Advocacy for Inclusion of Stormwater in Mandatory ICFs

Letter from Minister Clarifies Inclusion of Stormwater

During discussions with Municipal Affairs regarding Bill 50, and through consultation with its members, ABmunis advocated for the expansion of the mandatory Intermunicipal Collaboration Frameworks (ICFs) to specifically include stormwater. A letter from the Minister’s office provides much needed clarity for municipalities when entering ICF conversations, specifically related to water service systems, inclusive of water, wastewater, and stormwater.  

The Minister of Municipal Affairs' letter states: 

Although it is not defined as a separate category, stormwater is typically considered part of the water service system and can be included in the water and wastewater conversations of municipal ICFs. This is similar to discussions for bus and transit services included in the transportation category, rather than addressed as a separate topic. There is nothing preventing municipalities from including stormwater in an ICF.  

What We Shared with the Minister

In our advocacy efforts, we had emphasized that, similar to water and wastewater, stormwater management is a fundamental municipal service that warrants formal recognition in intermunicipal agreements. 

ABmunis members reported situations where significant quantities of surface water move across municipal boundaries. In some cases, this transfer imposes a financial burden on the receiving municipality, as it is left to manage and mitigate the effects of increased stormwater volumes. Recognizing these challenges, ABmunis argued that municipalities should be required to discuss whether collaboration or cost-sharing is justified in such circumstances. 

Despite these efforts, when Bill 50 was introduced and subsequently passed, ABmunis expressed disappointment that stormwater was not added to the mandatory service list in the Municipal Government Act (MGA).  

Conclusion

We are pleased that the Minister provided ABmunis with this clarity so our members can confidently include stormwater management in their Intermunicipal Collaboration Framework discussions, and ensure their communities’ needs are fully addressed.