Town of Gibbons contests Alberta's viability review, defends financial recovery
Central Alberta municipality pushes back against provincial findings as it fights potential dissolution into county.
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The Town of Gibbons, located about 40 kilometres north of Edmonton, is disputing findings in a provincial viability review that examines whether the municipality can remain viable or should dissolve into Sturgeon County.
In a letter to Alberta Municipal Affairs Minister Dan Williams Wednesday, Gibbons Mayor Rick Henderson said the town respects the process but believes "a number of statements, assumptions and conclusions in the report are incorrect, incomplete or outdated."
The review, released Monday, came after Gibbons requested an expedited assessment in December while facing dire financial straits. The incoming council, elected entirely new in October 2025, discovered the town of 3,200 residents was more than $12 million in debt with an annual budget of about $3 million.
The provincial review cited non-compliance in 27 of 61 legislative requirement areas. Henderson countered that corrective action has been taken on 18 of those areas, with work continuing on the remaining nine. He noted the town has updated bylaws, advanced new financial policies, and strengthened governance processes.
"The compliance review identified issues that needed to be fixed — it does not support a conclusion that Gibbons is not viable," Henderson wrote.
The ministry confirmed it is aware of the town's concerns and noted that both Gibbons and Sturgeon County had multiple opportunities to participate in the process, including submitting information and providing feedback on draft findings.