Photo by Curtis Galbraith.

By Curtis Galbraith

City Hall

Electricity distribution costs still top advocacy priority for Grande Prairie City Council

Apr 2, 2025 | 6:00 AM

Electricity distribution costs, seniors housing, and support for Northwestern Polytechnic are all on the new advocacy list for Grande Prairie City Council.

Mayor Jackie Clayton says those distribution costs for electricity would be the number one item.

“We hear regularly from residents and businesses that the detrimental difference between (the) urban centres of Edmonton and Calgary and the ATCO service area clients is significant and that gap continues to widen.”

Clayton says we would pay 3.5 times more in distribution costs than would people in Edmonton and Calgary.

“This comes down to the fact that an Edmonton or Calgary household would pay approximately $5 more per month to equalize the entire province.”

Clayton says this kind of advocacy work can involve more than just talking with provincial politicians.

“It’s bringing user groups and stakeholders together so that the messages align.”

“It’s about having a strategy in regards to the messaging and communication that you get to residents, having input from residents in regard to how these items impact them personally and then really taking it to the decision makers, whether those are provincial or federal elected officials.”

Distribution costs was one of the items included when council set its advocacy priorities list at its last meeting. It has been on that list for several years.