A small Alberta village could be no more as viability review ramps up
A small village in central Alberta could lose its municipal status after a provincial viability review began in July 2025.
The village of Donalda is located east of Red Deer and has a population of around 240 people. According to the Government of Alberta, at the request of the Minister of Municipal Affairs, a viability review was initiated for the village back in 2025.
“A viability review is a process that helps municipalities determine their ability to continue as a municipality or develop a plan that leads to viability. These reviews support communities to plan for long-term success,” the website states.
“The Village of Donalda is currently in the early stages of the municipal viability review process being conducted by Alberta Municipal Affairs,” Shaleah Fox, Mayor of Donalda, said when speaking with Daily Hive.
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The review looks at the municipality’s community, governance, administration, services, finances, and infrastructure to bring information together and allow residents to make informed decisions.
During a public information session on Jan. 21, 2026, Alberta Municipal Affairs “provided an overview of the viability review process and invited residents to identify the information they would require in order to make an informed decision when a vote is held,” Fox said.
The next stage of the review is an infrastructure audit. After the audit, another information session will be held, in which the findings will be available to the public. The final step of the viability review process will be a public vote, expected to take place in the fall of 2026.
Fox says that residents have expressed a range of perspectives on what a potential dissolution of a hamlet could mean for the community. “Some residents have identified possible considerations such as taxation or administrative structure, while others have raised questions related to service levels, property values, and community identity.
“At this stage, no outcomes have been determined, and these views represent general considerations rather than conclusions,” she added.