Profile: Mark Barber

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Residents seeking time with town council face new rules

Written on October 1, 2026. Posted in Civic & Government.

Anyone hoping to make their case to Pincher Creek town council now gets five more minutes to do it, but they’ll need to do more of the work ahead of time.

Council adopted a rewritten procedural bylaw Sept. 28 that gives delegations 20 minutes instead of 15. It also requires written requests 10 days in advance, any slides by the same deadline, and a clear statement of what the delegation wants from council, such as funding or a letter of support.

Bylaw 1596-26 also drops three sections on petitions and changes how council chooses its deputy mayor. It passed second and third readings with one clerical fix and no other changes since first reading on Sept. 14.

The new bylaw repeals and replaces Bylaw 1596-24 in its entirety, following a months-long review by administration that found several outdated or incorrect clauses. The work is part of a broader review of town policies and procedures.

Delegations

The town’s chief administrative officer now sets the format for delegation requests, and submitting one doesn’t guarantee a spot at the next meeting. A person or group that has presented can’t return on the same subject for three months unless council waives the rule by special resolution.

CAO Konrad Dunbar said the goal is to give administration enough information to prepare for requests before a meeting, rather than fielding requests council has no information about.

“It’s not great for us when a delegation comes in and says, ‘We want this,’ and I don’t know about it,” he said.

The change can allow some requests to be dealt with at the same meeting rather than returning to a future agenda, he said.

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Coun. Valerie Wynder questioned whether allowing the CAO to prescribe the format for delegation requests could unintentionally create barriers.

“I’m just wondering if limiting it to a specific online form or something might exclude some members of our community from being able to navigate that and have a delegation, because they maybe don’t have the skills to submit online,” she said.

She added that future administrations could interpret the provision differently and make it harder for some residents to bring matters before council.

Dunbar said the wording is intended to give the town flexibility as it moves toward more online and digital processes. The report to council says requests could come by form, online submission or email, as technology allows.

Coun. Mark Barber said staff would likely help any resident who struggled to submit a request in the required format.

The discussion also focused on whether council should make decisions immediately after hearing from a delegation.

Coun. Sahra Nodge said she supports receiving information in advance but does not want every request decided on the same night.

“Sometimes, there’s value in waiting two weeks to discuss something, because we can get caught up in the enthusiasm of a presenter and be very gung-ho and keen in the moment. And I’ve found that the reflection time from when someone presents something and then you’re deciding a couple weeks later is a valuable time to just kind of think about it,” she said.

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Mayor Wayne Oliver agreed, saying there can be value in allowing a request to “percolate” before council makes a decision.

The bylaw gives council several options after hearing a delegation. It can receive the presentation as information, refer it to a committee, defer it to another meeting, appoint a special committee or deal with the matter at the meeting. Deciding that night takes a special resolution if the request isn’t a separate item on the agenda.

Dunbar said council retains that flexibility, and the changes were meant to create options for council, rather than obligations, while allowing administration to prepare items that are ready for a decision.

Petitions removed

The biggest change to the bylaw came at first reading, and it wasn’t in the original draft.

Nodge raised concerns that the bylaw’s petitions section conflicts with how the Municipal Government Act defines a petition, which is a formal process that requires signatures from a set percentage of electors.

She said using the same term for a much less formal process risks confusing residents about which route actually compels council action.

Dunbar said the sections were intended to address requests to council rather than create a separate public petition process. He noted other written requests can already be handled through the bylaw’s provisions on communication with council.

Council agreed the petition sections overlapped with the bylaw’s broader delegation and correspondence provisions and voted to remove sections 118, 119 and 120.

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

On Sept. 28, Nodge noted that a heading in the bylaw still referred to petitions, and council struck the word before passing the final readings.

Deputy mayor and committees

The changes also give council greater flexibility over the deputy mayor position.

The old bylaw provided for an automatic eight-month rotation. Council now chooses its deputy mayor each year using whatever method it considers appropriate. Dunbar said councils can use different approaches, including votes or dividing the position among multiple councillors.

Committee preferences are also handled differently. Councillors will provide their preferences to administration before the organizational meeting and staff will compile the responses into one summary for the agenda package.

Dunbar said this allows councillors to see which committees have attracted interest before making appointments. Council retains authority over the appointments.

Another change gives council, rather than staff, authority over councillor seating at the organizational meeting.

The annual council meeting schedule is removed from the body of the bylaw, and council instead sets its schedule by resolution at the organizational meeting.

Dunbar said this avoids amending the procedural bylaw whenever council wants to change a meeting date.

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Correspondence and reports

The updated bylaw consolidates provisions dealing with communication to and from council. The old rules assumed signed paper letters, but Dunbar said most communication now comes by email.

Under the new wording, the CAO determines whether correspondence should go on an agenda, receive a direct response or be referred to the mayor, while council is still informed about what was received and how it was handled.

The bylaw also formalizes written council reports, following council’s June 22 direction to move away from verbal reports during meetings. Reports are due by 4 p.m. the Wednesday before each meeting, and a verbal report no longer counts.

One change doesn’t appear in the bylaw at all. When council finishes its agenda, the mayor now simply adjourns the meeting and notes the time, with no motion or vote, Dunbar told council Sept. 28. A motion is still needed to end a meeting before the agenda is done.

Council’s Oct. 26 organizational meeting will be the first held under the new rules, including choosing a deputy mayor and setting council’s seating and meeting schedule.

Council holds off on cutting utility franchise fees

Written on September 23, 2026. 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.

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

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.

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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.

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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.

News briefs from July 27 Town of Pincher Creek council table

Written on August 4, 2026. 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.

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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

$2M curling rink deal moves ahead after councils compromise

Written on August 4, 2026. Posted in Civic & Government, Sports.

For weeks, Pincher Creek’s two councils were stuck on a single question: whether the town should guarantee its new curling rink stays a curling rink for the next 40 years. This week, the MD dropped the demand.

The MD of Pincher Creek voted July 29 to abandon the condition — which the Town of Pincher Creek had refused two days earlier — clearing the way for up to $2 million in additional public funding and allowing construction to continue.

Broader questions about the building’s long-term future are left for future negotiations.

The sticking point

At the centre of the standoff was the MD’s proposed defined-purpose agreement, which would have required the rink to operate as a curling facility for up to 40 years. If that ever changed, the town would be on the hook to repay the MD’s funding on a sliding scale.

Town council rejected the agreement at its July 27 meeting, voting 4-2 to decline, with Couns. Mark Barber and Bernice Cyr opposed. Coun. Sahra Nodge was absent from this vote but arrived later in the meeting.

Town administration had already flagged problems with the MD’s draft, including inconsistent grant figures and a clause that could put the town in breach even in circumstances beyond its control, such as the club dropping retail or liquor sales.

Mayor Wayne Oliver compared the request to a 2018 agreement tied to the town’s early-learning centres, where the MD contributed $1 million in exchange for a similar use commitment. But he said this case is different because the town didn’t build the curling rink — the club did.

“By signing this agreement, we are committing to the longevity of curling in the community, with or without the curling club,” he said.

Several councillors said they supported protecting the MD’s investment but questioned whether taxpayers should be responsible if the curling club were ever unable to continue operating the facility.

Councillors were split on how long a commitment made sense, with suggestions ranging from five to 20 years. Couns. Mark Barber and Bernice Cyr both said they were open to a shorter deal; Couns. Valerie Wynder and Gordon McMullen argued any binding term was too much to ask of future taxpayers.

MD drops condition

The MD of Pincher Creek called a special council meeting July 29 to revisit its funding terms. Council voted to rescind the motions it had passed July 14, which had made its additional $1-million contribution conditional on the town signing the defined-purpose agreement.

In its place, council approved a revised package requiring only that the Pincher Creek Curling Club sign an updated funding agreement with the MD. The new terms maintain the MD’s ability to recover its contribution under defined circumstances while dropping the requirement for the town to guarantee the building’s future use.

MD council also reauthorized an interim payment of $340,212 toward the project’s ninth progress payment, to be released once the club signs, from the community initiatives reserve.

What else the town decided

Along with rejecting the agreement, town council settled two other pieces of the curling file July 27.

It approved a revised lease with the curling club. This was a condition of its earlier commitment of up to $1 million, which council approved June 22 contingent on the MD matching the money and on lease changes formalizing the town’s ownership of the completed facility.

The club approved the revised lease on July 17.

The updated version drops a clause requiring the town to consolidate the leased land at no cost and narrows the property description to a single address.

It passed 4-2, with Couns. Brian McGillivray and McMullen opposed. Coun. Nodge was also absent from this vote.

McGillivray said he still doesn’t have a clear total cost for the project.

“I want a line of sight on what we’re spending our money on and I want to know what it is,” he said.

The six councillors also voted unanimously to order a report reviewing how the curling project reached this point, covering council decisions dating back to January 2024. Some debated the terminology, with Cyr objecting to the word “post-mortem,” arguing it implied curling in the town was already finished.

The review will proceed internally unless it proves too costly, in which case council could consider hiring an outside reviewer.

Finally, Oliver proposed the town offer joint ownership of the building as an alternative, a model under which the MD could gain a say in the building’s future use without the town facing financial penalties if the club folded.

That motion passed unanimously, with Nodge joining by then, though councillors stressed it was only a starting point for talks.

How the project got here

The funding dispute follows months of public debate over a funding shortfall that emerged after construction was already underway — the latest chapter in a replacement-rink effort dating back more than a decade.

The Pincher Creek Curling Club first approached the MD in 2015 seeking support for a replacement rink, after the project was estimated at $3 million in 2011. It moved between proposed sites, survived a failed borrowing bylaw, and outlasted a task force that was later dissolved before construction finally began in October 2025.

By then, the budget had grown to $5.23 million, supported by $1.25 million from the town, $1 million from the MD, and a $1-million grant through the Community Facility Enhancement Program.

The gap emerged when the club’s application for a $1.5-million provincial Active Communities Initiative grant was declined in November 2025. By April 2026, club officials told both councils they were running out of money and needed up to $1.8 million in bridge financing while they reapplied.

The request sparked months of public debate over whether taxpayers should fund the half-built facility or risk leaving it unfinished. A mid-June information session drew about 130 residents from the town and MD, divided between support for curling’s role in the community and questions about how the shortfall happened.

Active Communities Initiative, Capital Projects, Community Facility Enhancement Program, Curling, Curling Rinks, Municipal Government, Public Funding

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Town revisits economic strategy focused on jobs, housing and growth

Written on July 15, 2026. Posted in Business & Economy, Civic & Government.

Hoping to strengthen Pincher Creek’s economy for years to come, town council is dusting off a five-year-old strategy designed to attract new businesses, create jobs and address long-standing challenges such as housing and workforce shortages.

The Community Economic Development Strategy, approved in 2022 after years of research and public consultation, returned to council July 8 as members discussed how to put more of its recommendations into action rather than leaving it on the shelf.

Mayor Wayne Oliver, who raised the discussion, brought the document forward after realizing several members of the current council had never seen it.

Strategy objectives

The strategy is a 136-page document built around four goals and 30 recommendations.

The goals are to retain and expand existing businesses, attract new investment, develop a regional workforce and leverage the town’s assets to diversify its economy — including plans for a health and wellness hub and a transportation and logistics corridor.

Its research also identified seven key challenges facing the community: a critical housing shortage, looming workforce shortages, a lack of downtown vitality, aging business owners nearing retirement without clear successors, gaps in local data, administrative processes that could be streamlined, and the need to diversify the economy and strengthen business confidence.

The roots of the document stretch back to 2019, when a previous council hired consulting firm InnoVisions and Associates to study the town’s economic future. Researchers interviewed more than 100 business owners and community stakeholders, and hosted two public engagement sessions.

By March 2020 the project was on track, on time and on budget, but work was shelved so attention could turn to helping local businesses survive the Covid-19 pandemic.

Once the crisis eased, work resumed and surveys conducted in 2021 measured the pandemic’s impact on the business community, drawing more than 200 responses. The finished strategy was presented to council in late 2021 and formally approved in January 2022.

Why it stalled

Oliver said the town invested considerable time and money into developing the strategy but did little with it once approved. He encouraged council to determine which recommendations remain relevant and how to act on them.

Coun. Sahra Nodge, who was on council when the strategy was approved, said some recommendations were considered during early budget discussions, but funding requests tied to them were not approved.

Turnover in the town’s economic development role also slowed momentum, she said, leaving no clear ownership of the strategy and no one to connect local business owners with an incentive bylaw that grew from the recommendations.

What’s already happening

Even without a deliberate push, parts of the strategy have advanced through other work.

Nodge said council’s recent focus on housing, particularly through the community housing committee, lines up with one section of the strategy, even if it wasn’t planned that way.

Coun. Valerie Wynder said other pieces have been addressed through a rewritten land-use bylaw and an upcoming review of the municipal development plan.

Oliver said Pincher Creek has changed considerably since the research was done, using downtown revitalization as an example. Many storefronts have been renovated, vacancy rates have fallen and the area appears more vibrant than it did five years ago.

Coun. Mark Barber described a community with uneven growth, with the east side and north end thriving and little commercial space available to rent or buy. He said downtown is far better off than a few years ago but has slowed over the past year.

Barber said a business owner recently raised concerns about beautification and signage at both ends of Main Street, echoing recommendations in the strategy.

What happens now

Councillors generally supported reviewing the strategy while questioning why so many recommendations had not advanced.

Coun. Brian McGillivray questioned what actions had been taken since its approval. He suggested that administration lead the review process with support from a committee, as the strategy is too broad for council to manage alone.

Oliver said he had already asked the town’s housing and economic development committee, which he chairs, to review the strategy’s first goal — retaining and expanding local businesses — ahead of further discussion.

Wynder said the document could help guide budget discussions, including whether to fund an additional economic development position, and was glad council had it in hand before deliberations begin.

Council set no timeline and assigned no specific tasks. Oliver said updates will come through his regular written committee reports.

In an interview after the meeting, Oliver said he is not interested in commissioning a new economic development strategy or rewriting the strategy’s recommendations from scratch. Instead, he wants council to measure what recommendations have already been accomplished and focus on completing what remains.

“The main goal of that document is to help to improve the long-term economic well-being of the community. As elected officials, we should be doing everything we can to help strengthen the businesses in our community,” he said

“If municipalities invest money on strategies, they should see them through to completion. That’s why it’s important to me that we revisit this economic development strategy.”

Business Growth, Downtown Revitalization, economic development, Housing, Workforce Development

News briefs from June 22 Town of Pincher Creek council table

Written on July 1, 2026. Posted in Civic & Government.

A wide-ranging discussion on lease conditions, reporting practices and community services shaped Pincher Creek town council’s June 22 meeting.

The most extensive debate centred on a lease agreement between the town and KP Squared Innovative Child Care. Council reviewed several proposed amendments and raised questions about insurance requirements, maintenance responsibilities and financial terms.

Council also considered motions related to councillor reporting practices and advocacy for the Pincher Creek Women’s Emergency Shelter Association, along with a land-use bylaw amendment that would allow recreational vehicles as permanent dwellings in mobile home parks under certain conditions.

Child-care lease sent back for revisions

Council spent considerable time reviewing a draft lease agreement between the Town of Pincher Creek and KP Squared Innovative Child Care, with several sections drawing scrutiny over clarity, scope and financial implications.

KP Squared was set to take over two town-owned child care facilities — Canyon Creek Early Learning Centre at 440 Victoria Cres. and Sage Early Learning Centre at 625 McDougall St. — with an intended start date of July 1. The organization would continue operating under the existing lease in the interim.

The draft lease included amendments proposed by KP Squared and additional revisions from administration, particularly in sections dealing with property taxes, insurance obligations, major repairs and trade fixtures.

The tenant proposed language confirming its not-for-profit status and exemption from property taxes, along with revised wording limiting insurance requirements to proof of contents and liability coverage.

One of the most heavily discussed areas was the division of responsibility for building maintenance and major repairs.

The draft clarified the landlord would be responsible for structural components, including the foundation, load-bearing walls, roof system, building envelope and major mechanical systems such as HVAC, plumbing and electrical infrastructure.

It also added provisions stating the tenant would not be responsible for deferred maintenance or pre-existing conditions identified in a building condition report.

Mayor Wayne Oliver questioned whether some provisions extended beyond typical municipal leasing practice, including automobile liability and business interruption insurance requirements, suggesting they could add unnecessary costs for the tenant.

Council also examined the structure of rent payments and administrative fees, including a $500 late-payment charge that some members described as excessive for a community-based organization.

Administration confirmed the draft was intended to provide a legal framework for council direction, with final cleanup to follow council input.

Council directed administration to amend the draft lease and return it for further review before final approval.

Agendas to include councillor reports

Council passed a motion directing administration to revise the council procedural bylaw to require written councillor reports be included in meeting agendas. The motion originated from a notice of motion from Coun. Valerie Wynder at the June 8 meeting.

Wynder said her goal was straightforward. She wanted councillors’ activities documented and accessible to the public.

Administration recommended reports appear in agendas rather than minutes, noting this approach would be more efficient and make the material easier to find.

Council debated whether reports should be submitted at every regular meeting or only at committee-of-the-whole meetings once a month. Coun. Mark Barber favoured the monthly approach.

Oliver said written reporting could improve public visibility of council work, noting regular council meetings likely attract more public attention than committee-of-the-whole sessions.

The majority agreed regular council meetings were the better venue. The bylaw revision will come back to council for first reading.

Support for women’s shelter

Council voted to waive utility bills for the Pincher Creek Women’s Emergency Shelter Association until further notice. The decision came after the association’s board members appeared before council June 8 to outline the potential impact of recent provincial funding cuts on its operations.

Coun. Sahra Nodge raised the possibility of indirect support through utility relief, describing the shelter’s role as a vital community service.

“It would be a small amount that could support their operations without having to do a direct financial contribution, in addition to advocacy on their behalf,” she said.

The association serves women and children fleeing family violence, covering Pincher Creek, Crowsnest Pass, Fort Macleod, Cardston and other communities across the region.

The Alberta Council of Women’s Shelters has warned that funding-model changes could reduce shelter options in rural Alberta.

RV zoning amendment advances

Council gave first reading to a land-use bylaw amendment that would allow recreational vehicles to be used as permanent residential dwellings in the town’s manufactured and mobile home parks under discretionary-use provisions.

The amendment would also revise the definition of recreational vehicles to include potential permanent residential occupancy where approved and update related zoning language.

The application was submitted by a resident.

Oliver described the first reading as putting the matter on the table. He noted the fire chief had expressed concerns about safety issues related to propane storage with year-round RV occupancy.

Coun. Valerie Wynder asked whether park model trailers could be included in the amendment. Legislative services manager Lisa Goss said the question could be addressed in the department report prepared ahead of the public hearing.

She also said property tax assessments apply to individual units and their owners, not to the mobile home parks, unless the park owner chooses otherwise.

Council approved scheduling a public hearing for July 27 before second and third readings are considered.

Correspondence and information

Council received several items as information, including correspondence from Lethbridge Family Services confirming the expansion of counselling services to Pincher Creek and Crowsnest Pass, a call for municipalities to host the 2027 Alberta Development Officers Association conference, and updates on upcoming events and available grant opportunities.

Child Care, Municipal Governance, Recreational Vehicles, Women’s Shelters

A sign that says "welcome to Pincher Creek" with the town in the background.

Downtown visibility effort raises fairness concerns

Written on July 1, 2026. 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

Town backs $1 million for curling rink — if MD matches it

Written on June 24, 2026. Posted in Civic & Government, Sports.

A divided town council voted June 22 to provide up to $1 million in additional funding to finish Pincher Creek’s half-built curling rink — but only if the MD of Pincher Creek matches it.

The 4-3 decision is contingent on matching funds from the MD and on lease amendments to formalize town ownership before any money is released.

While discussion of curling rink funding was on the June 23 MD council agenda, the matter has been tabled and will come up again in July.

Town council’s vote followed a public information session five days earlier that drew roughly 130 town and MD residents, where speakers alternated between praising curling’s role in the community and questioning how the shortfall happened and why the town and MD were being asked to provide up to $1.8 million combined to keep it going.

A funded project, then a shortfall

Discussion of a new curling rink stretches back more than a decade.

The Pincher Creek Curling Club first approached the MD in 2015, seeking support for a replacement facility. Estimated at $3 million in 2011, the project moved between proposed sites, survived a failed borrowing bylaw and outlasted a dissolved task force before construction finally began in October 2025.

By that point, the total project budget stood at $5.23 million, supported by $1.25 million from the town, $1 million from the MD and a $1-million Community Facility Enhancement Program grant.

In November 2025, the club learned its application for a $1.5-million Active Communities Initiative grant from the province had been declined.

By April 2026, club officials had appeared before both councils to disclose that funds were running out and they were seeking up to $1.8 million in bridge financing while reapplying for the ACI grant.

130 voices, divided

On June 17, about 130 people packed MD council chambers, as supporters and critics lined up to address elected officials of both the town and MD.

Representatives from Curling Alberta said curling clubs are community spaces and that the organization stood ready to support Pincher Creek as the project evolved. Letters of support from Curling Canada and three universities were also submitted.

The community testimony that followed was more layered.

Former teacher Diane Reed said the community needs a variety of recreational opportunities to attract and retain young families, along with activities that bring youth and seniors together.

Allan Anderson, a curling club executive member, described a school program that has seen a surge in youth participation. Hayley Smith, club past-president, shared a vision of a year-round community facility — available for weddings, indoor sports courts and other uses in the summer months.

But the evening was not a pep rally. Several residents stood to ask harder questions, many circling around the same core concern: how did the club break ground without the money in place?

Don Hill, an MD resident, said he understood the project would cost $3 million with no further public contribution required. Seeing a budget now exceeding $5 million, he questioned whether more cost overruns could follow.

“Curling is wonderful, that isn’t the issue,” he said, adding that municipalities should be fiscally responsible with public funds.

Brian Boyce, a town resident who has spoken against the project to both councils in the past, pointed to earlier agreements that envisioned the club raising the balance of required funding. He argued additional grants and fundraising efforts should be explored before turning again to municipal governments.

MD resident Dean Kennedy noted the town’s recreation master plan ranked trails first, hockey rink upgrades second and a new curling rink third. He questioned whether a separate multiplex, combining curling and skating under one roof, might have been the more logical approach, and asked how taxpayer dollars could be expected to support the curling rink while a new arena also looms on the horizon.

Council weighs in

When town council convened June 22, the divisions expressed during the public session were reflected almost exactly around the council table.

Coun. Brian McGillivray moved the opening motion: no additional funding.

He framed it as a question of democratic math. Curlers, he said, represent roughly three per cent of the town’s population and the other 97 per cent had not told him what they wanted.

“Until I know what that is,” he said, “I can’t vote for any further dollars.”

Coun. Gordon McMullen also opposed funding, citing concerns about the original memorandum of understanding, escalating costs and future expenses including demolition of the existing rink.

Couns. Mark Barber, Bernice Cyr and Sahra Nodge took a different view.

Nodge called it a genuinely close community question but said it was in the public interest to complete the project — with conditions. She raised the idea of public-sector ownership, saying the level of public funding involved warranted a corresponding level of public accountability over the asset.

“I want that in black ink, fully done before money goes out,” she said.

Barber pointed to the recreation master plan, which identified a new curling rink among recreation priorities.

Cyr said she would support funding only if the loan could be guaranteed repaid and that failure to do so should result in town ownership. She later framed her position in generational terms.

“I look seven generations past when I’m long gone and I think we need this curling rink,” she said.

Coun. Valerie Wynder described feeling “torn.” She walked through the financial risks of stopping — including the possible recall of the $1-million CFEP grant if the project were abandoned — but said she could not support funding without significantly more robust reporting requirements than were attached to previous contributions.

Mayor Wayne Oliver took the opposing view. Shutting the project down would cost an estimated $800,000 in materials already ordered and demobilization costs, he said, and that figure would not decrease with time.

“It just seems more practical to finish it and not waste the $3.25 million of public money that’s already been put into it,” he said.

McGillivray’s motion to provide no additional funding was defeated 4-3, with McMullen and Wynder joining him in support. Oliver, Nodge, Barber and Cyr voted against.

Cyr then put forward the alternative motion: up to $1 million in additional funding, contingent on matching funds from the MD. The money would be released in monthly instalments aligned with construction costs.

The funding would draw $682,000 from existing Local Government Fiscal Framework and Canada Community-Building Fund grants, plus $318,000 from the land development reserve.

The motion was amended to require changes to the lease agreement that would formalize town ownership of the facility before additional funds are released.

Town CAO Konrad Dunbar clarified that because the building sits on town land, the municipality already holds a form of ownership — the lease change would formalize it. The CFEP grant is not affected by ownership structures, he added; its only requirement is that the building be operated as a public facility.

That motion carried 4-3, with the alignment reversed. A second motion, carried unanimously, directed administration to bring back the amended lease for council approval at a special meeting.

What comes next

MD council will resume funding discussion in July. The town’s $1 million is contingent on the MD matching the contribution.

The club’s application for the $1.5-million ACI grant remains pending. If successful, the club has committed to repaying both the town and MD from those proceeds.

Construction is now expected to wrap by the end of September 2026.

Active Communities Initiative, Bridge Financing, Community Facility Enhancement Program, Curling, Curling Rink, Memorandum of Understanding, Municipal Funding, public engagement, Recreation Infrastructure, Taxpayer Risk

News briefs from June 8 Town of Pincher Creek council table

Written on June 16, 2026. Posted in Civic & Government.

Pincher Creek town council formalized how it will work with school divisions on future planning and shared use of facilities at its June 8 meeting, bringing the municipality into compliance with provincial requirements.

Council authorized agreements with Livingstone Range School Division and Holy Spirit Roman Catholic Separate School Division, replacing older agreements.

Council also postponed discussion on a funding request from the Pincher Creek Curling Club until after a public input session scheduled for this Wednesday, June 17.

School division agreements approved

Under the Municipal Government Act, municipalities and school boards were required to enter into joint use and planning agreements, commonly known as JUPAs, by June 10.

Administration told council the agreements were drafted using a template from the Local Government Administrators Association, adjusted to suit local needs. Town staff met with representatives from both school divisions and the agreements were reviewed by the boards before returning to council for approval.

The Holy Spirit board had already approved and signed its agreement as presented. The Livingstone Range agreement required additional revisions following a May 11 council meeting, with further amendments made to Section 3 of the document before it went back to council.

During discussion, Coun. Bernice Cyr raised concerns about a facility in Waterton she felt was not sufficiently addressed in the agreements.

Other council members clarified that the agreements are limited to school-owned properties operating within the town’s boundaries and do not extend to facilities owned by outside organizations such as the Diocese of Calgary.

“It’s the actual school buildings that are in our town, and there’s three of them, and that’s all that these agreements cover,” Mayor Wayne Oliver said.

Council approved the agreements with both school divisions by 6-1 votes, with Cyr opposed to each motion.

Council also voted 6-1 to terminate a 1990 joint use agreement between the Pincher Creek Regional Parks and Recreation Board and two former school divisions, and unanimously approved the termination of a 2006 agreement between Livingstone Range School Division and the Town of Pincher Creek. Both were replaced by the new agreements.

Administration noted that four existing agreements between the town and local school divisions will need to be reviewed for relevancy and redundancy going forward. A governing committee established under the new agreements will also be added to the list of council appointments reviewed at the annual organizational meeting.

Curling club funding postponed

Discussion on a funding request from the Pincher Creek Curling Club was deferred to allow for a public input session to take place first.

The session is scheduled for Wednesday, June 17, at 6 p.m. at the MD of Pincher Creek council chambers, located at 1037 Herron Ave. The motion to postpone carried 6-1, with Cyr opposed.

Workshop set for July

Council directed administration to schedule a two-hour workshop on updates to the municipal development plan for July 9 at 1 p.m.

The workshop will be facilitated by the Oldman River Regional Services Commission, which is currently leading the update process.

Councillor to attend pollinator garden event

Council unanimously approved a request from Coun. Cyr to attend an Oldman Watershed Council event focused on planting a pollinator garden in the Lavern area, with mileage expenses covered.

Cyr attended an earlier presentation by the organization and expressed interest in learning more about developing a similar pollinator garden at the Veterans Memorial Campground in Pincher Creek.

Mayor Oliver noted council’s role is primarily governance, but Cyr said the event would provide useful contacts and information for exploring future grant opportunities related to pollinator habitat projects.

Heritage park society makes land requests

Council received correspondence from the Pincher Creek and District Historical Society regarding the future of Kootenai Brown Historical Park.

In a letter, the organization made three formal requests: that the lease on a significant portion of the park’s land be transferred to the historical society; that six lots owned by the society immediately north of the leased lands be amalgamated into a single parcel; and that the entire property be officially designated as the grounds of Kootenai Brown Historical Park and zoned public and public/institutional.

The society noted it has already been using the six lots as part of the park and attached a conceptual land use plan that takes into account existing community assets including a community garden, the gazebo, orchard, creek pathway, established trees, the rose garden, Burns Cabin and utility restrictions along the east side of the property.

The letter indicated the society is open to attending a public hearing or future council meeting to discuss the requests further.

Council accepted the correspondence as information and did not make a decision on the requests during the meeting.

Community invitations received

Council approved Coun. Gordon McMullen’s attendance at the Claresholm Candy Parade and Coun. Mark Barber’s attendance at parades in Bellecrest and Cardston.

Council also received invitations to Pincher Creek Legion’s honours and awards night, June 27 at Dieppe Hall, and to the Bellecrest Days celebrations on the same date.

Additionally, the Pincher Creek Cruisers announced they will host a car and motorcycle show and shine on Father’s Day, June 21, with all proceeds going to the Pincher Creek and District Community Food Centre. Organizers encouraged local businesses to contribute prizes, gift cards or monetary donations.

Transparency motion introduced

Coun. Valerie Wynder introduced a notice of motion calling for councillors to submit written council reports to be included in the published, approved minutes of the meetings at which they were presented, beginning as soon as next month, but no later than August.

Wynder said the measure supports council’s stated strategic values of transparency, responsive and accountable public service, and collaborative community engagement.

As a notice of motion, the item was not debated and will return to the agenda at the June 22 regular council meeting for full discussion and a vote.

Community Events, Council Transparency, Curling Rink, Government Transparency, Joint Use and Planning Agreements, Land-Use Planning, Municipal Development, Municipal Development Plan, Municipal Governance, Municipal Government, Municipal Government Act, Pollinator Gardens, public engagement

News briefs from May 25 Town of Pincher Creek council table

Written on June 3, 2026. 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

News briefs from May 11 town council table

Written on May 21, 2026. 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

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

Town council reviews short-term rental rules, compliance

Written on March 11, 2026. 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

Town council briefs: Heritage Acres grants, joint meeting agenda

Written on March 4, 2026. Posted in Civic & Government.

Heritage Acres Farm Museum is preparing for a busy season after securing multiple grants, representatives told Pincher Creek town council Feb. 23.

The museum secured funding through several sources, including Travel Alberta, the Alberta Museum Association and a tractor education program supporting 12 youths from Livingstone Range School Division.

The Travel Alberta grant will support a professional redisplay of the museum’s large tractor exhibit building, with the redesigned space expected to open May 1. Delegates said the firm involved works with regional museums and prioritizes using local businesses.

Additional funding will support groundskeeping, building maintenance and accessibility improvements to the homesteading area.

Upcoming events include a traditional square dance, the annual fair in July, a harvest event featuring Connie Kaldor and a Halloween show.

Delegates thanked the town for providing a letter of support that contributed to the successful applications.

Joint council agenda

Under new business, council discussed potential topics for an upcoming joint council meeting with the MD of Pincher Creek.

Coun. Sahra Nodge raised the Emergency Services Commission master agreement, noting discussions had been paused while the fire hall renovation took priority.

Mayor Wayne Oliver confirmed documentation had recently been submitted to administration and suggested council review it at a future committee of the whole meeting before advancing it to joint council.

Water planning was also flagged as a key topic. Coun. Mark Barber said he would like to see water remain on the agenda “just to keep it moving forward,” referencing earlier discussions about a proposed regional water plan.

Oliver recalled that a study had been underway and suggested requesting an update on its status and next steps, including past conversations about potential extensions of town water services and broader servicing considerations.

Joint funding allocations prompted reflection on how the process has changed over time.

Council directed administration to include emergency services agreements, water planning, joint funding processes and the library expansion proposal on the next joint council agenda.

Other business

Council held an open discussion on short-term rentals, prompted by a recent application seeking occupancy for 12 people in a residential zone. Members appeared supportive of continuing the case-by-case approach while exploring steps to bring unregistered operators into compliance.

Also, council directed administration to increase the town’s annual contribution to STARS air ambulance to $8,000 beginning in 2027, maintaining funding above the organization’s $2-per-capita target as population figures fluctuate.

Strong local journalism matters to Canadian communities

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

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

Alberta | AB, Municipal Councils | Governments

Town addresses emergency services, bylaws, board appointments

Written on February 18, 2026. 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.

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

Alberta | AB, Municipal Councils | Governments

Town council discusses recreation plan, reviews municipal achievements

Written on February 4, 2026. 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.

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

Alberta | AB, Municipal Councils | Governments

Graphic with the text "Municipal News" at the top and "Town of Pincher Creek" at the bottom, featuring a stylized image of people seated around a curved meeting table in the center.

Pincher Creek council tackles safety, housing in first meeting

Written on November 4, 2025. 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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Voter turnout drops in Pincher Creek, rises in Crowsnest Pass

Written on October 29, 2025. Posted in Civic & Government.

As ballots were counted following the October 2025 municipal elections, voter participation told two very different stories across the neighbouring communities of Pincher Creek and Crowsnest Pass.

While the Town of Pincher Creek saw a steep decline in voter turnout compared to the 2021 municipal election, Crowsnest Pass residents showed renewed enthusiasm at the polls. The number of eligible voters also decreased. In Pincher Creek, eligible voters dropped from 3,050 to 2,884, while Crowsnest Pass saw a reduction from 5,500 to 4,932.

Pincher Creek: Turnout nearly halved

According to official figures, only 626 of Pincher Creek’s 2,884 eligible voters cast ballots this year — a turnout of 21.7 per cent, down sharply from 40.4 per cent in 2021 when 1,233 out of 3,050 eligible voters voted.

No vote was held for mayor this year as Wayne Oliver was acclaimed. The contrast with 2021 was notable, as three candidates — Don Anderberg, Scott Korbett and Jim Litkowski — competed for the seat that year, drawing a stronger voter response. Anderberg retained his position with 729 votes, ahead of Korbett’s 319 and Litkowski’s 185.

By comparison, in 2025, 487 votes was the highest number cast for a councillor — received by Valerie Wynder. Incumbents Sahra Nodge and Mark Barber followed with 474 and 465 votes, respectively. Brian McGillivray (414), Gordon McMullen (347) and Bernice Cyr (250) filled the remaining seats.

The lowest vote count went to Blaise O’Rourke, who received 248 votes and fell short of a council seat.

Crowsnest Pass: Turnout on the rise

Crowsnest Pass, meanwhile, saw participation climb. Of 4,932 eligible voters, 2,028 cast ballots, representing a 41.1 per cent turnout, up from 31.8 per cent in 2021 when 1,749 of 5,500 eligible voters participated. That’s an increase of 279 ballots despite a smaller voter base.

The mayor’s seat, uncontested in 2021, drew strong interest this time with three candidates. Patricia Anne (Pat) Rypien won decisively with 1,515 votes, defeating Glen Girhiny (393) and Douglas Raines (78).

Eleven candidates vied for six seats, and the top votes surged even higher — 1,428 for Tony Vastenhout, followed by Doreen Glavin (1,141), Darren Nastasi (1,087), Doreen Johnson (1,079), Dean Ward (937) and Colleen MacDonald (714).

The closest race was for the final seat, as Sam Stewart (697) was narrowly elected ahead of Robert Schefter (695). Steve Sawchuk received 644 votes, Stephen Burnell 632 and Douglas Krahn 305.

The next municipal election will be in October 2029.

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 created to keep readers informed and connected — and to reflect real Canadian life.

Alberta | AB, Blaise O’Rourke – Pincher Creek, Colleen MacDonald – Crowsnest Pass, Crowsnest Pass – Alberta, Crowsnest Pass Election Results, Darren Natasi – Crowsnest Pass, Dean Ward – Crowsnest Pass, Don Anderberg – Pincher Creek, Doreen Glavin – Crowsnest Pass, Doreen Johnson – Crowsnest Pass, Election Results, Elections, Jim Litkowski – Pincher Creek, Municipal Affairs, Pat Rypien – Crowsnest Pass, Pincher Creek Election Results, Sam Stewart – Crowsnest Pass, Scott Korbett – Pincher Creek, Tony Vastenhout – Crowsnest Pass

A green sign with white text reads "Town of Pincher Creek" at the top and "Town Office" in large letters below. The sign is outdoors with partial views of trees and a building in the background.

Pincher Creek council reflects on term

Written on October 22, 2025. Posted in Civic & Government.

Pincher Creek town council held its final regular meeting of the current term Oct. 14, marking the end of Mayor Don Anderberg’s 12 years in office. Wayne Oliver succeeded him as mayor by acclamation following the Oct. 20 municipal election.

Anderberg chaired last week’s meeting before stepping down. Couns. Oliver, Sahra Nodge, David Green, Garry Cleland and Mark Barber attended.

Council carried second and third readings of Veteran’s Street Road Closure Bylaw 1637-25, closing a portion of the road to public travel for a lease agreement. Council gave first reading on June 23 and held a public hearing on July 28.

Alberta Transportation approved the bylaw in September. The motion passed unanimously.

Council also approved two development permit applications from Link Builders to construct sixplex apartment buildings at 656 and 658 Charlotte St.

The projects fall under a direct control district, requiring approval from council rather than the municipal development authority.

Councillors discussed parking space, garbage collection and amenity space but agreed the building projects will help address local housing needs.

“The benefit of more denser accommodation outweighs the challenge of parking,” said Coun. Nodge.

Mayor Anderberg called the shift from the original plan for two fourplexes to sixplexes “very positive.”

Both permits were approved with standard conditions.

Council also recognized Indigenous Veterans Day on Nov. 8 and amended its proclamation policy to include the date.

As it was the final meeting of the current term, councillors reflected on their time at the table and expressed appreciation for one another.

Coun. Brian Wright, who was absent, sent a written message thanking Anderberg and council for their service and vowing to continue supporting the community. He also thanked administration for their guidance and support.

Coun. Nodge acknowledged the “transitions” council faced and thanked members for their perspectives.

Coun. Oliver expressed gratitude to the outgoing councillors and mayor, and also talked about assuming his new role as mayor: “I get sworn in on the 27th — slight level of anxiety about that — but up for the challenge and look forward to serving in a new capacity, and trying to fill the big shoes that you’re leaving, Mr. Mayor Anderberg.”

Coun. Green joked that since deciding not to run again, he had been approached by several boards and “gave them Don’s phone number.”

Coun. Barber praised Anderberg’s leadership and said he would miss the camaraderie around the table.

“I know Wayne is going to do a very good job too, but I will miss you for your guidance and for your friendship and everybody else,” he said.

Coun. Garry Cleland shared a heartfelt written statement, reflecting on his three years on council. He said serving the citizens of Pincher Creek had been an honour and that he had learned from his colleagues’ dedication and differing perspectives.

He also used the moment to voice hopes for improvement. Cleland said he was “bitterly disappointed” by what he saw as delays on major projects.

“Timelines with followups are what make or break a great organization,” he said, urging the new council to stay on schedule.

Cleland also spoke about community oversight and recreational inclusion, noting that he had personally stepped in to support groups when “town operations failed due to errors.”

He encouraged future councils to listen closely to residents and to ensure recreational opportunities remain inclusive for all.

“Although I could not affect change,” he said, “I urge others with similar concerns to voice them at future meetings.”

In his closing remarks, Anderberg thanked councillors, administration and staff for their dedication.

He noted the commitment required to serve on council — from reading lengthy agendas to spending weekends preparing for meetings — and expressed deep appreciation for those who take on the responsibility.

“I’ve been on six councils, all with different personalities and people,” he said. “The vast majority have had, in my opinion, the best interests of the citizens at heart, including this one.”

He spoke with gratitude for the town’s administration, public works and recreation teams, saying their efforts turn council’s ideas into reality.

“We might come up with great ideas and raise our hands, but it’s administration and staff who figure out how to make it happen,” he said.

Reflecting on his years of service, Anderberg said Pincher Creek’s greatest strength lies in its people.

“We complain sometimes, but when the chips are down — floods, fires, people in trouble — this community steps up every time.”

He closed by acknowledging the connection formed among those who serve.

“We all come here for different reasons, but a bond develops between people,” he said. “Whether we’re elected officials, ex-elected officials or community members, that bond will always be there.”

Alberta | AB, Brian Wright – Pincher Creek, David Green – Pincher Creek, Don Anderberg – Pincher Creek, Garry Cleland – Pincher Creek, Housing

A hand wearing a beige sweater is placing a blank white paper into a slot on top of a white box against a light blue background, suggesting the act of voting or submitting a ballot.

Four votes separate candidates for final Pincher Creek council seat

Written on October 22, 2025. Posted in Civic & Government.

Bernice Cyr holds claim to the sixth and final Pincher Creek council seat by just four votes over Blaise O’Rourke, according to unofficial results from the Oct. 20 election.

Cyr received 252 votes while O’Rourke had 248. The Town of Pincher Creek will confirm official results on Friday, Oct. 24.

Wayne Oliver was acclaimed mayor on Sept. 22. Don Anderberg did not seek re-election and no other candidates stepped forward.

Seven candidates competed for six councillor seats. Valerie Wynder received 489 votes, followed by incumbent Sahra Nodge with 472 and incumbent Mark Barber with 467.

Former councillor Brian McGillivray placed fourth with 422 votes, followed by Gordon McMullen with 349.

Councillors Garry Cleland, David Green and Brian Wright did not seek re-election.

The new council will be sworn in Oct. 27, marking the start of the 2025–2029 term under Oliver’s leadership.

Alberta | AB, Alberta Election Results, Blaise O’Rourke – Pincher Creek, Brian Wright – Pincher Creek, David Green – Pincher Creek, Don Anderberg – Pincher Creek, Election Results, Elections, Garry Cleland – Pincher Creek, Municipal Affairs, Pincher Creek Election Results, Shootin’ the Breeze – Alberta

Pincher Creek and Crowsnest Pass voters choose councils Oct. 20

Written on September 24, 2025. Posted in Civic & Government.

October polls to feature mix of new faces and familiar names

Residents of Pincher Creek and Crowsnest Pass will soon have the chance to decide who will shape their local councils for the next four years.

Following the close of nominations Monday, official candidate lists are confirmed for the Oct. 20 municipal elections, when voters across Alberta will head to the polls to choose their mayors and councillors.

The elections, held every four years on the third Monday of October, marks the start of a new cycle of governance for local municipalities.

In Pincher Creek, only one name is on the list for the mayor’s chair. Wayne R. Oliver, a current councillor, wins the seat by acclamation.

Seven candidates are vying for the six spots on town council: Mark Barber, Bernice I. Cyr, Brian McGillivray, Gordon McMullen, Sahra Nodge, Blaise James O’Rourke and Valerie Wynder. Of those, Barber and Nodge are incumbents and McGillivray has previously served on council.

Voters will be asked to select the individuals they believe can best represent their community.

The Municipal District of Pincher Creek has already determined its next council, as all candidates were elected by acclamation. With only one candidate stepping forward in each division, there will be no ballots cast in the MD this fall.

All five councillors are returning for another four-year term. Tony Bruder will continue to represent Division 1, while Rick Lemire remains in Division 2 and Dave Cox in Division 3. Jim Welsch will return in Division 4, and John MacGarva will continue as councillor for Division 5.

In Cowley, three candidates put their names forward for village council. With only three seats available, Katerina Bunyan, Barbara Burnett and Paula Watson were elected by acclamation. Burnett and Watson are incumbents, currently serving as mayor and councillor respectively.

In the Municipality of Crowsnest Pass, the race for mayor has drawn three contenders. Glen Girhiny (current councillor), J. Douglas Raines and Patricia Anne (Pat) Rypien have each filed their papers in a bid for the mayor’s seat.

On the council side, voters will have plenty of choice. Eleven candidates are vying for six seats: Stephen Burnell, Doreen Glavin, Doreen Johnson, Douglas Krahn, Colleen MacDonald, Darren Nastasi, Stephen (Steve) Sawchuk, Robert Josef Schefter, Samuel Stewart, Tony Vastenhout and Dean Ward. Glavin and Ward are incumbents.

This crowded field comes at a time when many residents of Crowsnest Pass are voicing disappointment and concern over recent decisions by the existing council, including Grassy Mountain coal exploration and land-use bylaws allowing multistorey housing development.

There is recurrent friction in the community about these issues, with some residents feeling that growth is happening without sufficient input or protections for wildlife and community character.

These controversies are expected to colour the campaign period, as candidates debate how to balance environmental protection, economic growth, housing and the future direction of local planning.

Advance voting takes place Oct. 15 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Election day is Oct. 20, with polls open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

While the names are now set, the coming weeks will give voters the chance to learn more about the candidates and their visions for the future of their communities.

For residents of Pincher Creek and Crowsnest Pass, the choice will be at the ballot box. For those in Cowley and the MD of Pincher Creek, council positions are already determined; their work will begin immediately after the election.

Alberta | AB, Blaise O’Rourke – Pincher Creek

Profile: Mark Barber

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October polls to feature mix of new faces and familiar names

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