February 26, 1999

On-line community set to transform local government

Municipal Affairs minister Iris Evans

A new virtual community is gearing up to go on-line, helping municipalities conduct their daily business and educating the public on municipal issues.

Called MuniMall.net - a $1.6 million joint venture between Alberta Municipal Affairs and the University of Alberta - the Internet site will provide "life-long learning opportunities and new ways to communicate" for anyone interested in municipal issues and developments, says Municipal Affairs Minister Iris Evans. A network of links will tap into a wide range of existing and new information sources. The project is funded through the Municipal 2000 Sponsorship Program and the U of A will contribute $280,000 over the first two years.

The site will allow engineering companies, for example, to offer their services on-line. Municipalities may also use it to tender infrastructure and construction projects, and municipal officials will be able to meet each other through chat rooms and Web conferencing. The U of A will oversee the project's development and operation for the first two years.

Dr. Bert Einsiedel, executive director of the university's Institute for Professional Development, says anyone interested in municipal government will have access to the Local Government Certificate Program on-line through the Faculty of Extension's Government Studies Program. The first courses will be available by September, 1999, and new courses will be added each semester. Einsiedel calls the site "a comprehensive approach to life-long learning, offering access to information, people and resources around the world at any time."

You can find the Web site at www.MuniMall.net. It will feature regular updates and information on the progress of the project until the network is officially up and running this spring.

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