Alberta's population is booming, but that comes with challenges for some communities

New population data shows a huge increase in the number of people calling Alberta home — but it's a boom that "snuck up" on some of the province's smaller communities, one mayor says. 

Leduc Mayor Bob Young said they've seen large growth in the city before, but not like this. The city's population has increased roughly nine per cent since 2019, according to its latest census. It's now home to around 36,060 people. 

Leduc isn't alone in its rapid growth. Alberta has seen a record population increase, according to Statistics Canada data released this week. 

"I think it snuck up on all of us," Young said. He added that Leduc has felt pressure on its recreation and emergency facilities, and due to that growth they're in the process of adding a third firehall. 

"These facilities aren't getting cheaper, they're getting more expensive. It is a challenge," he said. 

WATCH | CBC's Andrew Brown and Robson Fletcher discuss the 'Alberta is Calling' campaign the provincial government launched last year:

Provincial funding is transitioning from the current funding model to a new model, called the Local Government Fiscal Framework, which will result in decreased funding to municipalities, Young said. 

The issue was raised at the Alberta Municipalities Convention Thursday. A resolution moved by the City of Airdre, seconded by Leduc, said the "Alberta is Calling" campaign — which targets skilled workers — has successfully drawn people in, but resulted in strains on infrastructure that without provincial funding would need to be addressed through tax increases. 

The resolution, which was passed Thursday, asks the province for funding specifically to address population growth. 

Airdrie Mayor Peter Brown, said on The Calgary Eyeopener that his community has grown "leaps and bounds." Airdrie's 2023 census said its population has surpassed 80,000. 

"I really believe that the ["Alberta is Calling"] campaign has been successful. We're starting to see some of that now," he said. 

"I'm not pleading on behalf of Airdrie. I think it's on behalf of all the growing municipalities."

Okotoks Mayor Tanya Thorn said her town has also seen a population increase, which is driving up the cost of housing, but it is in a unique situation when it comes to growth. 

"We very much limit growth right now because of water. We're working on that long term solution, but because of that we have limited supply, but we have very significant demand," she said.