Unit 5 - Alberta's Land-use Framework


Lesson 3: The Secretariat and Regional Advisory Councils



The Land-use Secretariat

Headed by the steward commissioner, who is responsible for overseeing the development and implementation of the seven regional land-use plans, the Land-use Secretariat was created by the Alberta Land Stewardship Act (ALSA).

Within the Alberta Land Stewardship Act, any Albertan who feels adversely affected by a regional plan may request a review of the plan or apply for compensation from the Crown.


Image Source: Pexels

The Secretariat is part of the public service sector of Alberta and has a variety of duties which include the following:  

  • leading the development of regional plans in conjunction with government departments and the Regional Advisory Councils (RAC)

  • co-ordinating public, stakeholder, and Aboriginal consultations

  • implementing, reviewing, and amending regional plans

  • assisting provincial departments, municipalities, and other local authorities in their roles within the Land-use Framework

  • providing administrative support to Regional Advisory Councils

  • issuing interpretation bulletins to further explain or clarify the Alberta Land Stewardship Act to assist planning

The Role of the Regional Advisory Councils (RAC)

Each Regional Advisory Council (RAC) must provide advice to government on the development of the regional plan. Members of the Regional Advisory Council must provide suggestions based on their personal knowledge of the region, and thus must have experience and expertise in the region. The government provides each Regional Advisory Council with "terms of reference" that includes the following:

  • roles and responsibilites of the council

  • designation of a chair and vice-chair and their responsibilities

  • rules governing the calling and conduct of meetings

  • dispute resolution strategy

  • code of ethics for members of the Regional Advisory Council

  • description of advice to be given by the Regional Advisory Council, and to whom it is to be given

The Regional Advisory Council is also given a separate "terms of reference" for the development of the regional plan.