M.D. of Taber reeve reflects on 2024 in the region

Posted on February 6, 2025 by Vauxhall Advance

By Heather Cameron
Vauxhall Advance
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

2024 was the year that the M.D. of Taber celebrated their 70th anniversary.

“It was a time to commemorate seven incredible decades of growth, innovation, and resilience,” said Tamara Miyanaga, current Reeve for the M.D. of Taber. “It was a great celebration, but more so a testament to the spirit and unity of our community.”

Reeve Miyanaga says that over the last 70 years, the M.D. of Taber has ‘seen many changes and more to come in the name of progress’ including highway twinning, additional irrigated acres, innovative crops, ranching, businesses, and new opportunities.

“We continue to grow while respecting our history,” said Reeve Miyanaga. “Growth, Change and People are what define us.”

2024, Reeve Miyanaga says, was a year that Council and Administration, with the support of residents, took on projects that will enhance the municipality into the future, and Council appreciates the public engagement that was involved in each project.

One of the major projects of the year, Reeve Miyanaga says, was the Transportation Master Plan. That Plan, Reeve Miyanaga says, is now complete and will now begin to be operational.

In-depth public consultation and administrative discovery has occurred on the future management of the 82,000 acres of municipal lands, Reeve Miyanaga says, and further exploration of that topic will occur in 2025.

Information about the proposed new Land Use bylaw and other proposed changes including development officer approval, development permits for agricultural buildings, group country mixed use zoning and additional dwellings, Reeve Miyanaga says, can be found on the M.D. of Taber website: https://www.mdtaber.ab.ca/.

New businesses, economic growth and advancement in agriculture demonstrates the growth in the municipality, Reeve Miyanaga says. The Enchant subdivision, Reeve Miyanaga says, opened with 34 residential lots, there are seven lots in Hays, there are commercial lots available in Hays and east of Vauxhall, and there will be a new Grassy Lake subdivision opening in 2025.

Reeve Miyanaga emphasizes that the twinning of Highway 3, an increase in intensive livestock operations, expanded irrigation acres, and alternative energy options truly continue to advance the M.D. of Taber.

“Southern Alberta has witnessed a significant increase in agricultural production, accompanied by numerous residential and industrial land development opportunities,” said Reeve Miyanaga. “Spanning from the City of Lethbridge to the City of Medicine Hat, this region contributes $1.8 billion to the agricultural Gross Domestic Product, supporting more than 120 agri-food processing industries.”

One of the significant development opportunities in the M.D. of Taber that unfolded in 2024, Reeve Miyanaga says, is the completion of Phase 1 of the Horsefly Emergency Spillway Project and the continuing development of Phase 3.

“The regional emergency spillway will ensure the ongoing safety and security of residents throughout the region, while concurrently generating up to 150 new construction jobs,” said Reeve Miyanaga. “The enduring economic impact of these infrastructure upgrades promotes long-term community resilience and establishes the requisite foundation for attracting additional investments in the agri-food processing industry, thereby heralding a brighter future for all residents of Southern Alberta. The project, through protection of irrigation infrastructure, will also contribute to ensuring a more stable potable water supply for most communities along Highway 3.”

The success of the project, Reeve Miyanaga states, is due to collaboration with Southern Alberta municipalities and the support of the Government of Canada, Government of Alberta and St. Mary River Irrigation District.

“Communication is an MD of Taber a priority,” said Reeve Miyanaga. We operate a free automated communication tool that delivers real time alerts via text messaging, email notification, voice messaging and multi-municipality coverage. Messaging is also delivered on our website, weekly updates, quarterly newsletters, as well as detailed information on Facebook, and X(Twitter). This year we expanded our communication to a What’s App channel.”

For more information about how the M.D. of Taber communicates with residents, Reeve Miyanga says, people are welcome to visit: https://www.mdtaber.ab.ca/p/stay-connected. 

In addition to digital communication, Reeve Miyanga says, there are also in-person opportunities to gather information about happenings within the M.D. of Taber. ‘Coffee With Council’ gatherings will also continue on into 2025 and the M.D. of Taber’s annual general meeting is scheduled for April 17, 2025.

Also, Reeve Miyanaga says, if the municipality has concerns or requests, they can submit their queries through the Service Tracker Online or APP, but if the concern is Bylaw related, the concern can be submitted online or by calling 403-223-8991.

Residents also have access to Council or Administration, Reeve Miyanaga says, and an opportunity to request an addition to an agenda or attend the Council meetings in order to address Council.

“There has been much public engagement in 2024, and we are grateful for the many perspectives that were shared, as such helps Council when considering and contemplating decisions regarding potential policies that will further the community as a whole,” said Reeve Miyanaga. “We appreciate the effort that everyone puts forward in sharing their thoughts. A meaningful takeaway from the M.D. of Taber, from the many things that have been taking place in 2024, is the reality that everyone – from residents, to Council, to staff, to businesses, care about the municipality. MD of Taber is a great place to live and grow families, while feeding the world.”

Reeve Miyanaga says that 2025 will focus on continuing to address the M.D. of Taber’s 2,400 km transportation network, finding solutions to improve infrastructure and operations, and giving attention to agriculture, which is the M.D. of Taber’s ‘driving force.’

Through an Agricultural Services Board (ASB) bylaw change, Reeve Miyanaga says that Council has added community members Leavitt Howg, David Johnson, and Sheldon Zdan to the Agricultural Services Board (ASB) board, which creates a renewed focus to support the ag industry.

“2024 we honoured our past, celebrated the present and now in 2025, we look forward to a bright future with our residents, neighbours and partners,” said Reeve Miyanaga.