Wetaskiwin Mayor Joe Branco made his first public appearance in two months on March 13, speaking at a regional business event just days after being banned from city hall in January 2026. Branco attended the Leduc, Nisku and Wetaskiwin Chamber of Commerce’s ‘State of the Region’ event at the Best Western Wayside Inn in Leduc, where he also joined County of Wetaskiwin Reeve Josh Bishop in delivering remarks.

Origins of the Ban and Legal Context

Branco confirmed in an exclusive interview with the Pipestone Flyer that the ban originated from an internal city council decision made on January 13, 2026. The vote occurred after an almost six-hour in-camera session, with the motion passing 6-1, and Branco being the sole dissenter. Council members did not disclose the details of the vote, and city officials declined to comment on the matter, directing media inquiries directly to Branco.

Coun. Wendy Hoyle, a member of the council, stated in a social media post that she could not comment on the issue due to confidentiality provisions under the Municipal Government Act and the Access to Information Act. This has raised questions about the transparency of the decision-making process behind the ban.

Notably, Alberta’s Municipal Affairs Statutes Amendment Act, Bill 50, came into effect in May 2025, which rendered all code of conduct bylaw provisions no longer legally enforceable. Branco referenced this change, stating, ‘We don’t have one in Alberta.’ He added that his legal team is currently reviewing the situation and will provide further clarity once they obtain the necessary information.

Mayor’s Response and Ongoing Restrictions

Branco described the ban as an internal matter, saying, ‘It’s city council who put the ban on me.’ He questioned the legitimacy of the third-party investigation that preceded the decision, stating, ‘I’d like to know who the third party is … we need to find out what it is. You can’t have a complainer doing the investigation.’

When asked about the timeline of the restriction, Branco said he had received no official information. He reiterated that the responsibility for lifting the ban lies with the council, stating, ‘Council gave me the restrictions, council has to remove the restriction.’

Branco emphasized that despite the ban, he continues to fulfill his duties as mayor. ‘I still have my duties as a mayor. I do everything I do, and I am not allowed to go in the city hall,’ he said. For the past month, Branco has been in Puerto Vallarta, on an annual vacation he takes during the slow season for his construction business.

Online Threats and Council’s Response

On March 2, Wetaskiwin city council held a special meeting to address online threats made against city manager Sue Howard. The threats are currently under investigation by the RCMP. Branco was not present at the meeting as he was still on vacation.

In the interview, Branco acknowledged the issue of online threats but emphasized that people often use social media to express frustrations. ‘People go on social media to vent frustrations,’ he said. He added that while he does not support making threats, he believes it is important to listen to people and encourage open communication.

A motion was put forward during the meeting calling for a third party to provide guidance on how the council should handle online threats. Branco questioned the need for such a measure, saying, ‘Why do we need to hire someone? People have to release their frustration.’

Branco emphasized the importance of resolving conflicts through dialogue. ‘If you have an issue, be a human being, and you know, tell what your problem is. Let’s sit down, discuss it,’ he said. He added, ‘Attacking people doesn’t accomplish anything. If our community is always negative, how are we going to do anything, right? You just address it by trying to open more communication.’

Mayor’s Stance on Relationships and Responsibilities

Branco denied any personal animosity toward the city administration, stating, ‘I have no animosity.’ He emphasized that his role as mayor is to fulfill the duties for which he was elected. ‘I have a job to do because they elected me to do a job. Like, I said, I have to put my personal feelings aside, and I have to run a business just like no different than what I do my business.’

Branco also noted that city council policy currently prevents the reconsideration of any motion for six months after it has been passed. This rule, he said, may impact the possibility of revisiting the ban in the near future.

As the situation continues to unfold, Branco has indicated that he will issue a press release once his legal team provides further clarity. The next steps will depend on the outcome of their review of the code of conduct and the nature of the third-party investigation that led to the ban.