Ashtin Anderson
Athabasca County Councillor Division 3
Respectful, Professional, Community Minded Leadership
About Me
Welcome! My name is Ashtin Anderson, and I am proud to be seeking re-election as Councillor for Division 3.
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I was born and raised in the Caslan area, and today I am raising my daughter just down the road from where I grew up. As a mom, a community leader, and a farmer, I understand firsthand the values, traditions, and challenges that shape life in our rural community.
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My professional background in the engineering field, specializing in bridge and road construction, has given me the tools to make informed decisions about one of the most pressing issues in our County: the long-term renewal of our infrastructure. I firmly believe County planning should be proactive when possible, not reactive — looking ahead, protecting taxpayers, and avoiding unnecessary tax increases caused by last-minute fixes.
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I will always call Athabasca County home. That’s why I’m deeply invested in making sure our County is managed efficiently, responsibly, and with a strong vision for the future.
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It has been an honour to serve our community, and I look forward to continuing to represent you with honesty, accountability, and common sense.
Top Priorities
Proactive Infrastructure Planning
- Long-term asset management for roads, bridges, fire halls, water & sewer, public works buildings, etc.
- Avoid emergency infrastructure closures and protect taxpayers from unnecessary increases
Fiscal Responsibility & Value for Taxpayers
- Spend wisely, plan ahead, and maximize grant funding when possible.
- Ensure every tax dollar is used efficiently, with clear written agreements in place
Transparency & Communication
- Make County information easy to access and improve community engagement on key topics
- Build trust by providing prompt, reliable updates that are easy for residents to access
Stronger Regional Partnerships
- Strengthen collaborations with neighbouring municipalities, community groups, and provincial partners
- Explore ways to partner with or support community groups that are providing services and maintaining/ operating community spaces
Support for Community Growth & Services
- Advocate for sustainable economic development that supports local businesses, agriculture, and community groups
- Strengthen community programs and facilities that improve quality of life for residents
Key Achievements on Council
Pembina River District of Rural Municipalities
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I have been elected (and re-elected) as chair of the Pembina River District of Rural Municipalities of Alberta.
The Pembina River district consists of 13 counties and municipal districts west and north of Edmonton, including Athabasca County, County of Barrhead, Brazeau County, Leduc County, MD of Lesser Slave River, Thorhild County, Lac Ste. Anne County, Parkland County, Sturgeon County, Westlock County, County of Wetaskiwin, Woodlands County, and Yellowhead County.
I have deeply valued the chance to connect with councillors across the district, learning more about their unique municipalities and communities.
Rural Municipalities of Alberta
I have had the privilege of being appointed to committees on behalf of the Rural Municipalities of Alberta, including the Resolutions Committee, Board Governance Review Committee, and Credentials Committee. Each opportunity to work with and on behalf of the RMA helps to build connections that can assist our municipality moving forward.
Athabasca Regional Multiplex Society
I have been elected as the chair of the Athabasca Regional Multiplex Society for the past 3 years.
When I was first elected to Council, one of the first committees I requested to be appointed to was the Athabasca Regional Multiplex Society, which operates the Athabasca Regional Multiplex and Nancy Appleby Theatre. I wanted to understand why we allocate such significant funding each year to the operational and capital costs of this community facilities.
After spending time learning about the incredible amount of time, energy, and costs associated with keeping the facility running, I have a deep appreciation for the work that goes into it. From routine maintenance and repairs to accessibility or energy efficiency upgrades, there are so many hidden costs and behind-the-scenes efforts involved.
The Athabasca Regional Multiplex and Nancy Appleby Theatre are more than just buildings and sports fields; they are community hubs that serve so many needs – from recreation and sports to culture and the arts. I am thankful for the opportunity to better understand the complexities of operating and maintaining these facilities, and why it is critical that we advocate for fiscal responsibility and a strategic asset management plan so it can continue to serve our community for many years to come.
Deputy Reeve and various committee appointments
I was elected to serve as Deputy Reeve for Athabasca County for 3 years. This meant that I was required to serve as the Chief Elected Official when the Reeve was unavailable. It also required additional meetings and opportunities to advocate for our region.
I have also served on the Inter-municipal Committee/ Joint Recreation Committee with the Village of Boyle. The County has a variety of collaboration agreements with the Village, to ensure that services and amenities are available for our community. We have prioritized getting all of these agreements in writing so that they clearly identify each municipality's contributions. Some of these agreements include funding for the Boyle Fire Department, community centre, hockey rink, ball diamonds, spray park, playgrounds, library, community transportation, healthcare housing units, just to name a few.
I was also appointed to both the County Library board and Boyle Public Library board of directors. Through these appointments I gained a much greater knowledge of our local libraries as well as the Northern Lights Library System, and now have a deep appreciation for the services they provide to our community members.
Proven Results. Ready for the next four years.
Some of the positive changes that have been made over the past 4 years include...
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Prioritized bridge repair and maintenance program to avoid unnecessary closures due to deteriorating condition ratings
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Began building a proactive asset management strategy, compiling a comprehensive list of County assets (roads, bridges, fire halls, campgrounds, etc.) to plan ahead and reduce costly surprises.
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Secured grant funding for critical infrastructure projects, including bridge repairs, replacements, and new waterlines.
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Strengthened fiscal responsibility by prioritizing grant coordination, to increase grant applications where possible but also to ensure we were meeting the requirements of grant funding that we are awarded.
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Improved our Fire Services program to ensure our members were receiving adequate training and support for the valuable work they do in our community.
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Implemented a savings plan to fund future emergency services equipment purchases.
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Strengthened regional partnerships by securing written service and funding agreements, replacing informal handshake deals with clear commitments.
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Improved County communications: new website, grader maps, live-streamed Council meetings, and more active social media channels.
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Enhanced community programs such as the Community Hall Assistance Grant.
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Supported fair and competitive wages and benefits for County staff, helping us retain quality employees.
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Increased our Protective Services staff levels to ensure we could meet the community's demands and respond to complaints in a timely manner.
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Updated many outdated policies and repealed obsolete bylaws.
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Advocated for critical services such as the Boyle Healthcare Centre, STARS Air Ambulance and Highway 63 Rescue Program
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Helped to raise awareness about the impact that provincial downloading has on our community.