Advocacy Priorities and Progress

The County of Grande Prairie wants citizens, businesses and community members to be aware of the efforts underway to raise the profile and secure support for key projects and infrastructure in our communities. County Council continually reviews and updates our advocacy plan to reflect the needs and priorities of residents, businesses and stakeholders. We advocate to the provincial and federal governments on several issues that impact community well-being and quality of life.  

The advocacy priorities outlined below are needed to address health and safety risks to the public and to increase economic prosperity in the region. County Council and senior administration are working collaboratively with other municipalities, industry members, community groups, and other stakeholders to meet and/or share information with Alberta Ministers, Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) and senior staff to raise awareness of the County’s needs.  

Priority 1: Economic Development

Align with the Government of Alberta’s Recovery Plan to gain economic development opportunities for the County with a focus on job creation, workforce development and talent attraction, economic diversification, and infrastructure development.  

Actions include:

  • Advocate for the Province to adopt a new electricity pricing model for transmission and distribution that eliminates the disparity in pricing across Alberta. 
  • Increase Profile of County of Grande Prairie in Government of Alberta  

Recent Successes:

  • The Grande Prairie Regional Workforce Development Strategy is a partnership with the Grande Prairie and District Chamber of Commerce, City of Grande Prairie, MD of Greenview, Alberta Labour and Immigration, and Northwestern Polytechnic to address gaps in the workforce and market the region as a strong region to work, live and play. To date, partners have collected data on our current and future workforce needs and identified industry sectors that will provide an optimum mix of career opportunities and economic diversity. The partnership recently presented a strategy developed to address employment demands, establish a skilled and resilient workforce and create a competitive environment for the region. 

  • The County of Grande Prairie Business Support Network hosted a successful spring job fair, where over 400 job seekers connected with 40 vendors ranging from oil companies, education, municipalities, health services, retail, and job seeker support services. The event also saw representation from the Peace Region Economic Development Alliance (PREDA) recruiting for small northern municipalities.

  • Continued to advocate for financial support for the Philip J. Currie Dinosaur Museum by highlighting the economic potential and broad appeal, including to MLA Martin Long (West Yellowhead) and Parliamentary Secretary for Small Business and Tourism. 

Priority 2: Transportation

The County will promote awareness of transportation infrastructure needs in the County of Grande Prairie with the provincial and federal governments to ensure supply chain resiliency.

Actions include:

  • Prioritize and allocate capital funding for Highway 40X construction.  

  • Highlight transportation infrastructure needs related to rail and air service. 

Recent Successes:

  • The Provincial Highway 40 twinning and bridge construction project, with project completion in 2023. County investment – $10 million 

  • Paving 10 km of Highway 724 north of La Glace was completed. County investment – 25 per cent up to $2 million  

  • Continued to advocate for Highway 40X to connect Highways 40 and 43 to support economic development, investment attraction and motorist safety, improving the CANAMEX/North-South Trade Corridor through the United States  

  • Supported Alberta Transportation’s proposal for safety improvements to the intersection of Highways 43 and 733 near Bezanson with the installation of a traffic circle. The intersection has been an advocacy piece for Council over many years and several terms for the safety of area residents and the motorists travelling Highway 43  

  • Continued to advocate for improved accessibility and traffic flow to the future Clairmont Heights with access from Highway 2  

Link to Highway 40X Connector page

 

Priority 3: A Healthy Community

The County will seek improvements to healthcare services to better meet local needs.

Actions include:

  • Seek commitment from the Government of Alberta for a new healthcare facility in Beaverlodge. 

  • Support healthcare Professional Attraction and Retention. 

  • Support the development of the Maskwa Medical Centre. 

Recent Success:

  • Landrex Inc. was selected as a private partner for the Mountview Health Complex to provide capital and expertise as part of the P3 project model (Public-Private Partnership)

Additional Advocacy Activities

The County will keep the following topics top of mind and communicate their importance to the County of Grande Prairie with appropriate levels of government as opportunities come up. Topics include:  

  • Rural Crime and Policing 

  • Completion of Highways 43 and 43X 

  • Twinning of Highway 43 

  • Clairmont Corridor at Highway 2 

  • Local Government Fiscal Framework 

  • Rural Housing Insecurity 

  • Provincial support of the Philip J. Currie Dinosaur Museum