Topics at this year's seminar will include:

Recent Developments in Construction Project Delivery Models

We will review the general types of construction project delivery models and allocation of construction risk. We will also discuss recent developments in both project delivery models and challenges related to the administration of construction projects. Attendees will leave with an understanding of different models, as well as some practical takeaways about relevant considerations when selecting a model for a specific project.

Above Reproach? Challenges to Council Decisions

This session will discuss some of the different ways Council decisions may be challenged in the Courts and before administrative tribunals. While Council decisions are generally intended to be shielded from review, there are a number of ways ratepayers may seek to challenge those decisions. We will discuss challenging bylaws based on unreasonableness, judicial review based on procedural grounds and disqualifying bias, Constitutional challenges and applicable timelines. In addition, we will review that newest avenue for complaint, the Alberta Ombudsman.

Bill 77 and Linear Taxes: Now What?

On December 2, 2021, the Government passed Bill 77: Municipal Government (Restoring Tax Accountability) Amendment Act. This Bill enhances the ability of municipalities to collect unpaid property taxes from “linear” properties such as oil wells and pipelines. We will review the key changes to the Municipal Government Act made by Bill 77 and what these changes mean for municipalities’ revenue raising and collection abilities.

Employment Law Catch-Up

This session is devoted to several topics of interest to the human resources issues of municipalities including the different roles and obligations of Council and administration in human resources matters, updates on cannabis and drug use in the workplace, off-duty misconduct, and a workplace potpourri.

Bear Pit

Attendees will have the opportunity to submit legal questions on matters affecting municipalities for discussion by our panel of lawyers.