Land Use Planning Framework

The MD of Opportunity derives its authority to make decisions on land use planning matters from the Government of Alberta though provincial legislation and regulations, including the Municipal Government Act (MGA), the Alberta Land Stewardship Act (ALSA), and the Subdivision and Development Regulation, which delegate certain powers and authority to municipalities. The MD of Opportunity’s land use planning framework can be illustrated as follows:

Together with the Province’s MGA, ALSA, Land Use Policies and Subdivision and Development Regulation, and the Municipality’s statutory plans, Land Use Bylaws, Policies, and other documents, the land use planning framework serves as a guide for planning, development, and subdivision within the MD of Opportunity. Original documents are available at the Main Office in Wabasca.

Municipal Government Act

The Municipal Government Act is the key provincial legislation from which the MD of Opportunity derives its authority to undertake planning and development. The MGA establishes the powers and responsibilities of Council and administration in creating policies, plans, and bylaws to regulate land use and development within the municipality in order to ensure orderly physical, environmental, and economical beneficial development. Specifically, the MGA allows a municipality to create four (4) types of statutory plans—namely, Municipal Development Plan (MDP), Inter-municipal Development Plan (IDP), Area Structure Plan (ASP), and Area Redevelopment Plan (ARP)—and the Land Use Bylaw. These provide a framework for coordinated land use planning and decision-making. The MGA also provides municipalities with enforcement mechanisms to ensure conformity between development and approved plans and bylaws.

Alberta Land Stewardship Act

The Alberta Land Stewardship Act (ALSA) is a 2009 provincial legislation that establishes a regional approach to land use planning through the implementation of the Alberta Land-use Framework (LUF). It aims to achieve Alberta’s long-term economic, social, and environmental goals through the efficient management of public and private lands and natural resources. The ALSA divides the province into seven “land-use regions” based on the LUF, which correspond to Alberta’s major watersheds, and contemplates a regional plan for each region. The MD of Opportunity is located within the Lower Peace Region. Once adopted, the Lower Peace Regional Plan will provide high-level policy direction for land use planning and decision-making within the MD of Opportunity.

Provincial Land Use Policies

The province’s Land Use Policies were created in 1996 under the MGA to guide municipalities in harmonizing provincial and municipal policy initiatives at the local land use planning level. These policies establish high-level principles, such as a collaborative approach to addressing planning issues, for better land use planning. The Provincial Land Use Policies will be replaced by regional plans once in effect.