Don Kochan – Division 2
RVC Division 2 news items for your information:
Property Assessments – The County’s professional assessors visit properties throughout the summer and fall to collect information needed to ensure accurate property tax assessments for all landowners by updating assessed property values. If a County assessor requires access to your property, they will visit between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday. They have photo identification and travel in marked County vehicles. Your assistance in working with assessors is greatly appreciated. If an assessor comes to your property and you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact Rocky View County at 403-230-1401. About 20 per cent of County residences are visited by property assessors annually. Please view the Assessment section on our website for more information on Property Assessments.
Rocky View County Housing Needs – What does housing look like in Rocky View County today and what will residents need in the years ahead? The 2025 Housing Needs Assessment report provides important insights into current housing challenges and future demand across the County. The report examines population and household growth, housing affordability, rental availability, and the needs of seniors, young adults, renters, families, and lower- income households. It also explores how infrastructure capacity and limited housing diversity may influence future development. With the population projected to reach approximately 54,247 by 2031, understanding these trends is essential for informed planning. Visit www.rockyview.ca/communities-and- recreation/about-rocky-view/housing-needs- assessment to explore the full Housing Needs Assessment and discover what the findings mean for Rocky View County’s housing future.
Canada Thistle – Canada thistle is more than just a nuisance. Its aggressive root system makes it one of the toughest weeds to control in Alberta. Recognized by its spiny leaves and small purple or pink, urn-shaped flowers, Canada thistle can establish in fields, pastures, roadsides, and other disturbed areas. What makes Canada thistle particularly difficult to manage is its ability to regenerate and spread from below the soil surface. Because of its aggressive nature and ability to establish persistent infestations, Canada thistle is listed as a noxious weed under Alberta’s Weed Control Act, meaning landowners are legally responsible for controlling its spread. Canada thistle must be controlled and prevented from spreading. Effective management requires an integrated approach, including consistent mowing, targeted grazing, hand removal for small infestations, and appropriately timed herbicide applications. Prevention, early detection, and repeated management over multiple growing seasons are key to reducing established infestations. When tackling Canada thistle, controlling the flowers helps prevent seed production but lasting control means fighting the root, not just the flower. Herbicides are often an important part of long- term Canada thistle management, particularly where infestations are well established or mechanical control alone is not practical. The most effective timing depends on the product being used, the growth stage of the plant, and the site being treated. Always select a product registered for the intended site and follow the product label for application timing and use requirements. Spring applications can be effective when Canada thistle is actively growing and has developed enough leaf area to absorb the herbicide. Depending on the product, applications may also be made later in the growing season. Fall applications can be particularly useful for perennial weeds such as Canada thistle. In late summer and fall, the plant begins moving energy and nutrients into its roots in preparation for winter. Applying an appropriate herbicide while the plant is actively growing during this period can help target the root system and improve long-term control.
Visit www.rockyview.ca/news-and-events/news/canada-thistle-fight-root-not-just-flower-0 for more information.
Recycling Changes – changes are coming to recycling across Alberta. Starting October 1, 2026, Alberta’s enhanced recycling system will accept more packaging and paper products and create a more consistent recycling experience across the province. For Rocky View County residents, this means more materials will be accepted, and recycling at County transfer sites will become single-stream so there will be no need to sort packaging and paper recyclables into separate bins. More local details are coming soon. In the meantime, visit Circular Materials www.circularmaterials.ca/resident-provinces/ alberta to learn more.
Don Kochan
Division 2 Councillor
kochandiv2@gmail.com
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