NEW CHARTER SUPPORTS GROWTH IN LLOYDMINSTER

Saskatchewan, Alberta and the City of Lloydminster signed a new Lloydminster Charter today, updating the legal framework for the governance and administration of the city and commemorating more than 80 years of intergovernmental co-operation.

"Like many Saskatchewan communities, Lloydminster is growing," Saskatchewan Government Relations Minister Jim Reiter said. "So it was the right time to revisit the Charter to ensure it serves the needs of those living in this unique city. We are proud of the work done with our partners so our border city can provide effective local governance as this community continues to grow."

"The new Lloydminster Charter represents years of hard work and collaboration between the city and governments of Alberta and Saskatchewan," Alberta Associate Minister of Municipal Affairs Greg Weadick said. "This is, however, more than a tri-partite agreement for Canada's border city; it gives the City of Lloydminster the right tools to govern its citizens today and in the years to come."

The new Charter updates the city's authority, allowing for more flexibility and innovation and aligning it with current provincial legislation for Alberta and Saskatchewan cities. It is easier to understand and modernizes the regulations and processes that apply to municipal government.

"The new Lloydminster Charter is a milestone for the City of Lloydminster," Lloydminster Mayor Jeff Mulligan said. "The Charter seamlessly aligns Lloydminster with legislative powers to enable the effective operation of our municipality in both provinces, while providing increased accountability and flexibility. We thank our bi-provincial partners and our teams of dedicated personnel for their work in renewing this important document and their commitment to ensuring the Charter paths in an orderly fashion with provincial legislation in the future."

The last major update of the Charter was in 1979. The new Charter is approved through orders in council in both Saskatchewan and Alberta and will come into effect on January 1, 2013.

The Village of Lloydminster, first established 1903, was split in two when the provinces of Saskatchewan and Alberta were created in 1905. In 1930, the two communities became a single municipality, the Town of Lloydminster, by order in council in both provinces. On January 1, 1958, the Town of Lloydminster received its charter as the City of Lloydminster and became the 10th city in both provinces.

Lloydminster is the only border city in Canada that is incorporated as a single city with a single municipal administration.

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For more information, contact:

Jay Teneycke
Government Relations
Regina
Phone: 306-798-6095
Email: jay.teneycke@gov.sk.ca
Cell: 306-529-8630

Jerry Ward
Public Affairs
Alberta
Phone: 780-427-8862
Email: jerry.ward@gov.ab.ca

Katie Ryan
City of Lloydminster
Lloydminster
Phone: 780-875-6184 ex
Email: kryan@lloydminster.ca
Cell: 780-871-2759