Rocky View County is willing to re-join the Calgary Regional Partnership (CRP) - if certain conditions are met.
County council approved a statement outlining Rocky View’s position regarding working with the CRP at the municipalities’ July 5 meeting.
In addition, the CRP has invited Rocky View to a meeting to discuss the County’s future regarding the CRP and the Calgary Metropolitan Plan (CMP). No date has been set for that meeting. The CRP is a partnership between 15 municipalities and deals with regional planning.
“We look forward to meeting with the CRP to discuss our position and how regional planning can work for the rural municipalities in the province,” said Reeve Rolly Ashdown.
“We are accustomed to partnerships with all our neighbours as we border 15 other jurisdictions and work collaboratively on a daily basis with them.”
Rocky View County was part of the CRP from 1999 to 2009 and withdrew due to concerns surrounding the partnership’s voting structure and land servicing, according to Ashdown.
“The CRP voting structure gave... veto power to Calgary, and we didn’t want to give up our municipal autonomy or the right to do our own planning,” Ashdown said.
Despite the disagreements, County council has agreed to participate in the partnership once again, but only in a limited capacity.
“We would look into rejoining the CRP if they change their parameters,” said Ashdown. “Rocky View works so well with the different municipalities, and we want to be there with our municipal friends.”
The County would like to explore the opportunity of being a part of a regional water and wastewater service, said Ashdown. In absence of an agreement on governance and voting structure, Rocky View County is considering participating in the CRP in some capacity as an affiliate member.
“We are very open to discussing our ideas and truly believe in regional planning,” said Ashdown.
“We have a lot to contribute and currently share many resources with our neighbours, advancing the health and sustainability of communities in the region.”
According to the statement approved by council, Rocky View can benefit from a number of CRP functions, including regional fire services, policing, waste management, recreation facilities and services including trails and pathways.
