Introduction
A viability review was initiated for the Village of Donalda in July 2025. This review started at the request of the Minister of Municipal Affairs.
Current status
Municipal Affairs Releases Initial Public Information Session Summary
The Village of Donalda would like to advise residents that Alberta Municipal Affairs has released the Village of Donalda Viability Review – Initial Public Information Session Summary, which provides an overview of the feedback received during the public information session held on January 21, 2026, and the accompanying public survey that remained open until February 27, 2026. A total of 45 survey responses were received.
The summary reflects the comments, perspectives, and concerns shared by participants throughout the engagement process. It is intended to help inform the preparation of the Province’s forthcoming Viability Review Report.
Key Themes Identified
According to Municipal Affairs, participants discussed a wide range of topics, including:
- Community strengths, such as Donalda’s small-town atmosphere, volunteerism, natural surroundings, and strong sense of community.
- Governance and administration, including varying opinions regarding communication, transparency, public engagement, and municipal operations.
- Municipal services, with water, wastewater, snow removal, emergency services, and public works identified as priorities.
- Infrastructure needs, particularly long-term investment in water, wastewater, roads, sidewalks, stormwater systems, and community facilities.
- Financial sustainability, including comments regarding taxation, utility rates, infrastructure funding, and long-term viability.
- Questions regarding the potential impacts should Donalda remain a village or become a hamlet, including representation, service delivery, local identity, and financial considerations.
Next Steps
Municipal Affairs will use this public feedback, together with information gathered from the Village, Stettler County, and other sources, to prepare the Village of Donalda Viability Review Report.
The Viability Review Report will:
- summarize the current state of the Village;
- outline considerations if the Village remains incorporated;
- describe what residents might expect if the Village were to dissolve and become a hamlet; and
- provide information to help eligible electors make an informed decision before any future vote on dissolution.
The Village of Donalda remains committed to working collaboratively with Municipal Affairs throughout the viability review process and will continue to share information with residents as it becomes available.
Residents are encouraged to review the Municipal Affairs summary document and stay informed as additional information is released.
Please Note: The Initial Public Information Session Summary was prepared by Alberta Municipal Affairs and summarizes feedback received from participants during the engagement process. The comments contained within the report represent participant input and should not be interpreted as verified findings or as the position of the Village of Donalda, its Council, or Administration.
Alberta Municipal Affairs held an in-person public information session in Donalda on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, from 7 pm to 9 pm in the Donalda School, 2101 Haviland St., Donalda, AB.
This session provided residents, property owners, and other community members of the village an opportunity to learn about the viability review process, discuss what will be included in the viability review report, and provide initial input on the viability of the Village of Donalda.
In addition to this public information session, residents and property owners were invited to complete an online survey. This survey closed February 27, 2026.
Another public engagement session will be scheduled in the coming months, and we encourage all residents and property owners to take part. If you were unable to attend the first session, this will be another opportunity to learn more about the viability review, ask questions, and share your thoughts on the future of Donalda. Your input is important and helps shape the direction of our community.
What is a Municipal Viability Review?
A municipal viability review evaluates whether a municipality can continue to operate in a way that is financially and administratively sustainable over the long term. The review considers factors such as:
- Financial position and trends
- Infrastructure and service delivery
- Governance and administrative capacity
- Community context and demographics
The review is conducted by the Province of Alberta in consultation with the municipality.
What This Review Does and Does Not Mean
At this stage:
- No decisions have been made regarding the future status of the Village of Donalda
- No changes to governance or services are being implemented
- The review is focused on information gathering and analysis
What residents can expect:
- Information sharing as materials become available
- Council discussion of findings at a future public meeting
- Clear communication regarding next steps
Questions or Inquiries
Residents with questions regarding the Municipal Viability Review may contact:
Chief Administrative Officer
Village of Donalda
Email: cao@village.donalda.ab.ca
Municipal Viability Team
Dee Deveau & Denise Lines
Phone: 780-427-2225
Toll free: 310-0000 before the phone number (in Alberta)
Email: viabilityreview@gov.ab.ca