Mayor Gerald Aalbers. File Photo
Lloydminster Mayor Gerald Aalbers and a party of councillors will likely hitch their wagon to networking opportunities at the upcoming Alberta Municipalities (ABmunis) Convention in Edmonton.
Aalbers says he would love to hear a major announcement to aid cities from Premier Danielle Smith during the convention from Sept. 27-29, but he has no expectations of that happening at the moment.
“I think she’s quite aware of the situation we have in municipalities with the challenges we are facing. If something comes it’ll be terrific, but I’m not holding my breath,” said Aalbers.
The core business of the convention is to debate and vote on resolutions that address topics of concern for municipalities and to advocate the government to act for change.
Aalbers thinks the main benefit of attending is the opportunity to network with government officials including Smith when she addresses the convention.
“At that time you can get a few minutes to chat with her as she’s entering and receiving the room depending on her schedule,” he said.
Aalbers says aside from Smith and Rick McIver, Minister of Municipal Affairs, he’s hoping to connect with other ministers to share some information about Lloydminster matters.
“We still have a ways to go with the Government of Alberta regarding the Cenovus Energy Hub and raising that project with them,” said Aalbers referring to a funding contribution.
The arena project has received $33 million in grants from the province of Saskatchewan and the federal government, but nothing yet from Alberta.
The arena grant is likely to come up during one of several 15 to 30-minute meetings Aalbers’ team has already scheduled with available Alberta government ministers.
“We try to get the whole council present so our voice and strength is heard and felt by the minister,” said Aalbers.
Big-time networking is how Aalbers described what goes on at the ABmunis convention.
“We often ask how other people are doing with health care and what their expectations are,” said Aalbers.
“We often check with each other especially if changes have come about in somebody’s bylaw and they’re finding it’s effective, we’ll look to those other bylaws.”
Aalbers says he often reaches out to other mayors for their input into an issue and vice-versa.
He notes the trade show at the convention also gives ABmunis members an opportunity to see what’s up and coming in the world of municipalities.
