Sherwood Park Minute: Issue 57

Sherwood Park Minute - Your weekly one-minute summary of Sherwood Park politics

📅 This Week In Sherwood Park: 📅

• On Tuesday, at 11:00 am, there will be a meeting of Strathcona County Council. The meeting will begin with a closed session (away from the public eye), wherein Council will discuss collective bargaining with the International Association of Fire Fighters along with an item entitled “Strategic Land Acquisitions”.
  
  
• At 2:00 pm, Council will open the meeting to the public. Council will receive a report outlining how current procurement policies comply with trade agreements while still allowing for local purchasing under certain conditions. The County must follow agreements, including the New West Partnership Trade Agreement (NWPTA), the Canadian Free Trade Agreement, and the Canadian European Trade Agreement which ensure fairness in public procurement but include provisions for local procurement below specific dollar thresholds. Administration is recommending creating a Social Procurement Policy by the end of 2026, allowing evaluation of suppliers based on social benefits, such as ethical labour and local impact. The County already prioritizes Canadian, Albertan, and compliant international sources when suppliers meet requirements and provide reasonable costs. Planned 2025 updates will further encourage local sourcing within trade agreement rules. Since 2022, only 0.6% of County purchases have gone to US-based suppliers.
  
  
• Council will review Benefit Funding requests for the second quarter of 2025. These total over $27,000 in support for local initiatives. Funded projects include technology purchases at F.R. Haythorne Junior High, community events by the Half Moon Lake Residents Association and the South Cooking Lake Community League, and a 50th anniversary celebration by the Sherwood Park Farmers Market Agricultural Society. Other recipients include the Josephburg Agricultural Society, Josephburg Riding Club, the Strathcona County Diversity Committee, and the Writers Foundation of Strathcona County. These approvals fall under the County's Community Funding Policy, adopted in November 2024, which introduced two streams: Benefit and Sponsorship Funding. Benefit Funding is reviewed quarterly and approved at scheduled Council meetings.
  
  
• The Area Structure Plan for the Daly Lands development was approved on April 15th, allowing for the creation of up to 75 country residential lots ranging from 1.2 to 3 acres. Located between Highway 21 and Range Road 225, the development will include municipal water and sewer systems, a dedicated park, and environmental protections for a wetland. Some councillors raised concerns about density, wetland impacts, and sewage systems, but ultimately, the plan passed third reading in a 6-2 vote, with only two Councillors opposing due to lingering questions. The development, led by the Daly family since 2021, will preserve their original homestead within the plan. Construction will begin on the west side near Highway 21 and move eastward, with full buildout expected in five to ten years, depending on market conditions. Infrastructure costs, including a sound barrier and the extension of Lakeland Drive, will be covered by the developer.
  
  
• Strathcona County firefighters are hosting their annual blood drive in partnership with Canadian Blood Services. The events run April 28th from 2:30 pm to 7:30 pm at the Four Points Hotel, and April 29th from 2:30 pm to 8:00 pm at the Community Centre’s Agora. Firefighters hope to mark their 50th anniversary by securing 50 donations. Walk-ins are welcome, but appointments can be booked on the Canadian Blood Services website.

🚨 This Week’s Action Item: 🚨

It’s Election Day! Voters from coast to coast are casting their ballots to decide who will form the next government. Make sure you take the opportunity to have your voice heard.

Need details on where to vote, what ID to bring, or who’s running in your riding? Visit the Elections Canada website for everything you need to know:

🪙 This Week’s Sponsor: 🪙

This week's sponsor is you! We don't have big corporate backers, so if you like what you're reading, please consider making a donation or signing up as a monthly member.

Having said that, if you are a local business and are interested in being a sponsor, send us an email and we'll talk!