The Process

Annexation is a provincially legislated process of transferring land from one municipality to another.

Through the Municipal Government Act (MGA), the Province outlines a specific process for annexation. The annexation process involves negotiations between local governments, public engagement, a formal review by the Municipal Government Board (MGB), and a final decision by the Lieutenant Governor in Council. On average the process takes two to five years to complete. The MGB will make a recommendation on the proposal, and the Government of Alberta will make the final decision.

The process for annexation is as follows:

1. The municipality proposing the annexation must provide notice to the Municipal Government Board (MGB) and the municipality that it wants to annex land from.
2. Both municipalities must meet, discuss the annexation proposal and negotiate in good faith.
3. A negotiation report is prepared and sent to the MGB.
4. If the annexation is a simple and uncontested application (with signed consents from the landowners and the responding municipality), the application is processed.
5. If the annexation is contested (there are no signed consents), the MGB will advertise for objections and anyone can submit objections or concerns.
6. If there are objections, and there is not general agreement and mediation attempts have failed, the MGB will conduct a public hearing(s).
7. After the hearing, the MGB will prepare a recommendation for consideration by the Minister.
8. The Lieutenant Governor of Alberta will consider the Board’s recommendation and approve, approve in part or refuse the annexation proposal.

For More Information

Annexation Team

Telephone	780-442-2294
Email	annexation@edmonton.ca