intermunicipal relationships. Additionally, the law includes provisions to enhance voter accessibility and clarify local election rules.

Government’s Justification and Future Steps

The government has justified these changes by arguing that previous codes of conduct were sometimes misused for political ends, effectively silencing councillors who held unpopular views. Dan Williams, the Minister of Municipal Affairs, stated, “I’m investigating mechanisms councils can use to solve their problems locally when untoward or unethical behaviors are happening amongst council members.” He assured that any new mechanisms would not be tools for political attacks.

Westerlund raised specific concerns, particularly about the burden of legal costs faced by many municipalities. She noted that Brazeau County has incurred costs in the “hundreds of thousands of dollars” while navigating conflicts that did not result in resolutions. “Many municipalities faced massive legal bills because they were technically fighting both sides of a disagreement,” she explained.

Westerlund also highlighted the problematic position of CAOs, who report to councils and are responsible for investigations related to council conduct. “When you have the CAO in charge of investigations — what could possibly go wrong with that?” she asked rhetorically. This sentiment echoes previous comments made by Ric McIver, who noted that placing CAOs in such positions created an unfair dynamic.

The RMA, which represents 69 municipalities, is set to discuss these issues further during its fall convention scheduled for November 17-20 at the Edmonton Convention Centre. As the provincial legislative session resumes on October 27, the future of municipal governance in Alberta remains a critical topic for rural leaders and their constituents.