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Ambitious goals to be set for new MSP
Mac Olsen
for South Peace News
To shape the future of High Prairie, residents are encouraged to participate in the development of a municipal sustainability plan.
But time is short, as High Prairie town council must have much of the planning finalized by March 20 and Don Grimble is helping.
“We’re here to guide the community to the preparation of a sustainability plan. Basically, it’s making choices as to the future the community would aspire to. Our job is to marshal the information which would help people to get to that idea and identify the steps they need to get there.”
Grimble is an associate for Activation Analysis in Edmonton, which specializes in municipal planning, organization, strategies, etc. Diane Conway, a researcher for the company, and Archie Grover are assisting.
At stake is $780,530 in federal and provincial money for High Prairie. Grover explained the federal and provincial governments signed an agreement in May 2005 to transfer federal gas tax money to Alberta Municipalities, with Alberta Transportation administering the transfer.
The amount of money allocated to High Prairie for 2010 is $560,486 for capital funding and $220,044 in operating funding. However, it is contingent upon having the MSP adopted by a town council resolution before April 1.
“It is not necessary to have the report written by April 1,” says Grover, “that can be done later.”
What’s required now is to have visionary goals based on five pillars, which are social cohesion, cultural vibrancy, environmental integrity, economic viability and participative governance. Beyond defining the pillars, government has to listen to its citizens to make the changes they desire.
“Government structure must be participative and inclusive in order to ensure they represent the community’s interests. Inclusive decision making processes tap into the wealth of expertise and knowledge that exists in the community,” he says.
A series of assessments have to be done for the MSP, says Grimble, which includes its current status and demographics.
“We look at the community as it stands. What are the population demographics, employment and occupational structure? Because those are the strengths of the community as it stands right now. One also has to look at the viability of those in the future and you make some judgments about that.”
High Prairie’s population has been stable for over 40 years, he says. Using data from the 2006 federal census, he compared High Prairie to the M.D. of Big Lakes, Lac La Biche and Slave Lake and showed a series of charts with the data using a multimedia presentation. However, due to the economic downturn, he predicts the 2011 census will show a change in the occupations and employment.
The floor was open following Grimble’s presentation and the new hospital dominated a lot of the discussion. George Keay continues to champion the hospital and says construction would provide an economic boost to High Prairie.
“From my perspective, one of the economic drivers that can change the attitude – and I think the people in our community need an attitude adjustment – would be for (Health Minister Gene Zwozdesky) to come and announce our new health facility is on the road,” says Keay.
“I think that would be a big boost for our community, as well as an economic driver for a short-term goal. You’re going to create 150-200 jobs right off the top. The projected construction time is two years. That would help stop the bleeding that’s going on in the community.”
Keay also says patience is required, but pressure has to be applied to the Alberta Government and encouraged the others to write to the health minister.
He is a member of the advisory group and is confident they will be successful in developing the MSP. But the community has to buy into it and has to make the politicians aware they are aware of it, where it’s going and set up time frames too, he adds.
Rollie Johnson says High Prairie has some very positive things going for it, such as its facilities and lots of recreation areas.
“We have Jaycee Park, walking trails and all of those things. But the one thing we do need is some jobs and the health system is one of those places where we can really help ourselves and help the area because we do live in a central area of 20-30,000 people,” says Johnson.
The new hospital and a focus for education are part of his vision for the community.
“My push would be, let’s get this health thing back into perspective and then we can work on the education thing. The education is very important to our area. We have all those people and there’s long-distance learning and if they had jobs they could go to, it’s a win-win.”
High Prairie could have small growth and become a very vibrant community, he adds.
However, Diane Bellerose is concerned High Prairie could grow too big and lose its small town charm.
“I believe there’s a place for small towns and I believe there’s a place for cities,” she says. “But I don’t want to see our small town lose its charm and become a box store, become Peace River or become Slave Lake. I don’t want to lose the small town charm of knowing people when you walk down the street and having that personalized service.”
Bellerose points to Vermillion, which sustains itself without “big box” stores. During the winter, she was there and talked to store owners and they say they don’t want them.
High Prairie could follow Vermillion’s example and sustain itself, she suggests, if Northern Lakes College could base its campuses here.
Barry Sharkawi says the meeting was excellent and a lot of people showed interest. He’s also pleased many people have volunteered to participate in the advisory group.
“We need growth and to attract business to our community for us to grow and industry for creating jobs,” says Sharkawi.
High Prairie has some excellent facilities, such as the Gordon Buchanan Recreation Centre and the Aquatic Centre, he adds.
“So we are ready to bring in more people, more business and more industries for creating jobs. We deserve to have something going for us.”
Mayor Rick Dumont says a lot of good, positive comments came from the meeting and is pleased many people have volunteered for the advisory group.
“So we’re looking forward to some additional advice and direction that councils in the future can look at and keep this sustainability plan on the go,” says Dumont.
He is confident they will get their “ducks in a row” by April 1 to qualify for the $780,530.
At the end of the meeting, some people stayed behind to join the group and discuss their roles. They held a meeting at the Town office the next morning to structure the next meeting, which included establishing three committees.
Between now and March 20, they will meet and gather opinions from the community and then give their conclusions for the MSP.
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Don Grimble, an associate for Activation Analysis in Edmonton, made a presentation about a municipal sustainability plan for High Prairie, which included getting the audience to discuss the future they see for their community.
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High Prairie's population growth has changed little in 40 years, as the chart shows. Some want to keep it that way.
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