BONNYVILLE – A bylaw that would effectively remove MD of Bonnyville advertising in local newspapers is being considered by council members.
On Dec. 14, MD council passed the first reading of Bylaw 1830 Public Notification Bylaw.
In introducing this proposed bylaw, CAO Al Hoggan told council, “This [bylaw] includes moving the majority of advertising to digital platforms including the municipal website and social media platforms.”
The bylaw would allow the municipality to use online methods to advertise bylaws, resolutions, meetings, public hearings, and other things as required under the Alberta Municipal Government Act to inform its residents and ratepayers, instead of local community newspapers.
Currently, the MD uses both print and digital communication in its strategy to keep its residents informed of its operations.
The Public Notification Bylaw would permit the MD to only use one method that would reach “the attention of substantially all residents in the area,” as is outlined by Section 606 of the amended AMGA.
Additionally, the proposed MD bylaw states public notifications would only need to be posted for a minimum of two weeks whenever reasonably possible, or as required by federal, provincial, or municipal legislation.
The methods of communication proposed in the MD’s bylaw includes the use of newspaper(s), the MD’s social media platforms, the MD’s opt-in electronic communications, “and/or any other means determined appropriate by the municipality or necessary by the Municipal Government Act.”
Hoggan stated that a benefit of moving public notifications onto the MD’s website and social media platforms would “allow for timely notification and may increase efficiencies for select MD services.”
Although, the CAO acknowledged, “there will be occasions throughout the year where more traditional advertising (i.e. through local newspapers) will be necessary in order to meet legislative requirements.”
“Moving to digital notifications will also result in $100,000 savings in the marketing and communications operating budget,” Hoggan told council. “That’s already approved in the 2023 budget.”
Council weighs in
Following the introduction of the bylaw, Coun. Mike Krywiak said, “I heard loud and clear from two seniors who are very much opposed to this.”
Coun. Ben Fadeyiw also noted that he had heard similar concerns from some residents in his ward.
“I do have some senior people that have made some comments to me, but I think we will manage it,” said Fadeyiw.
He added that he is glad cuts to print media are happening as a phased approach and not all at once.
Reeve Barry Kalinski followed by saying, “It’s not like we are shutting every last thing down and the papers.”
Publisher responds
However, Lakeland This Week publisher Clare Gauvreau said the fact that this bylaw is even being considered should be deeply concerning to all MD residents.
“Let’s be clear here, the MD does not require a new bylaw to publish its public notices, development information, bylaws and other legal notices on its website. It is already doing that and has been for several years,” Gauvreau said in response to the first reading of the bylaw following the MD meeting.
“It does, however, need this bylaw if it is the intent of administration and council to remove print media from the equation, and only use a digital platform to keep its residents informed.”
Gauvreau maintained MD residents receive their information and news about the MD of Bonnyville in a number of ways and local newspapers serving the MD continues to be an important tool in ensuring open and transparent government.
“We’re talking less than a 0.3 per cent expense on an overall MD operating budget of $109.4 million in 2023 to maintain a trusted and proven method of communication with its ratepayers. The question council should be asking itself is not ‘how much will we save by not advertising in local newspapers?’ The more important question is, ‘what is the larger cost of not using every available means to keep ratepayers informed’?”
Gauvreau said the suggestion by the CAO that moving its advertising to a digital only scenario could increase efficiencies in MD operations should be a red flag.
“I suppose if people are not adequately informed and thus not engaged in knowing what’s going on in the MD, there is certainly an opportunity for increased efficiency, but not necessarily to the benefit of the people who live in the MD.”
According to Hoggan, the municipality’s previous print media budgets were roughly $286,000 annually.
“The MD 2023 budgets that were passed, we removed $100,000 of that... a lot of the things we do can be done statutorily through our digital presence,” he told council.
Responding to questions posed by council, Tracy Wasylow, the MD’s communications coordinator, added that the print media budget encompassed all of the municipality’s print publishing such as advertising in magazines and all the MD’s in-house print publications for all departments that range from tourism to economics, as well as local newspapers.
“We publish in what was formerly known as the Bonnyville Nouvelle, which is now Lakeland This Week, the Cold Lake Sun and the Respect newspaper which is the seniors’ newspaper,” said Wasylow. “And the things that we advertise in there are approved planning and development permits, Discretionary Use Hearings that are coming up, events and hall happenings and various things.”
Following council’s discussion, the CAO added, “I would also remind council, we discussed this extensively at budget deliberations and received direction, and council passed the budget with $100,000 removed from this particular file. So, if council were to not approve this and want to go in a different direction then we would be coming back with a budget amendment, looking to balance that budget with the $100,000 that it would have been reduced by.”
In response, Krywiak said, “I understand what you’re saying Mr. CAO, but the seniors did not hear about that when we were having budget discussions, so I was told about this just the other day after they found out about this.”
Coun. Josh Crick noted his support of ratepayers being notified of public notices through email for those who choose to sign-up for it. He moved to accept the first draft of the Public Notification Bylaw.
Council voted unanimously in favour of the bylaw. Coun. Darcy Skarsen was not present at the meeting.
Ratepayers and stakeholders in support or against the bylaw will have the opportunity to speak before council at a public hearing scheduled for Jan. 10, 2023, at 9:30 a.m. at MD council chambers.
