ABmunis advocates for clarity & fairness in school site ownership changes

Alberta Municipalities has written to Alberta Infrastructure to express members’ concerns about recent legislative changes to the school site ownership model. 

While municipalities understand the importance of schools to vibrant communities, the shift in land ownership from municipalities to the provincial government raises serious questions about local planning, compensation, and the long-term use of school sites. 

The changes have emerged as municipalities and school boards work toward meeting the 2026 deadline for completing Joint Use Planning Agreements (JUPAs). We’re seeking clarity on how these legislative changes will affect existing and future JUPAs, especially in terms of land use, community amenities, and playgrounds. 

We’ve flagged several issues that need to be resolved: 

• How ownership transfers will affect planning, liability, and maintenance
• Whether municipalities will be compensated for previously acquired land
• How public access to school lands and amenities will be preserved
• The need for consultation on future regulations tied to land leasing and compensation. 

Crucially, we’re calling for meaningful municipal consultation before further decisions are made, and a commitment from the provincial government that community interests remain central in the management of school sites. 

We hope to meet with representatives from Alberta Infrastructure to discuss how municipalities and the provincial government can collaborate more effectively to meet both educational and community needs. ABmunis will keep members updated on this issue as things unfold and we have more information to share.