(Image Credit: Curtis Galbraith)

By Curtis Galbraith

City Hall

Highlights from Monday’s meeting of Grande Prairie City Council

Mar 4, 2026 | 6:03 AM

Grande Prairie City Council met Monday afternoon.

– Council heard from a delegation from the Maskwa Medical Centre. The delegation asked the city to back a loan to build the facility. Council approved having administration prepare a report with options to consider. The Maskwa officials also refuted rumours that this would be a private, for-profit operation. They told council this is going to be public health care with no user fees. They also said they are still waiting for word from the province if funding is included in this year’s provincial budget. The three-storey facility that is going up near the Grande Prairie Regional Hospital would house a medical residency program on the first floor, a daycare, pharmacy and restaurant on the second floor, and offices for specialists on the third floor once complete. The residency program would also serve as a walk-in clinic; something officials say would take pressure off the hospital’s emergency department.

– Council postponed discussion of allocating this year’s Large Scale Tourism Grant funding for two weeks. Mayor Jackie Clayton’s motion, approved by council, asked for administration to gather more financial information from the organizations in line for funding. The proposal would see $33,333 each given to GrandeCon, the Grande Prairie Traditional Pow Wow, and the 2026 Grande Prairie Regional Air Show.

– Council approved four different ideas for sponsoring community events. That includes $50,000 for the Bear Creek Folk Festival and $10,000 each for Stompede, the Festival of Trees, and 7 over 70.

– Council also approved a gift-in-kind request of just over $3,900 for the Grande Prairie Pride Society. This is the use of the Bonnett’s Energy Centre for the family carnival, teen dance and Party in White, held every year during Pride Month. The carnival had been held at the Eastlink Centre in previous years.  

– Council was introduced to the new commander for the RCMP’s Western Alberta District office in Grande Prairie. Chief Superintendent Adrian Marsden took over the role on December 1, 2025. Marsden has served with the RCMP for 33 years in both B.C. and Alberta. His experience includes running the serious crimes branch in Edmonton and working with the Integrated National Security Enforcement team; which investigates things like terrorism. The Western Alberta District office oversees close to two dozen detachments in northwestern Alberta. Marsden told council that even with the city transitioning to its own police force, his office will still be located in Grande Prairie “for the foreseeable future.”  Marsden also says he is a big Edmonton Oilers fan, even though he’s lived in Vancouver most of his life.

Council’s next meeting is set for March 16.