News

Heads up, MD of Spirit River Residents

A property assessor will be in the area this week (January 6^th-9^th), completing routine property assessment inspections.

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to call the Assessor’s Office at Northern Sunrise County at (780)624-0013.

Thanks for your understanding and cooperation!

The Municipal District of Spirit River No. 133 is seeking a full-time Municipal Clerk 2 – Reception and Accounts Receivable to provide front-line administrative and financial support in a busy municipal office. Reporting to the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) and Director of Corporate Services, this position is responsible for reception services, assisting the public, processing payments and invoices, maintaining records, and supporting accounts receivable functions. The role also assists with website and social media updates, permits, contracts, banking, and coordination with multiple municipal departments. The successful candidate will be organized, detail-oriented, personable, and committed to delivering excellent customer service.

Why Work with Us
The Municipal District of Spirit River No. 133 provides a supportive and professional work environment where your contributions have a direct impact on the community. These roles offer valuable experience in municipal administration, finance, and customer service, with exposure to a wide range of departments and services. We value teamwork, professionalism, and public service, and we are committed to providing a safe, respectful, and inclusive workplace.

To access the job description, go to Employment Opportunities.

AI Financial Scams Targeting Seniors in Northern Alberta: What’s Happening and How to Protect Loved Ones

Across Alberta and right here in the Central Peace, seniors are being targeted by a growing wave of financial fraud — and scammers are using artificial intelligence (AI) to make their schemes look more convincing than ever. This isn’t about technology for technology’s sake — it’s about real harm to people’s savings, peace of mind, and trust.

What the Scam Landscape Looks Like Today

Financial scams targeting older adults aren’t new, but the use of AI is giving fraudsters a troubling edge:

AI-Enhanced Calls and Voice Mimicking

One of the most chilling developments is scammers using AI to mimic voices — often pretending to be a grandchild, close relative, or trusted acquaintance in crisis. In recent cases in Alberta, fraudsters used AI-generated voices to make the calls seem shockingly real, claiming a loved one was jailed or in an emergency situation and urgently needed thousands of dollars for bail or legal fees. Victims were instructed to keep quiet and send funds immediately. These scams aren’t just about phone calls. Scammers may also create deepfake audio or video, harvest details from social media, and build believable backstories to emotionally manipulate their targets.

Social Media and Fake Investments

AI and online tools let scammers generate convincing fake investment opportunities on social media — complete with fabricated endorsements, professional-looking profiles, and bogus claims of high returns. Seniors, who are often more trusting of people they meet online or via message, can be drawn in by the promise of financial security or friendship.

Traditional Scams — With a Modern Twist

Old tricks like the “grandparent scam” — where an impostor calls a senior claiming a family member is in trouble and needs money — are still widespread. Alberta police have long warned that these scams have cost residents hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars in losses over recent years.

Scammers also spoof legitimate phone numbers, posing as banks, government agencies, or even local police fraud departments, telling seniors their accounts have been compromised to pressure them into acting quickly.

Why Seniors Are at Higher Risk

Several factors contribute to seniors being targeted:

• Life savings & assets: Older adults are more likely to have accumulated savings or property.
• Isolation: Living alone or being less socially connected can make someone more receptive to a friendly voice or online contact.
• Trust: Scammers exploit kindness and the instinct to help loved ones in need.
• Technology gap: Not everyone grows up with digital literacy, and AI tools can amplify convincing deception.

Real Stories with Big Losses

While not always AI-related, recent northern Alberta reporting highlights how devastating these scams can be. For example, an online investment fraud in Barrhead resulted in about $200,000 lost by one victim.

These cases show how quickly deception — once initiated — can snowball into huge financial damage.

Warning Signs Seniors (and Their Families) Should Know

Here are some common red flags:

🔹 Urgency or secrecy — “You can’t tell anyone.”
🔹 Unusual payment requests — gift cards, crypto, couriers, e-transfers.
🔹 AI-like voices or too-believable impersonation — sounding exactly like a loved one.
🔹 Pressure to act immediately — scammers thrive on panic.
🔹 Unsolicited investment offers or messaging from strangers.

How Families Can Help Protect Loved Ones

👇 Here’s what works:

🧠 Educate and talk regularly
Have open conversations about common scams with your seniors. Ask them to pause and check in with family or trusted friends before sending money.

📞 Verify independently
Encourage seniors to call back on a known number, not a number the caller gives them.

💬 Use family tech support
Help them set up trusted contacts or teach them how to identify phishing texts, emails, or fake social media profiles.

🛑 Slow down pressure tactics
Remind loved ones that real emergencies rarely appear via urgent texts or calls demanding money without proper verification.

📍Report suspicious activity
You or your loved one can report fraud to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre or your local RCMP detachment.

AI hasn’t just changed the landscape of financial services — it’s changed how fraudsters operate. While this can feel overwhelming, knowledge and open communication are powerful defences. Albertans can help protect the seniors in their lives by staying alert, informed, and connected.

If you’re a caregiver, family member, or community volunteer, start the conversation today about scams. The more informed we are, the harder it is for fraudsters to succeed.

Snow Plowing in Full Force Across the Municipality

We are currently experiencing an exceptional amount of snowfall, and our crews are working extended hours to clear the many roads and essential routes across the MD with limited resources.

We appreciate the patience and understanding of our residents, businesses, and visitors as snow removal progresses across the MD’s rural road network. These conditions take time to manage safely and effectively, and your cooperation helps ensure the safety of our operators and the broader community during these challenging conditions.

Please exercise caution on all roadways and allow extra time to reach your destination. We appreciate your support as we work through this severe weather event.

Stay safe and warm.

Please join Council during their Regular Council meeting on December 17th @ 4:00 PM, either in person at the MD Administration Office or virtually on Teams.

Join the Meeting Now

Passcode: fK9wP9Xu

For access to the agenda, click on December 17, 2025 Regular Meeting Agenda.

Our annual budget consists of an operating and a 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, and financial reserves.

We welcome you to check out both the 2025 Capital & Operating Budgets.

Looking to sharpen your non-profit skills this winter? Click on the Winter 2026 Webinar Flyer and select any session to access the registration page. All webinars are hosted on Zoom and are free to attend.

The Alberta Non-profit Learning Centre (NPLC) also provides a collection of resources to support governance, operations, program delivery and services in the community.

New Resources Roundup!

Check out the latest additions to the NPLC! We’ve just uploaded some new animated videos, online courses and other resources packed with valuable insights and practical takeaways. Explore them today!

To find these resources, visit the Alberta Non-Profit Learning Centre at https://alberta.ca/NonProfitLearning.

New animated videos

• Basic facilitation skills: Wave analysis https://nonprofitlearning.alberta.ca/learn/#/course/156969/overview
• The importance of succession planning for non-profit organizations: https://nonprofitlearning.alberta.ca/learn/#/course/153255/overview
• Vision, mission and values for non-profit organizations: https://nonprofitlearning.alberta.ca/learn/#/course/153248/overview
• Financial management: https://nonprofitlearning.alberta.ca/learn/#/course/153254/overview

New online courses

• The role of insurance in a non-profit’s risk management plan https://nonprofitlearning.alberta.ca/learn/#/course/157421/overview

New Board Governance Guides

• Budgeting for non-profit organizations https://nonprofitlearning.alberta.ca/learn/#/course/164312/lesson/659614/screen/1
• Effective board chairs https://nonprofitlearning.alberta.ca/learn/#/course/164314/lesson/659616/screen/1

If you have any questions, send them an email at communitydevelopment@gov.ab.ca.

Maintaining strong client connections while adapting to changing needs remains a priority for AFSC. With that in mind, they have a dedicated team member, Zoe Iwasiuk, supporting Spirit River clients.

Clients can also visit any of their other branch offices in the north, contact the Client Care Centre by phone, Chat with an Expert, or connect with a Client Care Agent through AFSC Connect.

A public hearing is being held for the proposed Land Use Amendment Bylaw No. 03-AM-2025 to support a proposed residential subdivision by redistricting the area of land identified with black hatch marks within Part of RL1-79-5-W6 from Agriculture (AG1) District to Country Residential 1 (CR1) District, as shown in the provided Map

Hearing will be held in Council Chambers at the MD Office, 4202 – 50 St, Spirit River.