For RMA, 2025 was a year of continued organizational growth. We built stronger in the areas where we already lead, while continuing to identify and act on new opportunities to support members. For me personally, 2025 was my first full year serving as RMA President, and it allowed me to continue to provide direction and strategic guidance to an organization filled with individuals, at both the board and staff level, with a passion for rural Alberta and a desire to push RMA to the head of the pack in everything we do, from advocacy to procurement to insurance to benefits. I remain so proud and humbled to lead this organization, which is unique not only within Alberta and Canada, but worldwide in terms of balancing our local roots with a willingness to think big and deliver!

On the advocacy front, 2025 marked continued growth within the team to ensure RMA has the capacity and expertise to effectively represent members in relation to the increasingly complex policy environment we find ourselves in. The organization’s approach to seeking positive advocacy outcomes continued to be grounded in balancing a collaborative and solutions-oriented focus with a willingness to push back on policy approaches that were harmful to rural municipalities.

Throughout 2025, Canoe Procurement increased their value to members by solidifying their presence as a public sector procurement leader across Canada. The Canoe Team’s willingness to identify new member and vendor opportunities “anywhere, anytime” is unmatched in the industry and has resulted in tremendous value to Alberta’s rural municipalities in the form of reduced costs and a seamless procurement experience. One of the highlights of 2025 was the growth of Canoe Benefits as a means to further support municipalities and public sector entities in Alberta and beyond. The team has identified many more opportunities for 2026, and we are excited to support their continued growth.

RMA Insurance continued at the forefront of the sector in 2025. The ongoing focus on customer service, proactive approaches to minimizing risk, and innovative ways to maintain reasonable rates in a challenging insurance market speaks to the team’s skillset, expertise, and prioritization of supporting members. In 2025, RMA also commenced the creation of Tributary Public Risk, designed to make insurance available to an increasingly broad public sector customer base. While Tributary did not officially launch until 2026, much of the complex behind the scenes work to bring it to life happened in 2025.

Under the leadership of Executive Director and CEO Duane Gladden, RMA continues to be an incredible organization operated by a skilled and dedicated group of people. My experience in 2025 confirmed what I already knew and expect to continue in 2026 and beyond: when you have a skilled team, strong leaders, and the confidence to push the boundaries of how we can support rural Alberta, the possibilities are endless!

2025 was a defining year for RMA. We strengthened our advocacy, delivered meaningful outcomes on issues that matter to rural municipalities, and made strategic decisions that have positioned the organization for long-term success. Today, RMA is in the strongest financial position in its history, supported by a growing portfolio of businesses and an exceptional team focused on delivering value for our members.

RMA has grown into an organization with significant influence, financial strength, and national reach, while remaining firmly grounded in its purpose: ensuring rural municipalities have a strong voice and access to the services and solutions they need to succeed. That strength belongs to our members, and it allows us to advocate with greater impact, invest in new opportunities, and continue raising the bar for what a municipal association can deliver.

RMA’s advocacy impact was clear in 2025. Our infrastructure research gave rural municipalities the evidence they needed to demonstrate the scale and urgency of Alberta’s $17.25B infrastructure deficit. Through our Below the Drill campaign launched in 2024, we drew greater attention to the effects of unpaid oil and gas property taxes and continued to push for meaningful action. This work helped lead to the creation of the Provincial Tax Accountability Strategy (PTAS) group in 2025 and a Government of Alberta commitment to address an issue our members have carried for far too long.

We also made significant investments in strengthening RMA’s federal advocacy. Decisions made in Ottawa have real consequences for rural municipalities, and we have been deliberate about building relationships, credibility, and capacity needed to ensure rural Alberta is part of those conversations. Establishing a stronger federal presence is a long-term investment in our members and in RMA’s ability to influence decisions at every level of government.

Our financial strength gives us another important advantage. Much of RMA’s success has been supported by the continued performance and diversification of our wholly owned subsidiaries. RMA Insurance and Canoe Procurement remain foundational to the organization, while Canoe Captive and Tributary Public Risk create new opportunities to serve members and public sector organizations in different ways. With Canoe Energy coming in 2026, that portfolio will continue to grow. RMA now operates in every province and territory in Canada except Quebec, an extraordinary evolution that ultimately increases our capacity to deliver for the rural municipalities that built RMA in the first place.

None of this happens without strong leadership. We are fortunate to have a dedicated, forward-thinking Board of Directors willing to make decisions with the long-term health of the association in mind. I am equally proud of our staff and, in particular, our leadership group, whose expertise, commitment continue to move this organization forward.

As I reflect on 2025, I hope our members share that sense of pride. This is your association. Its strength, reputation, and success have been built on the trust and participation of rural municipalities across Alberta. RMA has never been stronger, and I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve built together.

2025 was a year of strong financial performance, strategic investment, and continued growth across the RMA Group of Companies. Through prudent financial stewardship and a commitment to delivering value for members, we strengthened our financial position while continuing to invest in the services, technology, and people that support Alberta's rural municipalities. Throughout the year, our teams rose to the occasion with discipline, innovation, and a shared commitment to excellence.

2025 is the first full fiscal year following the change to a December year-end. Accordingly, the comparative financial results should be viewed in the context of a 12-month period in 2025 versus the five-month stub period in 2024.

Our departmental dashboards demonstrated positive results across the organization, including improvements in operational efficiency, financial reporting, technology modernization, member service delivery, and capital management. Strategic investments in systems, infrastructure, and staff development have enhanced our ability to serve members today while positioning the organization for long-term sustainability.

While these achievements are reflected in the numbers, they are ultimately a reflection of the trust our members place in us and the dedication of our employees in serving them every day. By maintaining a strong financial position, we are able to continue investing in innovative solutions, enhancing member services, and ensuring the long-term sustainability of the programs and organizations that support rural Alberta.

On behalf of the finance team, I would like to sincerely thank our members for their continued confidence, engagement, and support. Your participation helps guide our decisions and ensures we remain focused on delivering value where it matters most.

I would also like to extend my gratitude to the Board of Directors for their leadership, oversight, and strategic guidance throughout the year. Their commitment to sound governance and long-term planning continues to position the organization for success.

Together, we have built on a strong foundation in 2025, and we look forward to continuing that momentum as we serve our members and strengthen rural Alberta for generations to come.