Municipal Affairs

Cross Border Network
Cross Border Network
  • 0.0 (0)
  • Politics
  • Weekly

From the bustling streets of Vancouver to the serene coastlines of the Maritimes, and all the way up north to the breathtaking landscapes of the Arctic, we're embarking on an expedition that will connect us, inform us, and empower us. This isn't just another show; it's your portal into the pulse of your local community and every community across our vast and diverse country.

  1. 1h ago

    Everything's Local: One Year Later With Alberta Municipalities VP Erin Stevenson

    A year into a municipal term, there’s a big question worth asking: are Alberta’s communities getting ahead, or are they simply trying to keep up? Across the province, urban municipalities come in all shapes and sizes. From summer villages and smaller towns to regional centres and Alberta’s largest cities, each community has its own priorities. But many are wrestling with similar pressures: affordability, infrastructure, population growth, housing, public safety, and the rising cost of delivering the services residents depend on. At the same time, these communities are places of opportunity. They’re attracting new residents, supporting local businesses, building neighbourhoods, and finding new ways to respond to changing needs. So, one year after the 2025 Alberta Municipal Election, how healthy are Alberta’s urban municipalities? Where are they thriving, where are they falling behind, and what will it take to turn today’s challenges into tomorrow’s opportunities? We’re exploring those questions on Municipal Affairs, recorded as part of the Cross Border Network Live Show and our Everything’s Local Live Show Series. Alberta Municipalities Vice President Erin Stevenson joins us to examine the state of urban Alberta and reflect on what the past year has meant for communities across the province. Because the strength of Alberta’s cities, towns, villages and Summer villages isn’t measured by growth alone. It’s measured by whether they can build communities where people want to live, work, and stay. ------ Listen To The Show: Apple: https://apple.co/41p5I2I Spotify: https://bit.ly/3tkvb0E  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/crossborderinterviewswithchrisbrown ------ Follow Us On Social Media: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crossborderpodcast/ Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/crossbordernetwork.bsky.social  Threads: https://www.threads.net/@crossborderpodcast  Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/CrossBorderInterviews/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/crossborderinterviews/  Website: https://www.crossborderinterviews.ca/ Municipal Affairs is Part of The Cross Border Network ©2026

    Everything's Local: One Year Later With Alberta Municipalities VP Erin Stevenson

  2. 3h ago

    Everything's Local: One Year Later With RMA President Kara Westerlund

    When we talk about the state of Alberta, it’s easy to focus on the big cities. But across rural Alberta, communities are dealing with their own set of challenges—and making decisions that have a very real impact on the province as a whole. From maintaining roads and infrastructure across vast distances to addressing housing, emergency services, economic pressures, and the challenges of delivering essential services with limited resources, rural municipalities often have to do more with less. And when the needs of a community grow faster than the resources available to meet them, local leaders are left with some difficult choices. Now, one year after the 2025 Alberta Municipal Election, it’s time to take stock. What has changed for rural Alberta? Where are communities making progress, and what issues continue to demand attention? As part of the Cross Border Network Live Show and our Everything’s Local Live Show Series, this episode of Municipal Affairs takes a closer look at the past 365 days across rural Alberta. Rural Municipalities of Alberta President Kara Westerlund joins us to discuss the pressures facing rural communities, the progress being made, and what needs to happen next. Because rural Alberta isn’t on the sidelines of the province’s future. It’s an essential part of it. ------ Listen To The Show: Apple: https://apple.co/41p5I2I Spotify: https://bit.ly/3tkvb0E  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/crossborderinterviewswithchrisbrown ------ Follow Us On Social Media: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crossborderpodcast/ Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/crossbordernetwork.bsky.social  Threads: https://www.threads.net/@crossborderpodcast  Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/CrossBorderInterviews/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/crossborderinterviews/  Website: https://www.crossborderinterviews.ca/ Municipal Affairs is Part of The Cross Border Network ©2026

    Everything's Local: One Year Later With RMA President Kara Westerlund

  3. 1d ago

    Are Saskatchewan Municipalities Being Heard? | SUMA President Randy Goulden

    The Saskatchewan Legislature has officially opened its fall sitting, following the delivery of the 2026 Speech from the Throne. The government has outlined priorities ranging from public safety and disaster preparedness to community infrastructure and affordability. There are some announcements that matter to municipalities, including support for rural policing, wildfire resilience and community rinks. But there are also some notable gaps. There were no new commitments to tackle municipal revenue sharing, roads and bridges, water and wastewater infrastructure, or the broader financial pressures facing local governments. As MLAs return to the Legislature, SUMA hopes municipal issues will be front and centre in the conversations and decisions that shape Saskatchewan’s future. Because strong communities are the foundation of a strong province. Today, we’ll talk with SUMA President Randy Goulden about the opening of the legislative sitting, what municipalities heard in the Speech from the Throne, and what SUMA hopes to see from the provincial government in the months ahead. All that today on Municipal Affairs. I’m Christopher Brown ------ Listen To The Show: Apple: https://apple.co/41p5I2I Spotify: https://bit.ly/3tkvb0E  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/crossborderinterviewswithchrisbrown ------ Follow Us On Social Media: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crossborderpodcast/ Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/crossbordernetwork.bsky.social  Threads: https://www.threads.net/@crossborderpodcast  Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/CrossBorderInterviews/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/crossborderinterviews/  Website: https://www.crossborderinterviews.ca/ Municipal Affairs is Part of The Cross Border Network ©2026

    Are Saskatchewan Municipalities Being Heard? | SUMA President Randy Goulden

  4. 2d ago

    Saskatoon 3 Years Later with Councillor Bev Dubois

    Today we are doing something a bit different.  Today we are going back to 2023, when we attended our very first SUMA Convention in Saskatoon. That's where we first sat down with Saskatoon City Councillor Bev Dubois to discuss the challenges facing her city. At the time, Saskatoon was led by Mayor Charlie Clark. Today, three years later, Cynthia Block is at the helm, a new council is in place, and the city continues to grow and change. But have the issues changed? In 2023, we talked about communications, what wants and needs of accessibility to council, and the role of a councillor. Three years later, have things improved? Have they gotten worse? Or is the councillor still wrestling with many of the same challenges? And with just two years until the next municipal election, what comes next? What does council need to accomplish, and what should residents expect before they head back to the polls? Today, we're reconnecting with Saskatoon Councillor Bev Dubois to look back at the last three years, take stock of where Saskatoon stands, and discuss what lies ahead. Three years later, the conversation continues. This is Municipal Affairs.------ Listen To The Show: Apple: https://apple.co/41p5I2I Spotify: https://bit.ly/3tkvb0E  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/crossborderinterviewswithchrisbrown ------ Follow Us On Social Media: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crossborderpodcast/ Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/crossbordernetwork.bsky.social  Threads: https://www.threads.net/@crossborderpodcast  Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/CrossBorderInterviews/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/crossborderinterviews/  Website: https://www.crossborderinterviews.ca/ Municipal Affairs is Part of The Cross Border Network ©2026

    Saskatoon 3 Years Later with Councillor Bev Dubois

  5. 2d ago

    Everything's Local: One Year Later With Mayor Andrew Knack

    One year ago, Albertans headed to the polls to choose the municipal leaders who would help shape the future of their communities. And in Edmonton, that meant a new mayor, a new council, and a new chapter for Alberta’s capital city. But a year into a municipal term, the campaign promises start meeting the realities of governing. Housing affordability, public safety, infrastructure, the cost of delivering services, and the pressures of a growing population are all competing for attention—and for taxpayer dollars. So, 365 days in, how is Edmonton doing? What progress has been made, where are the biggest challenges, and what should Edmontonians be feeling optimistic about as the city looks ahead? On this episode of Municipal Affairs, we’re looking back at the first year since the 2025 Alberta Municipal Election as part of the Cross Border Network Live Show, presented through our Everything’s Local Live Show Series. Edmonton Mayor Andrew Knack joins us to reflect on his first year in office, discuss the decisions shaping the city today, and share his priorities for the road ahead. Because the future of Alberta’s capital isn’t just about what happens at City Hall. It’s about how those decisions affect the people who call Edmonton home. ------ Listen To The Show: Apple: https://apple.co/41p5I2I Spotify: https://bit.ly/3tkvb0E  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/crossborderinterviewswithchrisbrown ------ Follow Us On Social Media: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crossborderpodcast/ Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/crossbordernetwork.bsky.social  Threads: https://www.threads.net/@crossborderpodcast  Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/CrossBorderInterviews/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/crossborderinterviews/  Website: https://www.crossborderinterviews.ca/ Municipal Affairs is Part of The Cross Border Network ©2026

    Everything's Local: One Year Later With Mayor Andrew Knack

  6. 5d ago

    Alberta Highway 2: Why Municipal Leaders Demand Action Now

    A growing chorus of municipal leaders across southern Alberta is calling on the provincial government to take action on a highway intersection that has been the site of multiple fatalities and life-altering collisions. Foothills County, along with the Towns of Okotoks, High River, Nanton and Diamond Valley, is coming together with one clear message for the Government of Alberta: it’s time to commit the funding needed to build a permanent interchange at Highway 2 and 338 Avenue. The municipalities acknowledge the interim intersection upgrades completed in 2025, recognizing them as an important step toward improving safety while a long-term solution is developed. But despite those improvements, serious collisions continue to occur, resulting in further tragedies, devastating injuries and lengthy highway closures that disrupt thousands of travellers. For these communities, the question is no longer whether an interchange is needed. The planning work is complete, the province has identified a grade-separated interchange as the preferred long-term solution, and funding for detailed design has already been committed. What remains is a firm commitment to construction. The five municipalities are now urging the province to include capital funding for the interchange in its 2027 budget, warning that every delay leaves motorists exposed to the risk of another serious collision.------ Listen To The Show: Apple: https://apple.co/41p5I2I Spotify: https://bit.ly/3tkvb0E  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/crossborderinterviewswithchrisbrown ------ Follow Us On Social Media: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crossborderpodcast/ Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/crossbordernetwork.bsky.social  Threads: https://www.threads.net/@crossborderpodcast  Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/CrossBorderInterviews/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/crossborderinterviews/  Website: https://www.crossborderinterviews.ca/ Municipal Affairs is Part of The Cross Border Network ©2026

    Alberta Highway 2: Why Municipal Leaders Demand Action Now

  7. 5d ago

    Grande Prairie Makes History: Mayor Clayton on the New Police Service

    For more than 120 years, the RCMP has been the face of policing in Grande Prairie, Alberta. Generations of officers have served this growing northern city, building a legacy that, until now, seemed unlikely to change. But on October 21st, 2026, that chapter officially came to a close. The Grande Prairie Police Service has taken over responsibility for policing the city, marking a major shift in how public safety is delivered to a community of approximately 64,000 people. It’s a transition that began with a decision by city council in March of 2023, backed by nearly 17 million dollars in provincial funding. And now, after years of planning, the new municipal force has reached a milestone — completing its transition nearly two years ahead of schedule. The province has also announced an additional two million dollars in support. Supporters say a municipal police service means greater local oversight, stronger community partnerships, and policing shaped by the needs of Grande Prairie itself. But a change of this magnitude raises important questions. Will local control translate into greater public confidence? What will this new model mean for public safety, accountability, and the cost of policing? And with a long-established RCMP presence now giving way to a new service, how will residents judge whether this historic decision delivers on its promise? Today on Municipal Affairs, we speak with Grande Prairie Mayor Jackie Clayton about the decision to establish a municipal police force, the challenges of bringing it into operation, and what comes next. A new police service. A new chapter in public safety. And a significant test of local leadership. Mayor Jackie Clayton joins us next on Municipal Affairs. ------ Listen To The Show: Apple: https://apple.co/41p5I2I Spotify: https://bit.ly/3tkvb0E  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/crossborderinterviewswithchrisbrown ------ Follow Us On Social Media: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crossborderpodcast/ Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/crossbordernetwork.bsky.social  Threads: https://www.threads.net/@crossborderpodcast  Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/CrossBorderInterviews/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/crossborderinterviews/  Website: https://www.crossborderinterviews.ca/ Municipal Affairs is Part of The Cross Border Network ©2026

    Grande Prairie Makes History: Mayor Clayton on the New Police Service

  8. 5d ago

    Heron Honoured By Alberta Municipalities

    Some people leave a lasting mark not just on their own community, but on the entire municipal sector. Through years of leadership, advocacy, and service, they help strengthen local government, support fellow municipal leaders, and shape the future of communities across Alberta. That kind of contribution deserves special recognition. At the 2026 Alberta Municipalities Awards Gala in Edmonton, the Life Membership Award was presented to Cathy Heron, recognizing her extraordinary contributions to Alberta Municipalities and municipal government over an extended period. The award is a reminder that strong local government depends not only on the decisions made today, but also on the people who dedicate themselves to making the system better for those who follow. ------ Listen To The Show: Apple: https://apple.co/41p5I2I Spotify: https://bit.ly/3tkvb0E  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/crossborderinterviewswithchrisbrown ------ Follow Us On Social Media: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crossborderpodcast/ Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/crossbordernetwork.bsky.social  Threads: https://www.threads.net/@crossborderpodcast  Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/CrossBorderInterviews/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/crossborderinterviews/  Website: https://www.crossborderinterviews.ca/ Municipal Affairs is Part of The Cross Border Network ©2026

    Heron Honoured By Alberta Municipalities
See All (577)

About

From the bustling streets of Vancouver to the serene coastlines of the Maritimes, and all the way up north to the breathtaking landscapes of the Arctic, we're embarking on an expedition that will connect us, inform us, and empower us. This isn't just another show; it's your portal into the pulse of your local community and every community across our vast and diverse country.

Information

More From Cross Border Network

You Might Also Like