Irrigation Council - Public Members Selection Criteria

The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development (ARD) selects qualified Albertans to serve as public members of Irrigation Council (IC) according to the Irrigation Districts Act (the Act).

IC assists the Minister and ARD to maintain a strong, efficient and sustainable irrigation industry within Alberta.

Under the Act, IC:

Makes recommendations to the Minister respecting any matter under the Act;
Monitors the operation and financial performance of Alberta’s 13 irrigation districts;
Acts as the appeal body for specific issues listed in the Act; and
Has any other powers conferred to, and performs any other duties imposed on it, by the Minister.

In addition, IC plays a key role to assist in administering the province’s cost-shared Irrigation Rehabilitation Program (IRP) which assists irrigation districts to rehabilitate their critical water conveyance infrastructure. This infrastructure delivers water to many and varied users throughout southern Alberta. IC grants approvals to irrigation districts to spend the IRP funds received and plays a significant role in setting policies and procedures for the administration of the program. This ensures accountability of the public’s ongoing investment in the rehabilitation of irrigation district infrastructure.

Eligibility
All IC members, as well as the Chair, are appointed by the Minister.

Qualifications
Potential IC members should have:

Familiarity with agriculture in Alberta and the role it plays in rural development;
Knowledge of the irrigation industry in Alberta;
Consensus-building skills and experience working in a committee environment;
A reputation for strong integrity and fairness;
Effective communication skills;
Well developed analytical, critical thinking and decision making skills;
Strategic thinking and relationship building skills; and
A reputation for good judgement.

In addition, experience and skills in the following areas are also desirable:

Knowledge and experience in board governance and processes, particularly quasi-judicial bodies;
Experience in policy and procedure development;
Committee leadership;
Familiarity with analysing financial statements; and/or
Infrastructure construction.

Terms
Appointments are for terms of up to three years. Members are eligible for reappointment.

Time Commitment
Eight one-day Council meetings are held annually. In addition, there are approximately nine (9) days of tours/meetings with the irrigation districts. Throughout the year various workshops, conferences and annual general meetings may require Council’s attendance. As the Appeal body under the Act, Council member panels conduct appeal hearings as required.

Remuneration
Serving as a public member should not be considered as employment, but rather as an opportunity to serve the public in a volunteer capacity. For this public members are paid an honorarium and travel expenses in accordance with Government of Alberta rates.

Additional information on IC membership can be obtained from:

Irrigation Secretariat
Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development
Room #328, Provincial Building
200 – 5 Avenue South
Lethbridge, AB T1J 4L1
Phone: 403-381-5176

Irrigation Council - Public Members Selection Criteria

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