Edson’s new municipal government tackled its first agenda on Oct. 28, approving multiple grant applications and making some organizational decisions as well.
In its regular meeting, council authorized administration to apply for a few grants: one under the 2026 Alberta Municipal Internship Program, administered by Alberta Municipal Affairs, as well as the 2025/2026 Forest Resource Improvement Association of Alberta (FRIAA) FireSmart Vegetation Management Grant and Fire Guard Grant.
The grant from municipal affairs would be used to employ an administrative intern for an 18-month term.
The initiative is intended to encourage recent post-secondary graduates to pursue careers in municipal government, and there are three internship streams available: administrative, finance, and land use planning. This grant application will be made under the administrative stream, as it includes exposure to all areas of municipal operations.
Grant recipients would receive $62,500 in total funding to cover salary, benefits, training and other related expenses.
The FRIAA grants would support the continued maintenance and protection of forested areas within the Town of Edson.
As the approved 2026 Operating Budget includes expenses for creating fire guards and taking on other FireSmart activities, which are contingent on grant approval, there are no additional financial implications for the town’s Operating or Capital Budgets.
Also on Oct. 28, council attended an organizational meeting, where a deputy mayor rotation was determined. Councillor Pat Fogarty will fill the role until June 30, 2026. All subsequent eight-month rotations will occur in alphabetical order, as follows:
- Councillor Fogarty (October 28, 2025, to June 30, 2026),
- Councillor Shawn Holden (July 1, 2026, to February 28, 2027),
- Councillor Greg Pasychny (March 1, 2027, to October 31, 2027),
- Councillor Al Schram (November 1, 2027, to June 30, 2028),
- Councillor Peter Taylor (July 1, 2028, to February 28, 2029), and
- Councillor Corrie Wilson-Leier (March 1, 2029, to October 15, 2029)
Council also approved the schedules for upcoming regular council meetings and Committee of the Whole meetings.
And finally, members were appointed to various boards and committees, such as the Family and Community Support Services advisory board, the Edson Youth Council, Intermunicipal Committee, and many more.
