What are the Functions of the Irrigation Council?

The powers and duties of Council are outlined in Section 51 of the Irrigation Districts Act and include:

Making recommendations to the Minister respecting any matter under the Act,
Monitoring the operation and financial performance of the thirteen irrigation districts
Granting approval for irrigation districts to expend money under a cost-sharing agreement between the district and the Government of Alberta
Acting as an appeal body for matters specified in the Act

Irrigation Council:

Reviews the Audited Financial Statements for each irrigation district for the use of sound management practices
Encourages the development and implementation of viable economic and technical plans for the long-term sustainability of irrigation districts and their infrastructure
Establishes policies and procedures to ensure accountability of the public’s ongoing investment in the Irrigation Rehabilitation Program (IRP), a multi-million dollar provincial cost-shared program with the irrigation districts
Approves irrigation district applications to participate in the IRP
Approves irrigation district rehabilitation projects to be built with IRP funds
Audits IRP projects to ensure the irrigation district is performing adequate maintenance to maximize the life of the infrastructure
Supports the resolution and mediation of matters under appeal
Conducts appeal hearings and renders decisions as required under the Act
Maintains the "Standards for the Classification of Land for Irrigation in the Province of Alberta"
Meets with the board of directors of each irrigation district on an annual basis to share information

Other Documents in the Series

What is the Irrigation Council?
Irrigation Council's Mission Statement
What are the Functions of the Irrigation Council? - Current Document
Who May Appeal to the Irrigation Council?
What is the Membership of the Irrigation Council?
Irrigation Council - Position Profile
Who Carries Out the Decisions of the Irrigation Council?
How Do We Contact the Irrigation Council?
What is an Irrigation District?
What is the Purpose of the Irrigation Districts Act?
Irrigation Council Compensation Disclosure

For more information about the content of this document, contact Rebecca Fast.
This information published to the web on December 15, 2004.
Last Reviewed/Revised on January 29, 2019.