OPINION: Ruh Roh! 207 Resignations in Three Years!

Alberta’s municipal political landscape is facing an unsettling shift, and it’s impossible to ignore the alarm bells ringing across the province.

Over the past two years, an unprecedented wave of resignations and departures among municipal leaders has created a crisis of representation and stability in local governance. This phenomenon isn’t just about numbers; it’s about the health of our democracy, the resilience of our communities, and the sustainability of leadership in Alberta.

The statistics are sobering.

In 2023, Alberta saw a record-breaking 80 resignations and departures from municipal offices. While 2024 has seen a slight decrease, the 61 resignations this year still mark a troubling trend. To put this into perspective, during the final year of the last council term in 2020, the province recorded only 29 council vacancies and resignations.

Over the current term, which isn’t even complete, a staggering 207 municipal leaders have left their positions—a significant jump from the 133 departures recorded during the entire 2017-2021 term.

This alarming turnover raises serious questions about the pressures facing municipal leaders. While politics at every level comes with its challenges, the sheer scale of resignations in Alberta’s municipal offices is unprecedented. It has created ripple effects throughout the province, leaving councils scrambling to fill seats, often through by-elections or acclamations.

In 2024 alone, 13 of the 61 vacancies resulted in no necessary election because only one candidate stepped forward. In five municipalities, councils decided not to hold by-elections for six positions, citing provisions in the Municipal Government Act (MGA) that allow such decisions.

Some municipalities have been tough hit. The hardest-hit municipality this term was Slave Lake, which has seen five council members resign over the last two years. Two of its council seats remain vacant, including one left open by a councillor elected as recently as 2023 in a by-election.

The only other municipality that saw a larger turnover this year was Chestermere, which faced significant upheaval, with the province stepping in to remove its mayor and three councillors. A former councillor resigned to run for mayor, which he subsequently won. Berwyn, meanwhile, held four by-elections, all resulting in acclamations due to a lack of interest from potential candidates.

Altogether, 92 of Alberta’s 344 municipalities have had to hold by-elections or call for nominations over the last two years due to various circumstances, including councillor resignations, deaths, or provincial intervention. This represents more than a quarter of the province’s municipalities—an extraordinary figure that underscores the severity of the issue.

What is driving this exodus from municipal office? The reasons are undoubtedly complex and multifaceted, but several factors come to mind. The workload for municipal leaders is immense, often far outweighing the modest pay they receive. Balancing the demands of public service with personal and professional lives is no small feat.

The pressures of navigating polarized political climates, dealing with increasingly critical and vocal constituencies, and addressing local issues ranging from infrastructure to social services are mounting. For many, these challenges may simply become untenable.

Moreover, the turnover we are witnessing poses significant risks for municipalities. Each resignation disrupts the continuity of leadership and decision-making, delaying critical projects and leaving communities without representation for months at a time. This constant churn of leadership also places a financial burden on municipalities, which must allocate resources for by-elections or navigate the challenges of operating with reduced councils.

It is worth reflecting on the broader implications of this phenomenon. Municipal leaders are the closest to their communities, responsible for decisions that directly affect the daily lives of residents. When councils are in disarray or operating below capacity, it undermines trust in local government and erodes the sense of accountability and responsiveness that is essential for democracy to thrive.

It also raises concerns about the willingness of future candidates to step into these roles, knowing the sacrifices and scrutiny involved.

As we approach the next municipal elections in 2025, the pattern of resignations and departures should serve as a wake-up call for both prospective candidates and voters. Those considering a run for office must ask themselves hard questions about their capacity to commit to a four-year term and their readiness to endure the demands of public service. Municipal government is not for the faint of heart. The pay may be modest, the hours long, and the challenges daunting, but the rewards of shaping one’s community and leaving a lasting legacy can be profound.

Equally, voters must take a hard look at what they expect from their elected officials. Unrealistic demands and toxic rhetoric discourage participation in politics and create an environment where capable leaders are hesitant to step forward. We need to foster a culture of respect and support for those willing to take on these critical roles, recognizing the sacrifices they make for the public good.

At the same time, the provincial government and organizations like Alberta Municipalities and Rural Municipalities of Alberta must step up and address the underlying issues driving these resignations. This could include offering enhanced training and resources for newly elected officials, and creating mental health and better peer support networks.

Addressing these systemic challenges will not only make the municipal office more sustainable but also ensure that Alberta’s communities are well-represented and effectively governed.

The troubling trajectory of resignations in Alberta’s municipal politics cannot be ignored. If the 2017-2021 term saw 133 departures and the current term has already surpassed that figure with 207 departures and counting, what does this mean for the future? Will the 2025-2029 term see an even higher turnover, further destabilizing local governance across the province? The implications for Alberta’s municipalities are dire if this trend continues unchecked.

We are at a crossroads. Alberta’s municipal leaders are the backbone of their communities, and their work shapes the future of the province in profound ways. Yet, the exodus of elected officials suggests that something is fundamentally amiss. If we fail to address this crisis, the consequences will extend far beyond council chambers, affecting the quality of life and governance in our towns, cities, and rural areas.

It is time for a collective reckoning.

Municipal leaders, prospective candidates, voters, and provincial policymakers must come together to confront this challenge head-on. The stakes are too high to do otherwise. Alberta’s communities deserve strong, stable, and capable leadership, and it is up to all of us to ensure that the conditions exist to make that possible.

Let this moment of crisis be a turning point—a chance to reinvigorate local democracy and reaffirm our commitment to building a better future for all.