Update from President Bressey – July 2026

I’ve spent a lot of time with municipal leaders, provincial decision-makers, and community builders from across Alberta over the past two months. Whether it was at our Summer Municipal Leaders' Caucus (MLC) sessions, out on the Calgary Stampede grounds, or in meeting rooms and coffee shops, I came away with the same feeling every time: local governments are doing incredible work, and they deserve the trust and tools to keep doing it well. 

Summer MLCs a resounding success 

In June, Alberta Municipalities (ABmunis) hosted Summer MLC sessions in Vegreville, Coaldale, Red Deer, and through a virtual session for northern members. These sessions gave us opportunities to step back from our day-to-day responsibilities and talk about the big issues shaping Alberta's communities. We had honest conversations about water system viability, Family and Community Support Services, municipal indicators, and the future of municipal revenue through our Property Taxes Reimagined (PTR) campaign. Most importantly, we listened to one another. Members shared ideas, concerns, and practical solutions rooted in their local experiences.  

One thing was clear wherever we met: municipalities want to contribute to building solutions. Communities are growing, infrastructure is getting older, and expectations continue to rise. At the same time, local governments are being asked to do more with a funding system that was largely built for a different era. That's why our conversations about PTR generated so much interest. We know the current system is under pressure. Now comes the important work of finding a better path forward together.  

ABmunis meets members, provincial government reps at Calgary Stampede 

July brought another opportunity for meaningful conversations. Like many Albertans, I spent time at the Calgary Stampede – “The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth.” Stampede is a fantastic place to build relationships – an event where municipal leaders, provincial and federal representatives, business leaders, and community organizations come together for 10 days to connect, network and talk. Those conversations help us strengthen partnerships, raise municipal priorities, and remind decision-makers that strong communities don't happen by accident – they happen because local leaders are putting in the work every day. 

Opinion piece on municipal autonomy 

An opinion piece submitted by ABmunis’ Board of Directors was published in the Calgary Herald and Edmonton Journal on July 9. Our message is straightforward: local issues deserve local solutions. Municipal councils are elected to make decisions on behalf of their communities, and residents hold them accountable for those decisions. Other orders of government have important roles to play, but local governments work best when they have the flexibility and authority to respond to local needs. Trusting local leaders isn't just good governance – it's common sense. 

Our business development team is on the road, meeting with members 

Our regional managers are on the road this summer, meeting with many of our members and checking to ensure they’re satisfied with whatever services and products they receive from ABmunis. As always, our regional managers are pleased to provide member communities and not-for-profits with the most appropriate services, recommendations, and insights at the right time for the best possible success. While it’s too soon to provide details, I’m excited to say we plan to offer natural gas aggregation to our members in late 2026. 

Preparations underway for 2026 Convention and Trade Show 

Planning is underway for this year’s annual Convention and Trade Show, which will take place at the Edmonton Convention Centre from September 23 to 25. Upwards of 1,500 municipal leaders from across Alberta are expected to join us for three days of professional development, important conversations, resolutions, and networking. Our trade show, featuring a wide array of products and services municipalities need, is also shaping up nicely. If you haven’t already, be sure to add our marquee event to your calendar. 

Wherever I travel in Alberta, I meet municipal leaders who care deeply about their communities and are willing to tackle tough challenges head-on. We have important conversations ahead about municipal finance, governance, and autonomy. I'm excited about that work, and I'm grateful that we get to do it together. 

Thank you for your leadership, ideas, hard work, and steadfast commitment to building strong communities across Alberta.