Mayor of Alberta village 'elated' after investigation by province ends on positive note

An investigation into the workings of the Alberta village of Andrew has concluded now that the village council and chief administrative officer have satisfied a series of directives ordered by the provincial government.

Mayor Barry Goertz told CBC News a weight has been lifted off the shoulders of council and administrative staff members after months of unrest in the community.

"The word 'elated' is the one that comes to mind," Goertz said in an interview. 

Andrew, home to 400 residents, is about 115 kilometres northeast of Edmonton.

The village council was grappling with financial and governance problems when it asked the province to intervene in 2023.

The resulting report, prepared by a consultant, concluded the village's governance and viability were at risk "due to a multitude of concurrent leadership challenges."

The issues included council member resignations and vacancies, a high turnover rate for the chief administrative officer position, taxation and utility billings errors, and self-sabotage among some village officials.

After concluding the village was managed in an irregular, improper and improvident manner, Municipal Affairs Minister Ric McIver issued 11 binding directives for the village council and CAO last year.

They included addressing the report's recommendations, reviewing and replacing bylaws, preparing policies and providing monthly progress reports to his office.

In a November 2024 update to the minister, the village reported it had completed all of the directives.

McIver sent a letter to Goertz and council in late January, saying he is satisfied with the village's progress and the inspection is now concluded. 

"It is clear council has taken the recommendations seriously, and I am confident you will continue to make positive changes that are in the best interests of the community," he wrote in the letter.

McIver said in an emailed statement that he and his team received council meeting agendas and minutes, new and updated policies and bylaws and other documents demonstrating compliance with the directives.

CAO Kylie Rude said meeting the directives took a lot of teamwork.