Advocacy

Our ask: Confirm provincial grant funding that will be used to preserve Horizon Stage during the demolition of the old Composite High School. 

The facts: 

• Horizon Stage is a 300-plus seat, multi-purpose theatre that has served the community for over 40 years.
• The planned replacement of Spruce Grove Composite High School puts the theatre at risk with it being attached to the current building. 
• The City and Parkland School Division have been working with the Province to find a path forward.
• The City will be seeking provincial funding support for the project, once the project design is completed for the stage, which would operate as a standalone facility.   

Our ask: Seeking Provincial Government support for Spruce Grove's Community Outreach Program, a community-based outreach program to support our most vulnerable residents.

The facts: 

• The Community Outreach Program provides tailored resources and effective support for residents living unsheltered, or those facing mental health and/or addiction challenges.  
• The program has a proven track record of reducing unsheltered numbers, assisting those in crisis, and lowering enforcement calls. 
• Spruce Grove does not receive the same provincial social service funding and supports that flow to larger centres and regional hubs, despite the challenges and need in the community. 
• The program has been supported by a federal grant and City funding. 
• The opportunity exists for partnership at all levels of government based on its demonstrated success in addressing complex social needs in the community.   

Our ask: Advocate for the Province to fund Meridian Housing Foundation's new affordable housing development in Spruce Grove.

The facts: 

• Demand for affordable and senior housing in Spruce Grove is outpacing supply.
• There are currently only 30 subsidized senior housing units in the city, with wait lists in the dozens for other programs.
• The City has designated land to support the project and plans to donate it to the Meridian Housing Foundation when the project is ready to proceed.  
• Meridian Housing Foundation has submitted a grant application to the Province.  The success of the funding application is critical to advance the project.  

Our ask: Designate Spruce Grove as a location for a 24-hour Urgent Care Facility.

The facts: 

• Spruce Grove has no local 24-hour urgent care option, leaving residents to travel for time-sensitive care.
• Growing demand is adding pressure to regional emergency services.
• The City is researching and gathering data to build the case for a local facility.
• The City will be engaging health care providers, community organizations, and regional partners to support the ask.

Our ask: Ensure meaningful noise attenuation standards are included in the Highway 16 expansion. 

The facts: 

• Traffic noise along Highway 16 is a growing concern for Spruce Grove residents.
• The Province has plans to expand and widen the highway. 
• The City will advocate to Alberta Transportation and Economic Corridors that they apply the highest appropriate noise attenuation standards in the expansion project. 

Our ask: Provincial funding that better reflects the infrastructure pressures facing fast-growing mid-sized cities. 

The facts: 

• Mid-sized cities play a significant role in building Alberta’s economy as a result of growth, and face significant pressure to provide the services and infrastructure to accommodate that growth.  
• Current provincial funding formulas have not kept up with the cost of growth, nor have they recognized the need for major regional roads and facilities such as playgrounds, community halls, theatres and trails, and the escalating cost to build these facilities and infrastructure.  

Our ask: Updated policing funding, support for new traffic safety tools, and clear provincial rules for personal micromobility devices such as e-scooters. 

The facts: 

• Rising policing costs and static provincial funding are putting pressure on municipal budgets.
• The removal of Automated Traffic Enforcement tools in 2025 has left a gap in the ability to ensure traffic safety in our community.   
• Inconsistent rules around e-scooters and similar devices are creating safety concerns on our trails and roadways.

Our ask: Timely upgrades to Highway 628 and stable, long-term funding for regional transit. 

The facts: 

• Highway 628 is a key east-west corridor connecting the Tri-Region, Edmonton, and Enoch Cree Nation, and it needs upgrading.
• Regional transit is facing growing demand without access to reliable operating funding.
• Long-term federal transit funding, supported by the Province, is essential for service stability and planning. 

Our ask: Meaningful collaboration with municipalities before any changes are made to planning and development authority. 

The facts: 

• Municipal planning tools and oversight help ensure safe, well-built, and liveable communities. 
• The Province has signalled an intent to override some municipal planning authorities and decisions. 
• Changes that bypass local context and knowledge raise real concerns about construction safety and community quality. 

Our ask: Federal housing funding programs that reflect the real needs of mid-sized cities outside major urban centres. 

The facts: 

• Programs like the federal Housing Accelerator Fund often have eligibility criteria that are difficult for mid-sized cities to meet.
• Demand for affordable housing in Spruce Grove is growing and outpacing available supply. 
• We are working with partners to make the case for more flexible, locally relevant funding.