Edmonton Metropolitan Region Board votes to initiate process for winding down operations

The Edmonton Metropolitan Region Board has voted to immediately initiate the process for winding down operations.

The board met in private for several hours on Thursday morning, then passed three motions related to its closure.

The EMRB is a group of 13 municipalities in the Edmonton area that worked on managing the region's growth.

Last year the provincial government said it would stop providing funding for the Edmonton and Calgary growth management boards — and that membership would no longer be mandatory. 

"Member municipalities have voted to not participate in a voluntary growth management board (EMRB) going forward," the board said in a statement released after the meeting.

The statement said the province's "unexpected decision" necessitated action by member municipalities, which held discussions and voted on future participation.

Board chair and Parkland County Mayor Allan Gamble told CBC News in an interview on Thursday afternoon that the "vast majority" of councils made similar withdrawal motions. 

Jeff Acker, the mayor of Spruce Grove and vice-chair of the metropolitan region board, said in the board's statement that it will inform the municipal affairs minister of its plan and repeal the EMRB regulation effective April 1. 

The board's dissolution follows that of the Edmonton Metropolitan Region Transit Services Commission in 2023.

Edmonton Mayor Amarjeet Sohi said he is disappointed that the Alberta government withdrew its support for regional co-operation and defunded the board.

"The EMRB has played an important role in our region's growth since 2008," Sohi said in an emailed statement.

In a statement, Municipal Affairs Minister Ric McIver thanked the board for its work supporting planning and servicing in the region.

The provincial government looks forward to seeing how communities will work together in the future, he said.

"We will continue to have discussions with the boards and individual municipalities on the future of regional collaboration and local development," he said.

Stony Plain Mayor William Choy wrote on Facebook that the board created plans for growth, regional transportation and agriculture, saving the province money.

"Sad to see the value of cooperation and collaboration not being recognized," he said.

Gamble said while municipalities felt there would not be a critical mass to continue with EMRB, they are still committed to working together, perhaps through a new organization.

"We're seeing an influx of over a million people to this region in the next 20 years and there's no way to do this alone," he said.