DELEGATION: Michelle Wright with Travel Lakeland presented an overview of the organization’s Destination Development Strategy and ongoing work to grow tourism across the Lakeland region. Travel Lakeland is developing a 20-year Destination Development Plan focused on tourism development, investment attraction and economic benefits. The strategy identifies opportunities in outdoor recreation and soft adventure, cultural and culinary tourism, Indigenous tourism, all-season resorts and air access.
Wright also discussed opportunities for continued municipal involvement, including collaboration with tourism and economic development teams, development of a regional asset inventory and future investment in implementing the strategy.
PROCLAMATION: Mayor Elisa Brosseau proclaimed October 6, 2026, as World Cerebral Palsy Day in the Town of Bonnyville. The proclamation recognizes people living with cerebral palsy while promoting awareness, acceptance, inclusion and independence.
BUSINESS: Council approved an updated Community Policing Committee Policy to reflect provincial legislative changes and establish a governance framework for the committee and its role as a liaison between Council, the public and RCMP.
Council tabled a request from Go East Regional Tourism for a letter of support for its application to the 2027 Travel Alberta Rural Development and Promotion Fund until the October 6 Regular Council Meeting, pending additional information. The organization is seeking $100,000 for regional tourism development and marketing.
Council agreed to maintain the Town’s ATCO Electric franchise fee at 7.5 per cent for 2027. At the existing rate, revenues are forecast to increase by approximately $44,716 over the 2026 budget.
Council confirmed that the outstanding $58,524.22 off-site levy for the property at 4802 66 Street remains applicable and denied a request to allow the levy to be paid over several years.
Council approved an increase to the Southeast Lift Station Upgrade budget from approximately $4.93 million to $6.323 million, an increase of approximately $1.39 million. The additional funding will come from previously allocated 2026 funding. The Southeast Lift Station is a critical part of the Town’s wastewater system, serving as the only lift station responsible for pumping wastewater from the Town’s collection system to the wastewater treatment lagoon.
Council also approved the Town of Bonnyville’s new Strategic Framework, establishing a long-term foundation for municipal decision-making, planning and service delivery. The framework will serve as the Town’s highest-level planning document and guide future strategic plans and annual reporting.
BRIEFLY: Council discussed challenges being experienced by local employers and workers related to the Rural Renewal Stream and its current pause in Bonnyville. CAO Quinton Wintfley encouraged those affected to share their experiences with MLA Scott Cyr and MP Laila Goodridge, as decisions regarding the program fall outside municipal authority. Council noted that hearing directly from affected employers and employees can help ensure local workforce needs and experiences are communicated to the proper provincial and federal representatives.