(Image Credit: Curtis Galbraith)

By Curtis Galbraith

City Hall

Highlights from Monday’s meeting of Grande Prairie City Council

Jan 20, 2026 | 6:00 AM

Grande Prairie City Council met Monday afternoon.

– Council approved changes to the utility bylaw that includes increases to Aquatera charges for water, wastewater, and garbage hauling services. The total increase would be $5.56 per month for residential customers, a 3.9 per cent increase. The $5.56 increase breaks down to $2.46 per month for water, $2.22 for wastewater, and 88 cents for garbage. The increase last year was 4.5 per cent. The County of Grande Prairie and the Towns of Wembley and Sexsmith are also shareholders in Aquatera and must also approve any increases.

– Council approved having Mayor Jackie Clayton write a letter in support of a local effort to bring physiotherapy training to Grande Prairie. A three-person delegation from a group called the U of A Masters of Science Physiotherapy Grande Prairie Satellite Program told council that this idea came about after the Northern Alberta Medical Program started in the Swan City. It would be based on similar training currently available in Camrose and Calgary. They say local physios, MLAs, NWP and others from the community support the idea. The delegation says there is a 30 per cent vacancy rate for physiotherapy jobs just in the public sector in the North Zone. More discussions will be held.

– Council also heard from a delegation from Community Futures. The organization that helps new businesses get going is marking its 40th anniversary this year. Executive Director Holly Sorgen told council that over those 40 years, Community Futures has helped 45,873 clients and financed 855 businesses; two-thirds of which were start-ups. It has also provided $46.2 million in financing for businesses. A kick-off for the anniversary celebrations is planned for February.

– Council was presented with a framed set of gold, silver, and bronze medals from the Special Olympics Alberta Summer Games from Special Olympics Alberta. This was a thank you from the organization to Grande Prairie for hosting the games last July. The event also left a legacy of $11,202 that will help support programming at the Grande Prairie Special Olympics chapter.

– Council has approved the Grander Winter Strategy after sending it back to administration for more work at its last meeting. The plan is meant to do a host of things, including telling local stories, more events, more programming, new winter spaces, more indoor recreation and more safe mobility networks, among many other things.

– Council approved recipients of the 2025 Volunteer Awards. Margaret Bowes has been given the George Repka Outstanding Achievement Award given to individuals. The Grande Prairie Firefighters Charitable Foundation will be given the Bill Bowes Volunteer Organization Award.

Council will meet again on February 2.