Crowsnest Pass Municipal Council is weary of undertaking a viability review, they accepted for information during the November 19th, meeting of Crowsnest Pass Municipal Council.
Undertaking a viability review was one of the recommendations from the now-infamous Russell Farmer and Associates Co. Municipal Inspection but this council isn’t convinced.
This review is the process for a municipality to determine its viability and, where necessary, to develop a plan that would lead the municipality to success.
The Municipal Government Act provides other alternatives for local government restructuring. These include:
Amalgamation: When two or more municipalities with shared borders join to become one new incorporated municipality. An amalgamation may be initiated by a municipality or by the Minister of Municipal Affairs.
Annexation: When a municipality acquires additional lands from a bordering municipality. An annexation may be initiated by a municipality with an application to the Municipal Government Board.
Change of Status: When a municipal district, village, summer village, town, city or specialized municipality changes its status to another type of municipality.


“I’m not against a viability review,” said Councillor Bill Kovach.
“Let’s take awhile, I’m sure we can meet with the community and other people, etc.”
Council unanimously passed a motion to receive the review as information with the issue to be dealt with at a later date.
Councillor Shar Lazzarotto echoed some of council’s concerns with undertaking a viability review.
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The Russell Farmer Report was undertaken in March 2013 and finalized in August 2013 and was undertaken by Russell Farmer and Associates Co. (under direction from the Provincial Minister of Municipal Affairs) in response to a 2012 petition by the residents of Crowsnest Pass.
On the final page of the Russell Farmer report it reads; “We recommend that; council requests a viability review from the Minister of Municipal Affairs.”