How Urban and Rural Municipalities Work Together: Part 1
- Municipal Affairs
- 4 hours ago
- 1 min read
In municipal politics, relationships shape everything. They influence how governments work together, how communities grow, and how challenges get solved.
From municipal partnerships with the province and the federal government to the connection between local councils and the people they serve, strong relationships are at the heart of good governance.
One relationship that deserves more attention is the one between urban and rural municipalities. Over the past couple of years, I've noticed growing tension in that partnership.
Whether it's debates over funding, infrastructure, libraries, or shared services, it's easy for municipalities to find themselves on opposite sides of an issue. But the reality is that communities rarely succeed in isolation.
Today, we're travelling to northwestern Alberta to meet three municipal leaders who have made collaboration a priority: Grande Prairie Mayor Jackie Clayton, County of Grande Prairie Reeve Amanda Chapman, and Municipal District of Greenview Reeve Ryan Ratzlaff.
Together, they've worked to strengthen the relationships between their municipalities, recognizing that regional success depends on trust, cooperation, and a willingness to tackle challenges together.
We'll explore how they balance the needs of their own communities while keeping the bigger picture in mind, and why shifting from a "me first" mindset to a "we first" approach can create better outcomes for everyone.
Because when urban and rural municipalities work together, the entire region is stronger.
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