M.D. passes collaboration frameworks with Glendon and Pelican Narrows

Communities in the Lakeland are drafting how the ways they collaborate with each other and the services they provide to other communities before a provincial deadline in a couple of months.

The M.D. of Bonnyville passed their Intermunicipal Collaboration Frameworks with Glendon and the Summer Village of Pelican Narrows at Wednesday’s meetings.

Municipalities across the province that share a common border must come up with an ICF by March 31, 2020.

It can be a more onerous task for rural municipalities, who share common borders with many cities, towns, or villages, but it begins a discussion about who is using what service from what area.

“It’s meant to start a conversation, which in some cases, that might have been lacking in the past,” said Reeve Greg Sawchuk.

“It’s opened up our eyes to a lot of things where the MD could maybe do a better job. You’re going to see over the next couple months, a number of service agreements that might be new as well. Looking at our neighbors and looking at paying our fair share for costs of services,” he said.

The M.D. is still working with Lac La Biche County, the City of Cold Lake and Town of Bonnyville on finalizing their agreements.

“It also goes the other way. There has to be a recognition of the services that the M.D. provides as well and that has started conversations with the Summer Villages in regards to what services of the M.D. do they now require.”