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Political signs that have been ripped down and punctured.

Missing referendum signs a police matter, not a town one, CAO says

Written on . Posted in Civic & Government, RCMP & Public Safety.

Signs promoting Alberta independence have been knocked down or taken repeatedly in Pincher Creek since they went up Sept. 8, according to a volunteer with the campaign that placed them.

They asked not to be named for fear of being targeted in the community. They filed a report with RCMP on Sept. 10 for the first incident but not subsequent ones.

Pincher Creek RCMP confirm they haven’t received further complaints about damaged or removed referendum signs since then.

According to the volunteer:

—Signs near Community Hall were pulled down the evening of Sept. 9 and moved down the fence line. One was broken in half and others piled together under horse manure.

—Four signs placed in front of the library were knocked down or removed each night from Sept. 11 to 14, and replaced each following day.

—Two of four replacement signs at the library were gone the morning of Sept. 16 and four signs were taken down on Remington Avenue the same day.

—Two large signs along Highway 3 were on the ground Sept. 16 after standing the night before.

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.

Shootin’ the Breeze is not aware of any damage to or removal of local signs advocating the federalist position.

What the law says

In a June 29 post on Facebook, Elections Alberta said it is responsible only for monitoring the messages on referendum advertising and ensuring advertisers include the required authorization statement.

Complaints are handled by the RCMP. Pincher Creek RCMP confirm that damaging or taking a sign can be treated as mischief or theft under the Criminal Code.

Town’s role

The Town of Pincher Creek has no power to set rules for referendum signs, or to investigate when they go missing, says chief administrative officer Konrad Dunbar.

“We want to maintain a neutral stance,” he says.

Dunbar meets with any campaign that asks. Local independence supporters met with him before Aug. 31 to go over proposed sign locations.

“It is not in our mandate — we are not allowed to direct sign placement or remove signs. But we can confirm whether the locations a third party advertiser has in mind are on public or on private land,” he says.

A 2025 provincial amendment bars municipal councils from passing bylaws or resolutions about election signs or advertisements.

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

Dunbar says that before the change, each municipality could set its own sign rules, which for a provincial vote meant a patchwork. The amendment “created equal access all across the board,” he says.

If town staff need to move a sign for safety or mowing, they either contact the organization responsible or briefly move and replace it, he says.

Waterton Avenue is part of provincial Highway 6, so provincial highway rules apply. They prohibit signs on medians and signs that obstruct sight lines, interfere with traffic signs or create other hazards.

Placement guidelines

In an Aug. 20 letter to the Town of Pincher Creek, Let Alberta Decide lawyer Keith Wilson said volunteers had been told to follow guidelines similar to Calgary’s sign rules.

According to the letter, signs should:

—Not be placed within about 15 metres of an intersection.

—Not be placed within about 10 metres of a crosswalk.

—Be at least two metres behind the curb or roadway edge where practical.

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—Not be placed on medians or traffic islands.

—Be spaced apart from similar campaign signs.

—Not block sight lines for drivers, cyclists or pedestrians.

—Not interfere with sidewalks, pathways, transit, traffic-control devices, utilities or municipal operations.

—Be securely installed and maintained.

Wilson said the campaign will remove its signs promptly after the Oct. 19 referendum.

Dunbar says the guidelines are in line with provincial highway guidelines.

He invites anyone with questions about sign placement to contact him at 403-627-3156.

Alberta Separation | Independence | Bill 54, Election Signs, Referendums

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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.

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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.

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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.

Related stories

Economic hopes, environmental concerns collide at Northback presentation

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

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News briefs from July 27 Town of Pincher Creek council table

Written on . Posted in Civic & Government.

Pincher Creek town council approved a new child-care lease, set budget guidelines for the coming years and prepared for two fall conferences at its July 27 meeting.

Child-care lease approved after revision

Council unanimously approved a revised lease with KP Squared Innovative Child Care, which will take over operations at two town-owned child-care facilities providing services for local families.

The lease covers the Canyon Creek Early Learning Centre and the Sage Early Learning Centre. KP Squared will continue under the existing lease until the new agreement takes effect. The start date was moved from July 1 to Sept. 1.

Council first reviewed a draft at its June 22 meeting, where members raised concerns about several clauses, including a $500 late-payment charge and insurance requirements, and questioned who would be responsible for major building repairs.

Mayor Wayne Oliver asked whether some insurance provisions, including automobile liability and business-interruption coverage, went beyond standard municipal leasing practice. Administration was directed to amend the draft.

The updated lease removes the late-payment charge and additional rent provisions that could have required the tenant to cover taxes, insurance, utilities and other expenses. It also replaces a clause requiring $5 million in tenant insurance coverage with a requirement that KP Squared provide proof of contents-and liability coverage.

A new clause confirms KP Squared is a not-for-profit entity exempt from property taxes. The revised agreement also makes the town, as landlord, responsible for major structural repairs, such as foundation, roof, exterior walls and mechanical systems such as HVAC, plumbing and electrical.

KP Squared will not be responsible for deferred maintenance or pre-existing conditions, with a building condition report serving as the baseline for future assessments.

Budget guidelines set for 2027 and 2028

Council approved guidelines to help administration prepare an incremental two-year operating budget for 2027 and 2028, with property tax and utility rate increases each capped at three per cent per year. It also called for a review process to account for external changes before 2028.

The guidelines include preparing a capital budget with proposed funding sources and recommended changes to the town’s fees-and-charges bylaw. Changes would be based on market comparisons, cost of service and community benefit.

Council also approved developing an additional three-year capital plan and two-year operating plan for the years beyond 2028, again with property tax and utility rate increases capped at three per cent annually.

In other business

The July 27 meeting was the first to include written council reports in the agenda package.

Council unanimously supported Coun. Valerie Wynder attending the Family and Community Support Services conference in Edmonton from Nov. 25 to 27. Oliver said the conference falls outside the normal council pay structure and suggested council formally support her participation.

CAO Konrad Dunbar presented a new motion tracker that will replace the previous spreadsheet system, sorting council motions into completed, in-progress and not-started categories. Completed items will be removed from future lists once council has reviewed them, keeping the focus on current work. The system is currently in draft form.

Couns. Gordon McMullen, Bernice Cyr, Wynder and Mark Barber confirmed they will attend the Alberta Municipalities convention and trade show in Edmonton, Sept. 23 to 25.

Child Care, Municipal Budgets, Municipal Conferences, Municipal Government, Property Taxes, Town Council, Utility Rates

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Downtown visibility effort raises fairness concerns

Written on . Posted in Business & Economy, Civic & Government.

A slowdown in customer traffic on Main Street prompted a group of Pincher Creek business owners to seek the town’s help in attracting more visitors downtown, but the pitch didn’t go quite as planned.

After local merchants proposed a town-funded brochure promoting 23 downtown shops, councillors agreed the concept had potential but said it needed broader consultation, more inclusive business representation and a cohesive marketing strategy before public money could be committed.

In the meantime, council directed administration to look at improvements to existing downtown signage while broader branding discussions continue.

Mayor Wayne Oliver said the requests included creating a promotional brochure and improving signage directing visitors to Main Street. He said both projects could be covered within existing budgets.

“I met with a couple of business owners on Main Street. They’ve seen a decrease in foot traffic on Main Street businesses this year, and they’ve proposed creating some awareness of some of the good things that we have,” he said.

The brochure presented lists 23 downtown businesses and a map to show their location on Main Street.

It also includes a brief history of downtown Pincher Creek, tracing the community’s roots from Indigenous Peoples of the Blackfoot Confederacy, Stoney Nakoda and Tsuut’ina nations through the arrival of the North West Mounted Police and the ranching and railway era of the late 1800s.

The proposal called for printing 5,000 copies for distribution in local hotels and other visitor spots.

Oliver said the estimated cost is about $2,000 — roughly $1,400 for the outer brochure and $600 for the insert, or about 40 cents per copy.

A question of fairness

Council’s questions came quickly, many circling the same concern: if the town pays, who gets left out?

Coun. Sahra Nodge said she was confused about the origin of the brochure and whether it was a town product or a private one. That distinction, she said, mattered. She also questioned whether the town should fund a publication that highlights some businesses while leaving others out.

“If this is a Town of Pincher Creek product, we need to be aware that the things we include and don’t include have an impact on businesses in our community,” she said.

If the brochure becomes a town publication, Nodge said, council must ensure businesses are treated fairly. She noted businesses that were omitted and said those decisions could create the appearance of favouritism.

She also questioned some of the brochure’s content.

“In terms of imagery, I think it’s a little bit misleading to have an ice cream cone [on the brochure] when they don’t have any ice cream businesses in town,” Nodge said.

Coun. Gordon McMullen said the Royal Canadian Legion was also overlooked.

“They’ve always got signs out inviting everybody in,” McMullen said. “If it’s brought up to them, they would be willing to probably fund some of it too.”

Coun. Valerie Wynder asked whether the business owners behind the brochure had connected with the local chamber of commerce or with the South Canadian Rockies Tourism Association, a regional destination management organization with access to tourism grants.

“As a council, it doesn’t look great for us to cherry-pick certain businesses. We want to support the whole thing,” she said.

Coun. Brian McGillivray raised the question of fairness beyond downtown. If the town funded promotion for Main Street businesses, he said, it would have to consider doing the same for businesses elsewhere in Pincher Creek.

“If we’re going to pay for it, it should be inclusive rather than exclusive,” he said.

Is a brochure the answer?

McGillivray went further, questioning whether the brochure would make a meaningful difference at all.

“This isn’t going to build business downtown,” McGillivray said. “What we need to consider is that the real reason why business is shrinking is because people are out of money.”

He said spending patterns at local grocery stores reflected broader economic strain, with shoppers shifting to lower-cost brands. Some businesses, he said, had seen sales drop by as much as 50 per cent.

Nodge pushed for a more strategic approach. Rather than producing one-off promotional pieces, she said the town should develop a cohesive brand — one where billboards, brochures, online content and regional partnerships all tell the same story.

“I want them to be really pretty and really connected,” Nodge said. “A whole branded promotional strategy rather than one-offs that look different all over the place.”

Wynder added that cohesive regional branding could also strengthen future grant applications.

“When we can show regional collaboration, that makes us look more attractive to granting,” she said.

She suggested the town reach out to Alberta Southwest Regional Alliance and the MD of Pincher Creek as potential partners.

Oliver said the brochure should be viewed as an early draft intended to start a conversation rather than a finished product.

Council accepted the report as information without approving funding for the brochure.

Signage gets a closer look

Oliver noted a sign near the Heritage Inn directing traffic from Waterton Lakes National Park is faded and partially obscured by trees. A second sign on Main Street heading south is almost entirely hidden by overgrown bushes. A third sign on Highway 3, between Highway 785 and Pincher Station, has carried a graffiti tag for more than 20 years.

Coun. Mark Barber said the signage work shouldn’t wait for a full branding exercise to be completed.

“The downtown vendors and stores are really struggling right now,” he said. “If we can do anything, if they feel that better signage would help, I’d like to get on top of it sooner rather than later.”

Konrad Dunbar, the town’s chief administrative officer, said addressing the existing signs was already on the town’s to-do list. He recommended separating the immediate maintenance work — trimming trees, washing signs, touching up paint — from any larger rebranding effort, which he said would be better addressed during budget discussions.

Council agreed and passed a motion directing administration to examine the costs of improving existing downtown signage, with a focus on rebranding and consistency.

Business Promotion, Downtown Revitalization, Municipal Branding

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News briefs from May 25 Town of Pincher Creek council table

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

A decision on new funding for the Pincher Creek Curling Club was put on hold, two properties were set for public auction and the town’s electricity franchise agreement was renewed for five years at town council’s May 25 regular meeting.

Mayor Wayne Oliver and Couns. Mark Barber, Bernice Cyr, Brian McGillivray, Sahra Nodge and Valerie Wynder were present. Coun. Gordon McMullen was absent.

Curling club funding request deferred

Council’s longest discussion centred on the curling club’s request for additional municipal support. The project is roughly $1.8 million short of the amount needed to complete construction of a new rink.

Oliver said administration did not provide a recommendation. Instead, council received several possible funding approaches and supporting documents for consideration.

McGillivray said a complete record of council motions on the rink project, dating back to 2018, was missing from the agenda package.

“I went through it twice yesterday and I could not find it,” McGillivray said, adding he was not prepared to vote on a funding question of that magnitude without that historical record.

He made the motion to postpone further discussion until June 8 and several councillors also identified information they would like before making a decision.

Cyr requested updated projections on fundraising, year-round building use and future revenue generation.

Wynder asked what would happen to provincial grant funding if the project is not completed. She also questioned whether council had received a formal request outlining exactly how much additional funding the club is seeking from the town.

“I just don’t feel like we’ve had a really formal ask there,” she said.

Oliver said residents had also raised questions about whether the project’s reported shortfall includes demolition costs for the old curling rink and expenses related to relocating the ice plant.

Council voted 5-1, with Nodge opposed, to postpone any vote on additional municipal support until June 8.

Two properties headed for public auction

Council approved terms and conditions for the town’s 2026 tax arrears recovery public auction. Two properties could be offered for sale if outstanding taxes remain unpaid.

The auction is scheduled for Sept. 16 at 2 p.m. in council chambers.

Property owners can redeem their land by paying all arrears, penalties and costs until the property is officially declared sold.

The town established reserve bids based on assessed market values. This includes $355,100 for a property listed as Plan 8089JK, Lot 274 and $28,600 for a property listed as Plan 850IB, MHPK, Lot 21.

Administration noted the properties would be sold on an “as is, where is” basis and purchasers would be responsible for taxes, utilities, registration fees and obtaining vacant possession.

Fortis electricity franchise renewed

Council directed administration to proceed with a five-year renewal of the town’s franchise agreement with FortisAlberta for the provision of electricity. The current intermediate term expires at the end of December.

The original agreement began in 2017 with a 20-year overall term, including scheduled renewal periods.

Discussion focused on whether alternative models for electricity service could exist in the future.

“You’d have to come up with the capital to purchase all of the poles and wire, the infrastructure,” chief administrative officer Konrad Dunbar said. “It’s quite the process.”

McGillivray suggested the town could explore acting as a local electricity retailer, essentially as a middleman between the distributor and residents, instead of residents relying on outside retailers.

Nodge said the issue generated community interest during the previous term of council. Some residents explored whether profits from such a venture could fund a local granting program for non-profit groups.

Dunbar said he would research the idea further.

Cyr raised concerns about deteriorating electrical hookups in some of the town’s mobile-home parks.

Dunbar said infrastructure on private property is the responsibility of the property owner, not FortisAlberta, once it crosses the property line. Oliver suggested complaints in those cases would need to originate from residents themselves.

Financial reports show strong revenues in 2025

Council accepted several quarterly financial reports as information, including year-end 2025 operating summaries and first-quarter 2026 financial statements.

The fourth-quarter operating reports for 2025 show the town ended the year with total revenue of just over $15.1 million against total expenses of about $15.2 million, leaving an operating shortfall of roughly $55,800 before other items.

User fees and sales of goods reached about $3.46 million in 2025, well above budgeted amounts, while licence and permit revenues finished at more than double projections.

On the expense side, total spending of $15.17 million came in about $1.13 million under budget, as several departments underspent their allocations. Administration and legislative costs both came in well below budget.

Recreation and culture remained the town’s largest spending category at about $5.59 million against a budget of $4.25 million .

The largest expense overage was salaries, wages and benefits, which came in at $6.76 million, roughly $1.72 million over the budgeted $5.04 million.

Transfers to organizations came in well under budget at $1.70 million against a budgeted $3.79 million.

After accounting for capital transfers and other items, the town recorded a net surplus of about $14,700 for the year, compared to a surplus of $213,700 in 2024.

The first-quarter operating statements for 2026, covering the three months ending March 31, were also accepted as information. The figures reflect expected seasonal patterns, with most revenue and expense lines tracking well below their annual budgets.

Total expenses for the first quarter stand at about $3.42 million, or about 25 per cent of the annual budget of $13.4 million.

Transfers to organizations tracked at nearly 100 per cent of their first-quarter budget at just over $1.01 million, reflecting timing of scheduled grant and transfer payments early in the year.

On the revenue side, the first-quarter total showed a negative figure due to the timing of property tax billing, which administration said is standard practice and not a cause for concern.

User fees, franchise fees and licences and permits were all tracking in the range of 17 to 70 per cent of annual budgets for the period.

Seniors Week and community events

Dunbar advised council that the Fred Huddleston Senior Centre board is hosting events to mark Alberta Seniors Week, running June 1 to 8. This included a Coffee With Council event on June 2, which Cyr and Barber agreed to attend.

Council also received invitations to the Pincher Creek Rodeo Parade on Aug. 15 and Elkford’s Wildcat Days Parade on June 27.

Barber expressed interest in attending the Elkford parade again this year.

Councillors also discussed a provincial Built Together grant opportunity offering five $50,000 community grants across Alberta. Oliver suggested administration pass the information to the curling club.

Council also noted Creating Inclusive Community Spaces, a free bystander intervention workshop scheduled for June 9 at 1 p.m. at Lebel Mansion.

Wynder encouraged community members, organizations and businesses to take part, describing it as practical training on how to safely support people who feel threatened without escalating a situation.

Alberta Seniors’ Week, Bystander Intervention, Community Events, Community Grants, Curling Rink, Electricity Franchise Agreements, Financial Reports, Municipal Funding, Municipal Governance, Tax Arrears

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More materials, less sorting in new recycling program

Written on . Posted in Civic & Government.

Pincher Creek residents will soon be able to recycle everything from glass jars and pizza boxes to chip bags and foam meat trays, without leaving home and without additional cost.

Starting Oct. 1, Pincher Creek will join Alberta’s enhanced recycling system under the province’s Extended Producer Responsibility framework, bringing curbside collection and expanded material acceptance to local households.

The new service will be managed by Circular Materials, a not-for-profit producer responsibility organization, and will apply to residential households in the town of Pincher Creek and the hamlets of Beaver Mines and Lundbreck in the MD.

What is changing and why

The transition is driven by provincial legislation. Alberta’s Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act created the Extended Producer Responsibility Regulation, which shifts responsibility for recycling programs from municipalities and taxpayers to the companies that supply packaging and paper products to consumers.

Konrad Dunbar, the town’s chief administrative officer, says the program has been years in the making.

“This program stretches back to 2022 and has many pieces and dates associated with it, including a provincial EPR partner, Circular Materials,” he says.

October marks Phase 2 of Alberta’s EPR rollout, following a Phase 1 launch in April 2025.

Who is eligible and what about rural residents?

The program covers only residential households and does not extend to commercial businesses.

In the MD, eligibility is tied to existing curbside garbage service, which is why only Beaver Mines and Lundbreck qualify at this time.

David Desabrais, the MD’s utilities and infrastructure manager, says that could change down the road.

“If in the future, curbside garbage services come to another hamlet or community, eligibility would change for recycling for that community,” he says.

Rural MD residents outside those hamlets will still have access to recycling through the Eco Centre depot, where two bins are expected to transition to single-stream collection with a broader range of accepted materials.

What residents can recycle

One of the most significant changes is the expansion of accepted materials.

The new program will accept glass containers, foam packaging such as meat trays and takeout containers, flexible plastics like chip bags and pet food bags, rigid plastics, aerosol containers, cardboard, paper, metal containers and other packaging materials.

The biggest change will be convenience, as the new program is single-stream, meaning residents will not need to sort recyclables before putting them out.

Desabrais says the new arrangement will divert more residential recyclables from the landfill.

Bins and collection schedules

Residents will receive new recycling bins ahead of the Oct. 1 launch.

Circular Materials will provide bin delivery details directly to residents. Neither the town nor the MD had received information on exact delivery dates or contractors as of this report.

No changes to existing waste collection schedules are anticipated.

Circular Materials will oversee recycling operations, including hiring contractors, handling communications and education campaigns, and managing service concerns such as missed pickups or damaged bins.

Costs and existing fees

There will be no additional charge to residents for the EPR recycling program but existing fees will remain in place.

For instance, the town’s 95-gallon cart fee, which applies to garbage collection, will continue.

Dunbar says any future changes to its fee structure would be a council decision made once the impact of the new program is better understood.

Town and MD roles going forward

Once the program launches, both the town and MD expect minimal day-to-day operational involvement after spending the past several years working with Circular Materials to ensure local service expectations are met.

The MD will continue managing the Eco Centre depot site alongside landfill operations.

Details on the new program are available online at circularmaterials.ca/ab.

Recycling, Waste Management

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News briefs from May 11 town council table

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

More than 80 Town of Pincher Creek policies could soon be rewritten, combined or scrapped altogether after council unanimously approved funding for a comprehensive review aimed at modernizing the municipality’s governance framework.

Council voted during its May 11 regular meeting to authorize Transitional Solutions Inc. to complete the overhaul. Administration said the work is needed to clear outdated documents, improve consistency and support a shift toward a more policy-driven budgeting model.

The decision came after council heard that many of the town’s existing policies are outdated or no longer aligned with current operations and that internal capacity alone would not be enough to complete the level of review required.

Council also spent significant time debating a draft joint-use agreement with Livingstone Range School Division.

Coun. Gordon McMullen was absent from the meeting.

Council approves $30,000 for policy overhaul

Council approved up to $30,000 from the municipal income stabilization reserve to hire Transitional Solutions Inc. to complete a full policy review and rewrite.

Administration told council the town currently has more than 80 policies, many of which are outdated, inconsistent or no longer required.

Chief administrative officer Konrad Dunbar said the scope of the review would be too large for internal staff to complete in a reasonable timeframe.

“We’ve got a lot of them, most of them probably just need to be rescinded,” he said, adding the consultant would help streamline, combine and modernize the policy framework.

Councillors supported the move. Mayor Wayne Oliver said bringing in outside expertise with a broader provincial perspective was the right call.

Council approved the motion unanimously.

Joint-use agreement draws lengthy debate

Council spent the most time reviewing a draft joint use and planning agreement with Livingstone Range School Division. The document, required under the Municipal Government Act, is intended to formalize shared use of municipal and school facilities.

Councillors raised concerns about timelines, implementation details and whether the draft provided enough opportunity for input before provincial deadlines.

Coun. Sahra Nodge said she was “a little disappointed” the agreement came forward for approval without more time for review, noting the issue has been discussed at joint council meetings for several years.

Despite concerns, administration and council members noted municipalities across Alberta are working under similar timelines and that extensions can be requested if agreements are not finalized.

Oliver said the document was a reasonable starting point and emphasized council still had time to refine it through further feedback.

Coun. Brian McGillivray cautioned against overly complex agreements, saying they should remain as simple as possible while still meeting legislative requirements.

Council ultimately directed administration to amend the draft based on feedback provided and bring it back for further consideration.

Chinook Arch highlights library system value

Council heard a delegation from the Chinook Arch Regional Library System, which emphasized the regional value of shared library services and the return on public investment in library programming.

CEO Robin Hepher told council that research suggests every dollar invested in public libraries generates about $6 in economic return through services that support literacy, employment, social services and community programming.

“Your public library is one of the best public dollars you can spend in terms of the impact it has on your community,” Hepher said.

The system includes 40 member municipalities across southern Alberta. Chinook Arch handles behind-the-scenes services such as cataloguing, purchasing, IT support and interlibrary delivery.

The system moves roughly 600,000 items annually through its delivery network, covering about 80,000 kilometres per year.

The delegation also raised a pending request to return the per-capita levy to pre-pandemic levels of $8.17, up from the current $7.76, which would cost the Town of Pincher Creek roughly $1,500 annually.

The increase requires approval from two-thirds of member councils, representing two-thirds of the total population served. That threshold effectively gives the City of Lethbridge, which accounts for just over 50 per cent of the system’s total population, a veto over any levy change.

A previous levy increase request was declined by Lethbridge.

Gas co-operative introduces itself to council

Council also heard from representatives of Chief Mountain Gas Co-op Ltd., a regional natural gas distributor, who provided an overview of operations across multiple municipalities and its history of serving the region since the 1970s.

The presentation included discussion of infrastructure, customer service and expansion through previous acquisitions of related mechanical and HVAC services in Pincher Creek.

Councillors questioned whether residents could switch providers and what process would be required. Representatives indicated a change would require a formal approval process, potentially including a vote.

Coun. Brian McGillivray said council should at least explore whether alternative arrangements could result in savings for taxpayers. He said he would like to see more information on what such a process would involve.

Arena signage

In his CAO report, Dunbar told council a review of arena signage could likely be handled within the existing operating budget, with costs expected to amount to only a few thousand dollars at most.

He said the plan is to remove the signs, obtain a quote while they are already down, and report back to council once the work is complete.

Tax help sessions on the horizon

Dunbar also reminded council of the annual tax assistance sessions held in the last week of June, where councillors sit with residents to answer questions ahead of the June 30 tax deadline.

He asked for direction on the format and scheduling of this year’s sessions. Councillors directed administration to prepare and circulate a schedule with proposed time slots for council participation.

School sponsorship approved after redirect motion fails

Council approved a $350 sponsorship renewal for Matthew Halton High School’s athletics program after an initial motion to redirect the request through the town’s joint funding process failed to carry.

The school wrote to council seeking renewal of a gym banner sponsorship, noting the town’s banner had been displayed since November rather than August due to a maintenance backlog. As a gesture of goodwill, the school offered the renewal at a reduced rate of $350, down from $400.

A motion by Coun. McGillivray to send a thank-you letter and redirect the school to the joint funding process was supported only by McGillivray and Coun. Bernice Cyr, and did not carry.

Coun. Mark Barber then moved that council approve the request as presented, which carried.

Correspondence and updates received

A letter from Lindsey Johnson, co-ordinator with Pincher Creek and District Family and Community Support Services, invited council members to attend a community conversation on seniors’ needs, organized by the Lethbridge Family Services Link program. Nodge expressed interest in attending.

Council also received several items for information, including an update from AltaLink confirming the 185L and 412L transmission line rebuild project north of the community has been delayed to 2029 due to funding changes, with no other project changes reported.

Council was informed of wildfire safety planning updates from AltaLink and changes to Alberta’s recycling system under Extended Producer Responsibility, which will transition municipalities to a provincewide single-stream recycling model, effective Oct. 1.

Council accepted the correspondence as information.

Community Sponsorship, Extended Producer Responsibility, Joint-Use Agreements, Library Services, Municipal Governance, Policy Review, Public Libraries

Former Town of Pincher Creek mayor Don Anderberg flips pancakes on a griddle. Text next to him says "Pancake flippers needed! Calling local community groups."

Town seeks a host to flip pancakes for hundreds on Aug. 15

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

The downtown pancake breakfast is a rodeo weekend tradition that draws hundreds every year. The Town of Pincher Creek invites community groups to apply to host the annual affair on Aug. 15.

Service clubs, non-profit organizations and other community groups are eligible.

The breakfast has been a Pincher Creek tradition for more than 30 years, according to Konrad Dunbar, the town’s chief administrative officer.

Hosting the breakfast gives an organization a chance to showcase its work, connect with residents and visitors, and take part in one of the community’s biggest weekends of the year. Proceeds go to the host group to support its programs.

“We want to give all local interested organizations the opportunity to participate in co-ordinating this longstanding community tradition,” Dunbar says.

While the town will not serve as the primary organizer, he says municipal support is available where feasible, including tables, garbage services and washroom access.

Members of both Town and MD of Pincher Creek councils will attend the breakfast and assist with serving.

Interested organizations can find application details online at pinchercreek.ca/rodeo-weekend or contact Carolina Hunsperger, executive assistant with the town, at 403-627-3156.

Community Events, Pancake Breakfast, Rodeo Weekend, Volunteer Opportunities

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Pincher Creek council approves $528K to secure clean, reliable water supply

Written on . Posted in Civic & Government.

Pincher Creek town council has approved $528,000 in funding to replace aging sand filter media at the water treatment plant, addressing infrastructure that has exceeded its expected lifespan and is affecting plant operations.

The decision was made during the March 9 regular council meeting, with funding to come from the town’s utility reserve.

Administration brought the request forward citing the deteriorating condition of the sand media, which plays a critical role in the water treatment process by filtering out remaining particles after initial settling.

According to administration, the existing sand media has been in place since the plant was constructed more than three decades ago. While the typical lifespan of such media is 20 to 25 years, Pincher Creek’s system has continued operating for 36 years and has never been replaced since the plant was constructed, largely due to the efforts of plant operators.

However, officials said the extended use is now beginning to impact performance.

As the sand ages, its ability to effectively filter water declines, requiring the plant to slow production in order to maintain water quality. This has resulted in longer operating hours and increased strain on staff, who have been working extended shifts, including nights and weekends, to keep up with demand.

Administration indicated to council that replacing the sand media before further decline is critical to maintaining both efficiency and reliability in the system.

Mayor Wayne Oliver described the replacement as part of routine but essential maintenance to ensure the continued safety and quality of the town’s drinking water.

He explained that raw water is drawn from the Castle River and, when conditions allow, from the Pincher Creek, before being stored in a large reservoir that provides a backup supply for the community. From there, water enters the treatment plant, where it undergoes multiple stages of purification.

A key step in that process is sand filtration.

“You put the raw water through the sand and the sand captures any particulate that’s in the water,” Oliver said, noting that this filtration occurs before the water moves through additional treatment phases.

Chief administrative officer Konrad Dunbar expanded on the process, outlining how water is treated once it enters the facility.

“The water is stored in a reservoir before going into the plant. In the plant it first goes through the floc cells, for initial settling treatment (removing any large floating particles), then through the sand filters to filter out any remaining particles, next is the UV treatment for initial disinfection,” Dunbar explained.

Chlorine is added in the final stage to ensure continuous disinfection as water is distributed through the system. Dunbar compared the sand filters to household air filters.

“They catch particles to make the water clean, but like any filter, they require maintenance and eventual replacement,” he said, noting the system uses multiple types and sizes of specialized sand.

“Our mandate is to provide clean, uninterrupted drinking water to our residents,” Dunbar added.

Council heard that while a project of this scale would typically be considered during the annual budget process, administration chose to bring it forward now due to recently secured external funding.

The project has received support through the Alberta Municipal Water/Wastewater Partnership program, which will cover about 52 per cent of the total cost. While replacing all three filter cells is estimated at about $1.1 million, the grant reduces the municipality’s share to $528,000.

Administration noted that only two of the three filters are currently required to meet demand.

A final decision on the scope of the work will be made following detailed engineering analysis and the tendering process, which will assess whether it is more cost-effective to replace all three filters while grant funding is available.

The town’s utility reserve, which will fund the project, currently sits at about $1.84 million and is expected to increase following year-end financial updates.

Dunbar said the next steps include engineering design, tendering and installation, with the overall timeline estimated at four to six months, though that may evolve as the project progresses.

The town does not anticipate any disruption to water service during construction.

“It is our intention to not disrupt water to our residents at all,” Dunbar said, adding that residents will be notified immediately if any unforeseen issues arise.

 

Strong local journalism matters to Canadian communities

This article was reported and written by Shootin’ the Breeze’s Local Journalism Initiative reporter. 

The Local Journalism Initiative is a federally funded program that supports original public-interest journalism in smaller or underserved communities across Canada. Content produced through the initiative is editorially independent and may be shared by other Canadian media outlets.

Stories like this are reported to keep readers informed and connected — and to reflect real Canadian life.

 

Alberta | AB, Municipal Councils | Governments

Two travellers with luggage arriving at a short-term rental property

Town council reviews short-term rental rules, compliance

Written on . Posted in Civic & Government.

How many guests is too many for a short-term rental in Pincher Creek?

That question prompted discussion at the Feb. 23 regular meeting of town council, where members examined whether to place a cap on occupancy for non-owner occupied short-term rentals and how to address a growing number of unregistered units operating in the community.

While no decision was made, the open conversation highlighted concerns about parking pressures in residential areas, neighbourhood impacts, hotel competition and enforcement of registration requirements under the town’s land use bylaw.

Mayor Wayne Oliver introduced the topic, explaining it arose from a recent MDSA application seeking approval for 12 occupants in a short-term rental. Because only three of seven council members sit on the MDSA, Oliver said the board wanted broader input from council on what it envisions for short-term rentals in Pincher Creek and whether a cap on guest numbers should be considered.

He provided background on how short-term rentals are defined in the town’s land use bylaw, clarifying that a short-term rental is defined as a stay under 28 days.

Oliver distinguished that from a boarding house, where the homeowner resides in the dwelling and has five or more unrelated individuals staying there, and from a bed and breakfast, which typically involves stays under 14 days with the owner present and breakfast provided.

He also explained the bylaw recognizes two types of short-term rentals: Type 1, which is owner occupied, and Type 2, which is non-owner occupied and involves renting out the entire home.

“There’s no language at all about the number of occupants,” Oliver said, noting that applications are considered on a case-by-case basis.

Coun. Brian McGillivray said the discussion was prompted in part by past applications seeking high occupancy numbers. He referenced a previous proposal for 28 occupants in a single-family dwelling, which was declined.

More recently, the MDSA considered an application for 12 occupants in what would typically be a three-bedroom home with an additional bedroom developed in the basement.

McGillivray said that using a general assumption of two people per vehicle, such a rental could result in multiple vehicles in an R1 residential area.

“Where are all these cars going to park?” he asked.

He suggested council consider discussing what density is appropriate in order to protect the “reasonable pleasure and enjoyment” of neighbouring residents.

The conversation also shifted to the overall number of short-term rentals in town. The land use bylaw allows short-term rentals up to about three per cent of dwellings, which Oliver clarified equates to about 41 units.

Administration provided council with a map showing registered operators and estimated locations of unregistered listings. Chief Administrative Officer Konrad Dunbar noted the information on unregistered units was approximate.

“We had to make some assumptions upon the non-registered ones,” Dunbar said, adding staff did not want to be seen as accusing anyone if information was inaccurate.

McGillivray said the number of unregistered units and operators was concerning.

“There’s actually more non-registered than registered in the town of Pincher Creek, which I think is a crying shame,” he said.

Oliver suggested council could consider directing administration to begin educating operators about registration requirements, possibly through a “friendly information” approach advising them they are required to obtain a permit.

Coun. Mark Barber expressed concerns about the impacts of short-term rentals on residents and the long-term rental market. He said he regularly hears complaints related to parking and garbage.

“You hear all the negative. I don’t hear any of the positive,” Barber said, adding he would be supportive of returning more units to long-term rental or ownership.

Coun. Gordon McMullen, however, spoke in favour of short-term rentals, citing a recent basketball tournament in town.

“There was not hotel rooms available. I know two families from Elk River that rented a short-term place,” he said. “Hotel owners, if they’re complaining that these things are hurting them, I don’t agree with that, because you cannot get a hotel room in this town right now.”

Oliver added that after speaking with several hotel operators, he was told their markets differ from short-term rentals and that most did not express concerns about competition. He noted one smaller operator did raise concerns about fairness and ensuring short-term rentals meet similar tax and safety standards.

Council then debated whether to establish a firm occupancy cap. McGillivray suggested six occupants might be reasonable in a typical three-bedroom home, while Oliver indicated a number between six and eight could be considered.

Coun. Valerie Wynder cautioned that limits of six or eight may be too restrictive for families travelling with youth sports teams.

“As a person who has kids playing sports, six or eight sounds too small,” she said. “If you’re packing a minivan full of kids or two, you can fit a lot of kids into a house for a reasonable amount of money and with two vehicles.”

Coun. Sahra Nodge supported maintaining the current case-by-case approach.

“My preference would be to look at the house itself case by case and situation, which is what the MDSA is currently empowered to do, instead of putting it into a regulation with a hard and fast rule,” she said.

Nodge also expressed support for bringing unregistered operators into compliance and gathering better data before making regulatory changes.

 

Strong local journalism matters to Canadian communities

This article was reported and written by Shootin’ the Breeze’s Local Journalism Initiative reporter. 

The Local Journalism Initiative is a federally funded program that supports original public-interest journalism in smaller or underserved communities across Canada. Content produced through the initiative is editorially independent and may be shared by other Canadian media outlets.

Stories like this are reported to keep readers informed and connected — and to reflect real Canadian life.

 

Alberta | AB, Housing, short-term rentals

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Town council advances pay bylaw after review and revisions

Written on . Posted in Civic & Government.

Pincher Creek town council has taken the next step toward updating how elected officials are compensated, approving first reading of a revised remuneration bylaw after weeks of review and discussion.

At the town’s Feb. 9 regular meeting, council advanced Bylaw 1578-26, a draft aimed at clarifying pay structures, training compensation and annual cost-of-living adjustments for the mayor and councillors.

The move follows earlier debates that prompted administration to return with clearer language and structural changes intended to standardize how remuneration is calculated and applied.

Background and revisions

The bylaw returned to council after earlier review at a Dec. 3 committee of the whole meeting, where council asked administration to better outline which events are considered preapproved and eligible for compensation.

At the Jan. 26 regular meeting, council again deliberated on the revised bylaw. The substantive change in the draft was the addition of wording stating that the chief elected official and councillors shall receive the amount listed in the bylaw for each preapproved event attended.

The draft also applies existing remuneration rates to those preapproved events.

However, after discussion, council delayed first reading and directed administration to provide additional clarification.

Key areas flagged for revision included defining preapproved events, outlining compensation for training sessions and establishing a framework for annual remuneration adjustments.

Administration’s updated draft introduces a new “annual adjustment” section, which states that remuneration rates will be automatically indexed each Jan. 1, based on the preceding November Consumer Price Index for Canada or Alberta, whichever is higher.

Council had previously expressed interest in embedding a cost-of-living mechanism to avoid repeated debates over pay adjustments.

Changes were also made to the list of preapproved events for which councillors may claim compensation, with Allied Arts annual events removed from eligibility.

The list includes a range of community, regional and ceremonial activities, such as Town of Pincher Creek facility tours, emergency preparedness events, local non-profit annual general meetings, seniors home visits, National Indigenous Peoples Day events, Heritage Acres activities, Chamber of Commerce events and meetings with provincial or federal representatives, among others.

Compensation structure updates

The revised draft maintains the bylaw’s framework covering stipends, meeting rates and expense reimbursements, while adjusting several provisions.

The draft sets monthly stipends at $1,200 for the chief elected official and $600 for councillors.

The meeting rate for regular, special and other council meetings is $235 per meeting. Remuneration for committee meetings and preapproved events is structured the same way. For committee meetings lasting up to three hours, remuneration is $120, increasing to $235 if the meeting exceeds three hours.

Training compensation has been explicitly added in the new draft, with councillors eligible to receive $120 for sessions lasting up to three hours, increasing to $235 for sessions exceeding that threshold.

Meal reimbursement limits have also been increased. Lunch allowances rise to $30 from $25, while supper limits increase to $50 from $35. The full-day maximum has been adjusted to $100, up from $80 in the previous draft.

Mileage reimbursement continues to be tied to the federal Canada Revenue Agency rate, and entertainment, travel and accommodation expenses remain reimbursable at actual cost with receipts.

Council discussion

During discussion, chief administrative officer Konrad Dunbar clarified that a previously raised question about mileage reimbursement did not require amendment, as the provision already existed in the bylaw.

Dunbar also provided council with comparative information drawn from an Alberta Municipal Services Corporation remuneration survey.

He explained that while municipalities structure compensation in different ways, making direct comparisons difficult, the survey compiles annual remuneration totals to provide an approximate benchmark.

Mayor Wayne Oliver described the survey as useful background information, noting that council’s intent was not to significantly increase remuneration but to formalize a cost-of-living adjustment and improve clarity.

Coun. Sahra Nodge asked whether the data reflected provincewide figures. Dunbar responded that the comparison focused on municipalities with populations immediately above and below Pincher Creek, creating a middle-range benchmark for context.

Council ultimately voted to give the bylaw first reading, allowing the updated draft to proceed through the legislative process.

The bylaw is expected to return to council for further consideration at a future meeting.

 

Strong local journalism matters to Canadian communities

This article was reported and written by Shootin’ the Breeze’s Local Journalism Initiative reporter. 

The Local Journalism Initiative is a federally funded program that supports original public-interest journalism in smaller or underserved communities across Canada. Content produced through the initiative is editorially independent and may be shared by other Canadian media outlets.

Stories like this are reported to keep readers informed and connected — and to reflect real Canadian life.

Alberta | AB, Municipal Councils | Governments

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Town addresses emergency services, bylaws, board appointments

Written on . Posted in Civic & Government.

A presentation on emergency air ambulance services, approval of key municipal bylaws and appointments to the local library board highlighted a wide-ranging Feb. 9 regular meeting of Pincher Creek town council.

The evening opened with a delegation from STARS Air Ambulance. Representative Jackie Seely outlined the organization’s history, funding model and recent service activity connected to the Pincher Creek region.

STARS marked its 40th year of operations in 2025, Seely told council, describing how the service was created after the preventable death of a rural patient highlighted gaps in emergency transport.

“At the time, Dr. Greg Powell was the head of emergency at the Foothills Hospital and he said her death was one too many. So they decided that they needed to get STARS off the ground,” Seely said.

In 1985, STARS flew its first-ever mission, to Lethbridge, for a critically ill newborn child. The organization now operates a fleet of 10 helicopters from six western Canadian bases, including three in Alberta, and works closely with local emergency responders to ensure safe landing zones and co-ordinated care.

In 2003, STARS began using night-vision goggles. Night-vision technology is essential, Seeley said, noting that more than half of STARS missions occur after dark.

Seely said the service has flown 89 missions connected to the Pincher Creek area since 2021, including 47 interfacility transfers from the local hospital and 14 calls in the surrounding area. Cardiac incidents now account for the largest share of missions, surpassing vehicle collisions.

Seely also reviewed the organization’s blended-funding structure, which includes provincial support, donations, fundraising projects and municipal contributions.

She thanked council for its longstanding financial commitment, describing the town as a regional leader in support. The Town of Pincher Creek contributes a fixed rate of $7,300 per year to STARS, based on about $2 per capita.

This support “really helps us have that predictable funding for the future,” she said.

Mayor Wayne Oliver later raised the possibility of revisiting that contribution level, suggesting council may wish to examine whether an increase is appropriate in a future discussion.

Coun. Sahra Nodge advised that the matter should return formally through a notice of motion, and Oliver agreed to bring it back for consideration.

Council then moved into bylaw business, beginning with updates to the Oldman River Regional Services Commission regional assessment review framework. The bylaw governs how property assessment complaints are handled through a shared regional board.

The commission and its member municipalities jointly operate the Regional Assessment Review Board to carry out the responsibilities of both a local assessment review board and a composite assessment review board under the Municipal Government Act, hearing appeals from taxpayers within participating communities.

The agreement has been in place since 2014, with periodic updates to reflect administrative and legislative changes. In 2022, further amendments were recommended following a Municipal Affairs accountability review of the Town of Pincher Creek conducted in 2021.

The current bylaw received first reading last month.

Under the town’s fee structure, appeals are set at $50 for residential properties with three or fewer dwellings and $500 for larger residential or non-residential appeals

Both second and third readings carried without extended debate.

Next, councillors approved the annual municipal borrowing bylaw, a routine measure required by the town’s financial institution. Mayor Oliver explained the process for newer members of council.

“This is something that we see every single year,” Oliver said. “It allows us as a town entity to have a line of credit and a credit card, and the financial institution needs this bylaw approved each and every year.”

The borrowing bylaw authorizes a $1-million revolving line of credit and a $50,000 municipal credit card to finance operating expenditures permitted under provincial legislation.

The line of credit carries an interest rate of prime plus one per cent, and administration has arranged for automatic payment of the credit card balance to avoid interest charges.

Council granted all three readings during the same meeting.

Council also gave first reading to a revised remuneration bylaw governing compensation and reimbursement rules for elected officials. Administration had previously identified areas requiring clarification, including preapproved events, training eligibility and annual adjustment language.

Under new business, council confirmed appointments to the intermunicipal library board following recommendations from the board itself. It looked at a set of formal appointment motions aimed at filling vacancies on the board and confirming council representation.

The recommendations proposed appointing three public members — Gordon Tolton to a one-year term, Sara Hossain to a three-year term and Susan Knight to a one-year term — following a review of applications by the library board.

Additional motions were required to officially designate Coun. Mark Barber as council’s representative to both the Pincher Creek and District Public Library Board and the Chinook Arch Regional Library System Board, in accordance with provincial appointment procedures.

Chief administrative officer Konrad Dunbar said administration asked the library board to review the applications because board members are best positioned to determine what skills and experience are needed.

He added that separate motions were required to meet provincial appointment procedures.

Coun. Mark Barber provided background on the recommended candidates, noting Tolton has served as a strong contributor to the board for roughly two years and is involved in museum management, bringing valuable experience to the role.

He said Hossain attended board meetings prior to applying and brings relevant library experience, including work with the University of Lethbridge’s library technology services, which he expects will benefit the board.

Barber added that Knight regularly volunteers with both the museum and library and has an extensive professional background as a librarian, and described all three candidates as positive additions to the board and the broader community.

All appointment motions carried.

During administrative reporting, Dunbar highlighted a new public feature allowing residents to subscribe to automated email notifications when council agendas are published.

Those interested can access the subscription option by selecting Council Meeting Agendas and Minutes on the town’s homepage, then clicking the red link directing users to the full agenda archive, where a subscribe button appears in the top-right corner.

Residents may also access the subscription page directly by visiting
pub-pinchercreek.escribemeetings.com.

Dunbar also pointed councillors to an added schedule page intended to help track upcoming community events and planning timelines. Strategic planning meeting dates remain under review, with administration expected to circulate new options.

 

Strong local journalism matters to Canadian communities

This article was reported and written by Shootin’ the Breeze’s Local Journalism Initiative reporter. 

The Local Journalism Initiative is a federally funded program that supports original public-interest journalism in smaller or underserved communities across Canada. Content produced through the initiative is editorially independent and may be shared by other Canadian media outlets.

Stories like this are reported to keep readers informed and connected — and to reflect real Canadian life.

Alberta | AB, Municipal Councils | Governments

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Pincher Creek council opts to revise remuneration bylaw after debate

Written on . Posted in Civic & Government.

Pincher Creek town council took a cautious approach to proposed changes to its remuneration bylaw at the Jan. 26 regular meeting, deciding to delay giving the bylaw first reading after a wide-ranging discussion.

Bylaw 1578-26 was presented as an update to explicitly authorize compensation for councillors and the mayor for attending preapproved events.

The bylaw was brought forward following a Dec. 3 committee of the whole meeting, where council asked administration to better outline which events are considered preapproved and eligible for compensation. The updated draft was intended to improve clarity and consistency in how councillors are paid for work conducted outside regular council meetings.

At that meeting, council directed administration to amend the existing remuneration bylaw and bring it back for review.

Administration returned with the revised bylaw at the Jan. 26 meeting. The substantive change in the draft was the addition of wording stating that the chief elected official and councillors shall receive the amount listed in the bylaw for each preapproved event attended. The draft also applies existing remuneration rates to those preapproved events.

Covered in the draft bylaw

The draft bylaw includes a list of preapproved events for which councillors may claim compensation. The list includes a range of community, regional and ceremonial activities, such as Town of Pincher Creek facility tours, emergency preparedness events, local non-profit annual general meetings, seniors home visits, National Indigenous Peoples Day events, Heritage Acres activities, Chamber of Commerce events, meetings with provincial or federal representatives and Allied Arts annual events, among others.

The bylaw also outlines stipends, meeting rates and expense reimbursements. The draft sets monthly stipends at $1,200 for the chief elected official and $600 for councillors.

The meeting rate for regular, special and other council meetings is $235 per meeting. Remuneration for committee meetings and preapproved events is structured the same way. For committee meetings lasting up to three hours, remuneration is $120, increasing to $235 if the meeting exceeds three hours.

Mileage reimbursement is tied to the federal Canada Revenue Agency rate, the draft mentioned.

Meal expense limits are set at $20 for breakfast, $25 for lunch and $35 for supper, with a full-day maximum of $80.

Entertainment, travel and accommodation expenses are reimbursed at actual cost with receipts.

While the intent of the revised draft was to address questions around preapproved events, councillors raised concerns about how some items on the list could be interpreted.

Council discussion

During debate, Coun. Brian McGillivray raised broader questions about how remuneration is set, noting that aside from a past adjustment to the mayor’s pay, councillor remuneration has remained largely unchanged since 2017.

McGillivray proposed two possible approaches: linking council pay increases to the federal cost-of-living adjustment, or tying them to the wage increases negotiated by the town’s unionized staff.

He argued that a cost-of-living formula would provide transparency and remove the need for council to revisit remuneration repeatedly.

Mayor Wayne Oliver expanded on the concept of embedding a cost-of-living mechanism in the bylaw, noting that other municipalities, including the Municipal District of Pincher Creek and the Municipality of Crowsnest Pass, already include similar provisions.

He also shared comparisons with nearby municipalities, noting that Pincher Creek’s remuneration falls below some communities and above others, depending on how compensation is structured.

Concerns were raised about how listed preapproved events could be interpreted. Councillors discussed whether certain events, such as Allied Arts activities, community Christmas carol events, senior  home visits and non-profit meetings, were sufficiently clear or risked being applied too broadly.

They stressed the importance of ensuring preapproved events remain value-oriented and tied to representing the town, rather than attending events in a personal capacity.

Oliver clarified that events listed as preapproved would not require individual council approval, though councillors uncomfortable with claiming compensation could still bring the matter forward.

Council also debated whether the town should formally pay for councillors to sit on external boards, including discussion around the Fred Huddleston Seniors Centre. Ultimately, council agreed to table that matter and await a formal request before making any decision.

Another key point of discussion involved meal expense limits. Oliver suggested increasing allowable meal reimbursements after noting that current limits did not reflect real-world costs at conferences.

Council discussed increasing lunch expenses from $25 to $35, supper from $35 to $50 and raising the full-day meal maximum from $80 to $100.

Chief administrative officer Konrad Dunbar advised that, given the number of suggested changes — including clarifications to preapproved events, increased meal allowances and the potential addition of a cost-of-living adjustment — it would be clearer to withdraw the bylaw and return with a revised version rather than attempting multiple amendments during first reading.

“There was a question about increasing mileage. However, I will be mentioning to council that I believe the request is already accounted for in the current bylaw,” Dunbar told Shootin’ the Breeze after the meeting.

Council agreed, rescinded the motion for first reading and directed administration to bring the bylaw back with the proposed changes highlighted for further review.

 

 

Strong local journalism matters to Canadian communities

This article was reported and written by Shootin’ the Breeze’s Local Journalism Initiative reporter. 

The Local Journalism Initiative is a federally funded program that supports original public-interest journalism in smaller or underserved communities across Canada. Content produced through the initiative is editorially independent and may be shared by other Canadian media outlets.

Stories like this are reported to keep readers informed and connected — and to reflect real Canadian life.

Alberta | AB, Municipal Councils | Governments

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Town council discusses recreation plan, reviews municipal achievements

Written on . Posted in Civic & Government.

Councillors heard from long-standing community organizations, discussed future recreation planning and reviewed a year of municipal activity during the Town of Pincher Creek’s regular council meeting Jan. 26.

Delegations from Communities in Bloom and Castle Mountain Community Association highlighted volunteer-driven projects ranging from beautification and heritage conservation to trail development and wildfire mitigation, while councillors also began early discussions on updating the town’s recreation master plan.

Council later discussed the remuneration bylaw and decided to delay giving the bylaw first reading after a wide-ranging discussion.

It also received administration’s 2025 year in review report, which outlined major project completions, staffing updates, service trends, and growth indicators across the municipality.

Communities in Bloom highlights decades of involvement

Communities in Bloom chairperson BJ Scott provided council with an overview of the national volunteer-led program, noting that Pincher Creek has participated for more than 30 years.

Scott explained that CIB focuses on improving quality of life through environmental sustainability, green spaces, heritage conservation and community involvement, using a multi-tiered evaluation process conducted by trained volunteer judges.

Pincher Creek first entered Alberta Communities in Bloom in 1989 and later won the provincial title in its population category. The town also won the national competition in 2009 and received a national award for community involvement in 2010.

Scott said the most valuable aspect of the program is not the awards but the detailed evaluations and expert recommendations communities receive after each judging cycle.

She highlighted strong performance in heritage conservation, noting sites such as Kootenai Brown Pioneer Village and Heritage Acres Farm Museum. She also cited floral displays supported by volunteer groups, including the Pincher Planters and the Oldman Rose Society’s rose garden at Lebel Mansion.

Local projects under the Communities in Bloom umbrella include Business in Bloom, Yard of the Month, Tidy Tuesdays, Christmas light judging, Main Street planters, and the self-guided Pincher Creek walking tour.

Scott thanked the town’s recreation and culture department for ongoing administrative support and noted the committee continues to welcome new volunteers.

Castle Mountain Community Association outlines its role

Tim Luke, president of Castle Mountain Community Association, outlined the organization’s role representing about 120 permanent residences and about 50 seasonal residents in the Castle Mountain Resort area.

Luke emphasized that CMCA operates independently from the resort corporation, with a mission focused on fostering a family-oriented, safe and sustainable community experience.

He said the association aims to strengthen connections not only within the resort area, but also with the Town of Pincher Creek, the MD of Pincher Creek and the Municipality of Crowsnest Pass.

Among its projects, Luke said, CMCA builds and maintains more than 20 kilometres of marked trails that are open to residents and visitors year-round for hiking, biking, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing.

Luke also highlighted community events and amenities, including playground funding, New Year’s Eve fireworks with the MD, Easter and Family Day activities and support for resort staff.

He said CMCA donates at least 10 per cent of its fundraising proceeds to charitable causes and contributed more than $5,000 in the past year to organizations including local food banks, women’s shelters, the SPCA and adaptive sports groups. The association has also established the Castle Community Legacy Fund, which currently holds about $60,000 to support future community endeavours.

FireSmart programming was another key focus, with Luke noting the area’s wildfire risk and ongoing efforts that include vegetation management, equipment purchases and grant-supported mitigation work.

During questions, Coun. Mark Barber asked about progress on the new chairlift at Castle Mountain Resort. Luke said the project is nearing completion and is expected to be operational this month around Family Day, pending final testing and approvals.

“I have been telling people from the beginning of the year that it’s going to be ready for Family Day. It’s not optimistic, not pessimistic, but we’re very close. The chairs are on,” he told the council.

Coun. Sahra Nodge asked about the potential transition to a four-season resort. Luke said Castle Mountain Resort Corp. has not yet decided whether to move in that direction, though discussions have helped advance approvals for non-winter recreational uses such as biking.

Recreation master plan update discussed

Under new business, Coun. Gordon McMullen raised the possibility of updating the town’s recreation master plan, noting the Pincher Creek Regional Recreation Advisory Committee believes it may be time for a review.

McMullen, who sits on the committee, said the current plan, adopted in March 2021, outlined 10 facility priorities. These included trail systems; arena upgrades; improvements to existing outdoor facilities; a new curling club; regional signage; a new climbing wall and gym; arts, culture and performance space; golf upgrades; enhanced day-use areas and river access; and upgraded pool changing rooms and leisure elements.

Seven of these priorities have been either completed or are underway.

“So the rec board was looking at maybe doing an upgrade on the master plan and they had got a quote from the same company that did it five years ago. They spent between $65,000 and $70,000 to have it done,” he informed council.

The committee received quotes for an update from the firm that prepared the plan. One proposal would involve in-person facilitated sessions at a cost of $14,950, while another suggested digital sessions. The committee requested that council consider funding the update.

Mayor Wayne Oliver suggested that representatives from the Municipal District of Pincher Creek be included in the sessions, given their contribution to recreation funding and the regional use of facilities.

Nodge emphasized that any update should align with the town’s budget and strategic planning cycles, noting it could inform priorities for the 2027-28 budget. She stressed that the committee’s work is valued and should guide future planning.

Chief administrative officer Konrad Dunbar said administration needs to review the proposal in the context of other planning initiatives to ensure proper sequencing. He noted that strategic planning, budget review and other town plans need to be co-ordinated.

The matter was tabled for further review.

Administration presents 2025 year in review

Council received administration’s 2025 year in review report, outlining accomplishments, efficiencies and municipal data trends.

Among highlights, the report noted that $222,400 in FCSS funding was awarded to 10 non-profit organizations and two special projects. Multiple staff positions were filled, and more than 15,000 historical maps and documents were digitized.

The town also implemented new software for agenda and minute preparation and saw 30 new dwellings started in 2025, up from 17 in 2024 and four in 2023.

Completed projects included updates to the land use bylaw, tennis court resurfacing, arena and pool improvements, playground signage upgrades and accessibility enhancements at Lebel Mansion.

Infrastructure and safety initiatives included updates to the emergency response plan for Operation Yard, tree planting and removal of high-risk trees, and increased garbage collection service levels.

Service data showed the town handled more than 1,000 service requests in 2025, with the highest volumes related to garbage inquiries (154), bylaw services (138), trees and weeds (138) and water meter reads (127).

A total of 117 development permits were issued, with the majority for development (76). The remainder were for home occupations (20), signs (19) and demolitions (2).

During the meeting, Dunbar clarified that the town cannot provide letters of support for permanent residency under Alberta’s Rural Renewal Stream.

Pincher Creek is not a designated community in the program and municipalities must be certified to endorse applicants. He noted the process requires dedicated staff to verify eligibility and manage applications, which the town does not have.

After the meeting, Mayor Oliver told Shootin’ the Breeze that the town had previously decided not to participate due to staffing requirements and limited demand, though council may revisit the issue if interest grows.

Grant opportunities shared

Council also received a list of current funding opportunities available to community groups, including RBC Barrier Buster grants, Alberta Foundation for the Arts funding, United Way programs, the Community Energy Conservation Program, Tourism HR Canada’s student work-placement program, Cisco Social Impact Investments and Federation of Canadian Municipalities tree-planting grants.

 

Strong local journalism matters to Canadian communities

This article was reported and written by Shootin’ the Breeze’s Local Journalism Initiative reporter. 

The Local Journalism Initiative is a federally funded program that supports original public-interest journalism in smaller or underserved communities across Canada. Content produced through the initiative is editorially independent and may be shared by other Canadian media outlets.

Stories like this are reported to keep readers informed and connected — and to reflect real Canadian life.

Alberta | AB, Municipal Councils | Governments

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Pincher Creek council tackles safety, housing in first meeting

Written on . Posted in Civic & Government.

Pincher Creek’s newly elected council wasted no time diving into community priorities ranging from street safety and snow removal to health-care services and housing development.

During their first regular meeting Oct. 27, Mayor Wayne Oliver and six councillors outlined an ambitious agenda focusing on infrastructure improvements, better communication with residents and reviewing outdated municipal policies.

The new council includes Oliver along with Bernice Cyr, Brian McGillivray, Gordon McMullen, Mark Barber, Sahra Nodge and Valerie Wynder.

Safety concerns

McGillivray began the roundtable by raising concerns about community safety. He noted speeding, trailers parked on streets and child safety as ongoing worries.

Oliver agreed that infrastructure safety deserves attention, noting an incident where a resident tripped on an uneven sidewalk.

Wynder mentioned the need to check and replace old wire wrapped around trees along the creek, a remnant of earlier beaver-control measures. She also raised concerns about the poor condition of sidewalks on Hewetson Avenue and Christie Avenue.

Cyr encouraged community policing.

Snow removal

McMullen brought up snow removal on Main Street, saying it is a frequent concern for residents.

Oliver said the town recently updated its snow-removal bylaw and was pleased with staff efficiency during the last major snow event.

Chief administrative officer Konrad Dunbar added the town has shifted to a more responsive approach, welcoming feedback from residents and staff that has already led to service improvements, from garbage bin maintenance to snow-removal methods.

Cyr commended staff for maintenance work and communication with local farmers on snow fencing.

Health-care services

Barber raised key points drawn from recent conversations in the community, starting with returning obstetrics services to the Pincher Creek hospital.

He said this should be a priority as a growing community needs access to such essential care.

Barber also addressed the shortage of assisted-living beds, suggesting that some rooms at Vista Village could be converted to meet demand.

“It’s very sad when community members who’ve lived here all their lives have to be moved to Crowsnest Pass, Fort Macleod or Lethbridge because there’s no room here,” he said.

Cyr suggested exploring supports for midwives, nurses and other health-care professionals in town.

Housing and infrastructure

Oliver highlighted recent progress in housing development, noting that 40 to 50 new units could be built within 18 months. McGillivray suggested a review of housing projects to understand achievements and identify remaining gaps.

Barber proposed re-establishing the facilities committee, which was disbanded about five or six years ago, saying the group could guide major infrastructure projects and town beautification efforts.

Public relations

Oliver also spoke about improving communication with residents, proposing informal door-to-door visits with councillors and encouraging citizens to file requests so such issues can be addressed.

McGillivray suggested coffee-with-council events patterned after the MD of Pincher Creek’s format, while Oliver emphasized the importance of maintaining strong ties with the MD.

Cyr would like to see school outreach between council and students reintroduced.

Oliver used the council reports portion of the meeting to encourage members to give clearer updates to the public about the meetings they attend.

“We’re there to represent the town,” he said. “Citizens deserve a report of what transpired at those meetings. So I look forward to that in the future now.”

Policies and council education

Nodge said one of her priorities is reviewing and updating outdated policies. She proposed starting with the snow and winter street maintenance policy to help new councillors become familiar with operational details.

Dunbar agreed, noting many policies date back decades and require repeal or revision. He wants to schedule one-on-one meetings with councillors to get to know the new members and ensure alignment on priorities.

Cyr also mentioned reviewing recreation facilities such as the bike and skateboard parks.

Committees

Joan Brees and Garry Cleland were appointed as members at-large on the community housing and economic development committee. Four applications were received.

Nodge will sit on the municipal development and subdivision authority committee and Wynder on the Chinook Intermunicipal Subdivision and Development Appeal Board.

Barber and Cyr were appointed to the Holiday Train committee.

Other motions and notices

Barber moved to recognize town staff, volunteers and Kootenai Brown Pioneer Village for their efforts in hosting the Halloween event at the museum. The motion passed unanimously.

Council also unanimously approved a notice of motion from Barber to reimburse expenses incurred by a resident due to a sewer backup originating on town land. Discussion is planned for a future meeting.

The CPKC Holiday Train will visit Pincher Creek on Dec. 14 at 10:45 a.m.

 

Alberta | AB, Garry Cleland – Pincher Creek, Joan Brees – Pincher Creek, Kootenai Brown Pioneer Village – Pincher Creek, Municipal Affairs

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Pincher Creek curling rink permit application advances despite transparency concerns

Written on . Posted in Alberta.

Permit application for Pincher Creek curling rink moves a step forward

The Pincher Creek Curling Club is one step closer to building its new home as town council has agreed to submit a key development permit application for the project.

At its July 28 regular meeting, council approved a motion directing administration to submit the curling rink’s development permit application for Chief Mountain Avenue to the Municipal Development and Subdivision Authority, once it is deemed complete by the development officer.

As the club’s proposed facility is to be built on municipally owned land leased out by the town, the permit application must go through council before it can proceed to the next stage.

“This is a normal process and somewhat of a formality for property the town leases out,” chief administrative officer Konrad Dunbar told Shootin’ the Breeze. “It is not an approval/denial of the development permit, that is done by MDSA.”

The lots in question include 1101, 1103 and 1105 Chief Mountain Ave., directly east of Walmart and north of Mitchell Welding. The land was leased to the club in February under a 20-year agreement.

The town has already committed up to $59,600 to relocate the club, along with $125,000 in in-kind and third-party contributions. The lease agreement includes responsibility for summer and winter maintenance by the curling club.

While the motion passed unanimously, the way it was introduced at the meeting raised concerns about transparency.

According to administration, the development permit application was submitted by the club on Friday — after the meeting agenda had already been finalized and published. As a result, the item was not listed in the meeting agenda in advance.

On July 28, Mayor Don Anderberg requested that it be added at the beginning of the meeting, under the title “Curling club procedural request.”

Coun. Wayne Oliver took issue with the lack of notice to the public, citing concerns about transparency and process.

“My gut feels that this lacks a bit of transparency,” he said. “None of the public in our community know that it was on the agenda and we’re given a piece of paper. I think something that’s this important should have been on the agenda.”

CAO Dunbar clarified that administration became aware of the submission after the agenda was published.

“It was the mayor that brought it to my attention today that he would like to add this to the agenda tonight,” Dunbar said. “I typed this up so there was a motion to be read.”

Oliver also noted the agenda title did not clearly indicate the purpose of the item.

“Even as you added it, curling club procedural request doesn’t say curling club development approval request,” he said. “The title as added to the agenda did not lead me to understand what this item was.”

Coun. Sahra Nodge, while supporting the motion, agreed that the late addition to the agenda was frustrating.

“I am going to vote in support of this, because I am kind of done with all of it,” she said.

“I think the frustration that I am sensing from [Coun. Oliver] is the last-minute thing,” she said. “We hear all the time the criticism that there’s a perception of things being snuck in or not being open. And when stuff like this happens, it makes it harder to defend a process.”

Coun. David Green added that the community still lacks key information about the project.

“There is a tremendous amount of information about the operation of the curling rink itself that we as a community have still not received,” he said, pointing to items such as a business plan and ownership details.

Despite the concerns, the motion passed with full support from council, allowing the permit application to move ahead for formal consideration by the MDSA.

 

Alberta | AB, Curling, David Green – Pincher Creek, Don Anderberg – Pincher Creek, Municipal Councils | Governments, Southwest Alberta News, Southwest Alberta Sports, Sports

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Pincher Creek cuts recycling fees, updates arena rates

Written on . Posted in Uncategorized.

The Town of Pincher Creek has updated its fee structure bylaw to include a reduction in monthly recycling charges and changes to arena rental and advertising rates.

Council unanimously passed all three readings of Bylaw 1584-25A after a brief discussion at its May 12 regular meeting.

A key highlight of the bylaw is the reduction in the fixed monthly recycling rate for both residential and commercial users — from $5.55 to $3.90. The remaining costs for the recycling centre relate to the compost pile and additional waste material being collected at the site.

Mayor Don Anderberg said the cut was made possible, in part, by new provincial support for end-of-life recycling.

“Up until now, we’ve been paying [those costs] when we buy goods, but we haven’t gotten credit for it,” Anderberg said.

End-of-life recycling is the process of collecting and managing products that can no longer be used. Items are dismantled, reused or recycled to keep waste out of landfills and recover valuable materials for future use.

While the funding doesn’t cover all the expense, he called it a positive step.

The revised bylaw also reflects increased fees for summer use of the arena, aligning with year-round availability made possible through new flooring.

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For-profit users will now pay $80 per hour for summer arena use, while non-profits will pay $50.

Previously, youth groups paid $30 and adults paid $40 per hour. Lobby rental rates — previously $20 for profit-making and $10 for non-profits — are now included in the updated flat summer rate.

Additionally, advertising rates inside the arena have been adjusted to reflect the expanded exposure time.

“We are now going from seasonal use to the boards being used year round because of the flooring we are putting in,” chief administrative officer Konrad Dunbar told council.

As a result, the board advertising fee has changed from $450 in winter to $540 annually, and wall advertising from $250 to $300 annually.

Coun. Sahra Nodge said the increases were reasonable.

“It’s not making it insurmountable,” she said.

Another addition to the bylaw grants the chief administrative officer authority to waive fees up to $200 on a one-time basis per event — a change Dunbar said is aimed at improving efficiency and customer service.

“It’s nice if, in a spirit of customer service and trying to keep things moving, the CAO doesn’t have to come to council every time they want to waive a $50 fee,” Dunbar said. “It actually costs us more to get approval than it does to just waive the fee.”

Dunbar assured transparency in any such activity.

“I would bring it to council and let it know what I am doing,” he added.

The CAO needs to report such waivers to council on a quarterly basis. These waivers do not include late fees and penalties that the CAO already has the authority to waive.

“I really appreciate the direction — two reductions and one increase,” said Coun. Mark Barber. “That’s a pretty positive way to go forward.”

Dunbar also clarified existing penalties, including a $1,500 fine for placing “things” in the water or on the ice of Pincher Creek. He explained the phrasing is intentionally broad to encompass any object that may pollute the creek, avoiding the need to itemize specific types of litter.

The updated rates are effective as of May 1.

Alberta | AB, alberta news, Municipal Councils | Governments, Pincher Creek bylaws, Pincher Creek News

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Pincher Creek denies Legion’s sidewalk mural proposal

Written on . Posted in Alberta.

The Town of Pincher Creek has turned down a proposal from the local branch of the Royal Canadian Legion to paint a memorial sidewalk around its building, citing concerns about public safety, liability and long-term maintenance.

Legion secretary David Johnson presented the proposal to town council on May 12.

“Earlier, we thought that a crosswalk was a nice idea, but it’s very high maintenance,” Johnson told council. “They’re not going to last a long time. We might have to be doing them a couple of times in a year, depending on how much traffic is on them.”

The proposal outlined a plan to paint murals on the public sidewalk near the Legion building. It included white rectangles on the west- and south-facing sidewalks at 691 Main St., each featuring soldier silhouettes and other commemorative imagery.

Inspired by similar projects in Calgary and Edmonton, the artwork was envisioned as a tribute to those who have served in the Canadian military — in honour of the Royal Canadian Legion’s 100th anniversary in 2026, and the local branch’s own centennial shortly after.

Johnson said the Legion would handle both installation and upkeep using stencils, donated materials and marine-grade paint.

“All we are really looking for is approval,” Johnson said. “We plan on doing everything using our own people, and hopefully we can get some donations for the paint.”

Mayor Don Anderberg asked town administration to gather more information on the proposal and bring it back to council at a future meeting.

At the May 26 meeting, town administration presented several concerns for council to weigh before making a decision. While acknowledging the commemorative intent of the project, administration raised questions about the practicality and long-term implications of painting on public sidewalks.

Safety topped the list, with staff warning that many paints can become slippery when wet or cold. They recommended using road-grade paint like that used for crosswalks — though even that, they noted, isn’t fully proven to work on concrete sidewalks.

Administration also suggested alternatives, such as painting murals on the Legion building itself or creating a crosswalk in Legion colours.

Another concern was long-term maintenance. While the Legion planned to handle upkeep, the sidewalks are public property, meaning the town would be responsible if the Legion could no longer maintain them.

During the discussion, Coun. Mark Barber supported the Legion’s revised mural proposal, calling it tasteful and a meaningful way to honour a community institution.

However, safety and liability concerns dominated the conversation.

Coun. Wayne Oliver echoed support for the Legion’s contributions but emphasized the risk of slippery paint on sidewalks and the town’s responsibility for public safety.

“We need to be responsible to ensure that we’re not sacrificing public safety on wet paint that gets slippery,” Oliver said. “If this does go forward … all liability for slipping and falling and crashing, I suspect, would fall on us, not the Legion.”

Coun. Garry Cleland echoed this, suggesting non-slip grit paint but raising questions about who would maintain the murals and how other future mural requests would be handled.

He added that while the concept is meaningful, the town needs clear standards.

“We’re also going to be responsible for saying No or Yes to other people who apply to do it,” Cleland said.

CAO Konrad Dunbar explained that road paint used on asphalt might not perform well on concrete. He added that public-use paints, even those marketed as non-slip, require regular inspection and maintenance.

“If we go and paint this sidewalk, or we allowed it to be painted with a grit paint and it’s wearing off and becomes slippery, we’re automatically liable,” Dunbar said.

Coun. Sahra Nodge said she would support the project only if a formal funding and maintenance agreement was developed.

“I’m OK supporting this if there’s a degree of comfort that you’re able to develop some kind of funding and relationship tools that could work with them,” Nodge said.

She suggested that if sidewalk murals were to become an option for community celebrations, a broader framework and policy would be needed.

Oliver suggested alternatives like freestanding metal silhouettes would be safer and require less maintenance.

“What are other ways or means to accomplish the same end of celebrating the Legion that doesn’t have the slipperiness on the sidewalk?” he asked. “To me, it’s appealing to have free-standing steel structures kind of right there, life-size in the grass.”

Anderberg thanked the Legion for its ongoing service to the community and emphasized that the decision was based on practical constraints.

“Any paint on cement that I’ve ever been involved with, it’s a hazard,” he said. “Even though I support the Legion a lot, I can’t support this direction.”

He also voiced concern about setting a precedent without clear policy.

After reviewing these points, council ultimately decided to deny the request.

Barber proposed an amended motion to accept the report as information and direct administration to hold further discussions with the Legion to explore safer, alternative possibilities for recognizing those who have served in the Canadian military.

The amended motion passed unanimously.

Alberta | AB, alberta news, David Johnson – Pincher Creek, Municipal Councils | Governments, Pincher Creek News, Veterans