Special Areas Board
Special Areas Board | |
|---|---|
Boundary sign | |
Distribution of Alberta's three special areas | |
| Country | Canada |
| Province | Alberta |
| Regions | Central and Southern Alberta |
| Census division | No. 4 |
| Special Areas Act | 1938 |
| Government | |
| • Governing body | Special Areas Board |
| • Chairperson | Ryan Francis (acting) |
| • Minister of Municipal Affairs | Ric McIver |
| • District office | Hanna |
| Area (2016) | |
| • Land | 20,375.79 km2 (7,867.14 sq mi) |
| Population (2016) | |
• Total | 4,184 |
| • Density | 0.21/km2 (0.5/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC-7 (MST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-6 (MDT) |
| Website | Special Areas Board |
The Special Areas Board is the governing body of Alberta's special areas. Special areas are designated rural municipalities similar to municipal districts; however, the elected advisory councils are overseen by four representatives appointed by the province, under the direct authority of Alberta Municipal Affairs.
The three special areas were created in 1938 under the authority of the Special Areas Act as a result of hardship brought upon a particular area in southeastern Alberta during the drought of the 1930s. A special area is not to be confused with a specialized municipality, which is a completely different municipal status.
The special areas are administered under the provisions of the Special Areas Act. The three special areas are located in southeast Alberta within Census Division 4.