Beginnings of urban and rural local governments in Alberta
The first local government election in Alberta was held in 1883 under the Northwest Municipal Ordinance. Rural local government began with herd districts in 1883, fire districts in 1886 and statute districts in 1887, all of which were combined into local improvement districts in 1897. Urban local government began with unincorporated town ordinances in 1888. The village ordinance followed in 1895.
In 1912, separate acts were put in place for towns, villages, rural municipal districts and improvement districts. Cities were incorporated by special charter. In 1967, the various pieces of municipal legislation were consolidated into the original Municipal Government Act (MGA).
In 1994, a major consolidation of municipal legislation took place. The current Municipal Government Act (MGA) gives municipalities greater autonomy in local decision making and is the primary statute governing the affairs of your municipality. The MGA also incorporates the provisions of the former Planning Act and the Regional Municipal Services Act. The MGA is subject to change on a continuing basis to meet new needs and demands.