Advocacy is the strategic and deliberate process to bring about change in policies and practices. Advocacy can go beyond aiming simply to change policies, and can also include the ability to influence decision-making processes. More specifically, advocacy means representing the interests, priorities, and positions of Council and the residents of Stony Plain to other governments and stakeholders.

The Town of Stony Plain is committed to pursuing partnerships and advocating with regional municipalities and other orders of government to provide infrastructure, programs, and services to our growing urban municipality.

Priorities

Community Recreation Facility
The development of a recreation facility was identified as a strategic priority for Council in 2018 and is included as a key strategic priority in the 2024-2027 Strategic Plan. The construction of the facility was identified as an action item in the 2024-2026 Corporate Plan.
Why is federal, provincial, and regional municipal government investment and support important?

As Stony Plain continues to rapidly grow, at an average rate of 1.5% each year, the need for updated recreation facilities becomes increasingly critical to accommodate the health and wellness needs of the community. 

The recent loss of local curling rinks in 2021 highlights the potential negative impact on residents’ social and mental health, and as well as the local economy.

The new community recreation facility will support the fulfillment of the region’s indoor facility needs, providing meaningful and accessible recreation experiences. These experiences foster individual and community health and wellbeing, offering opportunities for life-long participation and economic diversification.

Request

An investment in recreation is an investment in the health of community. The time is now to deliver on this critical piece of facility infrastructure that will benefit Stony Plain and the surrounding region. Support and partnerships from the federal and provincial government demonstrate the responsibility and collaborative effort required to build communities.
Improving access and services from WestView Health Centre
WestView Health Centre supports 90,000 residents throughout Stony Plain, Spruce Grove and Parkland County.
Why is provincial government investment and support important?

In recent years patients have faced extraordinary wait times when arriving at the Centre, pushing it to the limits of its service capacity. Due to this, residents at times are travelling out of the region to access healthcare services that have, at times, been available within the community.

Population growth throughout the region compounds the need for investment in the facility, with increased demand on these critical services. The viability of WestView Health Centre has significant impacts on health and wellness outcomes for residents of Stony Plain and the surrounding region. 

For more information about WestView Health Centre, visit Alberta Health Services.

Request

Investing in WestView Health Centre will support improved healthcare access for residents from across the Tri-Municipal Region. Given that this a priority for residents and governments alike, WestView Health Centre provides an opportunity to augment existing healthcare services, relieve pressure on surrounding hospitals and clinics, and ensure patients in rural areas can enjoy convenient and timely care.

From diagnostics to expansion, working with the Government of Alberta and healthcare providers collaboratively, to identify the best investments in this facility is critical for addressing healthcare challenges.

Infrastructure investment for growing municipalities
Dedicated partnership and funding support from the federal and provincial government are essential to maintain the critical infrastructure for Stony Plain's growing community. The 2024 capital budget for Stony Plain is just over $28 million.
Why is federal and provincial municipal government investment and support important?

To serve a growing community of close to 20,000 people, the Town of Stony Plain owns and maintains an increasing amount of infrastructure, parks, facilities, fleet, and equipment including:

  • 114 kilometres of water mains
  • 108 kilometres of sewer mains
  • 76 kilometres of storm drainage mains
  • 207 kilometres of roads
  • 100 kilometres of sidewalks
  • 40 kilometres of trails

In addition, Stony Plain owns and maintains over 15 facilities, gazebos, outdoor rinks, tennis courts, parks, playgrounds, sports fields, water reservoirs, and utility lift stations.

Three provincial highways cross through the Town of Stony Plain; highways 628, 779 and 16A. These roadways are crucial for the local economy, the needs of residents and the future growth of the community.

Request
To recognize and ensure federal and provincial governments commit to fund the broad infrastructure needs of Stony Plain as a growing urban community.

Strengthen prosperity through regional collaboration

The Town of Stony Plain believes regionalism is a focused approach to collaborative systems that cross municipal boundaries while maintaining a localized autonomy and governance. Regionalism represents a commitment to shared services and local autonomy. For more information, read the Policy Statement on Regionalism.
Why is federal and provincial government support for regional collaboration important?
Building connections between communities provides unique and valued services for Stony Plain residents and businesses.
Key examples
Click the accordions below to learn more about how Stony Plain is strengthening prosperity through regional collaboration with some key examples.
Public transit
In partnership with the Town of Stony Plain, City of Spruce Grove and Parkland County, there are three transit options provided in the region; On-Demand, Commuter and an Accessible Transportation Service. Service is available in Stony Plain, Spruce Grove, Parkland Village and Acheson. Visit the Transit page for more information.
Business attraction
Edmonton Global is a partnership organization that guides attraction of new investment to the Edmonton Metropolitan Region. This collaborative approach has demonstrated success with the recent investment and relocation announcement of English Bay Blending and Fine Chocolates’ 120,000 sq ft facility to Stony Plain.
Growth Management
Responsible growth is about creating complete communities. Communities that improve the quality of life for citizens, build connection, and create a competitive and collaborative spirit to enable the shared success with our neighbouring municipalities through the work of the Edmonton Metropolitan Region Board.
Request

Leverage the established regional partnerships with funding and support to deliver important services that meet the needs of current and future residents and businesses in our region. 

Foster Community Belonging and Public Safety

Caring and supporting for our most important community asset, people, requires ongoing partnership and understanding of the unique needs for Stony Plain.
Why is federal and provincial government commitment to support local social development important?
Ensuring the community provides safe and supportive opportunities for all to participate is a commitment of high value in Stony Plain.
Key examples
Click the accordions below to learn more about how Stony Plain is actively fostering community belonging and public safety.
Public safety
Public safety is an important shared responsibility that must be responsive to the needs of the community. The RCMP provides contracted police service for Stony Plain and is housed in a shared detachment serving the Town of Stony Plain, the City of Spruce Grove, Parkland County and the surrounding areas.

Police service oversight is governed by provincial legislation and an agreement between the federal and provincial governments. The federal government is responsible for the RCMP and the framework of services provided to the municipality. 

Social development
Stony Plain continues to foster a sense of community belonging and inclusion. The provincial government is also responsible for leading services for seniors, income, employment, disabilities and community-based supports, family violence prevention, and family & community support services.

Stony Plain, as well as a number of local organizations, have agreements with the provincial government to deliver services in support of shared goals for community and social development. 

Housing
Stony Plain's approach to meet housing needs is to monitor the changes in the community, to be responsive to demands and opportunities that align with community vision, and to use inform decisions to guide land use and development. Stony Plain’s population has grown an average of 1.5% per year, to almost 20,000 residents and is forecast to continue growing in the next twenty years. With this in mind, the Town is focused on ensuring safe, appropriate, and affordable housing to address the needs of both the current and future population of Stony Plain.

The federal and provincial governments continue to emphasize funding and commitment to increasing available and affordable housing. Through government and stakeholder collaborative planning and partnership, investments can provide timely and valuable housing.

Request
Ensure federal and provincial funding and support for housing in Stony Plain is responsive to local planning and needs. 

Objectives

 Advocating for Stony Plain
 Advocating for Stony Plain involves Council formalizing goals and practices around advocacy to other orders of government and key stakeholders. The objectives of coordinated advocacy are to:
  • Define what and how advocacy is conducted
  • Outline roles and responsibilities of Council and Administration
  • Define the advocacy initiatives with consistent key messages, target audience, stakeholders, and tactics
  • Provide transparency between Council and Administration regarding the actions and the monitoring of interactions between Council and other levels of government
  • Track the effectiveness of advocacy for each initiative. The advocacy plan is updated annually by Council to ensure the tactics are achieving the priorities and consistent with the Town’s Strategic Plan and Corporate Plan.