Amalgamation Study

The amalgamation of Clearwater County and the Village of Caroline has come into effect January 1, 2025.

The path to amalgamation began in 2020 when a grant was received to study the feasibility of municipal restructuring. Since then, the path has included negotiations, a proposal to the Minister of Municipal Affairs, and finally the approval of the Municipal Affairs Order in Council to amalgamate the municipalities of Clearwater County and the Village of Caroline to form "Clearwater County."

Click here to view the Order in Council

Project Background

  • 2020
    •  The Village of Caroline Council indicated a desire to enter negotiations for Amalgamating with Clearwater County.
    • Subsequently, Clearwater County, in partnership with the Village of Caroline, applied for an Alberta Community Partnership (ACP) – Municipal Restructuring Study Stream Grant. 
  • 2021
    • Through the above grant funding the 2021 Regional Governance Study was completed (between the Town of Rocky Mountain House, Clearwater County, a Village of Caroline)
  • 2022
    • On June 28, 2022, both Village and County Councils authorized the Clearwater – Village Intermunicipal Collaboration Committee to undertake and oversee the amalgamation study project.
  • 2023
    • Through another grant funding the May 2023 Clearwater County-Village of Caroline Amalgamation Study Report was completed (Watch the May 23, 2023 regular Council meeting live stream recording)
    • Following the Amalgamation Study Report presented to both Councils in May of 2023, the Village of Caroline Council authorized negotiations to begin with Clearwater County; and, in September 2023, Clearwater County reciprocated this authorization for immediate amalgamation negotiations, involving the entire Councils. These negotiations are to be conducted through an Amalgamation Committee.
    • On November 2, 2023, the first meeting of the Clearwater County & Village of Caroline Amalgamation Councils Committee of the Whole was held in the Clearwater County Council Chamber. These meetings mark the beginning of formal negotiations, with a focus on transparency through live-streaming and recording. The establishment of this Amalgamation Committee comes from recently passed bylaws that enable the two municipalities to formally enter negotiations prior to making a decision on whether or not to pursue amalgamation. More updates will be provided as information becomes available. For those interested, you can view the live stream on the County's YouTube Channel or find more information on the official website.
  • 2024
    • The Amalgamation Committee concluded negotiations May 24, 2024. 
    • The Amalgamation Committee approved the Draft Amalgamation Report, to be approved individually by Clearwater County and Village of Caroline Councils and then be submitted to the Minister of Municipal Affairs.
    • Clearwater County and Village of Caroline Councils approved the Amalgamation Report at their respective meetings.
    • Order in Council approved on December 4, 2024.

Full historical project details can be found here: https://www.clearwatercounty.ca/m/amalgamation

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