First phase of city charters for Edmonton, Calgary now complete

Edmonton will havemore control over bylaw and traffic tickets, speed limits andclimate change planningas thefirst phase of thecity charter with the province comes into effect.

"This is a first step in the right direction," Edmonton's Mayor DonIvesonsaid Friday. "These discussions are critical to Edmonton's future and our ability to fully participate in the future of Alberta's economy."

Last summer, the province unveiled draft city charterswith proposed regulations givingEdmonton and Calgary more powers to make their own rules. The draft document encompasses almost 40 regulatory changes, from the minutiae of municipal decision-making to sweeping changes on how major capital projects are funded.

Previously, the two cities home to half of Alberta's population -fell under the Municipal Government Act, the same piece of legislation that applies to every other city, town, village and hamlet.

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The provincial government recognized that the large big cities have much different needs. According toAlberta Minister of Municipal AffairsShaye Anderson, "This gives our two largest cities new tools to adapt municipal laws to better fit their needs."

Withthe province treating the cities like peersrather thansubordinates, the new "relationship could openup opportunities for us to solve, from schooling to climate and environment challenges,"Ivesonsaid.

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Edmonton and Calgary negotiated city charters with the province that allows the two biggest citiesto be be treated differently than smaller urban centres.

The first phase of the charter allows the citiesto:

• Establish a municipal administrative tribunal system (for example, a place to adjudicate traffic tickets) to streamline and improve customer service for transit and parking bylaw infractions.
• Vary parts of the Traffic Safety Act to allow for the use of variable speed limit signage.
• Develop mandatory municipal climate change adaptation and mitigation plans.
• Work with the province at collaboration tables to find solutions to issues, such as planning.
• Send electronic assessment and tax notices to citizens who ask, instead of paper copies.

The province and the two citiesare alsoworking on anagreement over how to planfuture schools.

The second phase of the city charters will focus on afiscal framework and long-term transit investment.

The three governments are working todevelop a long-term revenue-sharing agreement, with legislative changes proposed for later this year, a news release said.