
Legislative & Advisory Services
Legislative & Advisory Services supports Administration and Council, coordinating Council meetings, opportunities for public participation and compliance with Alberta's Municipal Government Act.

High River's Legislative & Advisory Services Team has a thorough working knowledge of the legislative, legal, and corporate responsibilities in Alberta local government legislation.
Legislative & Advisory Services are provided to Administration, Council and the Community in the following areas:
- Ensure Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act compliance. Find out more information about the FOIP Process
- Arrange support to Council, Boards and Committees
- Facilitate Council meetings, agendas and minutes including live broadcasts of Council meetings
- Ensure opportunities for public participation through public hearings and public notices
- Facilitate community engagement and outreach on behalf of Council and Administration
- Oversee the municipal elections process
- Assist with the development of bylaws, policies and procedures
- Coordinate community recognition and requests for Mayor and Council participation or support
- Keeping residents informed through Public Notices and Notice of Bylaws
- Corporate Properties and Risk Management
You can view all of the Town of High River's Bylaws, Policies and Procedures. In addition, you can view our 2019 Municipal Census Information.
Information on Mayor and Council Support and Participation
Would you like to have the Mayor or a Councillor attend your event? Please contact Legislative Services if you have any of the following requests. We are here to help!
Important Information Regarding Mayor and Council
Information on Council Meetings
Council meetings are usually held in Council Chambers, in Town Hall. 309B Macleod Trail SW, High River AB T1V IZ5.
Council returns to in-person meetings on April 11. Technology is being upgraded in Council Chambers for live-streaming online meetings to continue. Until it is installed, meetings will be in-person only. Once installed, residents will be notified.
Past meetings are saved for viewing on the Town's YouTube channel. Members of the public are welcome to observe and participate where applicable. *With the return to in-person meetings on April 11, those wishing to address Council are asked to attend in-person in Council Chambers. Please contact Legislative Services with any questions.
Information on Public Comments
Public Comments
The public comments portion of the Council agenda is an opportunity for the public and stakeholders to share information, views, and concerns in relation to a matter that Council is making a decision on as part of that meeting. Residents and stakeholders may not utilize the public comments portion to speak on an item that has or will be heard as part of a public hearing.
Public Comments are:
- On every agenda; a chance to be heard by Council in a public forum.
- An opportunity for people to provide short comments or statements to Council for consideration.
- Not a dialogue but Council may ask questions or seek more information.
Public Comments Process - What to Expect:
- The Mayor calls the Council meeting to order.
- Council will then adopt the agenda and the previous meeting minutes.
- The Mayor will ask anyone who has public comments to speak. The individual who wishes to speak will need to state and spell their name and provide their municipal address for the record.
- Once public comments are concluded, Council will proceed with the balance of the agenda.
- Those who choose to speak during the public comments section are given up to 5 minutes to speak.
What to expect when attending to give public comments
How do I Register to Speak?
- To speak to Council in-person, you may identify your desire to speak at the meeting. When live streaming of Council meetings resumes, you must complete the Request to Speak at a Council Meeting form.
What if I Cannot Attend the Meeting?
- If you are unable to attend the meeting, you can participate in the process by completing the Authorization to Speak on Someone's Behalf form in advance and arrange for somebody to share your comments with Council.
What Happens After Public Comments are Received?
- Once public comments are received, Council will proceed with the meeting agenda.
Information on Public Hearings
Public Hearings
Public Hearings are your chance to share your views about specific projects and proposals directly with Council during a regular Council meeting. A Public Hearing may be called by Council as a formal way to receive feedback and hear opinions before a decision is made.
Public Hearings are:
- Project specific - Council invites people to provide information various ways; a date is set for a hearing.
- An opportunity for participants speak to the project or issue.
- Intended to provide public comments and information that may influence Council decisions.
- An opportunity for dialogue and questions; Council may recommend further action or follow up.
Learn more about Public Hearings and how you can participate
Return to in-person meetings in Council Chambers April 11, 2022
With the return to in-person meetings on April 11, those wishing to address Council are asked to attend in-person in Council Chambers. Please contact Legislative Services with any questions.
Information on Delegation Requests
Public Delegations
- A form is required for delegation; based on information a decision is made to determine going ahead - information on form helps understand purpose.
- People present information only, not usually a dialogue, Council listens.
- Information should be relevant to the Town and to Council.
- No expectation / guarantee there will be any outcome from presentation or comments - Council may respond by seeking more information or recommending a course of action.
*With the return to in-person meetings on April 11, those wishing to address Council are asked to attend in-person in Council Chambers. Please contact Legislative Services with any questions.
Information on Boards and Committees
Boards/Committees:
The Town appreciates dedicated volunteers and community stakeholders who contribute time and ideas to important Boards and Committees. Watch the Town's social media channels for information regarding current Board and Committee opportunities. Visit this portal for more information.
- Alberta Foothills Industrial Corridor Association
- Calgary Metropolitan Region Board - Intermunicipal Servicing Committee
- Calgary Metropolitan Region Board - Land Use Committee
- Calgary Metropolitan Region Board - Land Use Committee & Intermunicipal Servicing Committee
- Calgary Metropolitan Regional Board
- Committee of the Whole (Mayor)
- Intermunicipal Committee
- Organizational Meeting
- Regular Council
- Special Council (Mayor)
- Town Plan Task Force (Mayor)
Information on FOIP Requests
The Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (the 'FOIP Act') provides access to records held by the Town of High River, including access to an individual's own personal information or general information.
Prior to making a formal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy (FOIP) request to the Town of High River, it is recommended that you contact the FOIP Coordinator in the Legislative & Advisory Services division at legislativeservices@highriver.ca for information about, and to inquire how to accurately and efficiently submit your request.
Please follow this link for detailed information on how to make a request.
Information on Corporate Properties & Risk Management
Corporate Properties & Risk Management serves as a resource to provide cost effective, professional management of:
- Municipal assets and the related legal agreements for users, tenants and operators of those assets;
- Municipal insurance program including incident and claims management;
- Municipal Business Continuity Plan; and
- Municipal Risk Management.
Corporate Properties & Risk Management works with members of the community under the following circumstances:
- Community Safety for reports of hazards or damages
- Land Purchases and Sales including permanent road closures
Click here for more details about Corporate Properties & Risk Management
Information on Routine Disclosure Request to Access Information
A Routine Disclosure request is required to access information that is made publicly available that the Town of High River holds. The form below is intended to request access to records of Permits, Real Property Reports, and Structural Drawings. If you are unsure of the type of request and want to inquire how to submit your request efficiently, please contact the Legislative & Advisory Services division at legislativeservices@highriver.ca.
Please click the following link to access the form: Routine Disclosure Request to Access Information Form.
If your request is related to any other information beyond Permits, Real Property Reports, and Structural Drawings, it will fall under a Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy (FOIP) request; please fill out the FOIP - Request to Access Information form found on the Town website.
We're here to help, contact us!
309B Macleod Trail S.W., High River, Alberta
Monday to Friday 8:30am - 4:30pm (Closed on statutory holidays)
legislativeservices@highriver.ca
403-652-2110
Media Requests: communications@highriver.ca
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