Special Areas Board

Special Areas Board
Boundary sign
Boundary sign
Distribution of Alberta's three special areas
CountryCanada
ProvinceAlberta
RegionsCentral and Southern Alberta
Census divisionNo. 4
Special Areas Act1938
Government
[1][2]
 • Governing bodySpecial Areas Board
 • ChairpersonJordon Christianson (acting)
 • Minister of Municipal AffairsRic McIver
 • District officeHanna
Area
 (2016)[3]
 • Land20,375.79 km2 (7,867.14 sq mi)
Population
 (2016)[3]
 • Total
4,184
 • Density0.21/km2 (0.5/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC-7 (MST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC-6 (MDT)
WebsiteSpecial Areas Board

The Special Areas Board is the governing body of Alberta's special areas. Special areas are designated rural municipalities similar to municipal districts; however, the elected advisory councils are overseen by four representatives appointed by the province, under the direct authority of Alberta Municipal Affairs.[4][5]

The three special areas were created in 1938 under the authority of the Special Areas Act[6] as a result of hardship brought upon a particular area in southeastern Alberta during the drought of the 1930s.[4] A special area is not to be confused with a specialized municipality, which is a completely different municipal status.

The special areas are administered under the provisions of the Special Areas Act.[7] The three special areas are located in southeast Alberta within Census Division 4.

  1. ^ "Municipal Officials Search". Alberta Municipal Affairs. May 9, 2019. Retrieved October 1, 2021.
  2. ^ "Alberta Municipal Affairs". Alberta Municipal Affairs. Retrieved May 25, 2015.
  3. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference 2016censusABmunis1 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ a b "Types of Municipalities in Alberta". Alberta Municipal Affairs. May 16, 2008. Retrieved December 18, 2008.
  5. ^ "About The Special Areas". Special Areas Board. Retrieved December 27, 2009.
  6. ^ "Special Areas Act". Alberta Queen's Printer. Retrieved December 6, 2009.
  7. ^ Alberta Queens Printer - Special Areas Act