Governance

The Minister

The Kananaskis Improvement District is managed under a unique local governance model. Under this model, many of the decisions needed to run the KID have been delegated to Council by ministerial order. The Minister delegates authority to provincial employees or Council for specific purposes. Part 6 of the Municipal Government Act sets out the respective roles and responsibilities of the Council and administration.

In the Improvement District, the Minister refers to the Minister of Alberta Tourism, Parks and Recreation because the Minister of Municipal Affairs has delegated certain powers, duties and functions to the latter, pursuant to Section 589 of the Municipal Government Act. In the eyes of the law, the Minister can be more than one person for the purpose of getting things done. When a provincial employee or the Kananaskis Improvement District Council does something delegated to it by the Minister, the action is effectively done by the Minister.

Resolutions and ID Orders

Council can make decisions by passing a resolution or by passing an Improvement District Order. A Council resolution or an Improvement District Order can be made only when the Minister has delegated responsibility for a decision to Council. Where the Municipal Government Act requires something to be accomplished through “by-law” and the Kananaskis Improvement District Council has been delegated the responsibility to make decisions in this area, an Improvement District Order is used. Please see the KID Orders section in the reference library for full listings.

Ministerial Orders

For matters where the Minister is still responsible for making decisions, Council submits a recommending resolution to the Minister through the Chief Administrative Officer. The Minister strongly considers the recommendations of Council in such matters. Ministerial decisions are carried out through ministerial orders. Ministerial orders which apply to the KID are listed in the reference library.