Municipal Services


Contact Information

Municipal Services Branch
17th Floor, Commerce Place
10155 - 102 Street
Edmonton, Alberta  T5J 4L4

Phone: 780-427-2225
Toll-free in Alberta: 310-0000
Fax: 780-420-1016
E-mail: lgsmail@gov.ab.ca

The Municipal Services Branch works closely with municipalities to support them in their efforts to provide responsive and effective local government. The branch offers a wide variety of programs and services designed to enhance municipal capacity, sustainability and accountability.  Examples include: the provision of advisory support in areas such as municipal governance, municipal finance, and land-use planning; support for regional collaboration and intermunicipal dispute resolution; and provision of grants for municipal infrastructure projects and projects aimed at enhancing municipal sustainability.

Examples of branch activities include:

  • providing analysis and advice on municipal issues
  • supporting co-operation between municipalities
  • providing policy, planning and analysis on a variety of issues
  • compiling municipal financial and statistical information
  • administering grant programs

The Municipal Services Branch is currently made up of five work units:

  • Capacity Building 
  • Municipal Collaboration
  • Municipal Grants
  • Planning 
  • Emerging Issues

The Capacity Building Unit promotes excellence in local government. It advises local government officials and the public on municipal administration, governance and finance. Other major responsibilities are:

The unit also provides elected officials and municipal staff with helpful publications and planning tools.

The Municipal Collaboration Unit promotes the long term sustainability of municipalities by:

  • Assisting municipalities to deal with conflict effectively through the Intermunicipal Dispute Resolution Initiative and Collaborative Governance Initiative
  • Assisting municipalities who are undertaking organization change such as formation, amalgamation or dissolution
  • Assisting municipalities in establishing regional services commissions
  • Supporting the ministry's relationship with municipalities and their associations
  • Managing Supporting policy development and consultation related to major policy issues such as municipal sustainability
  • Compiling and distributing financial and statistical data and contact information related to municipalities

The Municipal Grants Unit develops grant policy and administers grants to Alberta municipalities. Key activities and services include:

  • Municipal Sustainability Initiative 
  • Regional Collaboration Program
  • Grants in Places of Taxes  

The Planning Unit develops land planning policy and advises local planners, developers and residents on current and long range planning, development approval processes and Subdivision and Development Appeal Boards.  The unit's major responsibilities focus on supporting good planning decision making through:

  • Providing policy advice and analysis on major planning acitivities in Alberta such as regional land use plans
  • Capacity building through advice and support to municipal planning offices and Subdivision Appeal Board Training 
  • Support of land use planning and municipal cooperation through support to metropolitan plan development and the oil sands strategy  
  • Providing advice on planning related legislation
  • Support to land use planning through participation in cross ministry initiatives