St. Albert Minute: Issue 58

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

📅 This Week In St. Albert: 📅

• There will be a City Council meeting on Tuesday at 1:00 pm. Council will be asked to approve the expenditure of $11.8 million in federal Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF) grants to support the implementation of the City’s HAF Action Plan. This plan includes seven initiatives aimed at addressing housing affordability and expediting housing supply. These initiatives include the implementation of a Transit Corridor Intensification Strategy, which will enable mixed-use, higher-density residential development along key transit corridors like St. Albert Trail. Another major initiative is the Neighbourhood Intensification Strategy, focusing on small-scale development in low-density residential areas, which includes the introduction of regulations allowing for the development of up to four units on traditional lot sizes. Additionally, the plan includes reviewing zoning changes to reduce barriers to infill development in established neighbourhoods. The City also plans to repurpose surplus public lands for affordable housing through a new Public Lands Redevelopment Strategy and implement an electronic permitting system to streamline the development process. A Parking Regulation Study will look into solutions for parking issues that limit housing development, while a Development Concierge Service Program will assist with non-market housing projects, particularly in downtown areas. The grant funding will cover all associated costs, with no required matching funds from the City.
  
  
• The City of St. Albert is planning an expansion of its Transit Garage at Liggett Place to accommodate the growing transit fleet and increase its maintenance capabilities. The project will involve designing and constructing a 12-lane parking garage extension, an additional maintenance bay, and additional storage to support current and future transit needs. The current facility has been at capacity since 2015, with the fleet growing to 67 buses, including conventional and handibuses, and accumulating a record 2.74 million kilometres driven in 2023. The lack of sufficient space for parking and maintenance is apparently limiting the City's ability to meet the increasing transit service demands. Council is being asked to approve $12.855 million for the project, with construction slated to begin in 2025 and completion expected in 2026.
  
  
• Conservative MP Michael Cooper has secured a fourth term representing St. Albert-Sturgeon River, winning 63.9% of the vote in the April 28th federal election. He received 48,063 votes, well ahead of Liberal candidate Lucia Stachurski, who finished with 22,483. Cooper told supporters he was honoured by the result but acknowledged the disappointment of another Liberal minority government. He said local voters were frustrated by the last decade and had hoped for a Conservative win under Pierre Poilievre. Despite the national result, Cooper said he looks forward to serving in a stronger opposition. St. Albert-Sturgeon River saw an overall increase in voter turnout, with over 75,000 valid votes cast, a significant rise of 14,279 compared to the 2021 election. This brought voter turnout to 77.62%, with over 30,000 people participating in advance voting, the second highest in the province.
  
  
• St. Albert has officially opened its new Sturgeon Reservoir and Pump Station, a major upgrade to the City’s water infrastructure. The $1.974 million project includes a 21-million-litre concrete reservoir, seven high-capacity pumps, and energy-efficient systems. Mayor Cathy Heron praised the facility for securing safe drinking water for over 72,000 residents. The upgrade also replaces the old pump station and adds green space with seating. Final landscaping work begins this spring.
  
  
• The St. Albert Public Library has eliminated late fees for children's and teen books. Any existing fines on those materials have also been forgiven. Library staff say the goal is to reduce financial and emotional barriers that might prevent young people from using the library. While patrons will still be charged for lost items, the library expects the move to boost access and usage. The change follows a broader trend, with other Alberta libraries also going fine-free. The Board may consider scrapping all late fees in 2026.

🚨 This Week’s Action Item: 🚨

The federal election may have just wrapped up, but we can’t forget that the municipal election is fast approaching this October. 

At Common Sense St. Albert, we’re committed to driving real change at City Hall, and we need your support to make it happen. If you care about priorities like increasing transparency, protecting the freedom of residents and businesses, and bringing common sense back to the city, now is the time to get involved. 

Volunteer with us today and help ensure a better future for St. Albert:

🪙 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!