This uses Mayor Gerald Aalbers messages he puts on the City of Lloydminster website as Minutes from the Mayor for the content of the story.
City council work goes beyond meetings and votes. Advocacy with provincial and federal governments plays a growing role as funding becomes more competitive.
Many residents think of city council work as attending meetings, reviewing agendas, and voting on municipal issues. While those duties are part of the role, they represent only the most visible portion of council’s work.
Council members also respond to questions and concerns from residents and local businesses, often outside council chambers and beyond regular meeting schedules.
Less visible, but increasingly important, is advocacy.
Advocacy involves promoting the city’s needs and priorities to other levels of government, particularly when it comes to securing grant funding and raising awareness of local issues. As provincial and federal funding models continue to evolve, available grants have become smaller and more competitive, increasing the effort required to secure funding.
“Advocacy is one of the most important parts of council’s role, especially as provincial and federal grants become smaller and more competitive,” said Mayor Gerald Aalbers.
Council regularly attends provincial conferences where members meet directly with ministers and senior officials to present funding requests and discuss policy concerns. Council also works closely with Lloydminster’s Members of the Legislative Assembly and Members of Parliament to ensure they have up-to-date information when advocating for the city at their respective legislatures.
Council members also travel to meet with ministers in Regina, Edmonton, and other locations as opportunities arise, while Members of Parliament advance the city’s priorities at the federal level.
Grant funding remains the primary focus of the city’s advocacy efforts. Council also raises concerns related to red tape and policy barriers that affect quality of life in the bi-provincial City of Lloydminster. Provincial issues such as health care, social services, mental health, and addictions are regularly discussed with ministers and local MLAs when opportunities allow.
Council plans to continue inviting provincial premiers, ministers, and caucus members to visit Lloydminster to better understand the city’s unique bi-provincial context. The city also hopes to welcome federal ministers to showcase the region’s oil and gas and agricultural industries, which play a significant role in Canada’s economy.
“When provincial and federal leaders visit Lloydminster, they get a better understanding of our unique bi-provincial challenges and the industries that drive our local economy,” Aalbers said.
Council says it remains committed to continued advocacy with the governments of Saskatchewan, Alberta, and Canada, recognizing that securing funding and policy support increasingly depends on direct engagement and sustained effort.
