The City of Grande Prairie and County of Grande Prairie have come to an agreement on a new Intermunicipal Collaboration Framework.
The IFC will include service agreements, including a Fire Mutual Aid Agreement, the development of a Labour Force Study, shared training and learning opportunities, and the integration of publicly accessible datasets.
The two sides have been in negotiation over the ICF since 2019, including the potential need for a provincial arbitrator to take over the discussions in April 2021, as the updated model, under the Municipal Government Act, requires bordering municipalities to develop an ICF to facilitate and encourage cooperation and cost-sharing ensuring efficient services are provided to residents.
“This finalization of the ICF sets the foundation for any future negotiations or agreements between the County and the City,” said City of Grande Prairie Mayor Jackie Clayton.
“This ICF includes agreement to collaborate on eleven service areas between the City and the County ensuring effective and efficient services for our respective communities,” she says.
County of Grande Prairie Reeve Leanne Beaupre says through the development of the ICF, they were able to recognize that there was an absence of good information on the usage of City and County facilities and services.
“The collection of this data will provide valuable information as a new agreement is developed following the end of this agreement term,” she adds.
With both sets of councillors in agreement on the ICF, the document will be formally signed on Tuesday.