Alberta Municipalities Pick Bressey

After a week filled with handshakes, campaign conversations, and interactions with more than 1,200 delegates, Grande Prairie Councillor Dylan Bressey emerged as the newly elected President of Alberta Municipalities.

Bressey secured 62.7 per cent of the vote, defeating Penhold Mayor Mike Yargeau, who received 29.6 per cent, and Communities First Calgary Councillor Andre Chabot, who earned 7.7 per cent.

During his campaign speech on Friday morning, Bressey told delegates he was energized by the opportunity to represent Alberta’s diverse municipalities, including Summer Villages, Villages, Towns, and Cities. He emphasized the importance of unity in what he described as challenging times. “That voice really matters these days,” he said.

“There are some challenges, but when we face challenges, know that we are not alone. With 1,200 people in this room, each one of us will pick up the phone for advice, encouragement, or new ideas.”

Bressey was first elected to Grande Prairie City Council in 2017 and has since been re-elected twice, most recently in October. He now steps into the role previously held by interim president Deborah Reid-Mickler, who took over after former president Tyler Gandam was defeated in the municipal election.

Several new and returning members will join Bressey on the Alberta Municipalities board. For the Directors for Cities up to 500,000 positions, Chestermere Councillor Janelle Sandboe, Spruce Grove Councillor Erin Stevenson, and Lethbridge Councillor Jenn Schmidt-Rempel were elected. Sandboe and Stevenson will serve two-year terms, while Schmidt-Rempel will complete a one-year term before facing re-election in 2026.

In the Towns East director race, Bonnyville Councillor David Sharun defeated Lamont Councillor Al Harvey by a vote of 69 to 30. The Towns South position will be filled by High River Councillor Jenny Jones, who earned 58 votes. Her challengers, Carstairs Deputy Mayor Angie Fricke and Canmore Deputy Mayor Tanya Foubert, received 52 and 28 votes, respectively. Jones replaces former Coalhurst councillor Scott Akkerman.

Erin Stevenson of Spruce Grove was also elected as Vice-President for Cities up to 500,000, defeating Lethbridge Councillor Jenn Schmidt-Rempel 54 votes to 23.

The new board includes Calgary councillors Andre Chabot and Jon Pantazapoulous, as well as Edmonton councillors Keren Tang and Thu Parmar. Additional directors include Calmar Mayor Krista Gardner for Towns West, Amisk Mayor Bill Rock for Villages East, Alberta Beach Mayor Tara Elwood for Villages West, Duchess Deputy Mayor Deborah Reid-Mickler for Villages South, and Brian Waterhouse, Mayor of the Summer Village of Sundance, for Summer Villages

Editorial note - Monday Morning, our full interview with President Bressey will air on Municipal Affairs.