Our Story
Understanding the story
of not only West Parkland Gas Co-op but of natural gas cooperatives in Alberta is an integral part of membership and building an appreciation of the many years of hard work and dedication put forth by our founding members.
The history of natural gas cooperatives in Alberta traces back to the early 20th century, when rural communities faced challenges accessing reliable and affordable energy sources. At this time, much of the natural gas infrastructure was concentrated in urban centers, leaving many remote and rural areas with a stable supply of natural gas. The Government of Alberta encouraged local farmers, ranchers, and residents in rural areas began organizing to form their own cooperatives to meet their energy needs. Community-minded individuals banded together to create policy, plan and construct the pipeline systems and set up local offices and management for the ongoing operations.
On May 12th, 1972, Unifarm sponsored a public meeting in Stony Plainwith the intent of forming a natural gas co-op. A motion was passed that the group of people in attendance should proceed to form a natural gas co-op, and the first Board of Directors of West Parkland Gas Co-op were elected. The members of this board were: Ed Fuhr (Chairman), Ron Morris (Vice Chairman), Reinhold Miskey (Secretary-Treasurer), and Charles White, Ken Porter, Henry Schultz, Edwin Ulmer, and Russell Scheideman.
By December of 1973, construction had been completed to provide natural gas service to 104 members. In the years since then, West Parkland Gas Co-op has grown steadily to now providing service to over 5200 members across Parkland County, Stony Plain, Seba Beach, and the Village of Spring Lake.
Governance
The governance of natural gas cooperatives is distinct from that of for-profit utility companies, as it is based on cooperative principles that emphasize member control, democratic decision-making, and community engagement.These principles ensure that the members of the cooperativehave the power to make decisions about the cooperative’s operations, policies, and future direction. The governance structure is designed to prioritize the needs and interests of the community and to ensure that the cooperative serves its members effectively, efficiently, and equitably.
At the heart of natural gas cooperatives is the idea that the members are both the owners and the users of the cooperative’s services. Each member has one vote. This principle of “one member, one vote” ensures that decision-making power is equally distributed among members and not concentrated in the hands of a few large stakeholders. Members can participate in key decisions such as electing the board of directors at the Annual General Meeting.
West Parkland Gas Co-op holds an Annual General Meeting where members are invited to review the co-op’s financial performanceand vote on the upcoming positions on the Board of Directors (link to BOD page) The AGM serves as a forum for transparent communication between the Board of Directors and the membership. Members are encouraged to attend and participate in the meeting to express their concerns and ask any questions they may have.
The governance of West Parkland Gas Co-op is deeply rooted in democratic principles, with members having a direct say in the decisions that affect their natural gas service. This structure fosters transparency, accountability, and member involvement, which distinguishes cooperatives from traditional investor-owned utilities. Through elected boards, annual meetings, and member engagement, West Parkland Gas Co-op has been able to address the energy needs of it’s franchise area while ensuring that services remain safe and sustainable.