engineering manager with Infrastructure Services for the City of Cold Lake delivered a comprehensive Transit Service Information Report to council updating them on the Cold Lake Transit (CLT) system “In this report we’ll have the background of how we started our transit system and then how we evolved and what are the routes we use and what are the trends we have so far in terms of ridership,” Bhuiyan told council used buses purchased from the City of Calgary the system began with second-hand Motor Coach Industries (MCI) buses and has since operated as a full-service accessible service that requires no registration or fare “It’s free service and there’s no ticket or no registration required for this service and it provides stoppage across the city.”  “But in 2022 we have developed an accelerated system.”  The updated 2022 system introduced simultaneous north and southbound service reducing wait times from about an hour to about 36 minutes Among the system’s milestones was the 2017 Minister’s Award for Excellence received at the 20th Annual Tri-City Conference The transit program has also benefitted from several provincial and federal grants including the Transit Infrastructure Fund (2016) which will provide $10 million over 10 years.”  “City of Cold Lake’s grant funding is highly based upon usership,” said Bhuiyan “The amount of movement of individuals per day So because the City of Cold Lake does not collect revenue it’s not based on like a ticket sale it is based on the gross number,” Bhuyian added The target demographic for CLT includes low-income residents The service runs Monday through Friday from 7 a.m It is closed on Sundays and statutory holidays Real-time tracking is available via a mobile app and a transit coordinator and supervisor ensure operations are monitored throughout the day along with 12 benches and multiple waste and recycling bins Infrastructure upgrades for shelters are prioritized Ridership data shows peak usage times between 3 and 5 p.m. Walmart and the central transfer station continue to be the highest traffic stops Monthly ridership in 2025 has already exceeded previous years “So far since 2015 until March 2025 we had over 1.3 million ridership So that’s a big achievement,” Bhuiyan said Cost-per-trip data shows the most efficient periods fall during peak hours when more riders lower the cost ratio per trip CAO Kevin Nagoya highlighted the difficulty of balancing fare collection with ridership noting that when previous councils introduced transit fees it typically led to a drop in the number of users He added that ridership levels impact grant funding meaning any dip caused by fees could reduce financial support “Those are the kind of the balancing acts and also the safety factors of having funding or money on a transit system.”  Cold Lake has shown exceptional transit usage per capita “There’s been lots of conversation over the history in this regard but in terms of grant funding we do excel in terms of the number for our size of community on the amount of usage,” said Nagoya The City plans to continue monitoring ridership trends and service efficiency to ensure Cold Lake Transit remains accessible Council accepted the presentation as information Your browser is out of date and potentially vulnerable to security risks.We recommend switching to one of the following browsers: Account processing issue - the email address may already exist Invalid password or account does not exist Submitting this form below will send a message to your email with a link to change your password An email message containing instructions on how to reset your password has been sent to the email address listed on your account Sign In Register and a whole lot of mystery unfolded on the Cold Lake High School stage from May 1 to May 3 as the student cast delivered three lively performances of ‘Everybody Wants to Be the Villain’ a unique murder mystery where the audience held the casting power.  Performed in front of audiences at the CLHS theatre the interactive play allowed attendees to vote on which actors would take on the roles in the second act a format that led to a different performance each night This structure highlighted the adaptability of the student cast and the flexibility of the script.  “This show came directly from an idea I was discussing with my sister after last year's show We did ‘Stars Over Arkham’,” said Dana Schwab English and Drama teacher and the play’s director.  lots of props and we thought about all the things that were successful about that show but also all the things that were really difficult to deal with like lots of costumes lots of different props and we thought how could we improve on that and make life easier - and we also thought of a really funny idea and so the main story for this show came out of a joke that we just thought would be hilarious and there was enough substance to it to make a story.”  In ‘Everybody Wants to Be the Villain’ students played actors auditioning for a play within a play an ambitious comedy centered around the assistant director Billie who dreams of getting into the Kingsbridge Institute of Fine Art while navigating the chaos of difficult auditions and backstage drama the audience cast the roles for Act Two.  “All of my actors are prepared to play the roles that the audience casts them in,” she explained.  the actors infused their roles with their distinct personalities meaning a cheerful pirate character might bring that same energy to playing a detective Schwab praised the student cast.   I have a combination of kiddos that range from experienced Grade 12s all the way to kids who have never performed in front of a live audience before.”  “Everybody has worked together so well There's been a real team camaraderie.”  Despite challenges like last-minute cast changes and pre-show nerves the student performers rose to the occasion.   Schwab acknowledged the community’s ongoing support.   “I would just like to thank Lakeland for continuing to support what we do Through Royals Timeout this year and through audience attendance the money that we make this year it was also a valuable learning experience.   “One of the things I pride myself on is not organization But I pride myself on casting decisions and knowing that the kid who I've put in a role is going to do an incredible job with that role,” said Schwab.  More SPOTLIGHT > It’s a landslide victory for Conservative incumbent Laila Goodridge Fort McMurray-Cold Lake will remain a loyal shade of Tory blue after Goodridge collected 37,179 votes and won a 80.4 per cent victory We apologize, but this video has failed to load.Try refreshing your browser, ortap here to see other videos from our team.Play VideoArticle contentSpeaking to dozens of supporters at MacDonald Island Park’s Seventy Two Kitchen and Bar Goodridge thanked her campaign team for helping send her back to the House of Commons and vowed to represent the riding’s interests “The results up here are pretty clear: That people wanted to see a Conservative message that supports our energy industry,” said Goodridge I will continue to bring your concerns forward gave her a tribute for in a speech where he recalled meeting a woman with “a strong grasp of political issues” during a 2015 federal election campaign Wells told her he would help in any way he could “That young lady back then had spunk,” he said “As the father of three daughters and a grandfather to two wonderful granddaughters The mood among the crowd for much of the night was one of acceptance as Mark Carney was elected prime minister and the Liberal Party won a fourth term in government There were moments of happiness and smiles as Goodridge presented two supporters with a cake and led the crowd in singing “Happy Birthday” to celebrate their birthdays Goodridge also said she was proud to have visited and heard from people in communities in the riding that rarely get visited during elections such as Wabiskaw the Cold Lake and Fort McMurray First Nations and Metis communities scattered across the region “We have been able to do something absolutely magical here in Fort McMurray-Cold Lake by having knocked on more doors than has been knocked on in any other federal election for many the campaign was civil to the point of blandness No candidates found themselves in any scandals or were called out by each other for controversial comments No one publicly hurled any insults towards each other In interviews with Fort McMurray Today Liberal candidate Kaitlyn Staines and PPC candidate Alan Clarke said the economy is the biggest concern mentioned by residents and there is desperation from most local voters to see new pipelines built and the oilsands further developed Where they disagreed was on which party would solve these issues Staines said on Monday night “Liberals are on Cloud 9” as she watched Mark Carney elected prime minister The Liberals finished fourth in 2021 with 7.09 per cent The local presence of the PPC collapsed as their candidate The PPC finished second in 2021 with 12.7 per cent support as the party campaigned heavily against COVID-19 restrictions The NDP’s You-Ju Choi did not return requests for interviews throughout the campaign and it is not known if she did any on-the-ground campaigning locally The party finished third with 10.14 per cent in 2021 Green Party candidate Brian Deheer won 0.6 per cent compared to 0.98 per cent in 2021 Independent candidate Kulbir Chawla finished last with 0.2 per cent Goodridge and Deheer were the only candidates for a party living in the riding Staines is from Edmonton but works in Ottawa for Public Service Canada She arrived in Fort McMurray in early April and stayed in the riding throughout the campaign Clarke occasionally visited Fort McMurray from his home in the Edmonton region The Liberals and the NDP last had a local candidate in the 2019 federal election The Liberal Party’s Electoral District Association (EDA) for the riding has also dissolved Despite not being a resident of the riding Staines said she is open to running again in Fort McMurray-Cold Lake “I’m just so proud and happy that people got out to vote,” said Staines just before 10 p.m but I’m so happy to see red hope in a blue stronghold.” Alberta had strong showings for the Conservatives as incumbents across the province were victorious Eleanor Olszewski of Edmonton and Corey Hogan of Calgary are Alberta’s lone Liberals Edmonton MP Heather McPherson kept her seat for the NDP The NDP have also lost official party status Liberal incumbent George Chahal was defeated by the Conservatives “Whether you’re worker in Fort Mac or an accountant from Toronto or a worker from Quebec Poilievre congratulated Carney for winning a “razor thin” minority He reminded Conservatives the party has gained 20 seats in Parliament and the Liberals and NDP can no longer form a coalition government He said the Conservatives will work with the prime minister and all parties to defend Canada against threats from U.S “We gave voices to countless people across this country who have been left out and left behind for far too long “Every single day our Conservative caucus and I will be holding the government to account on behalf of the millions of Canadians who believed in the message of change.” -with reporting from Steven Sandor, Bill Kaufmann and The Canadian Press transmission or republication strictly prohibited This website uses cookies to personalize your content (including ads), and allows us to analyze our traffic. Read more about cookies here. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy You will also start receiving the Star's free morning newsletter Fort McMurray—Cold Lake 2025 federal election live results. Browse live results for all 343 ridings 219 of 220 polls are reporting as of 4:22 p.m. Follow our full coverage of the 2025 federal election 219 of 220 polls are reporting as of 4:22 p.m. Follow our full coverage of the 2025 federal election is projected to be re-elected in Fort McMurray—Cold Lake Goodridge has 38,767 of 48,150 votes (80.51%) is in second place with 6,832 votes (14.19%) and You-Ju Choi Goodridge has represented the riding since 2021 16,486 voters cast ballots at advance polls Looking for another riding? Here are the full results for the 2025 federal election. The Liberals have 169 races called in their favour They have 8,535,128 votes and 43.69 per cent of the popular vote The Conservatives have 144 races called in their favour They have 8,059,938 votes and 41.26 per cent of the popular vote The Bloc Québécois have 22 races called in their favour They have 1,232,095 votes and 6.31 per cent of the popular vote The New Democrats have seven races called in their favour They have 1,231,198 votes and 6.3 per cent of the popular vote The Greens have one race called in their favour They have 243,471 votes and 1.25 per cent of the popular vote There were three independents and four vacancies in the 338-seat Commons the Commons has grown by five ridings starting with this election This article was automatically generated using data provided by Canadian Press and will update as riding results become available COLD LAKE - The City of Cold Lake has been awarded the contracts to manage curbside and depot recycling services under Alberta’s new Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regulation.   shifts the financial responsibility for recycling from municipalities to the producers of the recyclable materials These producers are represented by the not-for-profit organization Circular Materials.  “We are proud to have won this first phase of the contract as it signals that the City is running an efficient and cost-effective operation,” said Mayor Craig Copeland “A big thanks goes out to the staff who provide the service and who helped put the bid together Winning the confidence of private industry is a strong sign of support for the City’s operation.”  The City of Cold Lake’s successful bid allows it to manage Phase I of the program until Sept The contract includes curbside recycling collection and operations at the City’s Material Recovery Facility (MRF) The City is already preparing a bid for Phase II No changes to residents’ utility bills are expected.  the EPR program represents a shift in how recycling services are funded and delivered.  “Recycling materials collected from residents registered in the EPR program have the financial burden of recycling single use plastics and packaging shifted onto the companies that produce them,” Nagoya said.  He explained that while residents won’t see immediate changes in the way their recycling is collected the operational side of the program is undergoing updates to meet new provincial standards.  recycling programs and related service levels have been up to the municipality the City will follow the EPR service levels and is contracted to deliver the service for residential recycling Commercial businesses or material received in our material recovery facility not from residential collection is not covered under the program,” Nagoya stated.  The first phase of the EPR program covers materials already collected prior to April 1 and will continue unchanged until at least October 1 the range of accepted materials may be adjusted in future phases.  the experience will remain largely consistent through the transition.  residents are unlikely to see a difference in the service levels provided for curbside recycling collection and the drop-off locations ERP will communicate to their contractors across Alberta,” he said.  Nagoya outlined several operational changes that are now required under the EPR program While residents are unlikely to notice the changes the City of Cold Lake’s recycling operations will undergo several behind-the-scenes adjustments under the new EPR contracts.   Collection vehicles must now make multiple weigh scale trips to separately track paper all materials must be stored and baled by type and origin Residential and commercial materials can no longer be mixed.   Outbound shipments will also need to be separated and detailed reporting will be required to meet contractual obligations.  “No changes are being made while we transition and until we have clear understanding of the program and community expectations,” noted Nagoya.  There are six people running to be the member of parliament for the Fort McMurray-Cold Lake riding We apologize, but this video has failed to load.Try refreshing your browser, ortap here to see other videos from our team.Play VideoArticle contentThe candidates interviewed by Fort McMurray Today all agree the economy is the biggest concern mentioned by residents this election while there is also a desperation from most local voters to see new pipelines built and the oilsands further developed What candidates don’t agree on is how to solve those issues Conservative incumbent Laila Goodridge is running against Kaitlyn Staines of the Liberals Alan Clarke from the Peoples Party of Canada Brian Deheer of the Green Party of Canada and independent candidate Kulbir Chawla Fort McMurray Today reached out to candidates representing major political parties Staines and Clarke spoke about their campaigns and what they have heard from voters ahead of Election Day Choi did not return multiple requests for an interview but the Lac La Biche man has run locally for the Green Party’s provincial and federal wings since a 2014 federal byelection Deheer has admitted in past interviews victory is impossible in Fort McMurray-Cold Lake is voters who believe in the Green Party platform have the option to vote for it Your employer is legally required to give you time to vote These interviews have been edited and condensed for space and clarity. Clarke is one of the founding members of the PPC and commutes regularly from his home in the Edmonton region to oilsands operations scattered across the region He became interested in politics at the age of 14 and has volunteered with the B.C the Reform Party and  the youth wing of the former B.C Why should the voters of Fort McMurray-Cold Lake vote for you if you don’t live in the riding I work in the riding as much as anybody who probably lives there just like half of Alberta and a good portion of Canada I have family that’s born and raised in Fort McMurray and literally moved here to Edmonton and decided they wanted to be closer to the Edmonton Oilers to watch a hockey game or go to a Morgan Wallen concert And now they’ve chosen to fly-in-and-out for work This riding historically favours the Conservative Party of Canada The Conservative Party is no longer a conservative party they are a conservative party only by name You say what’s not conservative about the Conservative Party Well we had a prime minister from Alberta for years and Harper did not build any pipelines or refineries Alberta is also overpaying on equalization to Quebec We’ve overpaid into the Canada Pension Plan We’re in the most consequential election in my lifetime and maybe the country’s lifetime and we have a political party that in 2021 got just about a million votes under the leadership of Maxime Bernier He served as an MP for 14 years and had five cabinet portfolios and he is barred from voicing his opinion at the debates because we’re the party that’s going to withdraw Canada from the Paris Accords he’s going to be our saviour,” I say name one thing Pierre Poilievre has ever done He was minister of democratic reform so you would think he would speak out about Maxime being barred from the leadership debates It’s because they have dishonoured our electoral system and they are a disgrace to this country What are your solutions and local priorities for the riding we make it easier to build pipelines and scrap the roadblocks the Liberals put in place We believe money that has been overpaid should return to Alberta We haven’t upgraded our military and housing on our bases is in shambles In some cases it is even worse than the domestic housing crisis we are seeing in cities you advocate for Alberta joining the United States and a referendum on Alberta becoming a 51st state Is that something you would push for as an MP I probably banged on about 5,000 or so doors since the campaign started I sure as Hell ain’t got no gold-plated Boeing 747 but I’m Trump-like when it comes to calling it what it is and not being politically correct Every second door I banged on in Fort McMurray will you stand for Alberta if we want to become independent and become the 51st state?” That’s what I get The other candidates haven’t mentioned hearing that They were very adamant that if a Liberal government is elected by Quebec and Ontario because we haven’t had real electoral reform in this country I love my country but Alberta has been kicked around for too long Someone needs to stand up in the House of Commons and finally back Fort McMurray If Albertans think they have a voice with Danielle Smith they haven’t seen anything until Alan Clarke enters the House of Commons Goodridge is running for a second term as MP after three years as a UCP MLA Wildrose and Conservative candidates and politicians Goodridge has joined volunteers in aggressively crisscrossing the riding to meet people at their doors What have you heard from people during your campaign It’s been wonderful connecting with people right across Fort McMurray-Cold Lake and hearing their concerns they want a new conservative government that puts Canada first for a change Many people have brought up their concerns about our energy industry and the fact that they feel like after the last 10 years we’ve had a lost decade and have seen no economic growth We’ve seen a federal government in Ottawa thumb their nose at our region and at our energy industry People want to see a government that’s going to listen to this riding and put Canada first for a change we hear people sharing their struggles when it comes to inflation and the ever-rising cost of everything from groceries to their energy bills and everything in between This has a real-life impact on families and being able to support their children and play sports or put groceries on the table or have a good life Many people are really concerned about whether they or their children will ever be able to afford to buy a house with ever-increasing interest rates and inflation How do local concerns about inflation during this election compare to your previous campaigns I can honestly say inflation is not something that came up a lot in previous elections That’s the cost of the last 10 years of Liberal governments where they have been spending more money and driving up the cost of everything The Conservative Party’s policies to fight inflation are to reduce government spending We have so much money going towards consultants It is costing Canadians money every single day Conservatives have proposed a National Energy Corridor to move our resources quickly This is absolutely incredibly important not just for our region It is imperative we get more pipelines so that we can get our energy to market What are you proud of from your first term as an MP I’m exceptionally proud of the fact that I’ve been able to represent northeastern Alberta on a number of occasions and part of a strong conservative team that has consistently stood up for our energy workers stood up for our armed forces and stood up for things that are so important here I’m proud to be part of that team and I look forward to continuing to be able to bring our concerns of our community forward Being able to represent the people of Fort McMurray-Cold Lake is an absolute honour and bringing your concerns forward is what matters to me Staines is from Edmonton and has worked in Ottawa since 2023 in communications for Public Service Canada Prior to that she worked in communications for the party itself Staines arrived in Fort McMurray in early April to campaign on the ground saying “I didn’t want to just be a name on a ballot.” why should voters in Fort McMurray-Cold Lake consider you to be their MP I wasn’t born and raised in Fort McMurray but that doesn’t mean I can’t represent all the local issues I’ve lived in Alberta for over a decade of my life I’m not saying that Fort McMurray and every single place in Alberta all have the same issues I can advocate for the issues Fort McMurray is facing fight for this riding and be its voice in the House of Commons Part of the reason I chose to run for Fort McMurray is because I’m proud to be Canadian and I absolutely love Alberta and everything it has to offer The Conservative Party has had massive victories in this riding We’re asking Canadians to vote for who is going to stand up for Canadians He’s got an amazing platform and Mark Carney can actually stand up to President Donald Trump Carney immediately went to Europe and signed deals with them That was a really big power move that a lot of Canadians loved He knows economics so well and has the background to get the job done He has the guts to really push for Canadians I honestly believe only he can successfully lead Canada through this tariff war Pierre Poilievre is a career politician and doesn’t really have a background in economics It’s been very enlightening that I’ve come here There’s a lot of Liberals here and they’re closeted because Fort McMurray is known to be a predominantly conservative riding In conversations they’ve said they are morally Liberal and want to vote Liberal What have you heard from people while campaigning everybody wants Alberta energy and Mark Carney is ready to invest in energy corridors across the country for all types of energy We’re going to cut major project approvals from five years down to two We’re partnering with provinces and territories to expand an east-to-west electricity grid We’re investing in both conventional and clean energy That’s so crucial in reducing our reliance on the United States and growing trade with reliable partners There’s also affordability and how expensive life is becoming Ending the consumer carbon tax and bringing relief to the pumps has ended a divisive policy He’s already shown he is working to make life more affordable to Canadians We’re introducing middle class tax cuts and making homes more affordable We’ve started a national school food program which helps families with grocery bills Why should voters trust Mark Carney on energy especially as recent voting patterns show many Albertans who once supported Justin Trudeau changed their minds under his leadership Mark Carney is actually making headway with Quebec which is already showing promising support from people in polls We’re getting premiers to the table to discuss these important matters He has a real plan in place for Albertans and Canadians Critics in the energy sector and the Conservative Party call it the “No More Pipelines Act” and says it delays major construction projects Bill C-69 is about protecting Indigenous lands and fighting climate change Mark Carney has a plan for energy in all sorts of ways There’s so many ways right now we can get oil across Canada and with various different types of pipelines So it’s not a “kill pipelines act,” it’s actually a “protect our environment act.” He also said in the recent debate that Alberta is the backbone for our energy He will stand behind Alberta and make it prosperous yet once again I believe his plans to make Canada energy superpower He’s also pro-fighting climate change and pro-keeping Indigenous lands clean and safe A spark from welding work ignited a fire this afternoon behind the Cold Lake Agricultural Society grounds sending thick smoke into the sky and prompting a swift response from Cold Lake Fire-Rescue Workers on-site attempted to control the flames using buckets of water but the situation quickly escalated when a tractor tire caught fire according to information from the City of Cold Lake “This is a reminder of how quickly fire can get away in these types of conditions,” said Fire Chief Jeff Fallow including a pumper truck and a tanker truck Nine firefighters were on scene and managed to bring the fire under control shortly after arriving and the fire was contained to the area behind the Ag Society The MD of Bonnyville and several other surrounding municipalities currently have fire restrictions and fire bans in place due to the warm dry weather that is expected over the next few days COLD LAKE - City of Cold Lake council is raising red flags over ongoing concerns around Emergency Medical Services (EMS) coverage and response times after Cold Lake Fire-Rescue responded to 21 medical incidents so far in 2025 a number that follows 58 medical-related calls in 2024.  During the April 15 Corporate Priorities Committee meeting CAO Kevin Nagoya provided a detailed update to council prompted by concerns from both elected officials and the community.  Council asked for the briefing in light of trends showing prolonged response times and fire services stepping in to fill gaps sometimes under serious and sensitive circumstances.  Nagoya suggested that administration provide a summary report and include a specific agenda item to allow council to discuss concerns raised by the community and decide on any next steps.  compiled under the leadership of Cold Lake Fire-Rescue Manager Jeff Fallow aimed to offer a clearer picture of the scope and frequency of EMS-related challenges.  particularly when EMS units are unavailable or stretched thin forcing Cold Lake Fire-Rescue to step in.  Among the more concerning cases presented were a series of “medical assist” calls including a lift assist on April 7 where Cold Lake Fire-Rescue was called to assist with CPR in progress Nagoya explained that due to a staffing shortage and Cold Lake Fire Rescue was asked to drive a second ambulance to the hospital.  24 highlighted a prolonged EMS delay during a children’s hockey tournament at the Energy Centre.  Nagoya emphasized that delays of over 20 minutes were being tracked but acknowledged that any extended response Nagoya said the issue is made worse by a lack of transparency from Alberta Health Services (AHS) which doesn’t share information as openly as the former Cold Lake Ambulance Society did leaving Fire Rescue to rely on their own dispatch data and records.  Despite the alarming tone of some examples Nagoya stressed that not all statistics in the report reflect problematic service.  "The bottom line is that the three ambulances that should be stationed in Cold Lake weren’t available so they had to be called in for assistance."  "Cold Lake’s ambulances could have been here They could be on transfer calls or simply unavailable due to staffing shortages."  Copeland noted that when the changes were first introduced the health minister assured them that communities like Cold Lake would still have ambulances with the transition to a province-wide service Copeland added that these delays were compounded by a shortage of available ambulances has struggled with maintaining consistent ambulance service in the region.  where a medical first responder was called to a scene near Highway 55 Although Cold Lake Fire Rescue arrived promptly an ambulance did not reach the scene until 11:15 a.m. more than 20 minutes after the fire and RCMP teams had arrived.   it was later understood that the individual had passed away before the ambulance could attend.  Nagoya also recounted a similar situation from Oct Emergency services were delayed by an hour and Cold Lake Fire Rescue had to provide comfort and stabilization until the ambulance arrived.  The staffing and funding issues surrounding EMS in Cold Lake have been longstanding of EMS workers throughout the province and throughout Canada.”  Nagoya also noted that while Cold Lake Fire Rescue has many staff who are also trained in EMS there are limitations to their capacity to respond to medical calls He emphasized that the City is exploring potential solutions including revisiting the issue of billing for services a concern that has been raised by other municipalities like Edmonton.  Chris Vining suggested that a meeting with AHS and local contractors may be necessary to address the issues head-on.   Vining noted the challenges in addressing delays but acknowledged the difficulty in making informed decisions due to insufficient information He suggested that a report should be generated whenever an ambulance cannot respond creating a paper trail to explain the cause behind the service unavailability.  Vining also emphasized that the issue isn’t just about generalized service but about the specific instances when extra staffing is needed.   Bill Parker suggested a broader conversation pointing out the importance of understanding which contractors are responsible for specific regions.   "It might be interesting to have some information on a report like this to understand which contractor is actually looking after what region," he said "Who looks after the Town of Bonnyville and administration will compile the details to present at a future council meeting.  COLD LAKE - The smell of fresh pancakes filled the Heritage Hall at the Cold Lake Seniors Society on the morning of April 26 as residents gathered for the City of Cold Lake’s third annual Volunteer Recruitment Fair.  offering free breakfast and a chance for community members to connect with dozens of organizations that are looking for new volunteers.  “Here at FCSS we're always looking for something interesting and innovative to do to celebrate National Volunteer Week which is April 27 to May 3,” said Leanne Draper Volunteer Services at Cold Lake and District FCSS.  “This is our third year running a volunteer recruitment fair We thought it'd be a great way to bring volunteer organizations together and to encourage and celebrate volunteerism at the same time,” Draper added.  fun environment where attendees could easily connect with local organizations.  Draper highlighted just how critical volunteers are to the heart of Cold Lake “Can you imagine what Cold Lake would look like if we didn't have volunteers Where are the hockey parents?” she said.  The fair highlighted Cold Lake’s strong volunteer spirit with Draper noting the large number of participating organizations as a sign of a vibrant community.  “It goes up and down as people's life changes but I still feel volunteering is robust and healthy in Cold Lake These events just give it a boost,” she added.  volunteers help build a community where people want to stay and raise families.   They make this community a place where you want to stay Because there's that support from programs for kids right through to right through to older adults.”  Draper explained that volunteer groups provide essential services and anyone interested in getting involved can reach out to FCSS for help connecting with the right organization.  “I just want to wish everybody in our beautiful community a happy National Volunteer Week This community would not function without these amazing Among the many passionate volunteers attending the fair was Lindsay Toth a volunteer and board member at the Cold Lake Food Bank.    just things to make extra money and it was tough And I also came across an idea for a fundraiser how can I get involved?’ and that was the first year that it started,” she said.  Toth noted she has been volunteering since about 2016.  Toth’s volunteer journey has taken her through multiple organizations.   “I've been involved with Big Brothers Big Sisters and just wherever I see a need in the community I'm willing to offer my services,” she said.  Toth began volunteering through an in-school mentorship program spending quality time with students and participating in youth events She later got involved in fundraising events like the Coldest Night of the Year and Ride for Refuge.  “There are so many rewarding aspects to being a volunteer and you know that you're making a difference,” said Toth.  When asked why volunteering is important to her another volunteer and board member at the Cold Lake Food Bank “It gets you to know who is in your community - that was one thing.” Also there is always a need for more volunteers.  “I think it also fosters a sense of pride and it gives you that warm fuzzy feeling in your heart There's always somebody out there who can use your help in that area.”  MacLeod said volunteers should explore opportunities that align with their interests and skills noting that many people have untapped expertise to offer.   highlighting that Cold Lake offers a wide range of volunteer positions suited to various abilities.  COLD LAKE – The City of Cold Lake has received a formal response from Minister of National Defence Bill Blair regarding its request for partnership opportunities with the federal government and the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF).  Council and administration discussed the response as well as progress on the Aircraft Maintenance Engineering Structures (AME-S) program based at the Cold Lake Regional Airport during the City’s Corporate Priorities Committee meeting on April 15.  The AME-S program is being developed through a collaboration between the City of Cold Lake and Portage College and aims to provide certified aircraft maintenance training to both civilian students and Minister Blair’s March 21 letter acknowledges prior conversations between Portage College and the CAF and highlights the potential for the Cold Lake school to be included in future outsourced military training.  While the federal response was encouraging Blair noted that CAF participation depends on the AME-S program receiving Transport Canada accreditation an approval that requires the instructional space to be completed and ready for use.  “The AME project has achieved several important milestones and work is continuing to have the instructional space ready for Transport Canada approval in time for a fall 2026 start,” said Andrew Serba, manager of economic development and strategy with the City of Cold Lake the City and Portage College have made considerable progress The City has led the design of a dedicated AME facility worked with ACTO Electric to extend three-phase power and established relationships with potential industry and military partners.  begun ordering necessary tools and machinery and achieved several levels of provincial and curriculum accreditation The College has also been developing dual credit pathways with local high schools and maintaining ongoing discussions with 4 Wing to explore resource-sharing opportunities The CAF plans to begin contracting out basic aircraft maintenance training starting in late 2025.  Council made a motion to accept the report as information.  Cold Lake city council is voicing serious concerns about ambulance response times after the local fire department had to handle 21 medical calls already this year due to ambulance shortages and staffing issues with Alberta Health Services Mayor Craig Copeland highlighted one incident when no local ambulances were available and emergency crews had to wait for an ambulance from St Council members stressed that slow response times put residents at risk mentioning recent cases including a delayed ambulance at a children’s hockey tournament and a tragic incident near Highway 55 The city is now considering further discussions with health officials to urgently address these EMS challenges the Cold Lake Marina will transform into the launch point of a unique underwater mission bringing together divers from across Alberta to clean up local waters while raising money for cancer research.   The event will support the Lakeland Cancer Crushers in reaching their $2,500 fundraising goal to participate in the Enbridge Tour Alberta for Cancer with all proceeds staying in Alberta to support local cancer patients.  The Enbridge Tour Alberta for Cancer is a two-day cycling event that brings together thousands of riders to raise funds for cancer research and care through the Alberta Cancer Foundation.  This year’s event marks a shift in focus for the group.   We raised the funds for the local food bank,” said Stuart Dunnill “And we removed debris from the Cold Lake Marina my buddy has done the Enbridge [Tour Alberta for Cancer] and we did it together last year and we thought [the cleanup] would be a great thing to The group’s mission is simple - give back.   “Every year we're going to try and do a different cause So next year we'll probably do it for the SPCA.”  The cleanup effort will target the marina’s underwater junkyard.   except the truck engine this year is going to have a transmission attached to it.”  This year’s dive will also include a challenging technical recovery so I'll be leading that dive to remove that one.”  The Cold Lake Divers group is a casual team of enthusiasts who organize dives “In the last six years I became a scuba instructor So I've been training people to be able to do these dives I used to be a Navy rescue swimmer,” he shared.  including buying raffle tickets for $2 each and a “discover scuba for two” experience will be up for grabs.   The raffle draw is set for April 30 and will take place at the Cold Lake Brewery One hundred per cent of the ticket sales will go directly toward supporting cancer-related causes.  There’s also an online silent auction starting May 1 for an open water scuba course.   “If somebody wants to get into scuba diving everyone is invited to the marina for a fundraising barbecue.   and we're going to have a barbecue that day From body recoveries with the Alberta Underwater Search Team Dunnill sees it all as a way to give back.  the Stepping Stones Crisis Society is nearing a major milestone – the completion of its new facility.   is now 89 per cent complete and on track to be complete by the end of July.  The organization plans to begin a phased move-in starting in August with the first and second floors opening for services first followed by programming on the third and fourth floors rolling out this fall.  “This project began in 2020 with research that clearly showed the need for our services was outpacing our capacity and that need has only grown,” said Sabine Gorecki marketing and communications specialist for Stepping Stones Crisis Society.  opening this new facility is nothing short of transformational It marks the culmination of years of advocacy and community commitment to ensuring no one is turned away when they need safety and support the most.”  The new building represents a leap forward in how the organization delivers care The current facility has been described as aging “This new building is more than just a space purpose-built sanctuary that will allow us to meet growing demand and provide holistic wraparound care to every individual who comes through our doors,” Gorecki said “It’s a lifeline for our clients and a proud powerful step forward for our community.”  Stepping Stones will increase its capacity growing from 27 emergency shelter beds to 63 and from seven second-stage housing units to 12.  all of the organization's programs - including emergency shelter and housing assistance - will be housed under one roof.  “Bringing all of our programs under one roof is a major step forward in how we support women and children Instead of navigating multiple locations or service gaps and more - all in one place,” Gorecki said “This creates a seamless experience and reduces barriers to getting the help they need It also improves internal coordination among staff wraparound support that’s tailored to each individual’s situation.”  and local businesses have played a key role in making the new facility a reality.  “The community is excited for our new building,” Gorecki said “We have received generous support from local governments Stepping Stones encourages the public to continue supporting its mission by attending events and raising awareness about the services available.  “We are much more than an emergency shelter We operate a 24/7 helpline that’s available to anyone in need at 780-594-3353 and we offer a range of community programming including our Outreach Program and Community Kitchen,” said Gorecki.  Financial contributions are welcomed to support ongoing programs and client needs.  we welcome donations in support of our ongoing programming or directly for client needs We also have community-level giving opportunities to support the new building Every contribution helps us continue to meet the growing needs in our region,” Gorecki added.  A grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony is set for Sept 6 and will be followed by an open house where the public can tour the new facility a soiree at the Cold Lake Agricultural Society will celebrate the supporters who made the project possible.  “This new building will allow us to respond with the dignity and support that every survivor of family violence deserves,” said Melissa Francis CEO of Stepping Stones Crisis Society.   “Our vision is a future where every woman and child seeking safety has a place to go and the opportunity to build the skills and confidence they need to move forward the impact ripples through families and communities for generations.”  COLD LAKE -The City of Cold Lake is moving forward with plans to expand and renovate the Cold Lake Medical Clinic as outlined in a detailed update by CAO Kevin Nagoya at the April 15 Corporate Priorities Committee meeting.  which has moved from conceptual design to development stages was originally outlined in the Schematic Design Report dated July 2024.  Nagoya emphasized the community importance of the project “This presentation was recently completed with a meeting with all the doctors that work out of the Cold Lake hospital solicit any feedback or questions that council may have.”  “It is a pretty significant project for the community.”  Nagoya said it was established in 2009.  The clinic’s role in physician recruitment and retention in the city was also stressed along with the City’s role in healthcare service delivery.  “A lot of community members don’t have physicians and that’s the same issue we were facing back in 2005 and still face today,” said Nagoya taking over the Cold Lake Medical Clinic became an important priority for city council—to become more directly involved in service delivery and healthcare for the community.”  “The proximity is about a block from the hospital of which the physicians really enjoy,” said Nagoya “You can actually just walk across the road over to the clinic.”  He described challenges with the existing layout so it is kind of the challenge is the design because it was designed intentionally by previous doctors to be kind of two separate clinics and now it's evolved in terms of practice.”  A growth in physicians interested in coming to Cold Lake to practice is driving the need for expansion.   and maybe even seven people that are interested there There are still more doctors that have expressed interest to be within the facility.”  The City of Cold Lake proactively purchased land to the west in anticipation of expansion with some nearby parcels still available for sale.  Nagoya explained that expanding is necessary because renovating the active clinic would be difficult due to dust and disruptions The plan is to move everyone into the new space before renovating the existing facility.  He described the updated floor plan in detail from patient entry to office configurations and dedicated procedure rooms.   “Doctor condos” are also part of the redesign “You have an office in the middle and two clinics that are flanking it A Medical Office Assistant (MOA) station is nearby that has the supplies to be able to turn around quickly and have the patients see the doctors.”  The expanded clinic will also include improved accessibility features and dedicated MOA spaces.   Nagoya said the tender document is likely still a few months away from being ready Council received the presentation as information on April 15.  COLD LAKE - The City of Cold Lake is moving ahead with major plans for its new Public Works Operations Centre after council approved a motion at its April 8 regular council meeting to significantly increase the project’s budget.  Council passed a resolution to amend the 2025 Capital Budget from $14.4 million to $30.8 million allocating $12.9 million to the Public Works Operations Centre and $3.5 million to the stormwater management facility.   Council also passed an Interim 2026 Capital Budget of $6.4 million to further fund the Operations Centre.  These updates reflect the funding needed to close the gap between the original budget and the final cost estimates based on current quotes and bid feedback.  The previously allocated budget for the Operations Centre project was $32.4 million but the updated total project cost is now $55.3 million according to the city’s agenda.  This results in a funding shortfall of approximately $23 million which the approved budget sets to address.  though closely linked to the overall site development is being funded separately through a $3.5 million debenture This will allow the city to potentially recover those costs in the future through off-site levies.   “That's why we separated that so that way it doesn't get too layered into the overall operations centre budget,” CAO Kevin Nagoya said.  This approach helps keep the primary facility’s budget focused while addressing additional infrastructure needs “The development community that is adjacent to the Public Works Operations Centre has also requested for some infrastructure to go in so that way development is not hindered in a bottleneck that it can't grow within that neighborhood as well.”  With bids and construction management plans in place there's no way to forecast any of that… If you ask somebody to lock a bid in that matter of course they're going to build in a whole bunch of fluff and profitability,” said Nagoya  start of 2027 before the project is fully completed,” Nagoya said.  Council made a motion to approve the project by passing a resolution to amend the 2025 Capital Budget Council also passed an Interim 2026 Capital Budget of $6.4 million to continue funding the Public Works Operations Centre.  COLD LAKE - Tempers flared at Cold Lake City Hall on the morning of April 15 as concerned residents met with Mayor Craig Copeland and city staff to express concerns over the policies and practices of the city's Animal Control Centre (ACC) after allegations surfaced that an animal had been euthanized unnecessarily The meeting was driven by community members demanding more transparency and compassion in how the city handles lost and stray animals Concerned resident Robynne Hansen and Kristy Janzen saying their experience rescuing a dog named Precious exposed serious flaws in the system.  council sets the policy and the budget for the city and then there's the policies or the service levels.”  Copeland described the ACC as a facility with limited resources and a specific purpose which is short-term intake of animals.   “We are not set up to be a long-term stay the idea is that the animals will stay for 30 days minimum in the shelter and [they] try to get him or her into a facility that is an adoption agency.”  the issue was about more than just logistics it was about the life of a dog many felt could have been saved.  “We have been made aware of the policy stating that no animal without identification has to be posted or promoted and we do find that very difficult to accept Mr “Because with these dogs who assumptively have no family coming for them [are] the ones that need us most.”  Hansen criticized the city's efforts to promote adoptable animals “They do make one post but once the animal is no longer in their care and instead of putting more effort into that they're resorting to euthanasia.”  A particularly tense moment came when residents learned the public cannot freely access the intake facility “It's not a publicly accessible facility you have to schedule some time to go in there."  “We're not a 24-hour service provider and they're periodically checked.”  “In the questions of the euthanizing of the animals it's not like we're killing animals right away.” He added They do not want to kill these animals.”  Residents questioned why animals weren't actively promoted for adoption before euthanasia with one person asking why there were no public posts seeking help from the community.  Jabs explained that the minimum holding period is governed by provincial regulation three days for unidentifiable animals and 10 days for those with identification “That's the government of Alberta That's the provincial regulations,” he noted.  Copeland acknowledged the City could be doing more “We can do a better job of posting every day.”  “I don't necessarily think you have to post every day Half of the city doesn't even know that that Facebook page exists.”  residents questioned why the city had moved away from working directly with the Lakeland Humane Society Copeland noted it was to lower the City’s costs.  “We’re already up to $267,355 The number was higher in the other years when it was the Humane Society.”  But he acknowledged that a larger policy shift would require more than just public outcry it would need council direction and more funding.   “If the public wants us to have that facility change out to have kennels to have longer-term care for the animal that is a totally different conversation that a council will have to look at,” said Copeland.  Residents who had cared for and routinely visited Precious after she was found and brought to the city’s facility said they were devastated to learn the dog had been euthanized.  When Jabs asked what residents would have done if Animal Care and Control had informed them that Precious was at risk of being euthanized who originally found and cared for the dog said she would have taken her back without hesitation.   Chipman believed she was surrendering Precious to be adopted Chipman and Janzen addressed City council directly during the meeting.  Why weren't we contacted in the end?” Janzen asked.  “I think that better record keeping on the part of Cold Lake Animal Control needs to happen,” Janzen continued “One of the things that we asked for clarification on when we first brought her multiple times was we do not.’ ‘Will this dog's future ever be in danger at risk of euthanizing?’ ‘No City council and administration acknowledged residents' concerns and committed to improving animal handling and communication CAO Kevin Nagoya noted difficulties in placing animals especially with out-of-province agencies that refuse to assist.  Janzen says she knows of two local animal rescues that were never contacted about Precious.  “If you have organizations that you're aware of that might be able to help us with that we would be very open to taking it,” said Jabs.  Several speakers raised concerns about a lack of transparency Hansen questioned why the City doesn't publicly share efforts to rehome animals suggesting updates should show which agencies were contacted She said it feels like animals are "on death row.”  Copeland acknowledged that communication with the public could be improved.   The mayor also reaffirmed the current limitations of the City’s animal services.   “Our intent is not to keep the animal for an extended period of time and get in the business of adoptions and collecting revenue from it,” he said “The policy that we have in place right now - and it can change it's the will of council - is we do our best to to get the animal in a safe place.”  Janzen believes smaller changes are possible even without sweeping reforms.   “While grand scale change would be wonderful what we're looking for in the interim would be smaller scale change just the way we do business going forward so that what happened to this dog doesn't happen to the next one.”  She emphasized the importance of exhausting all available resources before euthanizing animals.  One resident asked about the costs associated with euthanizing animals.  “I can get certain numbers for you to be certain “There are a few reasons why an animal would be euthanized We do our best to not euthanize any healthy animals because nobody wants to see that.”  Nagoya also emphasized that euthanizing animals is rare “Just to be very clear… we're not euthanizing dogs every month.”  One resident asked if the City had ever considered allowing volunteers to walk or socialize with animals to reduce stress and extend their chances of adoption.  “We have not,” Jabs said.  Chipman emotionally recalled the young age and friendly nature of a euthanized dog expressing sadness over how it was treated.   Copeland said the euthanasia policy could be changed by the council but that would require repurposing the intake facility and new funding and involving volunteers before considering long-term stays He emphasized public involvement in adoptions and licensing saying staff were hurt by false claims about animal treatment.  Jabs also acknowledged staffing challenges He noted that the facility had kept an animal named Precious for months and tried their best to find her a home Chipman expressed surprise at the behavior of the animal “That's strange because they told us that she loved all the animals.”   Copeland and Jabs wrapped up the meeting by emphasizing the need to improve communication Copeland noted progress with two new agency contacts and discussed exploring what it would take to prevent euthanasia at the facility.   including posting a job ad for an animal attendant Jabs emphasized the importance of employee education and expressed the value of allowing the public to visit and see the work being done at the facility.  COLD LAKE - Cold Lake Minor Hockey (CLMH) Director Gord Coggan recently raised concerns over the City of Cold Lake's proposed changes to its Arena and Athletic Field Use and Allocation Policy Issues were brought forward during the March 25 city council meeting.  discussed at the March 18 corporate priorities meeting aim to prioritize events that generate economic benefits in the community.  CLMH raised concerns over the proposed changes fearing they could be left without available ice on some weekends due to scheduling conflicts.   The discussion highlighted tensions with the Lakeland Lightning program and other ice users as the limited rink availability continues to create challenges for scheduling and prioritization.  Coggan explained that CLMH is the largest ice user and that any reductions in their access could have significant negative impacts.   “Cold Lake Minor Hockey has been the majority ice user for a long time,” he said “Has the city considered the negative impacts that will happen to its largest non-profit user group by prioritizing other for-profit groups?”  A major concern was a perceived misunderstanding regarding CLMH’s access to alternate ice facilities “We’re allowed eight hours on the base a week Those hours are limited to Friday and Saturday nights That’s all we get.”   He also dismissed claims that minor hockey was reluctant to use the North Arena it cannot accommodate all their scheduling needs.  Mayor Craig Copeland argued that with three arenas available “How are we impacting scheduling for minor hockey with three rinks?” he asked.  Coggan explained that CLMH schedules over 2,000 bookings annually “Our league stretches from Provost to Fort McMurray to Hinton We can’t ask teams to come for a Wednesday night game at 9 p.m Our games pretty much have to be on weekends,” he explained.  The financial burden on minor hockey was also raised.   “We pay roughly $200,000 a year for ice [time],” Coggan stated adding that CLMH ensures no child is turned away due to financial constraints.  The conversation also touched on female hockey Copeland reassured that council is not looking to reduce minor hockey’s ice time.   “Wouldn’t it be easier just to have minor hockey and other arena users sit down and try to work together?” he suggested.  but stressed the importance of ensuring that minor hockey remains a priority in scheduling decisions.   “When we say ‘we,’ I’m speaking on behalf of the Minor Hockey Association all the four-year-olds to 17-year-olds who love the game but may not be skilled enough to play for other organizations.”  “It's not about the level of hockey.”  The discussion highlighted frustrations over what qualifies as a "big event" under the city’s policy And it says that the Provincial Hockey League (PHL) is a big event Chris Vining acknowledged the significance of minor hockey tournaments but emphasized the need to balance ice time with other leagues that also bring teams to the city and host events.  Coggan explained that a girls' team had to travel out of the city for playoffs due to a showcase event that was being held.  “Why didn't you go to the North Arena if the showcase was going on this weekend?”  We didn't have enough ice time.”  Copeland further emphasized the City's investment in three arenas and the need for cooperation “We have to all work together.”   “But that's what we're saying Mr You did not call us to the table to get our opinion.”  Coggan also pushed for clearer separation between non-profit and for-profit organizations warning that the changes could jeopardize minor hockey.   “We might not be able to service an organization if this goes through.”  Copeland confirmed that the rules were changed to allow tournaments in the community He also mentioned that the City is exploring additional ice options and will work with the Wing Commander to potentially open ice at JJ Parr.  Arena and Athletic Field Use and Allocation Policy Amendments were discussed later in the council meeting where council approved a motion to adjust the priority of bookings User groups will now be required to work with the staff at the Energy Centre to develop a hockey schedule with the understanding that administration may intervene COLD LAKE - A 28-year-old woman from Cold Lake was found dead near the marina by the totem poles on the morning of Feb.11 And while RCMP have stated there is no suspicion of foul play the tragedy has ignited discussions about homelessness and the harsh realities of winter in Alberta.  the public information officer with the Alberta RCMP media group confirmed that drugs were found at the scene He also noted that a name of the deceased has not been released due to next of kin not yet being notified.  “It might have been a combination of that but we won’t know until the medical examiner comes back with their report,” Riggs said it’s not criminal in nature.”  Surveillance footage from the area reportedly shows no suspicious activity.  When asked if cases like this are common in Alberta during extreme winter temperatures “I wouldn’t say it happens all the time so we had one last year where it was a similar situation But it’s not happening all the time.”  the circumstances surrounding her death raise deeper concerns about attitudes toward homelessness in Cold Lake learned about the tragedy through social media.  “I believe no one helped because they either saw her and had a discriminative attitude towards homeless people thinking she put herself there or didn’t deserve help or perhaps they felt afraid to approach her despite her probably being sitting/laying down,” Suhai said.  Suhai highlighted the negative bias against homeless individuals in Cold Lake She noted that many people react with fear or anger rather than kindness Suhai believes that even if someone had seen the woman in distress they may have chosen not to intervene.  I firmly believe that if at least one person saw her it is incredibly possible that they decided to leave her be simply because she appeared homeless and they think lowly of homeless individuals probably thinking to themselves that it is her problem to deal with or her fault that she is in that position.”  Suhai says she has noticed an increase in Cold Lake’s homeless population in recent years but refutes the idea that people are being sent to the city due to there being a shelter in operation.  “The people who are migrating here are coming because they have friends or family here or because it is a safe stop en route to their destination,” she said “No one is being shipped here because we were granted a shelter The shelter barely receives the funding and care it deserves.”  She emphasized the need for more resources and professional staffing at the John Howard Society to ensure it can remain open consistently.  “It needs more professionals working there so it can be open more often So many times I’ve had individuals come to me while I’m on break and mention that the shelter is closed for some fixable reason.”  Program Manager of the Cold Lake John Howard Society shared concerns about the increased demand for shelter services.  We have been near capacity the other night during a particularly cold spell in February that lasted several days and saw temperatures regularly in the minus 30 range.  Heisler highlighted the challenges faced by those in need of shelter.  “We don’t usually turn anybody away,” she said “But it’s difficult when they’re on the north side because the bus has quit running at 9 p.m It takes about an hour for the route to go around say they’re at the hospital or anything else they pretty much don’t have any way to get back here.”  The John Howard Society’s facility is located at  4716 40 Avenue in Cold Lake South which is about nine kilometres from the Cold Lake Marina Suhai recalls the short but meaningful friendship she had with the deceased describing her as being kind and full of love Suhai described how her friend had a contagious smile and how she never asked for anything.  Suhai’s last memory of her friend was in the Walmart parking lot where she was asking for propane money to keep warm.  ‘Please don’t get angry with me for panhandling I just need $4 for propane to keep us warm.’ She jokingly said that - ‘don’t tell on me for panhandling’ - she knew she wasn’t supposed to but it was the only way to survive in her situation.”  Elections Canada officials noted they were still counting ballots from the April 28 election but incumbent Conservative MPs in the Lakeland and Fort McMurray-Cold Lake ridings have regained their seats A statement on the Elections Canada website noted "Due to the high turnout in this election particularly by those voting by special ballot and at advance polls more time is needed to count the ballots while ensuring our integrity checks are done Counting in front of witnesses has resumed this morning and we expect preliminary results for all ridings to be available today [April 29]." 239 of 246 polls had reported results by 9 a.m and incumbent Conservative MP Shannon Stubbs had earned over 80 per cent of the vote Earning the second most votes was Liberal candidate Barry Milaney at 11.9 per cent Voter turnout for the Lakeland riding was sitting at 53,374 of 79,779 registered electors (66.9 per cent) although that does not include electors who registered on election day which includes the communities of Lac La Biche and Cold Lake incumbent Conservative MP Laila Goodridge had also secured just over 80 per cent of the vote At the time, 239 of 246 polls were reporting their results Liberal candidate Kaitlyn Staines had earned the second most number of votes 48,150 of 79,263 registered electors (60.75 per cent) had voted which also does not include the number of electors who registered on election day Cold Lake RCMP would like to advise the public that Vyannah Grosventre was unfortunately located deceased The cause of death has not been deemed suspicious "The thoughts of the Alberta RCMP are with the family and friends of the deceased." COLD LAKE - Cold Lake RCMP are hoping to locate 16-year-old Vyannah Grosventre She was last seen on April 13 in the Cold Lake area If you have any information on Vyannah or her whereabouts please call the Cold Lake RCMP at 780-594-3302 you can contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) online at www. P3Tips.com or by using the “P3 Tips” app available through the Apple App or Google Play Store COLD LAKE - Families flocked to the Reid Field House at the Energy Centre on April 17 for the City of Cold Lake’s annual Easter Party family-friendly celebration packed with colourful activities and cheerful chaos.  “We have the Easter Bunny here and we have a lot of our ongoing vendors like Dan the Balloon Man which is always a big hit for us,” said Heather Miller the City’s Recreation Programs and Services Manager.  Although the event was aimed at kids aged 12 and under and little ones enjoyed a wide variety of Easter-themed entertainment and interactive booths.  and we brought in some really cool things through the Joe Show,” Miller said and then our classic bouncers and that kind of stuff.”  The field house was transformed into a wonderland of spring celebration Miller said the event has become a well-loved Cold Lake tradition.  “I've been here eight or nine years now and it's been every year since I've been here so it's been an annual thing,” she said it's a free event for the community so that's always a great thing.”  new attractions are introduced to keep the event fresh while still holding onto fan favourites.  “We keep adding a little bit every year we're changing it to make it a little bit different but keeping our classics like the Easter bunny and like our face painting,” she explained.  “It just makes us happy because this is what we love to do,” said Miller.  “It's a tough time right now with the economy we love doing this event because obviously it's well attended we get a lot of people out and it's just something that we can do and we love to do.”  COLD LAKE - City council approved a new water billing adjustment program policy at its April 8 regular meeting giving homeowners facing extraordinary water bills due to leaks or unintentional usage With the recent transition to a new metering and software system the City of Cold Lake now has the ability to detect abnormal water usage in real-time Nagoya pointed out that this transition period came with challenges.   “We especially couldn't guarantee it during a time where we’re doing some estimates in order to transition to the new software.”  243-UT-25) establishes a formal process for residents to request partial relief on unusually high water bills It allows for a one-time credit of up to 50 per cent of the bill Council heard about several situations involving water leaks which have led to five-figure bills.   “That does happen from time to time,” said Nagoya “That’s why we always highly recommend insurance companies inspect your home.”  Ryan Bailey asked about situations involving tenant sabotage “Imagine I did rent a property to somebody and they felt that I was being an unkind landlord and they turned on all the taps and left the house.” He asked if landlords would have recourse under this policy.  “It has to be filtered through this policy and decision-making matrix It has to be something very exceptional.”  Mayor Craig Copeland also raised concerns about renter rights.   “My concern is if the property owner doesn’t deliver the bill to the renter for the water use and you’ve got this exceptional usage where’s the renter’s rights to try to come forward and get the 50 per cent at least deduction there?”  Nagoya clarified that current policy requires bills to be in the property owner’s name unless grandfathered meaning renters generally need to go through the owner.  The City had previously handled such issues on a case-by-case basis but Nagoya recalled a specific incident from roughly a decade ago where a resident’s bill was waived due to compassion despite the absence of a formal policy.   “And there is no bylaw to do this necessarily but council out of compassion waived that bill.”  The new policy aims to provide clarity and consistency.   “We thought it’d be beneficial if the City of Cold Lake have a policy in place,” Nagoya said.  The policy offers support to those hit hardest by unexpected leaks and high water bills balancing empathy and fiscal responsibility.  if you’ve had a pretty significant broken water pipe when a single resident is having that water leaking the City itself is still paying for that water,” said Nagoya.  Council passed a motion to approve Policy No known as the water billing adjustment program policy Paul Family Day Home Society is expanding to Bonnyville and Cold Lake after the day homes group in those communities shut down Under Alberta’s Early Learning and Child Care Act day home educators can provide care for up to six children Licensed day homes work with an agency and have access to provincial childcare funding and early childhood educator wage top-ups and do not receive funding from the government Barbara Rideout is one of the day home providers in Cold Lake who was impacted by the closure of Bonnyville Play & Learn Family Homes the agency that had been managing the licensing checks and funding for Bonnyville and Cold Lake “We sat down for a dinner with our agency and all our providers and were told the board had put in a cease letter on our behalf and we no longer had funding as of March 31,” said Rideout She said the information they received was pretty limited “but they made it sound as though we haven’t had a board for a very long time The providers were very upset by that,” said Rideout said they were told the board was “non-functioning” due to a lack of volunteers For the day home providers and the families they provide care to If they didn’t find a new agency right away they would lose access to the Alberta childcare funding which pays approximately two thirds of the monthly fees for full-time care leaving parents with a flat fee of $326.50 per child She said they were approached to see if they could take on the homes currently working with Bonnyville Play & Learn Family Homes when that group made the decision to shut down in early March We have another potential home in Cold Lake and we’ve sent out extra applications as well in the general Lakeland area within the past couple of weeks,” said Poulin the agency is providing the same services to their new homes in Bonnyville and Cold Lake that they do for the homes in St They are required to do certain things like report their attendance so we can claim their hours of care and then they have other requirements like the menu and the activity planning and all that stuff But whatever needs to get sent to the government that's us that do that,” said Poulin another provider in Bonnyville was caught in the crossfire She made the decision to return to the Bonnyville agency in the November and spent the winter doing the necessary paperwork and upgrading the safety measures in her home to meet the licensing requirements [they were] going to wait until [changes to Alberta child care funding] flips over so I was left really stressed,” said Hite who found out about the closure by text message Hite said she was very thankful the other providers made sure St Paul Family Day Home Society knew who she was and kept her in the loop as things were being figured out Zelisko and Rideout all had high praise for Poulin and the staff in St “I was at it for three months trying to get everything organized and she did my house and the four other houses in 17 days. They’re incredibly hard-working ladies in in St Rideout said she was impressed with the level of transparency in St Paul and with the app the agency uses for tracking attendance and meal plans “They really are our heroes,” said Rideout Attempts by Lakeland This Week to reach out to Bonnyville Play & Learn Family Homes were unsuccessful but in a brief statement posted to social media "Thank you to the many families that trusted us with your little ones We took this job very seriously and every day did it to the best of our abilities." COLD LAKE - Cold Lake RCMP are reminding residents to use caution when driving on winter roads A snowfall warning was in place for much of the Lakeland on March 13 and weather conditions resulted in snow covered roads RCMP say they responded to a serious motor vehicle collision on Thursday involving a commercial vehicle at Highway 55 and Highway 897 "Through the course of the investigation it was learned that an SUV was travelling along Highway 55 while a pickup truck attempted to turn onto Highway 897," reads information released by RCMP. "The SUV attempted to avoid a collision which then spun the SUV into an oncoming semi truck with a flatbed." The drivers of the pickup truck and semi truck were examined by EMS The driver of the SUV was transported to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries "Cold Lake RCMP would like to remind motorists to give plenty of room between yourself and other vehicles and drive for the weather conditions," say RCMP The highways were both cleared and traffic was moving normally when the RCMP released information shortly after 7 p.m COLD LAKE - Eastern Alberta Victim Services provided an update to City of Cold Lake council during the April 8 regular meeting offering a detailed presentation on the work of the Eastern Alberta Regional Victim Serving Society.  Melody Littell provided an in-depth overview of the services they offer to victims of crime and tragedy across eastern Alberta and fielded questions from council members about eligibility and how community members can access support.  “As part of our work with Victim Services we strive to support all individuals recognizing the importance of equity our mission and vision are all about supporting individuals who have been victimized or have experienced a significant tragedy,” said Littell.  The Eastern Alberta Regional Victim Serving Society provides general victim support services and helps clients navigate the criminal justice system Littell explained their approach to trauma-informed care and how they work closely with the RCMP and other community agencies.  resources and information in the aftermath the best way to help our clients,” Littell told council.   “By helping them regain control and empowering them or helping them navigate the criminal justice system it restores their sense of stability and peace.”   She emphasized that “everyone deserves to be treated with respect and dignity by treating people with empathy and compassion and safeguarding their personal information.”  The society’s service area mirrors the Eastern Alberta RCMP District covering 24 detachments and excluding only Wood Buffalo Their central administrative office is in St and most services are delivered locally through court support navigators and trained volunteer advocates who attend crisis events.  “Our court support navigators are located in your local detachments and are there to provide the day-to-day service to the clients and the community and we have volunteer advocates in some of our communities that respond to callouts.”  “These are people who attend crisis events and provide emotional support and resources in that moment,” she explained.  Mayor Craig Copeland asked whether people affected by a loved one’s substance abuse can seek help through Eastern Alberta Victim Services.  “They can reach out - anyone can reach out,” responded Littell and we will get them to the agency that can best support them with that.”  Ryan Bailey asked how quickly someone can expect a response after a referral chances are it would be turned around that day it would be the next business day.”  The delegation also outlined how staff members support victims through the court process by helping them understand the justice system including the Canadian Victim Bill of Rights and the Victims of Crime Protocol.  we provide information on victim impact statements and community impact statements to help victims understand how to make their voices heard in the system,” Littell said and coordination with Crown prosecutors.  The society uses a two-tiered after-hours crisis system where Tier One navigators receive all RCMP-forwarded calls and determine whether to respond or dispatch a Tier Two advocate.  and coordination with Crown prosecutors.   “This can include canvassing for testimonial aids when necessary to ensure the victims feel they can fully participate in the court process We offer emotional support and court debriefing after the proceedings to help the victim process their experience and ensure they have the supports they need,” Litttell added.  Eastern Alberta Victim Services offers after-hours crisis response with the contact number provided to all RCMP members in their service area They also have tier two volunteers available to respond in person across different regions.  Eastern Alberta Victim Services won’t respond to unsafe situations involving drugs they encourage anyone unsure where to turn for help to call or walk in and staff will guide them to the right resources.  Agencies wishing to refer clients can contact the organization at [email protected] to receive the required consent form it is assigned to a navigator for follow-up.  Council expressed appreciation for the comprehensive update and accepted it as information.  Bob Mattice has filed his nomination papers to run for mayor in the upcoming 2025 municipal election.   With the nomination period open until noon on Sept Mattice is the first candidate to publicly announce his bid to fill the seat which is being vacated by long-time Mayor Craig Copeland “The main thing is that we have a vacancy from Mayor Copeland big shoes to fill,” Mattice said.  sees running for mayor as a natural progression in his political journey aiming to continue contributing to Cold Lake’s growth.  Mattice has lived in Cold Lake since 1988.   “I've only been on council this term - this is my first term - so we're on our fourth year Mattice described his affinity for the close-knit nature of the city.   “I've always liked smaller places where you can get to know people and develop relationships Mattice spoke about his appreciation for the experience “The experience of the last four years has been wonderful.” He also praised the current council and city administration.   ‘Do you like being on council?’ I say ‘I absolutely love it,’ because we have a really good council We're led well by our mayor and our city staff you can see our dynamic - it’s respectful but this is a really good council that has exceeded my expectations.”  Mattice spent 35 years as a business owner and healthcare provider having owned a local pharmacy for 30 years before selling it to focus on his role with City council.  “I’ve done volunteer work over the years throughout the city like many people do for their children’s activities But I've always been an advocate for where we live I learned that from my parents - they always said ‘Bloom where you're planted’.”  Mattice's priorities include addressing homelessness “Healthcare access has been an issue for years especially with the shortage of physicians and we have further plans to address healthcare needs which are already showing good results.”  Mattice also noted the economic and infrastructure developments in the city “We need to keep up with what’s expected in the next few years He also highlighted key infrastructure projects and regional cooperation “Highway 28 is a big concern for people and we’re working on infrastructure improvements Our relationships with Cold Lake First Nations but there's always room for enhancement.”  My focus is on civility and generosity - just keeping up the good work.”  residents in Cold Lake may soon have a place to roller skate.   Roller Haus Roller Skating is bringing the activity to the community with upcoming drop-in sessions at the Imperial Oil Arena in the Cold Lake Energy Centre.   Skating dates are set for June 7 and July 19 with family-friendly drop-in sessions taking place at the Cold Lake Energy Centre with skate rentals available for an additional $5 Sponsored by the Lakeland Lady Killers roller derby team the events will also offer information for anyone interested in joining the team.  a fundraiser will also be held on April 5 at the Canex Mall from 12:30 to 4 p.m. aiming to raise money for rental skates and support the growing interest in local roller skating.  says this has been a passion project for her “It was something that I really wanted to do for myself personally And then it just kind of snowballed.”  She shared the real estate idea with a friend and client at her business explaining that it involves finding a venue for people to roller skate “I think you're really on to something here.”  A visit to Rollers Roller Rink in Edmonton who offered advice and encouragement.  The April 5 fundraiser will feature hair demonstrations a silent auction with donations from local businesses will be held both in-person and online.   The Cold Lake Energy Centre will also host family-friendly drop-in skating sessions with a $5 entrance fee and $5 skate rentals the event will also provide information on joining the team.  Skaters are encouraged to wear fun outfits but must bring their own safety gear.  and chief of Cold Lake First Nations (CLFN) He’s the 15th Indigenous person killed in incidents involving law enforcement since the end of August “He had two names [and] he was a [‘60s] Scoop survivor,” CLFN Chief Kelsey Jacko told APTN News Jacko said Skani had two children and that their mother died a year ago from her addictions “These kids have to grow up with no parents but family stepped up to raise them,” Jacko said Cold Lake RCMP said in a news release that at approximately 8 p.m officers responded to a 911 call of an attempted stabbing at a transit stop in Cold Lake “Two officers arrived and located the male subject armed with an edged weapon to bring the subject into custody,” the release stated “The subject was transported to the local hospital No officers or other civilians were injured during this incident.” Jacko said Skani was homeless and living with addictions in Cold Lake but somebody called in the police and that’s when it happened.” Jacko questioned the use of lethal force on Skani “They’re (RCMP officers) trained to resolve these problems The RCMP have not said how many times Skani was shot and the Alberta Serious Incident Response Team is conducting an independent investigation APTN has reached out to ASIRT for a comment on this case Jacko has long been a proponent of bringing a tribal police force to Cold Lake First Nations “They should have special units to train our people,” Jacko said I know we have to work with the province and the federal government Forty-eight per cent would come from the province and 52 per cent federal But the numbers have to be right,” Jacko said Jacko said reading comments on social media has been very disheartening for him as chief I’m supposed to be a leader and I try to stay positive it’s very frustrating at the end of the day because I’m the one- my community-who has to carry these people to their graves,” Jacko said Jacko said the family is planning a service for Skani in the new year Signup to our newsletter and receive this week's top stories every Saturday morning COLD LAKE - The Cold Lake City Council approved the closure of a portion of an undeveloped lane adjacent to 4605 50 Street The decision came after a statutory public hearing at the beginning of the meeting on Feb during which no residents came forward to speak.  “Following up to the public hearing earlier this evening administration recommends bylaw 865-ST-25 to close and dispose of a portion of road receive second as well as third and final reading,” said Andrew Jabbs 865-ST-25 facilitates the closure and disposal of a section of an undeveloped lane to support the subdivision of the City’s old railway line adjacent to 4605 and 4611 50 Street which has been out of operation for over 20 years currently serves as a City right-of-way for the regional waterline.  to finalize the subdivision with the Land Titles Office administration determined that the undeveloped lane adjacent to 4605 50 Street must be closed and the City has no further interest in retaining it Future plans include selling the closed lane to the adjacent business with a requirement that the parcel be consolidated with their lot This consolidation would allow the business to retain necessary parking and drive-thru access.  Council had previously given first reading to Bylaw No No concerns regarding the proposed closure were raised before the council report deadline With no objections during the public hearing council proceeded to approve second and third readings of the bylaw COLD LAKE - City of Cold Lake council discussed proposed amendments to its Arena and Athletic Field Use and Allocation Policy to ensure that bookings prioritize events that bring economic benefits to the community.  At the March 18 Corporate Priorities meeting the city's manager of economic development explained the rationale behind the proposed changes.  "Administration has prepared a number of draft amendments to the Arena and Athletic Field Use and Allocation Policy," said Serba "Many of the amendments in the draft attached to this report are meant to bring the policy in line with current operational practices to alleviate a number of operational issues that staff have identified and to prioritize bookings that bring significant economic benefit to the community."  One of the key changes includes defining a "large event" as any event booking an amenity for a half day or more The cancellation policy would remain at 30 days for large events while the notice period for smaller bookings would be reduced to seven days.  The first priority for arena bookings goes to City of Cold Lake Programs meaning that events and activities organized or operated by the City take precedence over all other bookings This ensures that the city's own initiatives such as recreational programs or city-hosted events have guaranteed access to the facilities.  The primetime ice booking schedule has been adjusted to match current demand A key change also includes defining "sport tournaments" and prioritizing them second for arena bookings.   he explained how the Lakeland Lightning team has been organizing weekend showcase events with multiple games being held These showcases have used multiple sheets of ice and have led to friction with Cold Lake Minor Hockey which traditionally held priority over blocks of ice time.  With the local Provincial Hockey League (PHL) team planning six monthly showcases next season competition for ice time is expected to continue Since these events boost the local economy and maximize ice use administration has prioritized sports tournaments second Chris Vining inquired about whether Cold Lake Minor Hockey has actually been displaced by the bookings.  "Is there any evidence that Cold Lake Minor Hockey has been bumped where they've had a tournament scheduled that they couldn't [host] is this really what we're hearing?” asked Vining.  Serba said staff have managed to allocate ice time for everyone Vining also questioned whether Cold Lake Minor Hockey viewed the North Arena as an inferior facility to arena at the Energy Centre.  "I can confirm based on my meetings there were allegations that were being made as such however after a meeting with Cold Lake Minor Hockey to explain where the facility is inferior no examples were able to be provided."  Vining argued that all ratepayers should be treated equally and questioned why minor hockey should have priority He saw no issue with large-scale bookings like tournaments being allowed.  Nagoya acknowledged the friction between various hockey organizations and the evolving landscape of ice usage in Cold Lake.  The CAO stated there was significant friction in the 2024-25 season Nagoya emphasized the importance of maximizing facility usage for the benefit of the city's economy.  Vining also pointed out the broader implications of allowing external organizations to dictate booking priorities.  you're really starting to dance a dangerous line when you start letting organizations dictate who we can or cannot [rent to] unless you've got contracts with non-compete clauses and those kinds of things that are already built in," Vining said.  Mayor Craig Copeland praised City staff for accommodating requests and emphasized that cooperation is key to making the most of available resources.  Council will consider whether to accept the draft amendments to the Arena and Athletic Field Use and Allocation Policy at its next regular council meeting COLD LAKE - Cold Lake is among several Alberta communities named in a year-long investigation into a human trafficking operation that stretched across Canada Led by the Alberta Law Enforcement Response Teams’ (ALERT) Human Trafficking unit the investigation knows as Project Endgame has “revealed a cross-Canada network of sex trafficking that has been in operation for over a decade.” “The perpetrators allegedly controlled the victims through coercion by forcing them to perform multiple sex acts on multiple clients every day If the victims questioned the traffickers or disputed the situation violence and isolation,” according to an ALERT media release While a number of human trafficking victims were located ALERT believes there are additional victims and is encouraging them to contact police “ALERT’s investigation saw the perpetrators work in the communities of Edmonton Arrests and search warrants were conducted in Edmonton Montreal and Red Deer with a total of 23 charges related to human trafficking offences laid 31 in Edmonton while Kevin Dorcelus-Cetoute “Elien-Abbot remains in custody and has a bail hearing scheduled for February 19 Dorcelus-Cetoute and Dubois were both released from custody and are scheduled to appear in court on March 7 2025,” according to the ALERT information provided Project Endgame involved resources from the Edmonton Police Service RCMP and a Quebec joint forces anti-pimping team “Project Endgame exhausted all resources and avenues to bring charges against the suspects and end this cycle of sexualized violence and degradation,” said Staff Sergeant Chris Hayes of ALERT following a 911 call placed to police detailing a sex worker being violently assaulted The investigation has connections to a 2021 ALERT human trafficking investigation in which Dorcelus-Cetoute was charged.” Established in 2006 by the Government of Alberta ALERT works with municipal police forces and RCMP to investigate criminal activity including drug trafficking a Cold Lake resident and member of the Cold Lake Black Community has made her literary debut with Zuri’s Magic Mirror a children’s book with a powerful message of self-love and representation.  “Zuri’s Magic Mirror was deeply inspired by my own daughters’ experiences growing up in a community where Black representation is minimal,” Brown shares.  comparing their skin colour and hair texture to those around them it was heartbreaking to see their self-perception shaped by societal standards that often didn’t reflect their beauty,” says Brown.  she wrote a story to help children embrace their uniqueness and see themselves as beautiful “Zuri’s journey is one of self-discovery and self-love she is transported into a world where she meets inspiring figures who look like her The book teaches children to embrace their uniqueness and recognize that they are enough just as they are.  Brown carefully crafted the magic mirror as a symbol of self-affirmation.  “I wanted to create something symbolic something that would reflect the truth about who Zuri is even when she has trouble seeing it herself The magic mirror represents self-affirmation It allows her to see herself through a new lens Targeted at children who are 4 to 10 years old the book has already received positive feedback from young readers and their parents.  the feedback from young readers has been incredibly heartwarming Parents have shared stories of their children reading Zuri’s Magic Mirror and seeing themselves in Zuri’s journey.”  “I’ve had children tell me they love their curls more now or that they feel like a princess after reading it Those moments mean everything to me.”  Brown credits her children as her greatest inspiration.  “I wanted to create something that spoke directly to them and to other children like them."  She adds that representation in stories boosts self-esteem and fosters empathy by exposing children to diverse perspectives.  “Stories shape how we see ourselves and the world around us so it’s important that all children feel seen and valued in literature.”  As an active member of the Cold Lake Black Community Brown sees her work as an extension of her advocacy.  “My work with the Cold Lake Black Community is all about uplifting and fostering a sense of belonging,” she explains.  we strive to create spaces where Black voices are heard and celebrated to amplify stories that reflect Black experiences and to create books that affirm and inspire It all ties back to representation and empowerment.”  Brown is eager to share her book with the community through author readings at the library and daycare and is open to more opportunities like school visits and book fairs.  Brown encourages support for Zuri’s Magic Mirror by sharing it with children engaging in discussions about self-love and diversity The book is available for purchase on Amazon and she says she appreciates honest reviews to help reach more readers.  Brown is grateful for the support she has received so far.  “I’m also excited to share that I have two more books coming soon The Great Egg-Speriment and A Mother’s Heart These stories will also be available for purchase in the near future and I can't wait to share them.”  COLD LAKE - The Cold Lake Ag Society hosted the Les Trach Memorial Bullarama which is the second performance of the 30th anniversary series The event was held at the Cold Lake Exhibition Park on April 5.  The event hosted 21 bull riders and six junior steer riders the Director of Rodeo and Roughstock for the Cold Lake Ag Society said it was a packed house for both the bull riding and the concert that was held after.  Rafael Parra won the event with an aggregate score of 154 points and Francisco Costa took second place with a score of 83 points Easton Lambert was the only junior steer rider to get a qualified ride with a winning score of 66.5.  and signs of new beginnings for the Ag [Society] who has been part of the Ag Society since 1981 for all his decades of service to the community and the Ag [Society],” said Wilson Wilson said they also bid farewell to long-time sponsor Double D Contracting a company started by Dennis Dube and passed on to his son Dean Dube as they close their doors after more than five decades of operating in Cold Lake.  Rodeo entertainer Casey Wanchuk engaged the crowd throughout the evening singing retro country songs with audience members Wilson said Wanchuk was also tasked with awarding the event’s “Fan of the Night.” Wanchuk ended up not being able to choose between a group of three little girls who had made signs for him Wilson said he is honoured to serve the community as part of the large team required to host these events.  is offering a pickleball clinic specifically designed for up-and-coming juniors The clinic will take place at the Assumption Gym in Cold Lake and is an opportunity for young athletes to develop their skills in this fast-growing sport Dates for the clinic begin in late April and wrap up in early May.  Pickleball has gained immense popularity in recent years but there remains a misconception among youth that it is only for older generations "It's not just for granny anymore," says Lara Bates treasurer of the Cold Lake Pickleball Club.   a highly accomplished pickleball player who began playing professionally at just 12 years old Bates praised Waters as an exceptional player with an impressive win record and earning potential noting that her success is unlikely to be surpassed due to her age and ongoing career.  The upcoming junior clinic aims to spark an interest in youth by showcasing the sport’s competitive opportunities.   the clinic also aims to foster a lifelong love of sport.   what we're trying to do is we're working in conjunction with Pickleball Alberta to try and find the next Olympic gold medalist Because hopefully it's going to be at the Olympics in the next go-round," Bates explains The pickleball community is hopeful that the sport will be included in the 2028 Olympics.  Bates says the goal is to raise awareness and give local youth a chance to connect through pickleball since it’s a sport that can be both competitive and social.  The clinic will be held over multiple sessions allowing players to learn and develop at their own pace.  "Pickleball Alberta has actually inspired this Hotshot program and they've developed it," Bates explains.  Pickleball Alberta is handling all aspects of the clinic With a Level 2 coach travelling from Edmonton and everything set up at Assumption School the next step is to spread the word and encourage kids to register.  The clinic will cater to players of all skill levels.   “We're able to meet the kids where they are in their knowledge and skill they'll get to hone their technique and learn strategies to take their play to the next level," Bates says "If the kids have never really played much pickleball we'll start with just an intro."  Although the clinic is geared toward ages 12 to 18 Bates says younger athletes are welcome to join if the schedule isn’t too overwhelming for them.  Coaching will be led by Coach Della Curry from Pickleball Alberta with support from two local club members in their 20s who recently earned Level 1 certification.  Bates is optimistic about the future of youth pickleball in Cold Lake.   “I'm starting to see some kids out there outdoors We're hoping to inspire a young athlete who might find that pickleball is their true passion and maybe they're going to want to take it to the next level for themselves."  The junior pickleball clinic will take place over two weekends with an additional $25 fee for Pickleball Alberta and Pickleball Canada memberships for those who are not already members Each participant will receive a Poach Paddle For those interested in registering for the clinic, more details can be found by contacting [email protected]  the incumbent Conservative Party candidate for Fort McMurray-Cold Lake has launched her reelection campaign with a platform promising a strong economy and affordable living We apologize, but this video has failed to load.Try refreshing your browser, ortap here to see other videos from our team.Play VideoArticle contentAt a Wednesday evening campaign launch at the Doug Barnes Cabin Goodridge said the messaging of the Conservative Party is already resonating in the riding She has already had more requests for signs than expected “There are many things that I have heard very clearly people want to see continue including being a strong advocate for our energy industry and continuing bringing that fight to Ottawa and hopefully forming a Conservative majority government so we can deliver on some of that important work that’s going to be so important particularly for our riding,” Goodridge said in an interview The Fort McMurray-Cold Lake riding historically votes Conservative but Goodridge warned about 60 supporters who came to the event not to get complacent during the campaign The region also historically has some of the lowest voter turnouts in Canada “All it takes is low voter turnout and something weird can happen,” she said Instead of running out of a campaign office Goodridge is opting to stay mobile until Election Day on April 28 Goodridge said she is excited to hear from residents and is impressed with the amount of young people she has met who are excited to vote for the first time When asked about recent polls favouring a national win for the Liberals Goodridge said “the poll that matters is the poll that happens on Election Day.” “I’ll be travelling throughout the 147,000 square-kilometres of the Fort McMurray-Cold Lake riding and hope to see as many people as possible,” she said in an interview This is the end of Goodridge’s first term as an MP She was first elected to politics in a 2018 byelection as the UCP MLA for Fort McMurray-Conklin and reelected in the newly formed riding of Fort McMurray-Lac La Biche in the 2019 general election She ran as a federal Conservative candidate in the 2021 election after her predecessor Goodridge was named shadow minister for families She was moved to shadow minister of addictions the next year Goodridge also said she was “exceptionally proud” of her constituency office’s work throughout her term in helping residents navigate government bureaucracy Goodridge said representing the oilsands region as a fluent French speaker will be an advantage She told supporters she has spent the last term meeting with Quebec politicians at the municipal “Most of them have never actually heard any thing close to fair,” she said “Having a politician from this region that speaks fluent French and has young kids changes the perspective that some of those Quebec politicians have of what this community is.” The People’s Party of Canada has named Al Clarke as their candidate for the riding They are the only other party so far to list a local candidate on their website COLD LAKE - The City of Cold Lake Council has rescinded its previous decision to financially support a local team participating in the Alberta 55 Plus Games scheduled in Calgary from April 10-13.   approved a $1,000 travel grant and $2,400 for jerseys and socks with the understanding the City would retain the apparel for future use.   CAO Kevin Nagoya informed council that the team had secured independent sponsorship for the jerseys which created conflicts with the original funding arrangement.  He further elaborated that the sponsor preferred their logo prominently displayed on the jerseys which conflicted with the City's plan to reuse them for future events “They're going to have a sponsorship that wants the front logo and they want to ensure that the jerseys are taken care of and not have to sign them out for future games."   a representative on behalf of the team proposed that instead of funding jerseys and golf shirts to ensure the team has a unified look for the ceremonies.  Nagoya outlined two options for the council either rescind the original motion or amend it to align with the new circumstances.   Ryan Bailey suggested that rescinding the original motion and starting anew would be the most straightforward approach.   "I was just thinking it's probably just best to rescind and start fresh instead of trying to determine what you're amending If we just wipe it clean and then re-deliberate on it I think that might just be the most expedient way to do it."   This decision allows for reconsideration of the City's assistance to the team in alignment with the new sponsorship developments.  COLD LAKE - The City of Cold Lake and RCMP dismantled an "expansive encampment" on Feb According to information released by the City on Feb "Community Peace Officers from Cold Lake Municipal Enforcement in coordination with the local RCMP detachment and Cold Lake public works and infrastructure staff cleared disassembled and cleaned up the site of an expansive encampment that included warming fires and was littered with debris." two Community Peace Officers and two Bylaw Officers were on scene to make sure "the encampment was vacated without incident." Contractors then came to the site to do clean-up "This included 2,010 kilograms of waste which was collected and removed from the encampment," according to the City of Cold Lake The City of Cold Lake’s Municipal Enforcement and Fire-Rescue resources "have seen a significant amount of work caused by illegal camps with Fire-Rescue being called to 56 urban camping incidents in 2025 alone," according to the municipality.  along with the Cold Lake John Howard Society have been working to provide shelter for those in need and provide the required resources Charges were also laid against some repeat offenders "Four individuals were found in the encampment and issued fines for causing a nuisance and trespassing The Cold Lake RCMP made one arrest as one of the individuals was wanted for outstanding warrants," according to the City of Cold Lake “This is a persistent issue but we are persistent people and have a strong team dedicated to public safety,” said Mayor Craig Copeland “It’s always disheartening to see that people do not want the help they need but we will continue to keep our community safe while offering assistance to those who can benefit from it firefighters and public works staff have all worked hand-in-hand on this issue They all deserve a lot of credit," added the mayor COLD LAKE - An Advanced Tactical Aviation Course will be taking place at 4 Wing Cold Lake which will result in an increase in air traffic from April 11 to May 16 The increased traffic will include CH-47 Chinooks and CH-146 Griffons conducting training The course is "an intensive program that prepares aircrew to plan and execute complex missions in modern operational environments," reads information from the Canadian air force base "4 Wing is always mindful of our Lakeland community neighbours and this type of training is not intended to disrupt and efforts will be made to minimize noise over the City of Cold Lake Always carefully planned and closely controlled to ensure public safety this type of training provides valuable and legitimate training to maintain collective readiness and operational effectiveness." Editor's Note: This story was clarified to note that the City of Cold Lake does not have a bylaw in place but rather abides by provincial legislation that is already in place across Alberta.  COLD LAKE - The City of Cold Lake has decided against participating in a provincial pilot project that would allow golf carts and other mini vehicles on public roads a move that has sparked debate within the community.    the City sent a letter to the provincial government seeking clarity on regulations for enclosed electric scooters amid rising safety concerns and the need for local regulations to keep up with new technology.   council reviewed Alberta’s initiative to test the use of these vehicles on municipal roadways.   where concerns about the Gio vehicles were specifically brought up we approached the province for updates to the legislation surrounding these kinds of vehicles as well as what they are classified as,” said Mayor Craig Copeland. “Although some companies market them as mobility devices and faster than what is commonly known as a mobility aid.”   golf carts and similar mini vehicles are restricted from public roads offers municipalities a framework to regulate their use as an alternative mode of transportation.    participation requires provincial approval of designated routes falls under the classification of a golf cart rather than a mobility aid meaning it cannot be driven on municipal roads according to the City of Cold Lake.   Copeland explained that Gio-type vehicles don't fit current legislation making them unsuitable for Cold Lake.   “Although we were given the option to participate in the pilot project and look at regulations to allow golf carts or mini vehicles on public streets council decided not to pursue it at this time,” he said driving up and down the highway between Cold Lake North and South They also cannot safely use the Millennium Trail And so there does not seem to be a strong use case for them in Cold Lake unless specific infrastructure was created to accommodate them.”   The decision has left some residents frustrated particularly those who rely on Gios for mobility the worship director at the Harbor Light Alliance Church in Cold Lake “I’m a GIO owner and I own it because I am no longer allowed to drive because I am legally blind But legally blind doesn’t mean I can’t see,” said Willment “But it means that I am not legal to drive a motorized vehicle anymore on the highways.”  Willment believes the existing legislation unfairly targets GIO vehicles noting that only three residents use them regularly He sees it as discrimination against a small group of individuals.   While acknowledging safety concerns about highway travel Willment stressed that enclosed mobility scooters like the GIO are essential for some individuals.   I can’t drive an open mobility scooter because I have neuropathy My eyes freeze into solid lumps in my skull,” he explained “I need an enclosed mobility scooter Willment highlighted the provincial legislation’s impact he relies on his GIO mobility scooter for quick responses to urgent calls he is unable to perform his duties as efficiently.   Willment and other GIO users plan to challenge the legislation and will have a delegation at the Feb “If federally we are sanctioned as a mobility scooter or a mobility aid with these GIOS then for a local government like this to supersede that and try to change the classification legally they can’t,” Willment argued I do believe that those of us who own the GIO’s will pursue a human rights lawsuit.”  COLD LAKE - The Cold Lake Agricultural Society was filled with inspiration and celebration on March 7 as the community gathered for the 2025 Cold Lake Women of Influence Awards.   held in recognition of International Women’s Day honoured six women from across various fields for their contributions to the Cold Lake community.   The evening featured keynote speaker Jelena Mrdjenovich the most decorated Canadian female professional boxer of all time as well as a performance by Titan Boxing.  She reflected on the event’s long-standing history emphasizing its impact over the past 11 years.  She provided background on how the awards came to be the former Executive Director of the Lakeland Center for FASD "Audrey really had the view that for women to succeed and to overcome their struggles they need to be able to look around and have something to strive towards They need to be able to look around and see other women in the community who are doing really well."  designed to recognize women beyond the business world The evening saw seven women recognized for their dedication and accomplishments:  Overall Women of Excellence Award - Audrey Poitras was honoured for her lifelong     leadership and impact on advancing opportunities for women and the Métis community.  Arts and Cultural Leadership Award - Aimee Alger was recognized for her contributions to the drama department at Cold Lake Junior High School.   Business and Professional Award - Darah Blandford was recognized as the 2025 Student Trustee of the Year.   Community and Volunteerism Award - Jesse Heisler was honored for her work as the Prevention and Community Engagement Manager at the Dragonfly Centre.   Health and Wellness Award - Andrea Papalia was recongized for her contributions to mental and physical well-being in the community.  Science and Technology Award - Maria Slavik was recognized for her innovation and contributions to the STEM field.   Older Women Award: Heather McFarlane was celebrated for making an impact on the community later in life.   Jelena Mrdjenovich took the stage to share her journey as a champion boxer overcoming obstacles and defying expectations.  Mrdjenovich expressed honour in addressing the Women of Influence Awards gala She recalled the challenges she faced early in her career.  "When I first stepped into the ring for my first world title I knew I wasn't just fighting for myself I was fighting for every girl who was told that she couldn't."  Mrdjenovich shared personal stories from her upbringing in small-town Alberta emphasizing the importance of role models and perseverance.  Mrdjenovich plans to fight for another world title this year and encourages others to keep pushing She said she fights for future generations of women and urges them to break barriers and write their own stories as her own journey is far from over.  COLD LAKE - Squadrons from 4 Wing Cold Lake will be conducting night flying training over Cold Lake from March 24 until April 16 Information from the Canadian air base states that while 4 Wing is "always mindful of the Lakeland community" and the training is not intended to disrupt people's peace and quiet it is "an essential training requirement for aircrew and ground crew." "The ability to conduct night missions is vital to our operational capability," according to information from 4 Wing COLD LAKE - Squadrons from 4 Wing Cold Lake will be conducting night flying training over the City of Cold Lake in February the night flying training is set to take place from Feb "4 Wing is always mindful of the Lakeland community and this type of training is not intended to disrupt your valuable peace and quiet," reads the information "Night flying is an essential training requirement for aircrew and ground crew The ability to conduct night missions is vital to our operational capability." Update: RCMP say Muskego has been located and is safe COLD LAKE - Cold Lake RCMP are working to locate 36-year-old Janine Muskego She was last seen on March 7, in the Cold Lake area If you have any information regarding the whereabouts of Muskego please contact Cold Lake RCMP at 780-594-3301 COLD LAKE – After two decades on city council Cold Lake Mayor Craig Copeland has announced he will not be seeking re-election this fall.  Copeland was first elected as a councillor in 2004 and became mayor in 2007.  The mayor made the decision official with a statement released to the public on Monday afternoon “It has been an honour serving the residents of the City of Cold Lake as the mayor since the fall of 2007 I would just like to let everyone know that I will not be running in the fall municipal election this year,” says Copeland.  When asked what his plans are once his time as mayor is over he says he will continue working in his other job which is managing fish hatcheries for the province [I'm] going to see what other options are available in the future," Copeland told Lakeland This Week “Looking back at what our community was when I was on council in 2004 to where we are now 20 years later road and recreational facilities during this time have shaped our community Business investment has grown even though our economy experienced fluctuated oil markets over this period,” says Copeland.  For those who may be considering running for municipal council in the fall election “I believe when you are on council you need to move your community forward,” he says elected officials do this by setting policy and then allowing the City staff to execute it “I think we on council have done that over the years I look forward to watching the future councils continue to make Cold Lake great,” says Copeland.  The mayor says he is thankful for the other elected officials he has worked alongside.  “The people that have been on council with me over the years have been tremendous to work with The community trusted us to move the community forward as we saw fit I want to thank all of them as they were people in most cases I did not know prior to elected but have become friends and people that respected one another on council so very much.”  Copeland also speaks highly of the staff working for the City of Cold Lake.  “The CAO Kevin Nagoya and I have been together an exceptionally long time which is unique in municipal government - he is a talented person,” says the mayor Copeland also thanked his wife and three daughters for their support over the years.  “The City at the moment is in a period of time that feels like treading water - not that I can swim - but we are about to boom with the F35 project carbon capture and what should be a growth phase of our local oil sands operations We Canadians realize we are a superpower when it comes to resources and need to take advantage of that and create jobs and wealth for our people business community and our country.”  Municipal and school board elections are scheduled to take place across Alberta on Oct COLD LAKE - The City of Cold Lake has approved a grant to support a cultural event honouring world-renowned Indigenous artist Alex Janvier.   a motion was passed to provide $22,100 to the Janvier Gallery to cover facility fees for the Alex Janvier Memorial Event which is set to take place at the Cold Lake Energy Centre from April 24 to May 5.   The funds will come from Council Goodwill.  “The City of Cold Lake has been working with the Janvier Gallery on a project that the gallery and the family has put together It’s a film commemorating the late Alex Janvier’s life as he grew up and became an artist,” said CAO Kevin Nagoya explaining the significance of the event.  The centerpiece of the event will be a projection dome to showcase a 3D film celebrating Janvier’s life and accomplishments “It’s a very emotional video and very well put together so it’s going to be kind of that three-dimensional look and it is anticipated that this will be a national tour The Janvier Gallery selected the Cold Lake Energy Centre’s Imperial Oil Place Arena because of its size and the ability to accommodate the dome’s requirements.   “One of the challenges in putting a big event like this is location,” said Mayor Craig Copeland “The family looked at all their options and felt that the Energy Centre provided the biggest space and the openness keeping people out of the elements and the weather.”  with the venue reserved for 12 days to accommodate setup and takedown.  The event is expected to attract local and international visitors with an opening ceremony featuring dignitaries and other special functions being considered or other complementary activities designed to celebrate and support the main event.  Vicky Lefebvre raised questions about cost-sharing and the involvement of Cold Lake First Nations given the project’s significance to the community.   “The City of Cold Lake was just working within the scope of what we have influence on,” said Nagoya the gallery organizers and the family are exploring sponsorship opportunities to support the initiative.  Council expressed optimism about the event’s potential impact.   “They’ve been amazing to work with on this one and I think it’s going to bring a lot of people to Cold Lake once it starts getting advertised,” said Copeland.