The Metro Region Board now has eight municipalities: Calgary, Airdrie, Chestermere, Okotoks, High River, Cochrane, Foothills County, and Rocky View County. 

Wheatland County and the Town of Strathmore have been removed from the Calgary Metropolitan Region Board (CMRB) by Municipal Affairs Minister, Ric McIver. 

“It is clear that the CMRB’s plans for growth in the region largely did not include Strathmore and Wheatland," states McIver in a written statement, "which is why we are streamlining the process by removing them from the board. Continuing without them just makes sense.” 

McIver met with members of the CMRB yesterday to discuss the draft of its growth plan that has yet to be adopted by the province and to announce his decision to remove two municipalities he believed didn't fit into the picture. 

Airdrie-Cochrane MLA, Peter Guthrie, stated “I am happy to see the Minister of Municipal Affairs actively addressing issues around CMRB, including the decision to remove the Town of Strathmore and Wheatland County from CMRB. Given their geographical location, relatively small population, and related costs as compared with other municipalities, it was determined that their removal was the best course of action.” 

Guthrie continued on, “further consultations are required to address the remaining concerns with CMRB’s governance. I look forward to future discussions on the matter.” 

Angela Pitt, who represents a portion of Wheatland County as the MLA of Airdrie-East, believes this is also a good thing. 

“I've been hearing their concerns with their participation in the regional board for many years now, and it certainly didn't make sense that they were included and now they are not, which is great news, because it never really made any sense.” 

Pitt says she doesn’t believe this will affect Airdrie or Rocky View County in any way. 

McIver provided feedback on what changes he wanted to see in the growth plan, and the CMRB will have until April 15 to respond. 

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