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(Image Credit: Curtis Galbraith.)
By Curtis Galbraith
City Hall

Electricity distribution cost still top priority for Grande Prairie City Council

Jun 8, 2026 | 6:00 AM

The distribution cost for electricity remains the first advocacy priority for Grande Prairie City Council. 

Mayor Jackie Clayton says the cost is four times higher in places like Grande Prairie than it is in Edmonton and Calgary. 

“We are optimistic that the province will have legislation released this fall that will help address some of the residential disparity, but as equally a concern is the industrial and commercial disparity.” 

“We are hearing from regular investors that the cost of electricity distribution is a roadblock to investment.” 

Clayton says the city pays $2 million in distribution costs each year, an operational expense that can lead to higher property taxes. 

Council’s second priority is health care supports. 

Clayton says health care is “still top of mind” for a lot of people. 

“A significant number of people still don’t have a family doctor. That being said, we’ve done a lot of work and, in the last few years, have seen a fair increase in the number of specialists that have moved to our community.” 

“While we are happy to see over 40 specialists now call Grande Prairie home, in addition to the ones that were already here, we know that there’s a need (for) general practitioners.” 

After that comes economic corridors. 

Clayton says they want to look at areas where growth is possible. 

“It could be everything from agribusiness to petrochemicals to intermodal investment.” 

“That trade corridor, knowing that that network, as part of the CANAMEX corridor, which is a highway that’s been identified from Canada, U.S. to Mexico, is a significant trade route to talk about trade corridors and how we expand.” 

Also on the list of primary priorities are federal advocacy and support for Northwestern Polytechnic. 

There is also a list of secondary priorities. 

Those include a 911 levy increase, a funding increase for FCSS, a new courthouse, medical first response funding, seniors housing and long-term care, and flavoured vaping products.

by Curtis Galbraith