St. Albert Minute: Business Licences, Bid Withdrawn, and Northeast Development Prioritization

St. Albert Minute - Your weekly one-minute summary of St. Albert politics

This Week In St. Albert:

• On Tuesday, at 1:00 pm, there will be a meeting of City Council. There will be a few presentations from residents and organizations before a Public Hearing begins at 2:00 pm. The purpose of the Public Hearing is to address amendments to the Riverside Area Structure Plan.
  
  
• The City is reminding people that Notices of Intent to run for Mayor, Council, or School Board positions are being accepted. The next municipal election is scheduled for Monday, October 20th, 2025, and candidates may begin accepting contributions and incurring expenses only after filing their notice of intent and being added to the Register of Candidates. More information is available online, at the City’s website.
  
  
• The City is also reminding people that St. Albert business licences expire annually on December 31st and must be renewed by January 31st, 2025. Renewal invoices were emailed to businesses in early December, and renewals are now open. Licences can be renewed through the online payment portal, with a PDF copy of the Licence Certificate emailed within two business days after payment. Licence certificates can also be accessed anytime through the MyCity account. There is more information available online. We’re curious - do you find St. Albert to be a business-friendly environment? Or did you experience any hurdles with your licensing?

Last Week In St. Albert:

• Councillor Sheena Hughes advocated for prioritizing development in the city’s northeast, proposing changes to the municipal development plan (MDP) to match the focus given to the west. Despite concerns over a $450,000 cost for MDP modifications and potential infrastructure expenses exceeding $70 million, Hughes argues the northeast’s annexed lands were overlooked in the original plan. Mayor Cathy Heron opposed Hughes, citing sustainability concerns and the significant public input involved in the current MDP. Council ultimately voted 5-2 to direct City staff to report back by April 1st, 2025 with a budget proposal and necessary steps to move forward.
  
  
• The City has withdrawn its bid to host the 2027 Alberta Seniors 55+ Summer Games due to significant changes in the event's format. The restructured games now merge summer and winter events, prioritize card games and billiards over athletics, and exclude cultural components as mandatory features. City staff cited reduced community engagement, higher costs, and limited use of local sports facilities as reasons for the decision. The City plans to pursue other major events, such as the Alberta Special Olympics or provincial games. Final recommendations for future opportunities will be presented by spring.
  
  
• St. Albert hosted its largest-ever mock disaster drill, involving approximately 250 participants, including police, paramedics, and city officials. The exercise simulated a mass shooting at the Jack Kraft recycling plant, with volunteers acting as casualties to enhance realism. Organizers emphasized the importance of teamwork and inter-agency collaboration in emergency response, aiming to identify and address gaps in current procedures. The event, which featured emergency vehicles, staged injuries, and realistic scenarios, allowed responders to practice evacuation and casualty care. City officials highlighted the value of such drills in strengthening resilience and ensuring readiness for high-risk situations.

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