News Release: Morinville recognized with Minister’s Award for community engagement for accessible approach

Morinville recognized with Minister’s Award for community engagement for accessible approach 

Morinville, Alta. - An initiative that began with Council’s strategic direction to enhance community engagement has earned Morinville a Government of Alberta Minister’s Award for Enhancing Community Engagement or Livability in the over 10,000 population category. 

This provincial recognition reflects a broader shift in how Morinville approaches community engagement — providing residents with different ways to participate, meeting people where they are, and keeping resident voices at the centre of municipal decision-making. 

More ways for residents to participate  

A key part of that shift began in January 2022 with the launch of Engage Morinville at engagemorinville.ca, supporting Council’s strategic priority to enhance community engagement. The platform gives residents a central place to participate in surveys, project consultations, and budget engagement on their own schedule.  

Online engagement is complemented by in-person opportunities, including open houses, workshops and pop-ups at community events. Major projects, such as Morinville’s Municipal Development Plan, have used several of these approaches together to make participation more accessible.  

“What makes this recognition especially meaningful is that it reflects the relationship we are continuing to build with our residents,” said Mayor Simon Boersma. “Council made a commitment to creating more opportunities for people to have a voice in the decisions that affect their community. We have seen residents embrace those opportunities, and their input continues to help shape Morinville.”  

Keeping residents informed and involved  

Since Engage Morinville launched, the platform has recorded more than 32,000 visits and an engagement rate of 26.4% (as of February 2026). Participation in the Community Policing Priorities Survey also increased 400% from 2025 to 2026, demonstrating continued growth in resident participation.  

Morinville also closes the loop by sharing engagement results online and providing updates to Council, helping residents see what was heard and how their feedback informed projects, plans and decisions. 

[VIDEO] Watch Morinville’s approach to community engagement in action. 
 
Learn more and participate at engagemorinville.ca 

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Media contact(s):  

Tracy Dalzell-Heise | Manager, Communications & Legislative Services | Town of Morinville  

P: 780-939-7639 | C: 587-341-5889 | tracydalzell-heise@morinville.ca