The Alberta Bilingual Municipalities Association (ABMA) is an initiative that began in November 2010 and is modeled after the Association of Manitoba Bilingual Municipalities (AMBM).
Originally known as the “Concerto Network”, the ABMA brings together Alberta municipalities that wish to highlight the added value of bilingualism for sustainable economic development. Its economic, social and cultural contributions help increase the influence of these communities. The Concerto Network became ABMA in the spring of 2017.
Since the ABMA does not yet have funding to support its ongoing activities, it is the CDÉA that contributes to the ongoing activities and tries to secure funding that will eventually allow the ABMA to fly on its own wings.
OUR MISSION
Our mission is to advocate for economically vibrant, sustainable, bilingual communities through a collaborative network of municipalities.
OUR VISION
To unite municipalities by promoting their prosperity through bilingualism.
OUR VALUES
COLLABORATION
- Bring people together to brainstorm ideas.
- Find common ground between municipalities, administrations, and other organizations to support members and share successes.
LEADERSHIP
- Provide guidance and communication with municipalities.
- Provide confidence in our projects.
- Collaborate with the municipalities.
PASSION
- Believe in our organization.
- Empower or help others.
- Be excited with our decisions.
RESPECT
- We value the diversity of our communities.
- In our progression, communications and decisions, we will strive to reflect our diverse contexts and needs.
OUR MEMBERS
SIX AVANTAGES OF ABMA MEMBERS
FOUR PILLARS FOR THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF ABMA MEMBERS
CONTACTS
HISTORY OF THE ASSOCIATION
2018 was a year of change for ABMA with the withdrawal of the City of Saint-Albert and the accession of the City of Grande Prairie in early summer. In September 2018, the Village of Girouxville officially joined the association.
September 2018 :During the Rendez-vous of Réseau des villes francophones et francophiles d’Amérique (RVFFA-The Francophone and Francophile Cities Network ) in the city of Grande Prairie, CDÉA and RVFFA signed a collaboration agreement aimed at developing the tourism sector in Northern Alberta.
2019 :CDÉA received funding from Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD) for its project “Developing Francophone and Aboriginal Tourism Experiences in Northern Alberta“.
August 2020 : Five municipalities and villages joined ABMA in the summer of 2020: the Municipality of McLennan, the County of Northern Sunrise, the County of Smoky Lake, the Municipality of Smoky Lake and the Municipal District of Bonnyville.
A meeting of its members to establish a strategic plan for the association for the next three years was held in Edmonton in August 2020.
November 2010
The idea was started under the brand of Concerto Network aimed to foster collaboration among Alberta municipalities.
2013 :The first three members of the ABMA were the Hamlet of Plamondon, the County of Lac La Biche and the Town of Beaumont.
2014 :In the second year, seven new members joined the network: the Municipality of Legal, the Municipality of Morinville, the City of Saint-Albert, the Municipality of Saint-Paul, the Municipality of Bonnyville, the Municipal District of Smoky River and the Municipality of Falher.
2016 : The village of Donnelly officially joins its ranks.
2017
The Concerto Network was incorporated and became the Alberta Bilingual Municipalities Association.
