News

The Municipal District of Spirit River has proclaimed September 15 – 21, 2025, as Rail Safety Week

Railways are an integral part of Alberta’s transportation system moving several million tons of goods within the province each year. This includes petroleum, forest and agriculture products, as well as other manufactured and consumer products. The Alberta government, through Alberta Transportation, is responsible for regulating provincially regulated railways, which include approximately 345 industrial railways, 7 heritage railways, and 3 public railways. The provincial government ensures safety through inspections, incident investigations, and enforcement of legislation.

Rail Safety Week is a time to celebrate the volunteers and organizations that educate and raise awareness of rail safety in Canada. It serves as a critical reminder for the public to stay at a safe distance from tracks, never use them as a shortcut, and always obey railway signs and signals. Statistics show that trespassing incidents and crossing accidents remain a serious concern, with a significant number of Canadians injured or killed annually, most of which are preventable.

Due to a water main break, the Town of Spirit River’s Bulk Water Station, which is located on the east side of 52nd Street and south of Highway 49, is temporarily closed until further notice.

Fire Advisory

Due to the changing conditions in this region within the last few days we are moving to a Fire Advisory.  Keeping in mind that areas of exposed cured fuels still could pose a significant fire risk. The Fire Advisory will take effect for the areas within the borders of the MD #133 of Spirit River.

Please exercise caution when conducting activities in dry cured fuels.

Open burning of heavy fuels will not be permitted currently until conditions improve.

Safe Campfires are allowed, as well as residential fire pits with a valid permit in the Town of Spirit River and the Village of Rycroft.

Please make sure your campfire is completely extinguished when you leave it (Soak It, Stir It, Soak It Again).

Clear debris from hot spots on your Off-Highway Vehicle (Knock It Off).

This Advisory will remain in place until conditions improve.

If the fire hazard continues to increase, further restrictions may be implemented.

Check www.albertafirebans.ca

Please contact MD Administration office (780) 864-3500, if you have any questions about this advisory.

Issued by Fire Chief – B. Kroes

To see the MD of Spirit River’s current list of nominated candidates for the 2025 Municipal Election, click on the following link:

Register for Official Candidate Nominations

𝘊𝘩𝘦𝘤𝘬 𝘣𝘢𝘤𝘬 𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘰𝘥𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘢𝘴 𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘵 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘣𝘦 𝘶𝘱𝘥𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘢𝘴 𝘯𝘦𝘸 𝘤𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘪𝘥𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘯𝘰𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘥.

NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING
MUNICIPAL DISTRICT OF SPIRIT RIVER NO. 133

Notice is hereby given that Reeve Tony Van Rootselaar is calling a Special Meeting of Council of the Municipal District of Spirit River No. 133 to be held on Wednesday, August 27thth, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. in Council Chambers, Municipal District of Spirit River Administration Building, located at 4202 – 50th Street, Spirit River, Alberta.

AGENDA:
1) Delegation Edward Telford – JDP Wasserman – 2024 Audited Financial Statements
2) Appointment of Economic Development Officer – Montana Bremont
3) Appointment of Acting Chief Administrative Officer – Shirley Hayden
4) Interim Signing Authority – Dave Johnson

Dated at the Town of Spirit River, in the Province of Alberta, this 22nd day of August 2025.

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Please join Council during their Special Council meeting either in person at the MD Administration Office or virtually by clicking on teams.live.com/v2 and entering the following:

Meeting ID: 264 391 029 436 5
Passcode: sn9dY6S7

Watch from your browser or download the app @ https://meet.goto.com/install.

Due to a staff shortage, the office will be closing at 2:00PM today – Thursday, August 21, 2025. If you have an emergency and need assistance, please call the office at (780) 864-3500.

Thank you for your cooperation!

Join us for a 120th Birthday Party for our beautiful province, on 𝗔𝘂𝗴𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝟮𝟵𝘁𝗵 from 𝟭𝟭:𝟬𝟬𝗔𝗠 𝘁𝗼 𝟯:𝟬𝟬𝗣𝗠, at the 𝗡𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗮𝗺 𝗖𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 where the MD of Spirit River will be hosting a BBQ, music, and family-friendly activities for everyone.

𝘈𝘭𝘣𝘦𝘳𝘵𝘢 𝘋𝘢𝘺 𝘪𝘴 𝘢𝘯 𝘰𝘱𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘶𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘶𝘴 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘵𝘰 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘵𝘰𝘨𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘪𝘯 𝘤𝘦𝘭𝘦𝘣𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘰𝘧 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘨𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘸𝘦 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘢𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘥.

Hope to see you there!!

The 2025 Tax Notices for the 2024 assessment year are due by the end of business day on September 16, 2025.

If you have NOT received your notice(s), please contact the MD office at (780) 864-3500. Notices were mailed on May 16, 2025 through Canada Post.

On August 14, 2025, the Municipal District of Spirit River No. 133 announced it has officially declared an Agricultural Disaster due to severe and ongoing drought conditions across the region. This decision, effective August 6, 2025, reflects the dire state of the local agricultural sector.

Precipitation and soil moisture levels in the Peace Region have been consistently low to extremely low, with some areas receiving as little as 30% of their average rainfall this growing season. “Consequently, crop conditions in the Peace Region are rated at 22% good to excellent compared to the regions 10-year average of 66.9%, provincially, the remainder of the province is 68.8% good to excellent,” stated MD of Spirit River Reeve Tony van Rootselaar. Poor pasture conditions are also a major concern for the livestock industry, raising fears about feed availability for the fall and winter. The district also noted moderate to severe grasshopper infestations, which are further stressing crops.

“This crisis has put many producers, particularly livestock producers, in a difficult position forcing them to make tough decisions about the future of their operation,” Reeve van Rootselaar expressed. “The municipality recognizes and is concerned about the economic and mental health impacts multiple years of drought is having on producers.”

In solidarity with other regional municipalities facing similar issues, the district urges both the Government of Alberta and the Government of Canada to recognize the severity of this situation and implement a coordinated strategy to support this vital industry and its producers.

The Municipal District of Spirit River No. 133 is committed to advocating for the well-being and prosperity of its agricultural community. The district has contacted the Alberta Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation and the Canadian Ministry of Agriculture and Agri-Food to request that producers be made eligible for all available assistance and support programs, including the federal Livestock Tax Deferral program.

Producers needing assistance or support are encouraged to contact the Agricultural Services Department at samting@mdspiritriver.ab.ca or (780) 864-3500 ext. 218.