Delegations

Ryan Blais and Serge Martin spoke to Council about their public communication. Council directed Administration to bring back a document to a future Council Committee of the Whole meeting regarding an internal Code of Conduct Pledge for Council. 

MLA Nolan Dyck, Grande Prairie, and MLA Ron Wiebe, Grande Prairie – Wapiti, provided a provincial update to City Council on Budget 2026 outcomes, Bills passed in the Legislature, and a discussion about Council’s 2026 Advocacy Priorities.  

Louise Gudlaugson, on behalf of the O’Brien Lake Neighbourhood Association, spoke to Council and requested that the boardwalk in O’Brien Lake be completed for improved safety and accessibility. Council directed Administration to bring back any current information on the O’Brien Lake boardwalk to the next appropriate Standing Committee.

Invest NW Alberta

Council authorized the Mayor and City Manager to proceed with signing the Articles of Association & other incorporation documents establishing Invest NW Alberta Ltd. in collaboration w/ the County of GP and MD of Greenview, subject to approval by all members.

Council directed Administration to submit the names of Mayor Jackie Clayton and Councillor Wade Pilat as the City of Grande Prairie’s Director appointees to Invest NW Alberta Ltd. Board of Directors.

Aquatera Director Appointments

Council authorized the Mayor to vote in favor of endorsing the recommendations of the Aquatera Board for the following appointments: Tracy Allard and Nashim Bashir for an additional three-year term each to the Board and endorsed Tracy Allard as Board Chair for a three-year term.

Assessment Review Board Clerk Appointment

Council reappointed Amanda Van Beekveld and Charlene Loxam as Assessment Review Board Clerks for the City of Grande Prairie.

Privacy Management Program

Council approved the City’s new Privacy Management Program (PMP), including; 

• The approval of Policy 507 – Privacy Management; and 
• Repealed: Policy 500 (Access of to Information and Protection of Privacy), Policy 501 (Personal Information Bank), Policy 502 (Safeguarding Privacy), Policy 503 (Authentication of Identification), Policy 504 (Oral and/or Electronic Consent) and Policy 807 (Video Surveillance).

The Government of Alberta introduced new privacy legislation directing how public bodies are to collect, manage and safeguard personal information, and handle access to information requests. All Alberta municipalities are required to develop and maintain a PMP to ensure compliance with provincial legislation.

Replacing FOIP (Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act) is The Protection of Privacy Act (POPA) and the Access to Information Act (ATIA). The new framework separates these functions into two distinct acts: 

• POPA governs the collection, use, disclosure, and safeguarding of personal information.
• ATIA governs public access to records and transparency requirements.

Fire Services Bylaw C-1498

Council gave three readings to Bylaw C-1498, being the Fire Services Bylaw and Bylaw C-1395T, being an amendment to the Fees, Rates & Charges Bylaw. 

The Fire Services Bylaw C-1498 replaces the original Fire Services Bylaw C-1312 and includes a clear mandate for the Grande Prairie Fire Department, more targeted approach to the false alarm framework, strengthens incident management and tactical authority, improves extraordinary hazmat recovery, centralizes burning regulations, and addresses the offences and penalties framework. 

The amendment to the Fees, Rates & Charges Bylaw reflects the adjustments made to the false alarm fees. 

Policy 221 – Edible Landscaping 

Council approved Policy 221, the Edible Landscaping Policy, and repealed Policy 212, the Community Garden/Edible Landscaping Policy. 

Policy 221 does not change City’s role in the development, maintenance, or management of edible landscape projects. The Policy does provide clearer guidance to Community Groups and Neighbourhood Associations, supports consistent application of edible landscaping practices across the City, and ensures alignment between the policy and its corresponding procedures.

Correspondence – Maskwa Medical Centre

The City received correspondence from the Maskwa Medical Center Chairman, Ken Drysdale, requesting Council to appoint 1 or 2 Councillors or financial administrators to participate on their committee as non-voting members. 

Council appointed Mayor Jackie Clayton, Councillor Wade Pilat, CAO Shane Bourke and CFO Danielle Whiteway to sit on the Maskwa Medical Center Committee as non-voting members.

Land Use Bylaw Amendment C-1260-212 and VLA/Montrose Area Redevelopment Plan Amendment C-1228C 

Council gave three readings to Bylaw C-1260-212, being an amendment to the Land Use Bylaw.

Council gave three readings to Bylaw C-1228C, being an amendment to the VLA/Montrose Area Redevelopment Plan.

The amendments rezone the properties to allow for the development of semi-detached dwellings. This aligns with the neighbourhood plan's objective of supporting modest housing growth and redevelopment within existing residential areas.