Kevin Hanson – Division 1
Quick Bits
Rural Municipalities of Alberta Spring Convention was March 17-19. This shorter convention always feels more focused – although we did pass 16 resolutions related to advocating rural concerns to the Provincial Government. I attended a worthwhile breakout session “RMA’s Wildfire Working Group Report: A Deep Dive”. For those interested see: https://rmalberta.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/RMA-Wildfire-Working-Group-Report.pdf
Elbow Valley Business Fair
On March 21st, from 4:00pm – 7:00pm, the Residents Club hosted a free business fair for home-based businesses being run by Elbow Valley residents. There were about 16 tables booked which spread out on both levels of the clubhouse. Two of the local businesses were also sponsors – Michael Nowak Homes for wine and cheese, and Booze n’ Brews for some cocktails. It was a marvelous opportunity to celebrate the entrepreneurial small business spirit within the community – well done organizers and attendees.
Bragg Creek ASP – Visioning Committee Report
This will have been released and accepted by Council and published on the RVC website by the time you are reading this. The Committee chair Neal LaMontagne was impressed by the collaborative spirit of all Committee members – “and while there was different perspectives and priorities, there were seldom any significant disagreements.” He went on to opine – “Bragg Creek is a special place, cherished by its Residents and the broader Region. There is truly and opportunity for the Hamlet to be a model community of responsible development within a sensitive forest ecosystem.” I concur 100% with the closing statement of his cover letter. It is my hope that the Vision is the start of a successful ASP process and many thanks to all the Committee member for their time, understanding, and effort. Now the baton is passed to the residents and stakeholders for Phase 3 of the ASP with a full public engagement kicking off in April – please get involved and have your voice heard.
Banff-Kananaskis Hosted – Wildfire Preparedness Workshop
Sarah Elmeligi and her staff organized a repeat installment of a workshop that was hosted earlier this year for the Banff- Canmore area residents. It saw a mix of resident attendees from along the foothills of the Municipalities and First Nations that the Banff-Kananaskis riding touches. It was also good to see Admin, EMS, and Councillors from our neighbours Foothills County and the MD of Big Horn. Elbow Valley Residents Club administration was also in attendance.
Minor Chief Steven Crowchild from Tsuut’ina Nation offered some words of wisdom and a prayer to start the session. This was followed by engaging presentations from 5 panelists:
- Jane Park, Fire / Vegetation Specialist, Parks Canada Agency
- Catlin Miller, Director of Emergency Management town of Canmore
- Reg Fountain, Stoney Nakoda Emergency Services Director
- Rob Evans, Fire Chief, Redwood Meadows Emergency Services
- Greg Van Tighem, FireSmart Coordinator / former Fire Chief, Municipality of Jasper
I found Jane Park and Greg Van Tighem’s presentations on dealing with the macro- landscape extremely enlightening, science-based and educational. It was also interesting to hear about Canmore’s efforts toward preparedness and comparing those with Rocky View’s own current emergency planning or considering what policies could be included in our new Bragg Creek ASP. It was also cool to see the successful efforts of Stoney Nakoda at integrating old traditions and culture surrounding fire with current Firesmart best practice. I learned that Jasper was probably the best Firesmarted community in Western Canada, which likely saved it from total destruction.
Note that the Bragg Creek Firesmart Committee community forum I mentioned last update is still in the works, details and timing are still being finalized.
Contact: KRHanson@RockyView.ca or call 403.463.1166.
