New 2025 Provincial Mandate Letter Analysis
With new mandate letters recently issued to some Alberta Ministries, we’ve compiled an analysis to help you understand what these changes mean. This is a nonpartisan review intended to support nonprofits navigating processes and partnerships within the provincial government.
New Provincial Mandate Letters
On Wednesday, September 17, the Premier of Alberta issued new mandate letters to four Ministries: Arts, Culture and Status of Women; Jobs, Economy, Trade and Immigration; Tourism and Sport; and Forestry and Parks.
Mandate letters are issued at the beginning of a term, and these are new letters coming mid-way through this election cycle, with the next provincial election expected in 2027.
We are working on a detailed look and analysis of these new mandates, which will be out early next week, and in the meantime, here are a few quick takeaways.
Property Taxes and Your Nonprofit: An Important Update
Throughout the fall and winter of 2024, the Nonprofit Chamber participated in the Ministry of Municipal Affairs consultation on the Community Organization Property Tax Exemption Regulation (COPTER), which provides Alberta municipalities with criteria and conditions to use for determining property tax exemption eligibility for Alberta nonprofit organizations.
Throughout the consultations, the Nonprofit Chamber emphasized consistency, fairness, and transparency in applying COPTER. The principles governing COPTER were established in 1997 and we urged a review of those principles to more accurately reflect the breadth and depth of the sector, while also increasing the ability for municipalities to achieve the policy intent of supporting nonprofits that contribute to public benefit.
Federal Tariff Relief Announcement
Stabilizing supply chains, protecting jobs, and maintaining confidence in key industries is not a quick fix it will take sustained effort from government and business alike. While I understand the monumental challenge this government is facing, there's a clear gap. In the entire response, there is one mention of nonprofits.
Federal Consultation on Expanded Data Collection
The federal government has opened consultation on draft legislation that would significantly expand its data collection for nonprofits.
2025 State of the Alberta Nonprofit Sector Survey
The 2025 State of the Sector Survey is live!
This is your opportunity to shape how we respond to the real challenges facing Alberta’s nonprofits. Your insights will feed into our upcoming State of the Sector report, which provides crucial information for Alberta nonprofits, funders, and other stakeholders, and helps guide advocacy and action throughout the year.
Alberta Nonprofit Leaders’ Summit and the Future of Nonprofit Funding
Our Friday panel discussion on the Future of Nonprofit Funding was especially powerful, with four speakers bringing bold and thoughtful perspectives. Our President & CEO, Angie Gélinas, has highlighted key takeaways from this discussion. Have a read and let her know what resonates with you. Let’s keep this conversation going. Don’t hesitate to reach out.
2025 Alberta Cabinet Update
Following the conclusion of the spring sitting of the Legislature, Premier Danielle Smith made changes to her cabinet last week. As a strong sector of more than 30,000 organizations, nonprofits in Alberta touch many different ministries. The cabinet changes that most affect our sector are as follows:
The Ministry of Immigration is moving to Jobs, Economy and Trade, and getting a new Minister in Joseph Schow
Childcare has been added to the Education portfolio under Minister Demetrios Nicolaides
Mental Health and Addiction will now be represented by Minister Rick Wilson
Indigenous Relations has a new Minister in Rajan Sawhney
Tourism and Sport has a new Minister in Andrew Boitchenko
The current Ministry of Housing, Community and Social Services under Minister Jason Nixon will see a name change to Assisted Living and Social Services
Introducing our new President + CEO!
We are thrilled to introduce you to the new President + CEO of the Nonprofit Chamber.
Angie Gélinas brings a unique blend of cross-sector leadership experience, with a diverse career that has spanned the nonprofit, government, arts, and business sectors. Angie has served as a deputy minister, cultural leader, business strategist, and facilitator—roles that have shaped her as a bold advocate for mission-driven work and systems-level change.