Grande Prairie Minute: Issue 60

Grande Prairie Minute - Your weekly one-minute summary of Grande Prairie politics

📅 This Week In Grande Prairie: 📅

• There will be an in-camera (secret) meeting of City Council on Tuesday at 2:30 pm. No information is available about what will be discussed. At 3:00 pm, there will be a City Council meeting open to the public. Council will consider a new tax rebate program to encourage the construction of large rental apartment buildings amid rising construction costs and a housing shortage, with the vacancy rate around 2%. The proposal would create a two-tier tax rebate system: one for buildings with 30-124 units (three years of 100% rebate and one year at 50%), and a second for buildings with 125+ units (a 10-year sliding scale rebate starting at 100% and decreasing by 10% annually). Combined with existing municipal and federal incentives, a 125-unit project could receive $1.7 million to $2.0 million in local support. The program expires December 31st, 2025, and a jurisdictional scan found a few comparable municipal incentives elsewhere in Alberta.
  
  
• With a postal strike possibly starting May 22nd, the City of Grande Prairie is urging residents to avoid mailing their property tax payments. Instead, residents are encouraged to use alternative options ahead of the June 30th deadline. Payments can be made online by credit card through the City’s eServices portal, though a 2.25% service fee applies. Alternatively, to avoid the fee, payments can be made by online banking, in person at financial institutions, and at City Hall in person on weekdays or at any time by dropping a cheque off in the secure drop-box.
  
  
• The City of Grande Prairie is conducting a feasibility study to determine the long-term future of Bear Creek Dam and will host guided site tours next month to involve residents in the process. The study will consider factors like safety, environmental impact, regulatory requirements, and possible future uses such as recreation or habitat restoration. Tours will be held on June 19th, running every half hour between 11:00 am and 1:00 pm and 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm. More details are available on the City of Grande Prairie website.
  
  
• Grande Prairie is offering free FireSmart Home Assessments to help residents protect their properties from wildfire risk. Funded by the Forest Resource Improvement Association of Alberta, the program runs from May to October and includes personalized home visits from wildfire specialists. Homeowners will receive a report with tailored advice on fire safety improvements within 30 metres of their home, known as the home ignition zone. Tips range from clearing flammable materials to installing fire-resistant landscaping. Up to 200 homes in neighbourhoods like Mission Heights, Southview and Bear Creek are eligible, though other residents can also apply. Mayor Jackie Clayton says the program helps build a more fire-resilient community.
  
  
• Grande Prairie MP Chris Warkentin has been appointed as Chief Opposition Whip ahead of the next sitting of Parliament on May 26th. In his new role, Warkentin will coordinate with the Shadow Cabinet to help ensure the concerns of Canadians are reflected in the House of Commons. He called the appointment an honour and pledged to keep fighting for families and future generations. Warkentin emphasized his commitment to building a Canada rooted in hope, safety, freedom and prosperity. He will continue to represent the Peace Country while taking on this expanded leadership role.

🚨 This Week’s Action Item: 🚨

Common Sense Grande Prairie is gearing up for the upcoming municipal election. 

We plan to survey all of the candidates for Mayor and Council. What questions do you think we should ask? Hit reply to this email and let us know your top priorities!

🪙 This Week’s Sponsor: 🪙

This week's sponsor is you! We don't have big corporate backers, so if you like what you're reading, please consider making a donation or signing up as a monthly member.

Having said that, if you are a local business and are interested in being a sponsor, send us an email and we'll talk!