An Intermunicipal Collaboration Framework (ICF) is a tool to facilitate and encourage cooperation and cost sharing between neighbouring municipalities to ensure municipal services are provided to residents efficiently. The goal of the ICF process is to promote collaboration and regional sustainability by identifying shared services, clarifying responsibilities and planning for the future together.
Frameworks are intended to:
- provide for integrated and strategic planning, delivery and funding of intermunicipal services
- allocate scarce resources efficiently in the providing local services
- ensure municipalities contribute funding to services that benefit their residents
Municipal districts (MDs) that share a common boundary can mutually determine that they do not require an ICF between them. If agreed to, the MDs must pass resolutions, notify the minister they are opting out of the ICF requirement, and post on their website why an ICF is not required. If any party later determines an ICF is needed, it must inform the other party and together they must adopt an ICF within one year.
Required contents of an ICF
As per section 708.29 in the Municipal Government Act, an ICF must:
- describe the services to be provided that benefit residents in more than one of the municipalities that are parties to the framework
- list and describe the mandatory service categories (transportation, water and wastewater, solid waste, emergency services and recreation)
- determine a dispute resolution process (comprehensive or for each service)
- determine a term of review that is at least every 5 years (comprehensive or for each service)
For each service included in an ICF:
- describe the intermunicipal service to be provided
- identify which municipality is responsible for providing the service(s) to which municipality
- determine how each service will be managed and delivered
- determine how each service is funded
Municipal districts (MDs) that share a common boundary can mutually determine that they do not require an ICF between them. If agreed to, the MDs must pass resolutions, notify the minister they are opting out of the ICF requirement, and post on their website why an ICF is not required. If any party later determines an ICF is needed, it must inform the other party and together they must adopt an ICF within one year.
Statement of reasons for exemption from the requirement to establish an Intermunicipal Collaboration Framework between:
Smoky Lake County and Lamont County