Election, budget, and housing supply options topics at Red Deer council meeting

At the regular Red Deer City Council meeting on Sept. 3, extended producer responsibility, a preliminary review of the 2025 election, and direction on the upcoming budget were some of the topics discussed.   

The following decisions were made by city council during the meeting:  

Extended Producer Responsibility  

• City council directed administration to remain registered under Alberta’s Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) legislation, and to prepare a future report with details related to the costs, benefits, and risks of potentially participating as a contracted service provider.  

• This report is expected to come back to city council in the fourth quarter of 2024.

• EPR is a policy that will require producers of packaging, paper, and single-use products as well as hazardous and special products to provide a common collection system and meet recycling targets for their products. The goal is to reduce waste, encourage recycling, and make companies more accountable for the environmental impact of their products.  

Election 2025 – Preliminary Review  

• This report was presented to city council for information, primarily highlighting the significant impacts of Bill 20 on the upcoming 2025 Municipal Election, including but not limited to potential delayed election results and increased costs.  

• An election bylaw will come forward to city council in the fourth quarter of 2024.  

Increasing Housing Supply Options  

• With the goal to create more housing supply at an accelerated pace, city council endorsed the seven action plan initiatives in The City’s Housing Accelerator Fund 2 (HAF2) application, which include CMHC’s ten best practices, specifically the mandatory requirement of 4 units as a permitted use in all residential zonings.  

• 5 in favour - 4 opposed.  

  Budget 2025 – Council Direction and Guidance  

• The item was introduced.  

• City council will consider 37 service levels they identified for possible change as part of the Budget 2025 process on Sept. 4.  

• These budget change concepts will be reviewed with the intent of council providing direction to administration on what to include in the final tax-supported budget submission in November.