TAMRMS#: B06
8.1
REQUEST FOR DECISION
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2026-27 Council Advocacy Priorities
Presented by: Monty Killoh, Government Relations Advisor, Government/Indigenous Relations & Environment
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RECOMMENDED MOTION(S)
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That Council’s 2026-27 Advocacy Priorities, entitled “Council Advocacy Priorities 2026-27,” provided as Attachment 1 to the Agenda Report entitled 2026-27 Council Advocacy Priorities, be approved.
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SUMMARY
The purpose of this report is for Council to review and approve their 2026-27 Advocacy Priorities, to provide direction to City Administration on activating future intergovernmental opportunities.
ALIGNMENT TO COUNCIL DIRECTION OR MANDATORY STATUTORY PROVISION
On May 19, 2026, City Council approved the following motion:
AR-26-219
That the amended Council Policy C-CG-02 City of St. Albert Council Strategic Plan, including the updated Schedule A, attached to the May 19, 2026 agenda report entitled “Council Vision Mission and Values and 2026-2029 St. Albert Council Strategic Plan” be approved.
On April 21, 2026, City Council approved the following motion:
CM-26-005
That Council add “Northeast Servicing Funding” as an Advocacy Priority to Council’s 2026-27 Council Advocacy Priorities, to ensure completion of a funding agreement with all orders of government to secure $28.1 million for this project.
On September 17, 2024, City Council approved the following motion:
AR-24-380
That the Council 2024-25 Advocacy Priorities, entitled “Council Advocacy Priorities 2024-25", provided as Attachment 1 to the Agenda Report entitled 2024-25 Council Advocacy Priorities, be approved.
BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION
Advocacy is the process through which the City works to advance the City’s interests with other orders of government. Advocacy priorities are projects and outcomes that require assistance or decisions outside of the City of St. Albert’s direct control and involve partnerships, funding or policy development with other orders of government.
Council reviews their advocacy priorities annually to ensure they reflect the most current needs and priorities of the community, and to ensure associated resources are being directed to needed areas. As part of this process, Administration facilitated a discussion with Council to this effect in July 2026.
Stemming from this discussion, “Attachment 1, Council Advocacy Priorities 2026-27" has been created. This document contains Council’s Advocacy Priorities for the next year, with Municipal Financial Sustainability, Transportation and Infrastructure Priorities, and North-East Servicing identified as the current top advocacy priorities for Council.
All advocacy priorities listed in “Attachment 1” will be worked on by Administration, however Council’s top three advocacy priorities will be more foundational in supporting strategies and tactics and will be prioritized in their implementation over the coming year.
City Administration will develop strategies and tactics to support Council in achieving the outcomes for each approved priority; once developed, these will be shared directly with all members of Council. It is recommended that Council's advocacy-related engagements with other orders of government focus on issues directly related to their advocacy priorities and associated strategies and tactics, as advocacy on issues that Council has not referenced within their advocacy priorities could risk interference with ongoing advocacy efforts associated with their approved advocacy priorities.
STAKEHOLDER COMMUNICATIONS OR ENGAGEMENT
Once Council approves their Advocacy Priorities, relevant communications and engagement tactics will be developed and implemented to work to achieve the stated outcomes.
IMPACTS OF RECOMMENDATION(S)
Financial:
None at this time.
Compliance & Legal:
None at this time.
Program or Service:
None at this time.
Organizational:
None at this time.
Risks
The intention of this report is to focus on high-level priorities. Should Council wish to discuss priorities and their tactics and actions in detail, it is recommended that Council move in-camera. Not doing so could harm the execution of the City’s strategy with relevant stakeholders.
ALIGNMENT TO PRIORITIES IN COUNCIL’S STRATEGIC PLAN
Initiative aligned with Strategic Plan:
Long-Term Capital Funding Framework
Lakeview Business District Investment Attraction
ALIGNMENT TO LEVELS OF SERVICE DELIVERY
Advocacy Planning: develop a Corporate Advocacy Plan to execute corporate priorities that involve decision-making by other government stakeholders.
IMPACTS OF ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED
If Council does not wish to support the proposed motion, Administration presents the following alternatives for Council’s consideration.
ALTERNATIVE 1:
That Council move in-camera to discuss their advocacy priorities and related tactics. The following motion could be used:
That Council move in-camera to discuss a matter pursuant to sections 26(1)(a) and 29(1)(a) of the Access to Information Act.
Financial:
None at this time.
Compliance & Legal:
None at this time.
Program or Service:
None at this time.
Organizational:
None at this time.
Risks
Should Council consider Alternative 1, it is recommended that council move in-camera. Not doing so could harm the execution of the City’s strategy with relevant stakeholders.
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Report Date: September 1, 2026
Author(s): Monty Killoh
Department: Government/Indigenous Relations & Environment
Department Director: Trevor Duley
Chief Administrative Officer: William Fletcher