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Organization: Pincher Creek and District Municipal Library

Travelling Library a hit with Piikani children and elders

Written on . Posted in Culture & Community, Education.

“Can I come travelling with you more often?” Piikani Elder Eric Crow Shoe asked Sam Bonwick as the Pincher Creek Travelling Library wrapped up its first visit to Otskoipik’saki Daycare Centre in Brocket on Sept. 17.

Sam, Pincher Creek Municipal Library’s outreach co-ordinator, and Piikani Nation member Annette Bad Eagle once worked together at Canyon School’s daycare in Pincher Creek.

The Travelling Library has long been a dream for both women. They want to use books to support reading skills and cultural awareness among young people of both Indigenous and non-Indigenous heritage in Pincher Creek and Brocket.

Along with Elder Doreen Weasel Bear and Elder Eric, Sam and Annette held two storytime sessions at the daycare.

Dolly Provost, a child-care teacher in the infant room, attended daycare in Brocket herself in the early 1970s. Classes were held in portables then, decades before the current building went up.

 

Two child-care teachers sit with young children and books in a daycare play area.

Dolly Provost, front, and Maryanna Smith, child-care teachers in the infant room, help children practise holding and opening books.

Hannah Noerenberg © 2026 Shootin’ the Breeze

 

“It’s good for the children,” says child-care teacher Maryanna Smith. “It’s a new experience having someone new read to them.”

Maryanna says that while the main language spoken in the daycare is English, individual words, phrases and daily routines are introduced to the children in Blackfoot as much as possible.

She was introduced to Blackfoot the same way as a child. When Elder Eric provided the Blackfoot words for moon and stars during the reading, Sam and others tried repeating them.

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Sam uses her own literacy development as an example.

“I used to read very slowly,” she says. “It was a real struggle. But I find the more I read, the quicker I get.”

In addition to supporting young readers, Annette and Sam want to encourage elders to share more of their oral stories with younger generations.

The plan is for Sam to return to Brocket with her box of books and for Annette to become a regular guest at the library in Pincher Creek.

Related stories

Around the world in six weeks at the Pincher Creek library

Blackfoot Language, Children’s Literacy, Library Programs, Storytelling, Travelling Library

Graphic with the text "Municipal News from the MD of Pincher Creek" on the left side, featuring a stylized image of people seated around a meeting table on the right.

Council pushes back on provincial gravel pit rules

Written on . Posted in Civic & Government, Environment.

MD of Pincher Creek council will tell the province it has concerns about changes that give provincial gravel pit approvals priority over local planning, following its Sept. 8 meeting.

Council also heard a neighbour’s objection to a proposed gravel pit east of Pincher Creek and agreed to keep subsidizing waste service at Castle Mountain Resort.

Provincial gravel pit approval changes

Council directed administration to send the province the MD’s concerns about proposed changes to how gravel pits are approved.

Alberta Environment and Protected Areas is updating its Code of Practice for Pits. The changes follow amendments to the Municipal Government Act through Bill 28 and recommendations from the provincial Sand and Gravel Task Force.

The province and municipalities have each played separate roles in approving aggregate pits on private land, with the province focused on environmental impacts and municipalities on land-use planning.

Bill 28: Municipal Affairs and Housing Statues Amendment Act, introduced a new section to the MGA that makes provincial approvals paramount. Municipalities are required to bring their land-use bylaws and planning documents in line with decisions made at the provincial level rather than running a parallel approval process.

The MD received information from Rural Municipalities of Alberta, which said in a Sept. 18 statement: “Based on what is known and not yet known about how x. 619.1 will be implemented, the change may introduce significant risks to municipalities, landowners and industries.”

The RMA lists:

Ace of spades card on ad for Chase the Ace at the Pincher Creek Legion

—Impact of poor co-ordination and alignment across different government processes.

—Limited ability to appeal a pit registration coupled with a lack of public hearing or community engagement in the provincial registration process.

—Unclear division of roles and responsibilities with potential unintended consequences.

—Need for improved communication and inspection and enforcement measures to prevent expansion of operators with a poor history of compliance.

Proposed gravel pit rezoning

Council also held a public hearing on Bylaw 1374-26, which proposes changing the land-use designation of a quarter-section east of Pincher Creek (NE-7-9-1-W5) from agricultural to direct control. The proposed rezoning would allow gravel pit development on the property.

The public hearing drew a written objection from an adjacent landowner, but no one appeared in person to speak against it.

The neighbour argued there is no need for a third gravel pit within less than a mile of the site, urging the MD to explore alternative sites or expand existing pits rather than disturb native grassland.

The letter raised concerns about dust, noise, traffic and groundwater contamination, and said the pit could put the writer’s property, livestock and family at risk, and permanently harm land values. The letter asked council to reject the application and prioritize conservation of the grassland over further extraction.

Event flyer for International Credit Union Day at Vision Credit Union on October 15, inviting community members to bring food bank donations in exchange for a wall calendar.

Gavin Scott, senior planner with the Oldman River Regional Services Commission, outlined the history and reasoning behind the proposed amendment.

An open house is scheduled for Oct. 1 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the MD council chambers.

Castle Mountain Resort to keep free recycling and garbage service

Council agreed to continue providing Castle Mountain Resort Inc. with a fully subsidized cardboard recycling service and residential garbage bin after reviewing the expense of the arrangement.

Administration will write to the resort to say the service continues at no cost for now but could be revisited.

The cost varies, says Jessica McClelland, executive assistant for the MD. The landfill picks up a full cardboard bin at an average of $317 a trip, plus the landfill’s tipping fee.

“Some months it’s once; some months it could be twice,” she says.

Library seeks support for dark sky event

Pincher Creek Municipal Library asked the MD for financial support for a dark sky event planned for January 2027. The library plans to expand the program to two days, running 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. each day.

The total cost is expected to be $8,200. The library has already secured $6,000 through grants, leaving $2,200 to raise.

Event poster for a Secondhand Dreamcar concert at the Empress Theatre on November 20, 2026, at 7:30 PM, featuring a photo of the band members.

Council received the request as information and recommended the library contact the MD’s grant writer to explore other funding options.

Lundbreck growth study

Council gave second and third reading to Bylaw 1373-26 after a public hearing at which no one spoke and no written submissions were received.

The bylaw amends the MD’s municipal development plan, replacing an existing hamlet policy with new wording that requires the Lundbreck Hamlet Growth Study be referenced in all future development matters in the hamlet.

It also calls for the study to be periodically updated with current data and progress on its action items.

Council approves ALUS letter of support

Council also approved a letter of support for Alternative Land Use Services, which is applying for funding through the Ecosystem Services Grant Program.

ALUS pays farmers and ranchers to maintain wetlands, grassland and other habitat on working land.

Committee meeting

The MD council committee met earlier the same day. Committees make recommendations rather than decisions.

Food centre reports increase in demand

The Pincher Creek and District Community Food Centre told the committee it served 427 people between May 2025 and April 2026, including 282 existing clients and 145 new clients.

The number was up from 412 people in 2024-25 and 197 in 2023-24.

The centre provides free food hampers to eligible residents in the town and MD, based on a means test.

An average of 77 households were served each month. The centre recorded 785 deliveries and 140 pickups. People in Pincher Creek can have hampers delivered, while rural residents generally pick them up in town.

The centre reported $392,314 in income and $341,895 in expenses for the year. Board chair Davina Brown also reviewed the centre’s strategic priorities and outcomes with the committee.

Councillors discussed ways the MD could help promote the food centre, including a program that allows ranchers to donate beef in exchange for a tax receipt.

Tourism group seeks $12,500

Representatives from the South Canadian Rockies Tourism Association told the committee the organization is seeking municipal funding for the 2026-27 year to support regional destination marketing and management.

Senior board adviser Sacha Anderson and executive director Erin Fairhurst outlined the association’s work, which they said helps secure additional partner funding and supports tourism projects without adding to the workload of municipal staff.

The association said the municipal contribution would form part of an 80-20 funding request to the province, with the town and MD of Pincher Creek, and Improvement District No. 4 providing the 20 per cent local share.

An older couple smiles while leaning on a wooden railing outdoors, above text describing their $879 profit share from Vision Credit Union and a website link.

The association outlined several areas of planned work. One is a resident sentiment campaign aimed at helping rural residents understand tourism and provide feedback about its growth.

It is also developing a detailed inventory of tourism assets across the MD. The inventory will include attractions, recreation sites, events, accommodations, short-term rentals and visitor services. The association said the inventory could help identify needs such as signage, parking, washrooms and trails.

Another proposed focus is public education around responsible recreation. The association plans to promote Leave No Trace principles, safety guidelines and appropriate recreation areas.

The association also detailed its regional advocacy work involving transportation, signage, trails, parking, cellular coverage and recreation access. It said a regional approach could help connect local priorities with provincial tourism strategies and future funding opportunities.

The association is also exploring a destination marketing fee, a levy on hotel and other accommodation bookings that funds tourism promotion. It said any such fee would require local discussion, industry participation and municipal consideration.

RMA convention plans finalized

The committee also reviewed plans for the Rural Municipalities of Alberta fall convention and trade show, running Nov. 2 to 5 in Edmonton.

Couns. Dave Cox and John MacGarva will take a budget and finance course Nov. 2, then join the remaining councillors, the chief administrative officer and the public works manager for the convention.

Related stories

News briefs from July 14 MD of Pincher Creek council table

Food Security, Gravel Pits, Land-Use Planning, Municipal Government Act, Public Hearings, Recycling, Responsible Recreation, Tourism

Town and MD approve $467,255 for six community groups

Written on . Posted in Civic & Government.

Six local organizations will receive a combined $467,255 in 2026 funding from the Town and Municipal District of Pincher Creek after councils reviewed their requests at a special joint budget meeting Sept. 9.

Funding amounts are split equally between the town and MD.

The meeting also prompted a push to rethink the joint budget process, after councillors questioned whether recurring recipients should be treated as ongoing budget lines and raised concerns about incomplete financial information.

Councils also approved 2027 per-capita grants for 21 community groups.

Pincher Creek Municipal Library

The largest allocation is $285,000 for the library.

The library requested a 7.5 per cent increase in its municipal funding for 2027, followed by annual increases of five per cent from 2028 through 2030.

Representatives told councillors library visits are up an average of 10 per cent since 2022 and cardholders by six per cent. Programming sessions are up 25 per cent and participation is up 20 per cent over the same period.

The library also highlighted expanded programming, a reorganized children’s section and a partnership with United for Literacy. It would like to use the former Consistent Fitness space in the multipurpose facility for programming.

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Library board members asked why they had not heard back on three expansion options presented months ago. Town officials said they cannot afford the $4 million originally sought from the town but are open to a lower-cost option.

Grant specialist

The Southwest Alberta Sustainable Community Initiative will receive $80,000 for its grant specialist position.

SASCI representatives said the program has helped secure $13.2 million in funding since it began in 2018.

The grant writer applied for $2.1 million and obtained $1.12 million in funding for 2025.

Humane society

The Pincher Creek Humane Society will receive $40,000. The shelter helped 276 animals in 2025.

The organization said veterinary costs are its largest expense at about $100,000 annually. It is exploring an in-house veterinary service to reduce those costs.

Heritage Acres

The Oldman River Antique Equipment and Threshing Club, which runs Heritage Acres Farm Museum, will receive $35,000.

The group had asked for $200,000 for redevelopment, conditional on securing more funding to hire staff. The club said the $200,000 would help unlock matching grants rather than cover operating costs.

A bearded man in a cap smiles while playing guitar. Text promotes a Lloyd Spiegel concert at Empress Theatre, October 14, 2026, with ticket details and contact info.

Heritage Acres representatives said gate admissions for the museum’s annual show increased 64 per cent over the previous year.

The funding motion included an offer of a letter of support and future case-by-case funding talks.

Search and rescue

The Southwest Alberta Regional Search and Rescue Society will receive $22,255. The society’s 30 members have volunteered more than 2,600 hours, not including administration and equipment maintenance.

The group responded to 22 call-outs in the previous 12 months, including incidents requiring helicopter and long-line rescue resources.

Historical society

The Pincher Creek and District Historical Society, which runs Kootenai Brown Historical Park, will receive $5,000.

Council members said incomplete financial information from the society made it difficult to make decisions involving taxpayer funds.

The society’s board president said there was confusion over what financial information had been requested and what had been submitted.

Joint grants under review

The councils directed the joint grant subcommittee to review the history of the six organizations included in the joint budget and develop a policy and framework for the process. Councillors also raised concerns about financial reporting from some organizations.

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Councillors said joint grants are discretionary and do not guarantee ongoing funding. The review is intended to clarify how organizations become part of the joint budget and how future requests should be assessed.

Per-capita grants

For 2027, councils also approved per-capita funding for 21 community organizations:

—Syncline Castle Alpine Trails Association, $380

—McMan Youth, Family and Community Services Association, $500

—Pincher Creek Dolphins Swim Club, $1,500

—Five-Pin Bowling Association, $2,000

—Pincher Creek Mustangs Football Club, $2,000

—Windsor Heritage Drop-In Centre, $2,000

—Coalfields Community Centre, $2,500

—The Cowboy Show, $2,500

—Group Group Youth Society of Pincher Creek, $2,500

—Adaptable Outdoors, $3,000

—Pincher Creek and District Agricultural Society, $4,000

—Pincher Creek Care Bears Society, $5,000

—Pincher Creek Royal Canadian Legion Branch 43, $5,000

—Pincher Planters $5,000

Poster for Pincher Creek Chamber’s 31st Annual Awards of Excellence on October 23, 2026. Ticket prices and event details are listed, with a link for tickets at PincherChamber.ca/tickets.

—SASCI, $5,000

—Pincher Creek and District Community Food Centre, $7,160

—Pincher Creek and District Chamber of Commerce, $7,500

—Community Hall, $15,000

—Pincher Creek Handi-Bus Society, $15,000

—Allied Arts Council of Pincher Creek, $20,000

—Pincher Creek Family Centre, $30,000

Correction: A Sept. 23 version of this story incorrectly reported that overall attendance at Heritage Acres Farm Museum rose 64 per cent over the previous year. The 64 per cent increase was in gate admissions for the museum’s annual show.

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Town council briefs: Heritage Acres grants, joint meeting agenda

Briefs from the March 23 town council table

Community Grants, Municipal Funding, Non-Profits

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Council holds off on cutting utility franchise fees

Written on . Posted in Civic & Government.

Pincher Creek town councillors put off a decision on utility franchise fees Sept. 14 after debating whether trimming the charges to ease pressure on residents’ bills was worth the hit to the town’s budget.

Council also heard Northback Holdings’ economic case for its proposed Grassy Mountain coal mine, voted down a funding request from the library, and set a date for its tax recovery auction.

Council debates utility costs

Council deferred decisions on both the natural gas and electricity franchise fees to Sept. 28.

It was asked to set the franchise fee percentages for 2027 and 2028 at once, as the town now budgets on a two-year cycle. Residents pay these fees on their gas and power bills.

The natural gas fee with Apex Utilities has sat at the maximum allowable 35 per cent since 2024, bringing in about $849,000 in 2025. The electricity fee with FortisAlberta, capped at 20 per cent, brought in about $673,000 in 2025.

Coun. Brian McGillivray proposed reducing the gas fee to 30 per cent, saying residents are facing difficult choices between groceries, rent and utility bills.

Coun. Sahra Nodge has historically supported the higher fee because it allows the town to collect revenue from utility customers who do not pay property taxes. However, she said the increasing dollar amounts have changed her view.

Chief administrative officer Konrad Dunbar told council a reduction from 35 to 30 per cent would reduce revenue by about $134,000. He said that could affect the town’s target of a three per cent tax increase and that keeping services at current levels might require other changes.

Mayor Wayne Oliver said framing the fees as percentages was misleading, since a household’s actual savings from a five-point cut would amount to only about a dollar or two per bill.

He asked administration to report back on how much franchise fee revenue the town collected last year compared with what was budgeted. He also suggested councillors review their own annual utility bills before making a decision.

Northback outlines economic impact of coal mining

Northback CEO Brad Johnson presented council with findings from a socioeconomic impact study the company commissioned from the accounting firm EY to support its bid to revive the Grassy Mountain coal project in the MD of Ranchland, north of Blairmore.

Johnson said Northback provided EY with project data, including expected costs, employee numbers and other activities. EY then used Statistics Canada data and economic modelling to estimate the project’s broader effects.

The proposed mine would require about $1.4 billion in capital investment during a two-year construction period, Johnson said.

According to the study, about $1.2 billion of that spending could contribute to Canada’s gross domestic product during construction.

The study also estimates about $14 billion in additional Canadian exports over the life of the project.

Johnson said the mine could support about 9,577 full-time-equivalent positions during construction. Operations could support about 1,756 full-time-equivalent positions nationally.

He said the regional impact could include about 875 full-time-equivalent jobs, including direct, indirect and induced positions. Northback expects about 425 full-time-equivalent employees to work directly at the mine.

Johnson said the company expects about $3.8 billion in wages over the mine’s operating life and that about 90 per cent of its operating spending would remain in Canada.

The company is still completing its integrated application for regulatory approval. Johnson said Northback expects to submit the application within the next six months. That could be as early as December, depending on the completion of technical modelling, particularly related to water.

He said the regulatory process could eventually lead to a statement of concern process and additional information requests.

Oliver asked how Northback would address housing needs if the project proceeds, saying the region has limited housing options and could see an influx of workers.

Johnson said Northback has considered the issue and expects employee busing to be part of its plans. The company could provide transportation from Pincher Creek and communities farther east, as well as from Crowsnest Pass, he said.

Johnson also said Northback owns surface land in Crowsnest Pass and is open to discussions with the municipality about potential housing opportunities.

Library funding request denied

Council voted 6-1 against contributing up to $1,100 to Pincher Creek Municipal Library’s two-day dark sky planetarium program, planned for January 2027. Coun. Mark Barber was the only member in support.

The expanded two-day program is expected to cost $8,200. The library has secured $6,000 through grants and is seeking the remaining $2,200.

McGillivray questioned whether the town should contribute while looking for ways to reduce spending and support residents facing financial pressures. He said the request should have gone through the joint funding process instead.

Tax recovery auction set for November

Council approved the terms and process for its 2026 property tax arrears recovery public auction, set for Nov. 16 at 3 p.m. in the council chambers at town hall.

Council also set reserve bids for two properties heading to auction, a mobile home lot at $26,600 and a house at $313,400, based on assessed values.

Oliver questioned whether the reserve amounts were reasonable and why the figures must be discussed publicly.

Dunbar said the practice follows the Municipal Government Act’s requirement that current owners have the opportunity to recover their assessed value.

Regional water planning grant

Council agreed to join the MD of Pincher Creek’s application for a 2026-27 Alberta Community Partnership grant for a regional water and wastewater expansion and upgrade plan. The MD would serve as managing partner, with the town as a participating partner.

The proposed plan would examine the costs of servicing areas including the Pincher Creek Airport and Pincher Station.

The grant program can cover 90 per cent of eligible planning costs, up to $150,000. The application deadline is Oct. 1.

Council reviews second-quarter finances

The town recorded an operating surplus of about $2.24 million for the first six months of the year, largely because the full year’s property taxes were billed in that period. Council accepted the operating statements for the six months ending June 30.

Total revenue for the period reached about $9.18 million, about 75 per cent of the $12.15-million annual budget. Net municipal property taxes came in at about $5.66 million, essentially matching the full annual budget.

Other revenue was closer to the halfway mark:

—User fees and sales: $1.47 million of $2.92 million.

—Franchise and concession fees: $816,000 of $1.43 million.

—Government operating transfers: $623,000 of $838,000.

—Rental income: $322,000 of $829,000.

Total expenses stood at about $6.94 million, or about 52 per cent of the $13.41-million annual budget, in line with the midpoint of the year.

Salaries, wages and benefits made up the largest single expense category at $2.37 million, about 46 per cent of the $5.19 million budgeted for the full year.

Recreation and culture was the largest department expense at $2.08 million of a $4.22-million budget.

Spending on water supply and distribution, wastewater treatment, roads and protective services all tracked between about 28 and 46 per cent of their respective annual budgets.

Dunbar said administration has not identified any major concerns with the statements. He said the town is also working toward more detailed quarterly reporting as it moves through its two-year budgeting process.

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News briefs from June 22 Town of Pincher Creek council table

News briefs from June 8 Town of Pincher Creek council table

Coal Mining, Franchise Fees, Municipal Budget, Regional Water Planning, Tax Recovery, Utility Rates

FCSS keeps Pincher Creek’s helpers connected behind the scenes

Written on . Posted in Community Life.

From food security and seniors services to housing supports and community programs, dozens of organizations work to help local individuals and families. Pincher Creek and District Family and Community Support Services wants to make sure those groups are connected.

The FCSS Interagency has been operating in Pincher Creek for years. Co-ordinator Lindsey Johnson says it promotes “the free exchange of information, concerns and solutions among human service organizations in the area.”

The interagency meets monthly online, with in-person gatherings in September and December. FCSS provides a followup summary after each meeting.

“These in-person meetings give everyone an opportunity to put names to faces, share resources and allow for some regional representation to come and meet our local organizations,” Johnson says.

The network includes about 75 representatives from about 30 local and regional non-profit human service organizations and agencies. Monthly meetings typically draw about 12 participants, with higher attendance at in-person gatherings.

Each meeting runs as a round table, with organizations taking turns to give updates and ask questions.

Those conversations have led to real partnerships, Johnson says. Through the meetings, organizations were introduced to a Lethbridge Family Services Link worker who connects residents 55 and older with benefits, housing and community services.

“There have definitely been connections made outside of these meetings,” she says.

Beyond individual partnerships, Johnson says the interagency plays a broader role in a small community, where knowing who to contact for a specific need can make all the difference.

The meetings do not have a single focus area, as each organization continues to work within its own mandate. Instead, she says the goal is to help organizations understand each other’s services and stay informed about community needs.

The interagency also helps organizations share information about challenges and emerging needs.

Johnson says discussions have helped highlight issues such as changing donation levels at the Pincher Creek Food Centre, the need for board members at the Pincher Creek Women’s Emergency Shelter, funding pressures facing local organizations and growing support needs among seniors.

She says the Pincher Creek Municipal Library has also stepped up by offering a free tax service for residents.

“We have a broad range of representations, but there is always room for more,” she says. “New organizations will bring a new message and be looped into what is currently happening in the Pincher Creek region. We all benefit from that growth.”

There is no cost for organizations to participate.

“This is a free meeting hosted by FCSS to give an opportunity to promote your upcoming events and programs or discuss any matters the organizations would like outside perspective on,” Johnson says.

The last meeting was held in June. The group takes July and August off and regroups in September for its next in-person session, at the Pincher Creek Multi-Purpose Facility.

Past in-person meetings have been hosted by Kootenai Brown Historical Park and Lethbridge Family Services at Lebel Mansion, with the location rotating based on which organization offers to host.

Organizations, agencies or groups interested in joining the Pincher Creek and District FCSS Interagency can contact Lindsey Johnson at fcss@pinchercreek.ca.

Food Security, Free Tax Clinics, Housing Supports, Non-Profit Organizations, Seniors Services

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News briefs from May 26 MD of Pincher Creek council table

Written on . Posted in Civic & Government, Environment.

Municipal District of Pincher Creek council heard updates on a proposed water management approach linked to Northback Holdings and made several decisions on local infrastructure and community funding during its May 26 committee and regular meetings.

Highlights included approval of emergency bridge repairs near Connelly Creek, the defeat of a Fish Lake pumping proposal and the acknowledgment of a conservation easement notice from the Southern Alberta Land Trust Society.

Northback outlines revised water management approach

Mike Young, chief executive officer of Northback Holdings, presented updates to the company’s water management plans tied to its proposed coal mine development. He told council Northback has revised its approach in response to changes made to the final terms of reference and its term licence Water Act application.

Young said the revised approach removes any direct water withdrawal from creeks or streams. Instead, Northback would meet operational water needs using precipitation captured on-site and water generated through mine dewatering processes, which involve removing water during mining operations.

Water would be collected and stored in dams during precipitation events and seasonal freshet flows, and Young described the model as similar to water storage approaches used in Alberta’s irrigation systems. Because the collected water would be stored and used under this system, it would still require licensing under Alberta’s water allocation framework.

Council was told further information will be provided to the public as it becomes available throughout the application process.

Emergency bridge repairs approved for Connelly Creek crossing

Council approved $37,500 in emergency capital repair funds for a bridge crossing on Range Road 23A over Connelly Creek, after the MD’s bridge inspector flagged a structural concern during spring checks.

Administration reported the northwest bank at Bridge File 13957 is being undermined, with water flow beginning to move behind the north abutment back wall. An assessment strongly recommended placing riprap on the toe of the embankment and upslope to maintain slope stability and prevent further deterioration.

As Connelly Creek is home to species protected under the federal Species at Risk Act, work in the bed and banks carries stringent permitting requirements, including recommendations from a qualified aquatic environmental specialist.

However, administration noted that given the bridge’s proximity and habitat similarity to a nearby crossing — Bridge File 1348, already an approved 2026 capital project — the work can be carried out concurrently to avoid duplicating environmental assessment and permitting efforts.

Administration noted that Bridge File 13957 is on the 10-year prioritization list with a target replacement year of 2036 due to other existing deficiencies. Completing those repairs in full this year was deemed not feasible, given the scope of land acquisition, permitting requirements and preliminary engineering work that would first be needed.

Council approved the funding and awarded the work through the bridge reserve.

Library system funding update received

Council received as information a presentation from Chinook Arch Regional Library System, originally delivered at the May 12 council committee meeting.

The presentation outlined the structure of the regional system and how it supports Pincher Creek Municipal Library through shared access to resources and interlibrary services. It also included budget details for the 2023–26 cycle.

For 2026, the per capita levy was $7.76, with a proposed increase to $8.17 for 2027. A formal request for that increase is expected to come before council at a later date.

Fish Lake pumping proposal defeated

Coun. Dave Cox moved that funds be drawn from the tax rate stabilization reserve to pump water to Fish Lake at a cost of $81,250.

The motion was defeated.

Conservation easement notice acknowledged

Council acknowledged receipt of a conservation easement notice from the Southern Alberta Land Trust Society for two parcels of land known as the Lievaart West project, located at NW-11-8-3-W5 and NE-11-8-3-W5, totalling about 322 acres.

Under the Alberta Land Stewardship Act, municipalities must be notified prior to registration of conservation easements. Council also agreed to waive the 60-day notice period, allowing the easement to proceed to registration.

While the MD has the option to register an objection to the easement, administration noted that the easement may still be registered regardless.

Outdated licence of occupation policy repealed

Council repealed Policy C-AES-001, Licence of Occupation, following the adoption of Traffic Bylaw 1365-25, which now covers all use of highways within the MD, including temporary grazing permits and road allowance use, making the existing policy redundant.

Heritage Acres to receive donated gravel

Council agreed to donate remaining waste material from the Heritage Gravel Pit — up to 400 cubic yards — to Heritage Acres Farm Museum for use on its grounds.

Community funding and events received

Council dealt with several correspondence items related to community events, sponsorships and regional participation.

Interested councillors were authorized to attend the Alberta SouthWest annual general meeting June 3 and the Pincher Creek Rodeo Parade and dignitary luncheon Aug. 15.

Council approved a $160 sponsorship for Community Safety Net, a children’s safety program operating in Pincher Creek. The funding will support 10 local families at $16 per family, up from five families sponsored by the MD last year. Funds will come from the grants to groups and organizations budget. Coun. Tony Bruder moved the motion, which carried.

Council received as information an invitation to participate in the Elkford Wildcat Days Parade on June 27.

A call for nominations for the 2026 National Fire Chief of the Year Awards, jointly presented by the Fire Underwriters Survey and the Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs, was also received. Nominations for both a volunteer and a full-time fire chief are open until June 30.

Council also agreed to provide a letter of support for Kootenai Brown Historical Park in its application to the FCC AgriSpirit Fund.

Alberta Land Stewardship Act, Bridge Repairs, Coal Mining, Conservation Easements, Municipal Governance, Road Allowances, Traffic Bylaw, Water Act, Water allocation, water management

Uriah Hanford holds a children’s book beside a wooden Wee Library filled with books at the Schofield Street location.

Little libraries pop up in new spots around Pincher Creek

Written on . Posted in Community Life.

You may have noticed some new Wee Libraries around town. These are a community project initiated by the board members of Friends of the Library, together with Matthew Halton High School staff and students.

Materials were donated by Pincher Creek Co-op and Salvage Solutions, and the Plexiglas was recycled, collected and cut down to create windows for a glimpse of the treasures housed inside.

During Halton’s Experiential Learning week, shop teacher Zach Harris and students Kayden Kellington, Enzo Piccin and Maddox Prout drew up plans and built three boxes that can be found in our community.

One is located at Pincher Creek Veterans Memorial Campground, a second is at the west end of Schofield Street, above Canyon School, and a third box will be placed behind the library and swimming pool.

Prior to additions by Friends of the Library, Communities in Bloom funded other boxes around town. They are located at Wentworth Playground, Castleview Playground and basketball court on Thistle Crescent, by the St. Michael’s School track on Schofield Street and in Central Park on Kettles Street.

Max Doell stands beside a wooden Wee Library while holding a children’s book at the campground location.
Max Doell makes his choice at the campground little library.

 

You can locate others in Cowley, Beaver Mines and Moon River Estates. Books are also shelved and available to take from the Pincher Coin Wash, Sleepy Hollow Campground and Ranchland Mall.

Books are donated by the Friends of the Library, Aquilla & Priscilla’s Thrift Shop (Pincher Creek United Church) and community members.

Members of these boards regularly check, maintain and fill the boxes. It is our hope that folks of all ages will add their favourite reads and take books others have donated.

Thank you to all involved in this project.

Happy reading!

Book Sharing, Community Projects, Experiential Learning, Literacy, Reading, Recycling, Student Projects, Volunteerism, Wee Libraries

Graphic with the text "Municipal News from the MD of Pincher Creek" across the top, featuring an image of large windmills in a field with mountains in the background.

Briefs from April 14 MD of Pincher Creek council table

Written on . Posted in Civic & Government.

MD of Pincher Creek council addressed a mix of regulatory updates, financial decisions and community matters at its April 14 meeting, with several items carrying long-term implications for residents and local organizations.

Highlights include a public hearing on proposed land-use definitions for dugouts and agricultural reservoirs, passage of the 2026 tax rate bylaw, and approvals related to infrastructure, municipal policy updates and regional emergency preparedness.

No objections to land-use bylaw changes

Council opened a public hearing for Bylaw 1369-26, which proposes amendments to the municipality’s land-use bylaw to better define and regulate dugouts and agricultural water reservoirs in agriculturally oriented districts.

Reeve Rick Lemire said the changes are intended to clearly distinguish between smaller dugouts and larger-scale agricultural water reservoirs, particularly based on size and whether water storage occurs above or below natural grade.

Under proposed definitions, dugouts generally refer to excavated water storage below ground level, while reservoirs exceeding one acre or involving above-grade storage would be classified separately and subject to additional requirements.

The bylaw also introduces provisions allowing certain dugouts and reservoirs to proceed without a development permit if they meet setback, sightline and capacity requirements. Additional rules address safety measures such as setbacks from roadways, potential fencing near residences and engineering requirements for larger projects.

No members of the public spoke at the hearing and no written submissions were received.

Council supports community events and receives gas co-op presentation

Council approved a $300 donation for the Blackfoot Memorandum of Understanding pancake breakfast scheduled for July 18 in Standoff, and authorized Coun. Dave Cox to attend the event.

Council also received as information a presentation delivered by representatives of Chief Mountain Gas Co-op at its March 24 meeting. The co-operative, which serves more than 1,700 members, provided an overview of operations, infrastructure and cost structure compared to other providers.

Councillors raised questions about potential service expansion, though franchise areas are fixed and changes will require formal agreements.

Concerns over litter and overnight parking near Waterton

A letter will be sent to Alberta Transportation highlighting concerns about the Pine Ridge turnout along Highway 6, north of Waterton Lakes National Park. Council will request additional signage to prohibit overnight parking, and more frequent garbage collection to address ongoing litter issues.

Heritage Acres road and access project supported

Public works will support Heritage Acres with an approach for a new access road and expanded parking. Municipal fees will be waived. The project will improve visitor flow for events like the Annual Show in July, and support equipment loading and demonstrations.

Tax rate bylaw approved

Council gave all three readings to Bylaw 1371-26, establishing the MD’s 2026 tax rates and confirming revenue needed for operations and planned projects. The bylaw authorizes about $14.66 million to be raised through municipal taxation, based on a total assessment of just over $2.01 billion.

The 2026 budget includes $3.45 million in non-tax revenue, $14.47 million in operating expenses and $4.58 million in capital spending, along with debt repayment and reserve transfers to balance funding requirements.

Residential and farmland properties make up about $989 million of the assessment base, while non-residential properties account for just over $1.02 billion.

Including requisitions for education and other bodies, the total property tax levy amounts to nearly $18.94 million.

The bylaw also maintains a minimum municipal tax of $25 per parcel.

Library agreement updated

Council authorized the reeve and chief administrative officer to sign a revised joint intermunicipal library agreement, and approved corresponding updates to the library board bylaw.

The revisions follow recent provincial changes allowing more than three municipalities to participate in a joint library agreement. While practical expansion options remain limited, the update provides a framework should additional municipalities become eligible to join.

Compensation for additional meetings

Council approved remuneration for councillors attending two recent meetings that fell outside regular duties: an April 7 meeting with Environment and Protected Areas Minister Grant Hunter and an April 13 meeting with the RCMP southern Alberta district officer, attended by Reeve Lemire and Coun. Jim Welsch.

Fees and charges policy updated

Council approved amendments to its fees and charges policy, reflecting updated rates across several municipal services.

Changes include increased fees for approaches, pipeline crossings, seismic approvals, and rig move inspections, as well as updated rates for grader work and development-related permits.

New deputy director appointed for regional emergency management

Council appointed Michelle Stuart as deputy regional director of emergency management, following a recommendation from the regional emergency advisory committee.

Stuart brings more than two decades of experience in emergency services, including roles in firefighting, paramedicine, industrial response and safety co-ordination. Her appointment fills a pending vacancy and supports continued regional collaboration in emergency preparedness and response.

Councillor to attend Boundary Creek open house

Coun. Tony Bruder would be attending the Boundary Creek Landowners Association open house on May 2. The event focused on environmentally significant areas and ecological connectivity, offering residents and stakeholders an opportunity to learn about evolving land-use planning approaches in Alberta.

Community Funding, Emergency Management, Environmental Planning, Highway 6, Infrastructure, Land-Use Planning, Municipal Bylaw, Municipal Tax, public hearing

An image of a bookshelf full of books with the text "Public Libraries Respond to Proposed Restrictions" on top.

Public libraries raise concerns over proposed age-based restrictions

Written on . Posted in Civic & Government, Community Life.

A new Alberta bill proposing expanded provincial oversight of public libraries is facing pushback from library leaders, who say the changes could undermine local control, limit access and raise privacy concerns.

Bill 28, the Municipal Affairs and Housing Statutes Amendment Act, was introduced April 2 in the Alberta legislature by Municipal Affairs Minister Dan Williams. The legislation proposes amendments to the Libraries Act, the Municipal Government Act and the Housing Act.

If passed, the bill will allow the province to initiate reviews of public libraries or respond to complaints, while also enabling the development of non-binding guidelines intended to support library governance.

Williams says the changes are aimed at strengthening oversight of essential public services and ensuring consistency across the province.

“These are services that people rely on every single day, often without thinking about them — libraries, utilities and wastewater, to name a few,” Williams says. “This section of the bill focuses on strengthening how those systems are governed.”

The legislation would introduce “a clear and consistent process to address concerns across the province,” while respecting local decision-making.

Restricting access for minors

A key component involves future regulations restricting access to materials containing sexually explicit visual content for minors.

In July 2025, the Ministry of Education and Childcare introduced updated standards for school library materials. The order banned materials with explicit sexual content and limited access to non-explicit sexual material for students below Grade 10.

After pushback from some school boards, the original order was revised. In September, the ministry clarified rules would apply only to “visual depictions” of sexual acts.

This time, however, the government is not directing the removal of any books or materials from public libraries.

“We will not be restricting access to materials for anyone 16 or older or anyone that has parental consent,” Williams says. “We are not requiring the removal of these materials. However, we will require that they are put behind a counter in a place that children cannot find them while wandering the libraries.”

The proposed changes will not affect the vast majority of library materials. They will not apply to written works, educational or health-related resources or content without explicit visual imagery.

Under the proposed framework, materials containing explicit visual depictions of sexual acts could be physically separated from other collections, with access controlled by library staff. Individuals 15 and younger would require parental consent, while adults would have full access.

Libraries would also be given time to review collections and implement changes.

Coalition raises concerns

The Coalition of Alberta Public Libraries, which represents 324 public library service points serving 99 per cent of Albertans, has raised concerns about the scope and impact of the proposed legislation.

In a letter sent April 9 to Williams and to Premier Danielle Smith, the coalition says Bill 28 could create new barriers for library users and shift decision-making away from local libraries.

“Albertans trust their public libraries. Bill 28 creates new barriers to access, moves decision-making from local boards and trained professionals, and raises privacy concerns,” says Pilar Martinez, CEO of Edmonton Public Library, in the coalition’s statement.

Among its concerns, CAP Libraries says enforcing age-based restrictions could require proof of age, parental consent verification and staff-mediated access. This raises questions about privacy protections and accessibility for individuals without government-issued identification, including seniors, newcomers and people without fixed addresses.

The coalition also raises concerns about local governance, noting that Alberta’s public libraries are funded primarily by municipalities. The proposed ministerial powers related to inspection, access and compliance would mark a shift toward provincial control.

Cost and practicality are also flagged as major issues. CAP Libraries says the changes could require libraries to redesign service areas, retrain staff, modify digital platforms and implement new administrative processes, with no indication of additional funding from the province.

For smaller and rural library systems, the coalition says these requirements may be difficult to implement.

“Bill 28 would place library workers in gatekeeping roles that don’t reflect how public libraries operate,” says Ron Sheppard, director of Parkland Regional Library System.

The coalition argues the response is disproportionate to a problem that has not been shown to be systemic, noting that formal complaints about inappropriate materials in Alberta’s public libraries have been extremely rare.

CAP Libraries cite polling results by Janet Brown Opinion Research that shows 82 per cent of Albertans trust public libraries to make appropriate decisions about materials, compared to 46 per cent who trust the provincial government.

“Sixty-nine per cent of Albertans prefer those decisions to be made locally by trained staff guided by local boards, and 60 per cent oppose provincial laws or regulations restricting access to library materials,” it says.

The organization is calling on the province to engage directly with library leaders before proceeding with legislative changes, and to ensure any new requirements include proper privacy review, implementation planning and dedicated funding.

Local library responds

Pincher Creek Municipal Library, which is part of the Chinook Arch Regional Library System under CAP Libraries, has not taken a public position for or against the bill.

In a statement, the library says it supports “intellectual freedom rights for all citizens of Pincher Creek.”

Williams says the government plans to work with the library sector as it develops regulations.

“We’ll engage with experts and draw in research for the best practices moving forward,” he says, adding the goal is to ensure families feel confident that appropriate safeguards are in place while maintaining access to materials for those who need them.

“I do [trust parents and librarians],” Williams says. “Any parent that wants kids to have access to any material in a library, they can grant that authority to their children.”

However, he adds that “until that permission is given, those who are under the age of 16 are going to have to get their parents’ permission for things that are truly pornographic in nature.”

Age Restrictions, Bill 28, Intellectual Freedom, Library Access, Privacy Concerns, Provincial Legislation, Public Libraries