On December 4, 2023, it was announced that three councillors and three chief administrative officers (CAO) were formally dismissed through ministerial order, as well as Chestermere mayor Jeff Colvin.

The sudden dismissal was a shock to many, but in a report released by the Alberta government, it stated that complaints about the mayor started as early as January 2022.

In an almost two-year timeline of events, here is what unfolded:

January 2022 -- The Minister of Municipal Affairs, Ric McIver, began receiving complaints about the administration and governance of the City of Chestermere.

May 9, 2022 -- Following a preliminary review, McIver concluded that there were sufficient concerns to justify a municipal inspection. George Cuff, a municipal governance expert, was appointed as inspector and began conducting a formal, third-party inspection of management, administration, and operations.

September 1, 2022 -- The inspection is complete. A draft report is delivered to Municipal Affairs.

September 28, 2022 -- An official administrator was sent to supervise the municipality and its council.

November 2, 2022 -- The inspection report was sent to Chestermere City Council and administration for feedback.

March 15, 2023 --The municipal inspection report was publicly released. The report found the city to be managed in an irregular, improper, and improvident manner. Twelve binding directives were issued to the council and administration in an attempt to turn the city back to good governance.

August 2, 2023 -- Ric McIver met with Chestermere City Council to voice his concerns. Council was given until September 29 to address the minister's concerns in writing.

October 18, 2023 -- The city's response was revised and was deemed insufficient. The Minister of Municipal Affairs issued a notice of intention to dismiss all seven members of council and three CAOs. 

December 4, 2023 -- Mayor Jeff Colvin, councilors Mel Float, Blaine Funk, and Stephen Hanley, as well as three CAOs, were officially dismissed. 

Court documents also revealed that Colvin spent more than $8,600 of tax-payer dollars on alcohol and food. His city-issued credit card was used to dine out 84 times from March 2023 to June 2023, according to the report.

Following his dismissal, Colvin said in a public address that Ric McIver, former city staff, sitting councillors, and potentially Chestermere RCMP were conspiring against him and the other dismissed councilors.

Pat Vincent has stepped in as the interim CAO until the by-election that is set to take place around April 2024.