Pearl Lorentzen
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Lakeside Leader

The M.D. of Lesser Slave River council wants to know more about the province’s plans for water after reading the Alberta Premier Danielle Smith’s mandate letter to Minister of Municipal Affairs Ric McIvor.

At the Oct. 8 M.D. council meeting, CAO Barry Kolenosky if council wanted administration to investigate anything in the letter before council meets with McIver at the Rural Municipalities Association conference this fall.

Kolenosky mentioned the final one “in coordination with the Minister of Transportation and Economic Corridors, who is lead, and the Associate Minister of Water, accelerate the development of an integrated water program that facilitates increased water treatment and distribution for residential, industrial, and agricultural water use across Alberta.”

“Where are they going with this?” asked Kolenosky.

Councillor Norm Seatter wanted to ensure it wasn’t connected with moving water between river basins.

In general, council wasn’t pleased with the mandate letter.

“They’re going out of their lane,” said Councillor Brad Pearson.

“I see it as a lot of overstepping from the province,” said Councillor Sandra Melzer.

For example, she didn’t think the province had the right to find “ways to limit excessive municipal tax increases,” because they don’t know everything that goes into them.

The letter also mentioned the province making sure municipal council salaries aren’t too high.

“That’s not a bad thing,” said Melzer.

“That’s kind of cute,” said Reeve Murray Kerik. “Can we do that to them.”