What Do Mid-Size Cities in Alberta Need?

Across Alberta, some of the fastest-growing communities in the province are not Calgary or Edmonton — but the mid-sized cities in between. Later this week, mayors from across Alberta will gather in Red Deer for the 2026 Mid-Sized Cities Mayors’ Caucus. Representing 25 municipalities, and nearly a quarter of Alberta’s population, these communities are home to more than one million Albertans — and some of the province’s most important industries, from energy and agriculture to technology and innovation. But growth brings challenges. Infrastructure funding. Affordability. Crime. Mental health and addiction. The rapid development of data centres. And the continuing economic uncertainty surrounding the Canada-U.S. trade relationship. For mid-sized cities, these are not just provincial issues. They are issues being felt directly in neighbourhoods, businesses and municipal budgets. The caucus provides mayors with an opportunity to speak collectively, share solutions and make sure the concerns of Alberta’s mid-sized communities are heard at both the provincial and federal levels. So, what will be on the agenda? What do these mayors hope to accomplish? And where do mid-sized cities fit into Alberta’s broader municipal landscape? To help us understand, we're joined by Jeff Acker, Chair of the Alberta Mid-Sized Cities Mayors’ Caucus and Mayor of the City of Spruce Grove. I’m Christopher Brown, and This is Municipal Affairs ------ Listen To The Show: Apple: https://apple.co/41p5I2I Spotify: https://bit.ly/3tkvb0E YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/crossborderinterviewswithchrisbrown ------ Follow Us On Social Media: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crossborderpodcast/ Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/crossbordernetwork.bsky.social Threads: https://www.threads.net/@crossborderpodcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CrossBorderInterviews/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/crossborderinterviews/ Website: https://www.crossborderinterviews.ca/ Municipal Affairs is Part of The Cross Border Network ©2026