South Peace News presents a series of question-and-answer features from regional elected local government leaders to explain goals and issues in the coming year. Jason Doris is the mayor of the Town of McLennan.
FROESE: What are the biggest challenges facing the municipality?
DORIS: One of our biggest challenges in McLennan is population.
Like most small communities in our region, and throughout Alberta for that matter, we’re seeing fewer younger families moving in and an aging demographic, which directly impacts things like school enrolment and long-term business sustainability.
It’s a catch-22 because we need more residents to have more businesses and services but we need more businesses and services to attract more residents.
The potential closure of our only school is also a significant issue.
Schools are often the heart of a small community and losing it would have a ripple effect – not just for families but for community identity as a whole.
FROESE: What are the top priorities, projects and issues in 2026?
DORIS: Our top priorities for 2026 are:
- Supporting efforts to maintain our local school, Ecole Providence.
Working alongside the Holy Family Catholic Regional Division to come up with creative ideas to increase enrolment and overcome the hurdles that are challenging the school’s viability.
- Continuing to promote the recreational side of McLennan.
Our lakeshore trails, the McLennan Campground, Kimiwan Lake Bird Walk, McLennan Railway Museum and Smoky River Regional Golf Course are just some of the activities that can be taken in.
- Encouraging business development and supporting existing businesses, working with our economic development board to explore all avenues.
FROESE: What are the key things to move the municipality forward to be sustainable and grow in the future?
DORIS: Sustainability and growth will come from being proactive and adaptable.
We need to focus on attracting people – whether that’s families, remote workers or retirees – and ensuring we have the services and amenities that make them want to stay.
We also need to support local entrepreneurship and continue with regional collaborative opportunities.
FROESE: What are some of the most challenging things about your role as mayor?
DORIS: One of the biggest challenges is balancing the needs and expectations of residents with the financial realities of a small municipality. Resources are limited and decisions often involve difficult trade-offs.
As a council, we try our best to make the right decisions to benefit our residents long term without losing sight of our fiscal responsibilities.
FROESE: What were some the biggest challenges the municipality faced in 2025?
DORIS: In 2025, we faced ongoing concerns around limited population growth, which affected enrolment at the school, business sustainability, as well as the challenge of maintaining services.
With a smaller tax base and inflation across everything, from insurance to materials for capital projects, as well as the federal and provincial governments downloading more costs to municipalities, it has made small-town viability more challenging than it has ever been.
FROESE: What was the most unexpected thing the municipality had to deal with in 2025?
DORIS: This is not specific to 2025, but I think I should mention it.
One of the more unexpected challenges was the speed at which concerns around the school escalated.
School staff and town residents were unaware that Holy Family Catholic Regional Division was considering closure. While enrolment trends have been an ongoing issue, the possibility of closure became more immediate, requiring quick action and community engagement.
FROESE: Any other comments to add?
DORIS: McLennan is a strong and resilient community with a lot to offer. While we face challenges, we also have dedicated residents, a great qualify of life and a council committed to moving the community forward.
We remain optimistic about the future and are focused on working together to ensure McLennan continues to be a place people are proud to call home.
Richard Froese
South Peace News