News

Here are the MD of Spirit River’s 2025 Photo Contest Winners!

Ben Pawlett for 1^st place with a beautiful photo of a Bald Eagle and Jo Ann Edey as Runner Up with a lovely photo of Spring Flowers.

Thank you to everyone who participated in this year’s contest, making it another successful competition.

A big thank you to our wonderful judges, Harry Ezio and Rhonda Yurchyshyn. We appreciate your time & dedication!

As of noon today, Friday, October 24, 2025, the Municipal District of Spirit River #133 has a new Council.

Congratulations to everyone!!

Budget and financial statements

The MD or Spirit River’s annual budget details the services, programs, and infrastructure we offer to residents and businesses. This budget is carefully developed to provide a high quality of life at an affordable cost for residents and to provide an ideal location for businesses.

Current budget

Our annual budget consists of an operating and capital budget. The operating budget plans for the day-to-day costs of providing services to residents and businesses. The capital budget plans for the purchase of municipal assets and infrastructure.

Through the budgeting process, we identify the source of funding to cover these costs. These funding sources include property taxes, service fees, government grants, or financial reserves.

Budget process

Developing the budget is a two-stage process. First, an interim budget is approved in December to provide a general plan for services, programs, infrastructure, and related costs.

Once the Government of Alberta releases its budget – typically in March – The MD or Spirit River can confirm information about available grant funding and make any necessary adjustments to its interim budget. A final budget is typically set in late April, at which time the tax rates are also determined.

Shortly after the tax rates are set and the final budget is approved, residents and businesses will receive their tax notices.

Interested in perusing our Financial Operating Budgets, go to mdspiritriver.ab.ca/departments/finance and scroll down a little ways.

The Municipal District of Spirit River’s Shelterbelt Program is designed to promote the establishment of shelterbelts by providing residents with bulk-ordered tree seedlings at a cost-recovery rate. The program aims to reduce wind and water erosion, conserve energy for homes, and provide habitat and food for birds.

To participate, residents must submit an order form by December 20th each year to receive seedlings for the following growing season. Orders are fulfilled in bundles of 10 or 15 seedlings, and pickup occurs at the Public Works facility in Spirit River, typically in May.

The program is available only to residents of the MD of Spirit River, and while the specific tree species are subject to availability, seed viability, and growing conditions, any unfulfilled orders due to these factors will result in a reimbursement. The Agricultural Service Board (ASB) acts as an advisory body on agricultural matters, including this program.

Seedling options are White Spruce, Lodgepole Pine, Blue Spruce, Siberian Larch, Lilac, Manitoba Maple, Hybrid Poplar, and Golden Willow.

If you are an MD resident and would like to participate in the Shelterbelt Program, click on mdspiritriver.ab.ca/departments/agricultural-services/shelterbelt-form to place your order.

10-DP-25 Notice of Approval

Click on the link to see the unofficial results of the 2025 Municipal Election:

Unofficial-Election-Results

Due to a lack of quorum this evening’s regular council meeting has been cancelled.

Due to a staff shortage, the office will be closing its doors at 11:30AM TODAY and be open by appointment ONLY after this time. If you’d like to make an appointment, please call the office at (780) 864-3500.

Thank you for your cooperation!

VOTING RULES for the 2025 General Municipal Elections

for MD of Spirit River #133 eligible voters

To Vote:

Mark each ballot by placing an “X” in the space provided on the right hand side opposite the name of the candidate(s) of your choice. You may vote for up to FIVE (5) Candidates. You may vote for less than the maximum number, but not for more or ballot will become VOID.

After Marking Your Ballot:

Fold ballot so that your markings are concealed and the initials of the deputy who issued the ballot are visible, then hand the ballot to the deputy supervising the ballot box. The deputy will, after verifying the initials on the ballot, deposit the ballot in the ballot box OR, at your request, return the ballot to you for deposit in the ballot box.

Spoiled Ballot:

If you have marked your ballot in error, or defaced it in any way, you may return it and obtain a replacement from the deputy who gave it to you. If a ballot is torn or defaced or otherwise dealt with by an elector so that the elector can be identified, the ballot is marked “rejected” and will not be counted.

** You may ONLY vote ONCE **

It is an offence to take a ballot out of the voting station.

Upcoming 2025 General Municipal Elections happening on 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘆, 𝗢𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟮𝟬𝘁𝗵 with Advance Voting on this coming 𝗙𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗮𝘆, 𝗢𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟭𝟴𝘁𝗵.

A few things to remember:

The MD of Spirit River #133 now has 𝗔𝘁-𝗟𝗮𝗿𝗴𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 (formerly wards system).

This means you may choose up to 5 candidates for Council regardless of where you or the candidates live in the MD – 𝘢𝘯𝘺𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘔𝘋 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘷𝘰𝘵𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘢𝘯𝘺𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘰𝘵. You may 𝗢𝗡𝗟𝗬 vote 𝗼𝗻𝗰𝗲 for each candidate to a 𝗺𝗮𝘅𝗶𝗺𝘂𝗺 of 5 candidates. Any ballots with more than 5 candidates checked off will become VOID.

🗳️ 𝗩𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗥𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 ~ Remember your ID!

To be eligible to vote in the 2025 Municipal Election, you must:

✔ be at least 18 years old

✔ be a Canadian citizen

✔ reside in the MD of Spirit River #133

✔ complete and sign the Election Register

✔ provide proof of identification

 𝗩𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗜𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻:

⮕ Government issued ID that includes your name, photo, & current address;

⮕ Two pieces of ID: BOTH with your name, at least one with current address (current utility bill or property tax statement are acceptable);

⮕ Vouching: an eligible voter in your voting area can vouch for you.

★ Be sure to get out and vote if you want your voice heard! ★

To see the Official Register of Nominated Candidates, go to http://mdspiritriver.ab.ca/…/Register-of-Official…