To withdraw an appeal at any time, please complete the Withdrawal of Appeal Form online here.

If you experience technical issues filing your Withdrawal of Appeal Form, please contact Access GP:

• Phone: 311 or 780-538-0300
• Email: info@cityofgp.com
• By visiting City Hall between 8:30 AM and 4:30 PM

They will be able to assist you with the form or provide accommodations.

The fee will be refunded only if you file the Withdrawal of Appeal form within five days of submitting the appeal. Please note this refund does not apply to Weed Control Act Appeals or Agricultural Pest Act Appeals.

To file an appeal, you must submit a Notice of Appeal form and pay the fee within the filing deadline.

The Notice of Appeal must be received by the Appeal Clerk within the timeframes set out in the Municipal Government Act or other relevant statutes, or the applicable bylaw or policy. If no timeframe is set out, the Notice of Appeal must be received by the Appeal Clerk within fourteen (14) calendar days of the date the notice or written decision from the applicable authority. 

The final date of appeal will be noted on your order, notice or decision. Appeal filing deadlines may vary, so ensure you check your order, notice or decision carefully. If you have any questions about the timelines or requirements for filing an appeal, contact appeals@cityofgp.com.

An interim stay is a temporary suspension of enforcement of a remedial order or licence decision, pending further decision of the appeal.

Remedial Order

• An interim stay will be automatically granted when the Notice of Appeal is deemed sufficient.

Livestock Exemption Decision / Animal Licensing Decision / Declaration of Vicious Animal

• The appellant may make a written request to the General Appeal Board for an interim stay of all or part of the enforcement.
• The respondent will be given an opportunity to provide the Board with a written response to the request.
• The Board may grant the interim stay upon whatever conditions it deems appropriate, where the Board is satisfied the operation of the interim stay would not create or contribute to a situation of imminent danger to public safety.

To request an interim stay, please fill out and submit this form: Request for an Interim Stay Web Form. 

Please note, the General Appeal Board may revoke an interim stay if:

• There has been a material change in the circumstances that warrants revoking it;
• The conduct of the appellant warrants revoking the interim stay; or
• The operation of the interim stay creates or contributes to a situation of imminent danger or public safety.

If you would like to request an interim stay be revoked, please fill out and submit this form: Request to Revoke an Interim Stay Web Form.

The Appeal Clerk will schedule a hearing within 30 calendar days of the Notice of Appeal being received and deemed sufficient.

The Appeal Clerk will send a notice of the hearing to the appellant, respondent, and all other relevant parties.

The notice of the hearing must be sent at least 12 calendar days before the hearing and include timelines for submissions of evidence and other relevant materials.

Note: For Weed Control Act & Agricultural Pest Act timeline information see the relevant sections below.

Parties should submit a written request to reschedule the hearing, including the reasons for the request, to the Appeal Clerk as soon as possible either by mail, dropping it off in person at Grande Prairie City Hall or emailing it to appeals@cityofgp.com. A hearing will not be rescheduled unless there are compelling reasons to do so. 

According to the General Appeal Board Bylaw, the Appeal Clerk may decide if the Hearing can be rescheduled if doing so is within the timeframe allowed by the Bylaw or other applicable legislation. If it is outside that timeframe, the request for extension will be submitted to the Board for decision.

Other parties in the case will be given a chance to respond to the request to reschedule the hearing.

If the hearing is rescheduled the Appeal Clerk must send a revised notice of hearing to all parties.

If you are unable to submit a request in writing prior to the hearing, a verbal request can be made at the time of the hearing. Requests to reschedule are not granted automatically. The Board considers each request on a case-by-case basis. The Board will not reschedule a hearing unless there are compelling reasons to do so.

If you are unable to attend the hearing to speak to the adjournment request, you may want to have someone (Authorized Agent) attend on your behalf who is prepared to discuss the request and/or present your evidence and submissions to the Board, in the event the request is denied.

Parties can submit a written presentation/submission and not send an Authorized Agent. See the below section on Non-Attendance.

To authorize an agent to act and/or speak on your behalf you must complete the Agent Authorization Form online here.

If you experience technical issues filing your Agent Authorization Form, please contact Access GP:

• Phone: 311 or 780-538-0300
• Email: info@cityofgp.com
• By visiting City Hall between 8:30 AM and 4:30 PM

They will be able to assist you with the form or provide accommodations.

If any party fails to attend, the Board may 

• proceed with the hearing and decide on an appeal if it is satisfied that notice of the hearing was properly issued;
• dismiss the appeal; or 
• adjourn the matter to another meeting date.

If you are unable to attend the hearing, you may wish to have someone (Authorized Agent) attend on your behalf who is prepared to discuss the request and/or present your evidence and submissions to the Board, in the event a request to reschedule the hearing is denied. 

Parties can submit a written presentation/submission and not send an Authorized Agent or attend; however, if the Board decides the submissions are not sufficient and the appellant or their authorized agent does not attend, they can choose to dismiss the appeal.

To authorize an agent to act and/or speak on your behalf you must complete the Agent Authorization Form online here.

If you experience technical issues filing your Agent Authorization Form, please contact Access GP:

• Phone: 311 or 780-538-0300
• Email: info@cityofgp.com
• By visiting City Hall between 8:30 AM and 4:30 PM

They will be able to assist you with the form or provide accommodations.

The notice of the hearing will include deadlines for the submission of any written materials and evidence. The deadline for submission of written materials will be a minimum of seven days before the deadline, except in Weed Control Act Appeals or Agricultural Pest Control Act Appeals.

Any written materials and evidence must be submitted, including:

• Documents, reports and other materials (if any);
• Photographs, videos, diagrams, sketches and other materials (if any);
• A summary of your argument;
• A list of witnesses you intend to call (if any) and a summary of the statements you expect those witnesses to make;
• A summary of any preliminary issues you intend to raise (preliminary issues are issues that need to be addressed before the Board can consider the substance of the appeal, such as whether the Board has the ability to decide the appeal)

The records of the Board, including information and documents submitted before or during a Hearing, are public records and must be made available for public inspection, upon request.

Records that contain personal information, or that may be kept private under the FOIP Act may be redacted or withheld from public viewing.

Where a party fails to comply with the deadlines contained in the notice of the hearing for written materials and evidence, the Board may:

1. Grant an adjournment, 
2. Proceed without accepting the argument or evidence, or 
3. Proceed with the Hearing accepting all or part of the argument or evidence.

The Board may refuse to receive and consider evidence that is not disclosed in advance of the hearing if it would be unfair to the other parties to the proceedings.

If the Board chooses to accept the new evidence, they may request additional copies of any documents be provided for each member of the panel (3-5 people), which you should be prepared to provide.

Hearings will be heard de novo, meaning that they will be considered solely on the evidence before the General Appeal Board. 

Evidence being presented at a Hearing that contains personal information or that may be kept private under the FOIP Act may be presented in a Closed Meeting.

It is important to note that the General Appeal Board is a quasi-judicial body and does not need to adhere the rules of evidence applying to courts of a criminal or civic jurisdictions. The Board also has the authority to determine the admissibility, relevance and weight of evidence given at a Hearing.

• Review the relevant bylaw(s) and/or policies applicable to your appeal.
• Prepare a written presentation to ensure that key issues are not overlooked and that your presentation to the Board is complete, clear, concise and logical.

Note:  You may be asked to leave a copy of your written presentation and all materials to the Board after you have presented.

• Consider asking persons in support of your appeal to:
  • Attend and speak at the hearing or
  • Write letters outlining their position.

Note:  While it is important to obtain support for your position, the Board considers each appeal on its merits and weighs all evidence presented. It does not make its decision solely based on the support or opposition from affected parties.

• The Board’s hearings are conducted in English. Parties are entitled to bring interpreters to help them if required.
• When the Appeal Clerk sends notice of a hearing, the notice will state whether the hearing is going to be conducted in-person or remotely by video conference.
• If a remote hearing is scheduled you may submit a written request to change the hearing format. The request must be made in writing before the hearing begins and include:
  • Your name and appeal number.
  • The reason you are requesting the meeting be held in-person.
• If a hearing is not scheduled to be remote, you may submit a written request to the Appeal Clerk by emailing appeals@cityofgp.com to attend the hearing remotely. The request must contain:
  • Your name and appeal number.
  • The email address you request the invite be sent to.
  • The reason you are requesting to attend remotely.  Please note, the Appeal Clerk will confirm if you can meet the technological and procedural requirements for remote meetings prior to considering the request.
• Changes to the hearing format are at the Appeal Clerk’s discretion, in consultation with the Board.
• Hearings are open to the public.
• Members of the public may attend a remote hearing by submitting a request to appeals@cityofgp.com.
  • Members of the public can only attend remotely if the meeting is being held remotely. 
  • Anyone who attempts to join the hearing without contacting the Appeal Clerk, may not be permitted.

• Only the Appeal Clerk or their designate may use digital or electronic devices to record or livestream at a hearing.
• Only the appellant and respondent are entitled to speak at a hearing. These parties will be allowed 15 minutes to speak.
• In the case of a Remedial Order in respect of a property that the appellant is not the owner of, the owner of the property is entitled to speak and will be allowed 15 minutes to speak.
• Persons who file an appeal are encouraged to make a verbal presentation at the Hearing. If you do not attend the hearing, the Board may dismiss your appeal, proceed to determine the matter, or adjourn the matter.
• The chair may permit any other interested parties to present and may set limits on the content. Any interested parties who are permitted to speak will be given 5 minutes.
• Groups must select one representative from the group to present to the panel on their behalf, unless otherwise allowed by the Board. Other members of the group may be permitted to speak as other interested party, at the discretion of the Board.
• Please note that the Board is not an evidence-seeking body. It relies on the written evidence provided, as well as verbal submissions made by the parties at the hearing, as the basis for its decisions. It is therefore important that anybody appearing before the Board ensure that they present sufficient evidence to support their position.

Listed below are some suggestions that will assist you in making a presentation to the Board:

• At the beginning of your presentation, please introduce yourself for the record and state your position on the appeal.
• Introduce your witnesses. The Chair may ask the witnesses to be excluded from the hearing. They will be called upon when it is their turn to speak.
• All communication goes ‘through the Chair.’  For example, if you have a question, you could say “Mr./Madam Chair” or “through the Chair.” This shows that you acknowledge the Chair’s authority in the hearing.
• Stick to the issues that are relevant to the appeal and within the jurisdiction of the Board.
• Present your opinion regarding any errors in fact or interpretation.

• Please arrive to your scheduled hearing at least 15 minutes early to ensure that your equipment works.
• The hearing room is equipped with AV (audio visual) equipment; however, you must bring your own laptop.
  • Note: We will not plug any external flash drives or other such device into City systems.
  • You can request in advance that the City Clerk display the presentation for you as long as it is submitted at least 7 calendar days before the hearing by email to appeals@cityofgp.com. 
• You must provide a copy of your presentation to the City Clerk’s office at least 7 calendar days before the hearing.
• For all remote presentations; please submit an electronic copy of your presentation to the Clerk at appeals@cityofgp.com, 7 calendar days prior to your scheduled hearing.

The order of a typical hearing is as follows:

• The Clerk will introduce the hearing and the Chair.
• The Chair will introduce the members of the panel.
• The Chair will address any preliminary matters that will be addressed before the hearing proceeds.
• City Administration will provide an opening statement outlining the background to the appeal and any previous proceedings.
• The Appellant will present their case and indicate any witnesses presenting on their behalf.
• Anyone wishing to speak in favour of the appeal will be asked to make their presentations to the Board, at the Board’s discretion.
• The Opposition will have an opportunity to present their submissions and respond to the presentations and indicate any witnesses presenting on their behalf.
• Anyone wishing to speak in opposition of the appeal will be asked to make their presentations to the Board, at the Board’s discretion.
• The Appellant will have the opportunity for rebuttal of any new information or evidence they could not reasonably have been aware of in advance.
• The Opposition is given a final opportunity to give a closing statement.
• The Appellant is given the final opportunity to give a closing statement.
• The Hearing will be closed.
• The panel will meet in a closed session, in private, to consider and decide the appeal.

The Board can ask questions at any time during the hearing and can call parties forward again to answer questions as they deem necessary.

The Board may vary the order of speakers if in their judgement, that is required to conduct a fair hearing.

• Unless specified in the enactment the order is issued under, when Hearing an Appeal of a Remedial Order the Board is authorized to:
  • confirm, 
  • vary, 
  • substitute, or 
  • cancel the order or decision under review.
• When Hearing an Appeal of a Licensing Decision, the Board may:
  • confirm the refusal, revocation, or suspension;
  • direct that a Licence be issued;
  • reinstate the revoked Licence;
  • remove or vary the suspension; and
  • impose conditions on the Licence and licensee.
• When hearing an Appeal of a Declaration of Vicious Animal, the Board may:
  • confirm or remove a vicious animal designation; and
  • impose other conditions on an animal, Licence or licensee.
• The Board cannot remove or vary conditions that are imposed on the owner of an animal under the provisions of the Animal and Responsible Pet Ownership Bylaw C-1226, except for those identified as subject to the current Appeal.
• For all other Appeals heard under the General Appeal Board Bylaw C-1469, the Board may confirm, vary, substitute or cancel the order or decision under review unless otherwise specified in the enactment the order or decision is issued under.

• At the conclusion of presentations the Board will adjourn to deliberate in private.
• The Board must issue its decision in writing to the appellant within 15 calendar days of the conclusion of the hearing.
• The decision and reasons must be provided to every person who was entitled to present at the hearing (the appellant, respondent, and the owner of the property in the case of a remedial order, if the appellant is not the owner).
• The Board is not authorized to award costs.

Please note, appeals of decisions made under the Weed Control Act cannot be filed electronically or by fax. The Notice of Appeal and accompanying materials must be delivered personally or sent by certified or registered mail.

The fee for appeals of decisions made under the Weed Control Act is $500.00 and the Notice of Appeal will not be deemed complete until it is submitted.

If the Board decides in favour of the Appellant, the fees paid under Section 13.4 of the General Appeal Board Bylaw shall be refunded.

The Notice of Appeal in respect to a Weed Control Notice must be received by the Appeal Clerk, as the designate of the City Manager, or sent by certified registered mail within the time specified in the notice for doing the thing required by the notice or ten (10) days, whichever is less.

The Appeal in respect to a Weed Control Notice must be heard by the Board within five (5) days of the Notice of Appeal being deemed sufficient by the Appeal Clerk. The notice of the hearing must be sent to the Appellant and Respondent as soon as it is confirmed and is reasonable.

Please download and complete the Weed Control Act Appeal Form. 

The Notice of a Weed Control Act appeal must be in writing and must include:

• The name and address of the appellant;
• A copy of the notice in respect of which the appeal is being taken;
• The legal description of the land is affected; and 
• The grounds for the appeal.

Please note, appeals of decisions made under the Agricultural Pests Act cannot be filed electronically or by fax. The Notice of Appeal and accompanying materials must be delivered personally or sent by certified or registered mail.

The fee for appeals of decisions made under the Agricultural Pests Act is $100.00 and the Notice of Appeal will not be deemed complete until it is submitted.

The fee will be refunded if the appellant is successful in their appeal.

A Notice of Appeal in respect of an Agricultural Pest Notice must be received by the Appeal Clerk, as the designate of the City Manager, or be sent to the Appeal Clerk in a manner as specified by the Agricultural Pests Act, within the time specified in the notice for taking any measure or ten (10) Business Days after service of the notice, whichever is less.

Please download and complete the Agricultural Pest Act Appeal Form. 

The Notice of an Agricultural Pest Act appeal must be in writing and must include:

• The name and address of the appellant;
• A copy of the notice in respect of which the appeal is being taken;
• The legal description of the land is affected; and 
• The grounds for the appeal.