Peter Shokeir | [email protected]
Jasper is one step closer to autonomy as the municipality and Parks Canada have agreed to co-review the governance agreement.
Mayor Richard Ireland announced this development in his annual State of Municipality Address during the Jasper Park Chamber of Commerce鈥檚 general meeting at Cassio鈥檚 Italian Restaurant on May 11.
鈥淚鈥檓 delighted to say that we enjoyed a particularly productive meeting earlier today with Parks Canada officials from both the local and national office,鈥� Ireland said.
鈥淲e have committed to co-review the Agreement for the Establishment of Local Government in the Town of Jasper. It is a significant step, confirming the value of the strength of our relationship.鈥�
The local Parks Canada officials at the meeting included Jasper Superintendent Alan Fehr and Realty and Municipal Services Manager Moira Mckinnon, while the national official was Andrew Campbell, vice-president of External Relations and Visitor Experience at Parks Canada.
In the past, Ireland has stressed the need for the municipality to gain control over land-use planning and development and ceasing land rent payments to Ottawa.
Autonomy has been up for discussion since Jasper officially became a specialized municipality in 2021.
Ireland has since served as Jasper鈥檚 one and only mayor.
State of the Municipality
To begin his address, Ireland described the municipality as being in a state of 鈥渧orfreude,鈥� a German word which roughly translates to 鈥渏oyful anticipation.鈥�
鈥淚n English, I might less colourfully say that the municipality is in a state of purposeful change, with that change directed at visionary outcomes,鈥� Ireland said.
鈥淟ast election, it was lamented that the problem with our town is that nothing ever changes. I have quite a different perspective. In fact, I can scarcely believe how much change we have realized since we achieved municipal status.鈥�
As a specialized municipality, Jasper has seen upgrades to water sewage treatment plant, a new fire hall and municipal operations building, the construction of housing, infrastructure along Connaught Drive and other achievements.
Speaking to organizational changes, Ireland noted the recent election and new council, which has three first-time councillors.
鈥淭hat there were 11 candidates seeking six council seats and three more for the mayor鈥檚 chair speaks, I suggest, to the very healthy state of our local democracy.鈥�
Bill Given also became the municipality鈥檚 new chief administrative officer at the beginning of 2021, and Mathew Conte started as the new fire chief last year.
The municipality has restructured to combine departments, resulting in two new ones.
Protective and Legislative Services is headed by Christine Nadon and combines elements of protective and emergency services with bylaw, legislative services and communications.
鈥淭he combined focus on emergency preparedness, legislation and communication has already enhanced our level of readiness in the event of an emergency,鈥� Ireland said.
Community Development is headed by Christopher Read, who returned to Jasper for the role earlier this year, and is an integration of the former Community and Family Services, and Culture and Recreation departments.
鈥淎gain, the combining of departments will not only reduce our contingent of directors, it will drive effectiveness and efficiencies with programing, staffing and communications,鈥� the mayor said.
The municipality has initiated an Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Committee, which Ireland explained would help drive their organizational goal to become a more diverse and inclusive organization as well as lead by example.
鈥淭he Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Committee was instrumental in preparing previous council to adopt the land acknowledgment and to further our steps along the path of reconciliation,鈥� Ireland said.
The mayor emphasized the need for processes and procedures that promote "systemic accountability."
When COVID-19 required council meetings to go online, for example, this resulted in more openness and transparency and ensured the fullness and accuracy of the record.
Council is now transitioning to a hybrid form of meeting that is mostly in-person but also digital.
鈥淣ot that we want to, but there is no hiding,鈥� Ireland added.
鈥淭here is no guessing. There is no doubt. There is full transparency.鈥�
Speaking on council鈥檚 strategic priorities, which are still being worked on, Ireland noted that housing would likely continue to be a major priority.
鈥淲e will invest in developing community-focused affordable housing units and the infrastructure to support them,鈥� he said.
鈥淲e will facilitate others in developing (a) diversity of housing options. As an employer, we will look at increasing the number of units available for municipal staff accommodation. Most importantly perhaps, we will focus on building the capacity for relationships and advocacy to advance our community housing priorities.鈥�
To conclude, Ireland said he was 鈥渆nthused鈥� about the state of the municipality and exciting changes to come鈥攁 state of 鈥渧orfreude.鈥�
