Alberta’s Mid-sized Cities Mayors’ call on Premier Smith for more influence in decisions affecting municipalities

Friday, October 20, 2023

LEDUC, ALBERTA – Alberta’s Mid-sized Cities Mayors Caucus (MCMC) gathered in Leduc for their Fall 2023 Caucus meetings to reaffirm their priorities, advocate for a provincial partnership, share ideas and resources, and determine next steps for the group.

The MCMC focus is concentrated in the following areas of mutual interest:

  • Building better relationships and partnerships
  • Equitable and appropriate capital funding
  • Community Safety and Wellness
  • Healthcare
  • Housing

“Together our group has seen success over the past year including increased interest and recognition by the Province,” says Cochrane Mayor Jeff Genung, Chair of the MCMC. “We have more work to do for our citizens, and today we asked the Premier for a dedicated liaison into her government. We want to be a partner with the Province to move important fiscal, social and infrastructure priorities forward. We are an untapped resource representing one in four Albertans, and our citizens deserve equitable treatment and representation as those living in big cities or smaller municipalities.”

The Caucus met with Premier Smith, and Minister of Mental Health & Addiction Dan Williams during their two-day event.

Additionally, the MCMC elected a newly expanded executive leadership team:

  • Chair - Mayor Jeff Genung, Town of Cochrane
  • Vice-Chair - Mayor Bob Young, City of Leduc
  • Mayor Peter Brown, City of Airdrie
  • Mayor Jackie Clayton, City of Grande Prairie
  • Mayor Jeff Acker, City of Spruce Grove
  • Mayor Cathy Heron, City of St. Albert (new)
  • Mayor Sean Krausert, Town of Canmore (new)

“I’m honoured to continue as chair of the Alberta Mid-sized Cities Mayors’ Caucus, and I am excited for the work that lies ahead with our group led by our expanded executive committee,” stated Genung.

Also as part of their meetings, they also launched website (www.abmcmc.ca) and social media channels (X: @ab_mcmc; Instagram: @ab_mcmc; Facebook: ab_mcmc).

Alberta Mid-sized Cities made of 24 municipalities with populations greater than 15,000 people that range from large suburban and urban centres to regional service centres for rural Alberta. All these communities are uniquely positioned to support the province’s long-term prosperity and provide homes to accommodate the record-setting number of newcomers choosing Alberta. Mid-sized Cities represent 28 ridings, one million Albertans and elected the Premier and 10 Cabinet Ministers.

The MCMC meets monthly to share best practices, discuss challenges faced by their communities and identify opportunities to work together to solve these challenges. They also meet in-person twice per year to identify areas for improvement, seek out partnerships, and leverage funding and collaboration opportunities. MCMC will be hosting their first annual conference in Canmore in January 2024.

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For more information, please contact:
Kristin Huybrecht
Manager, Intergov and Communications
Town of Cochrane
P: 403-851-2961
E: Kristin.huybrecht@cochrane.ca