- City of Edmonton
- City of Spruce Grove
- Town of Stony Plain
- Town of Devon
- Sturgeon County
- Lac Ste. Anne County
- Leduc County*
- Brazeau County
- Yellowhead County
- Village of Spring Lake
- Betula Beach
- Kapasiwin
- Lakeview
- Point Alison
- Seba Beach
Regional Planning
Intermunicipal Collaboration Framework (ICF)
An Intermunicipal Collaboration Framework (ICF) is a tool used to facilitate cooperation between neighbouring municipalities, delivering shared services in an efficient and cost-effective manner. For example, ICFs can include services such as fire response or bylaw enforcement.
ICFs set clear expectations of how services will be delivered and funded, outlining the steps municipalities will follow to resolve any disputes. They also include processes for reviewing the agreement and updating it as needed over time.
By establishing shared expectations and clear service agreements, ICFs create a foundation for cooperation between municipalities.
Why Do We Have ICFs?
ICFs are required under Alberta's Municipal Government Act (MGA) for all municipalities that share a border.
Many municipal services cross borders, and are costly to deliver on their own, or are used by residents from more than one community. Without coordination, municipalities may duplicate services and infrastructure, overspend, or offer inconsistent service levels. ICFs help municipalities work together, reduce unnecessary costs and make better use of taxpayer dollars.
Service Areas
All ICFs must address five key service areas:
- Transportation
- Water and sewer services
- Solid waste
- Emergency services
- Recreation
Impacts of the EMRB disbandment
Prior to its disbandment on March 31, 2025, of the Edmonton Metropolitan Region Board (EMRB) provided a regional forum and coordinated policy framework for growth, land use, and servicing decisions for its member municipalities. With the EMRB now disbanded, neighbouring municipalities must manage these relationships directly. As a result, Parkland County is required under Alberta’s Municipal Government Act to establish new Intermunicipal Collaboration Frameworks (ICFs) and Intermunicipal Development Plans (IDPs) with former members of the EMRB, such as the City of Edmonton, City of Spruce Grove, and Town of Stony Plain. These agreements will formalize how municipalities work together on shared services, infrastructure, land use planning, and dispute resolution, ensuring continued coordination, responsible growth management, and protection of long-term regional interests.
Opt Out Agreements
In compliance with Section 708.28 of the Municipal Government Act, municipal districts (counties) with common boundaries are exempt from creating a framework if both municipal districts determine and agree that they do not require one.
On August 19, 2025, administration from both Parkland County and Leduc County met to review land use, development, and shared services along the shared boundary.
The North Saskatchewan River forms the boundary between the two counties, providing a natural buffer that minimizes the potential for land use conflicts. The surrounding land is largely agricultural, and existing planning frameworks are sufficient to manage development.
Both municipalities also agreed that our shared services are managed well through the existing service agreements, and an ICF is not required to adequately provide these services across our borders.
Based on this review, both municipalities agreed that neither an ICF nor an IDP is required at this time.
Intermunicipal Development Plan (IDP)
An Intermunicipal Development Plan (IDP) is a provincially required agreement created between municipalities that share a common border. Parkland County develops IDPs with many neighbouring municipalities to plan responsibly and coordinate development in areas near shared boundaries. An IDP helps municipalities work together proactively, reducing the possibility of future land use conflicts and supporting the region overall.
Currently, Parkland County has prepared IDPs in partnership with the following municipalities:
- Brazeau County
- Lac St. Anne County
- Summer Village of Betula Beach
- Summer Village of Point Alison
- Summer Village of Seba Beach
- Village of Spring Lake
- Yellowhead County
Impacts of the EMRB disbandment
Prior to its disbandment on March 31, 2025, of the Edmonton Metropolitan Region Board (EMRB) provided a regional forum and coordinated policy framework for growth, land use, and servicing decisions for its member municipalities. With the EMRB now disbanded, neighbouring municipalities must manage these relationships directly. As a result, Parkland County is required under Alberta’s Municipal Government Act to establish new Intermunicipal Collaboration Frameworks (ICFs) and Intermunicipal Development Plans (IDPs) with former members of the EMRB, such as the City of Edmonton, City of Spruce Grove, and Town of Stony Plain. These agreements will formalize how municipalities work together on shared services, infrastructure, land use planning, and dispute resolution, ensuring continued coordination, responsible growth management, and protection of long-term regional interests.
Frequently asked questions about IDPs:
What is the purpose of an IDP?
An IDP ensures coordinated, long-term growth along a shared municipal boundary while providing assurance of future development goals to residents who live within the plan area. IDPs help communities grow together through:
- Land use planning and collaboration
- Coordinating growth
- Transportation connections
- Infrastructure and servicing coordination
- Environmental protection in boundary areas
- Procedures for resolving disagreements
- Processes for monitoring and updating the plan
Why is an IDP developed in the first place?
The completion of an IDP is a new requirement under the Government of Alberta, which requires that all municipalities that share a common boundary adopt an IDP.
Under the Municipal Government Act, municipalities must provide opportunities for the public to be involved before adopting an IDP.
Is an IDP related to a specific development project?
IDPs do not propose any specific development projects, nor are they triggered by them. Instead, an IDP is a long-range planning document that outlines how lands along the municipal boundary will be developed in the future.
Will an IDP redistrict my land?
No, your land's existing land use district is not affected by an IDP. Instead, IDPs involve future development planning and are developed with consideration to existing land-use policies in areas that are already developed.
