Welcome to Sturgeon County’s webpage on the Town of Gibbons’ Viability Review.

This site is a central source for review updates, background information, and key details about the Viability Review process. It’s designed to help both Town and County residents stay informed with accurate, fact-based information as the review moves forward. Sturgeon County’s goal is to ensure this process remains open and transparent every step of the way. Please check back often for the latest on this evolving situation.

On January 11, 2026, the Government of Alberta received a request from the Town of Gibbons, asking the province to conduct an expedited viability review for the town due to their ongoing financial crisis.

On February 5, the province confirmed that a review was warranted and provided notice to Sturgeon County that this process was beginning immediately under short timelines.

Since that time, the County has been working closely with the Alberta Municipal Affairs as it moves forward with its viability review for the Town of Gibbons. This situation is a challenging one for both the Town, the County, and the province.

The Government of Alberta leads viability reviews. These reviews are part of the Municipal Government Act, which outlines several options for communities that are no longer sustainable, including dissolution. The review looks at several factors concerning the Town of Gibbons, including what may be needed to return the Town to a stable financial position, and what a dissolution scenario could look like.

At the end of the review, a report will be created (the Viability Report) outlining the findings of the province. The report will also provide context for Gibbons’ residents on what things could look like if the community were to remain an independent town and what things could look like if the community became a Sturgeon County hamlet. Topics such as finances, service delivery, infrastructure, and more will be explored.

While viability reviews generally require at least 12-to-18 months to complete, the current review has been expedited, with an overall anticipated timeline of approximately five months. Based on the information provided in the Viability Report, Gibbons’ residents will be asked to vote on whether they wish to remain independent or dissolve. This vote will likely occur at the end of June, 2026. Sturgeon County residents will not have to vote on this matter.

For more information on the Viability Review process, as led by Alberta Municipal Affairs, please click here: Town of Gibbons - Initial Public Information Session (March 11, 2026).