Organization: Southern Alberta Land Trust Society

MD of Pincher Creek council waded into a provincial policing debate at its Aug. 25 meeting, backing a national campaign that asks the province to pause plans for a new Alberta Sheriffs Police Service.

Council also amended its animal control rules, reviewed a second-quarter enforcement report showing a jump in files, and heard a resident’s call for stronger water and land-use protections south of town.

Council backs police federation campaign

The MD is backing the National Police Federation’s Call to Action, which represents nearly 20,000 RCMP members across the country, including more than 3,100 in Alberta.

The campaign urges the province to pause further investment in an Alberta Sheriffs Police Service until a comprehensive, independent and publicly available feasibility study is completed.

The federation cited its own polling showing 76 per cent of Albertans are satisfied with the RCMP and 67 per cent feel they have not been adequately consulted on the creation of a provincial police force.

Enforcement files increase

Enforcement services investigated 45 files during the second quarter of 2026, up from 31 in the first quarter. Two files were carried over from 2025 and 40 were closed during the quarter.

Of the files investigated, 29 involved municipal bylaws, with animal control accounting for 16. Another 16 involved provincial statutes, including 14 related to the Traffic Safety Act.

Sixteen warning notices and 25 violation tickets were issued during the quarter, plus one remedial order and two orders under the Municipal Government Act.

Administration said third-quarter enforcement efforts would continue emphasizing education and voluntary bylaw compliance where appropriate.

With increased tourist traffic during the summer, enforcement efforts focused on traffic safety and compliance with rules of the road.

Animal control rules amended

Council approved Bylaw 1375-26, an amendment to the MD’s animal control bylaw, after passing all three readings. The amendment closes a gap that left one land-use category without clear rules for pets, livestock and bees. A public hearing was not required.

Administration told council the current animal control bylaw, adopted in June 2025, did not account for the “hamlet transitional agriculture” designation created under the municipality’s land-use bylaw.

The amendment aligns hamlet transitional agriculture with the requirements that already apply to grouped country residential districts — covering the number of dogs allowed, mandatory licensing, restrictions on bees and livestock, and limits on keeping chickens.

Dogs that are, or appear to be, at least six months old must be licensed when kept in hamlets, grouped country residential areas, hamlet transitional agriculture areas and Castle Mountain Resort.

Chickens kept in those areas must follow the limits and requirements set out in the bylaw, and excessive numbers are prohibited.

MD approves regional alliance fees

Council approved $4,077 in 2026 membership fees for the Alberta SouthWest Regional Alliance, based on the MD’s 2025 population of 3,262 at $1.25 per capita.

The MD had sold no regional business licences as of July 20, so it retained no revenue under the regional licence arrangement.

The fee will come from council expenses.

Coffee With Council dates changed

Council rescheduled two Coffee With Council sessions after a scheduling conflict.

The Division 2 session at Lundbreck Hall moves to Sept. 17 and the Division 5 session at the MD office to Nov. 17.

The changes followed the annual Southwest Region Elected Officials meeting moving to Nov. 26, which created a scheduling conflict with the original dates.

Council adopts governance policy

Council approved a new Municipal Governance Framework and Document Hierarchy Policy, setting out how the MD’s various guiding documents fit together.

Administration said it gives employees clarity on how different documents relate and who is responsible for approving and implementing them.

Under the new framework, department directors are expected to make sure staff understand the documents that apply to their work, while the CAO is responsible for approving directives and procedures and regularly reviewing all guiding documents.

ALUS tour attendance approved

Council authorized all members to attend an Alternative Land Use System tour on Sept. 15.

The ALUS program supports landowners in projects that provide environmental benefits while keeping land in agricultural production.

Resident asks for stronger land-use protections

Council received a letter from resident Heidi Eijgel calling for stronger land-use protections in the area south of Pincher Creek toward Waterton Lakes National Park.

Eijgel asked council to revisit the municipal development plan and create an area structure plan specifically for that landscape, arguing it plays a critical role in storing and filtering fresh water for the region.

In her letter, Eijgel wrote that a well on her property has seen its output drop significantly over the years and now shows elevated dissolved solids and salts. She links the change to pressure on the Waterton Biosphere and Castle and Porcupine areas.

She asked council to prioritize agriculture, wilderness and sustainable tourism and to resist further industrial development, while ensuring proper cleanup of existing industrial sites as operations wind down.

Hospital activity books get $279 sponsorship

Council approved $279 for a display ad in a hospital activity book for children, distributed free through hospitals, medical centres and victim services in Pincher Creek and surrounding areas.

The sponsorship comes from the MD’s budget for grants to groups and organizations.

Minor hockey receives $150

Council approved a $150 donation to Pincher Creek Minor Hockey for its Back to Hockey Camp on Oct. 3.

The association expects about 130 children, along with coaches and managers, to take part.

Wildlife fencing request received

Council received a request from the Southern Alberta Land Trust Society regarding wildlife-friendly fencing near the new Highway 3 wildlife underpass.

The organization is working with a landowner and neighbouring leaseholder to remove old fencing and rebuild roughly half a mile of fence to wildlife-friendly specifications, at an estimated labour cost of about $10,000.

SALTS said it is seeking outside funding for materials and equipment and hoped to organize volunteers to help remove the existing fence.

Other business

Council authorized Reeve Rick Lemire to attend the Chinook Regional Hospital Foundation’s Bringing Hearts Home celebration and reception on Sept. 10. The event recognizes leadership and collaboration supporting cardiac care in southern Alberta.