Rural Review is published eight times a year and is distributed to residents via unaddressed ad mail. Opt in for flyers at your local post office to ensure you receive your copy. If you wish to pick up an additional copy of the latest newsletter, please visit an M.D. office or sign up for a digital copy at md.bonnyville.ab.ca
Disclaimer: Generative AI has been used in portions of this publication.
Municipal District of Bonnyville 4905 - 50 Avenue, Bag 1010, Bonnyville, Alberta T9N 2J7
It seems like it was just yesterday we were watching snowplows clean up after winter storms. Now with days full of sunshine and warm weather, we’re looking at gravel trucks and construction crews.
This is my annual reminder to anyone travelling through construction zones. Please drive safely, follow all traffic signs (including speed reductions), and keep an eye out for large equipment and workers. We want to make sure everyone gets home safely at the end of every day.
I’d also like to take this opportunity to congratulate two of our Public Safety Officers. Peace Officer Sam Adams and Inspector Kris Ferguson were recently awarded the St. John Ambulance Life-saving Award for providing critical medical assistance at a vehicle collision last May. Their commitment to protecting our region is evident in the work they do every day and in an emergency. Find out more on Page 5.
Speaking of Public Safety, be on the look out for our officers this summer. They’ll be handing out Positive Tickets when they see kids in our community doing something positive. These tickets, that are redeemable for a free ice cream at Shaw House or Kinosoo Ridge, will be issued to youth for doing random acts of kindness to help people in the community, picking up litter, practicing good bike safety, and more. Read more on Page 4.
As always, have a safe, happy, and fun summer. Be sure to get out and enjoy everything our area has to offer.
NOTES FROM THE CAO Ben Berlinguette
Summer in the M.D. is truly something to look forward to. As CAO, I have the privilege of travelling across our region and witnessing the community spirit, outdoor adventures, and incredible events that make June, July, and August so memorable.
We kicked things off in early June with the Bonnyville Pro Rodeo & Chuckwagon Races. This signature event brought the whole region together to enjoy thrilling rodeo action, chuckwagon races, parade, chili cook-off, and family-friendly activities. There’s nothing quite like hearing the roar of the crowd under the summer sun and seeing neighbours come together to cheer on local talent.
Later in June, we welcomed industry leaders and guests from across Alberta for the Bonnyville Oil & Gas Show. This event highlighted our region’s deep connection to the energy sector and showcased the innovation and resilience of our local economy.
In July, celebrations continued with Canada Day Communities across the M.D. hosted family-friendly festivals, fireworks, pancake breakfasts, and musical performances. It was a day filled with connection, gratitude, and of course, plenty of red and white.
July 4 to 6, we turn up the volume with the Bonnyville Gear Grabbers Drag Races at the M.D.’s Regional Airport. If you’ve never seen a jet car scream down the runway or felt the rumble of engines echoing across the tarmac, you’re in for a treat. Food, fuel, and fun — it’s a great way to spend a weekend!
August 2 and 3 marks one of the most meaningful and well-loved events in our region. Haying in the ‘30s is a grassroots fundraiser showcasing life on the farm in the 1930s — complete with antique equipment, demonstrations, food, and music. This event raises money to support cancer patients and their families. It’s an incredible weekend where history, community, and compassion come together.
Beyond the festivals and events, the M.D. is also a haven for outdoor enthusiasts. Spend your weekends boating, camping, or hiking at one of the M.D.’s lakeside campgrounds. Find out more or book a site at letscamp.ca
Every summer, I’m reminded how lucky we are to call this place home. From the roar of engines to the quiet of a lakeside sunset, the M.D. of Bonnyville is the place to be.
Whether you’re here for a weekend or the whole season, we’ll have an experience waiting for you. See you out there!
Reeve Barry Kalinski presenting City of Cold Lake Mayor Craig Copeland with an M.D. of Bonnyville jersey.
PUBLIC SAFETY
Positive ticketing
Positive deeds deserve positive rewards — that is why the Municipal District of Bonnyville’s Public Safety Department is bringing back the Positive Ticket Program this summer.
Peace officers who patrol our community will be handing out Positive Tickets when they see youth doing something respectable in the community. These tickets will be issued to youth for doing random acts of kindness to help people in the community, picking up litter, practicing good bike safety, and more. The Positive Ticket Program creates positive interactions with law enforcement, which can help reduce juvenile-related problems in the community, such as mischief.
Kids caught in the act of doing something positive will get a sweet treat in return — a certificate for a free scoop of ice cream from the M.D.’s Visitor Information Centre in the Shaw House at Vezeau Beach on Moose Lake or at The Ridge Restaurant located on the second floor of the chalet at Kinosoo Ridge Resort.
Keep an eye out for our officers and help make a positive impact on your community.
Peace Officers recognized for lifesaving efforts
On May 30, 2025, two members of the M.D.’s Public Safety Department were recognized by Hon. Salma Lakhani, Lieutenant Governor of Alberta, for their exceptional lifesaving efforts following a serious traffic collision May 11, 2024.
That afternoon, Peace Officer Sam Adams and Inspector Kris Ferguson responded to the collision and immediately administered first aid, CPR, and used an AED on an occupant of the vehicle. While providing critical medical assistance, they also worked to control the scene and support the efforts of other responding emergency services.
For their actions, both officers received the St. John Ambulance Life-saving Award, a prestigious honour presented through St. John Ambulance Canada. Established over 30 years ago, the St. John Ambulance Life-saving Awards Program recognizes individuals or groups who have administered first aid while saving or attempting to save a life.
This recognition is a testament to the officers’ courage, composure, and commitment to public safety. We are proud of their actions and grateful for their dedication to protecting and serving our community.
High milers
Did you know excessive speed is one of the most common traffic violations in Alberta and is also one of the leading contributing factors for injury and fatal collisions that are reported in the province? About half of all fatality collisions occur in rural areas of Alberta, like the M.D. of Bonnyville. Driving to the road conditions and following the posted speed limits can help keep everyone on the road safe.
Recently, M.D. Peace Officers caught up with some speeders in the M.D.
One driver was nabbed at 188 km/h in a 100 km/h zone.
• Another driver came through a 100km/h zone at 157 km/h.
• A third driver was caught on radar doing 132 km/h in an 80 km/h area.
Under the Traffic Safety Act, penalties for exceeding the speed limit by more than 50 km/h are set by the courts, meaning you will have to face a judge and won’t have the option of simply paying a fine. Penalties can include six or more demerits, a license suspension, fines exceeding $500, and even criminal charges if other contributing factors are found to be at play.
COMMUNITY SERVICES
Seniors’ Transportation Grant Program
The Seniors’ Transportation Grant helps cover transportation costs for medical appointments that occur at least 150 km outside of the M.D.’s boundaries.
Here are some key highlights of the program:
The Seniors’ Transportation Grant is for M.D. of Bonnyville seniors, whose primary residence is within the municipality’s boundaries.
• Senior means those who are 65 years old and older.
• The maximum claim per year per person is $400, unless the senior receives the Canada Pension Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) and then the maximum is $1,000.
Scan the QR Code above for the electronic application.
For more information, please call 780-826-3171.
PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT
Rural address signs
Every minute counts in an emergency. This is why you want your Rural Address Sign (blue sign) to be bright and visible. If yours is faded, the M.D. can help you with that!
Take a look at your blue address sign. Is it faded or damaged? Do you need a replacement? The M.D. has an online program which allows property owners to request a new or replacement sign online, at no additional charge.
Simply fill out the form at bit.ly/MapsAddressing, and your sign will be ordered. You can also scan the QR Code to access the program from your mobile phone.
If you’ve ordered a replacement sign, have been notified it’s arrived, but haven’t picked it up yet, drop by the Planning & Development reception desk Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Once you have picked up your sign from our office, upload a photo of it to through the same form to let us know it has been installed.
If you have any questions, please call the Planning & Development Department at 780-826-3171 and choose option 3, or send us an email at ruraladdress@md.bonnyville.ab.ca.
MUNICIPAL ELECTION
Advanced and special voting information including key dates:
While Election Day for the Municipal District of Bonnyville Election is set for October 20, 2025, there are a few other key dates and information for voters to keep in mind.
Advance Vote: Election Day is October 20th, 2025, but eligible voters are encouraged to vote early. Advance voting will take place at facilities throughout the M.D. as below:
DATE
October 4, 2025 Cold Lake
October 7, 2025
Bonnyville LOCATION Ardmore
ADDRESS
M.D. of Bonnyville Main Admin Building 4905-50 Avenue, Bonnyville
Ardmore Community Centre 4910-50 Street, Ardmore
October 15, 2025
October 9, 2025 Glendon
October 16, 2025
October 18, 2025
Cold Lake
Bonnyville
Glendon RCMP Hall 5302-51 Avenue, Glendon
Cold Lake Seniors' Centre (North) 1301-8 Avenue, Cold Lake
M.D. of Bonnyville Main Admin Building 4905-50 Avenue, Bonnyville
a.m. to 8 p.m.
a.m. to 8 p.m.
a.m. to 8 p.m.
For details regarding eligibility to vote and the changes to ID requirements for voting, please refer to the M.D. website.
Special Ballots: Date TBD**
Special Ballots are available to any eligible elector, upon request, in accordance with the Local Authorities Election Act. An elector choosing to vote by Special Ballot must make the request, it cannot be made by another individual on the elector’s behalf.
**Special Ballots are anticipated to be available by late September, pending ordering of ballots after close of the Nomination Period. Keep an eye on M.D. social media for updates.
For additional details regarding the process for requesting and submitting a Special Ballot, please refer to the M.D. website.
Election Day: Monday, October 20, 2025
Vouching
• Another Elector is only permitted to vouch for someone’s address. An Elector who has been vouched for cannot vouch for another Elector, as the process requires the vouching Elector to have identification.
PARKS & REC
Camping season is in full swing!
The following campgrounds are open until September 7, 2025:
• Chickenhill Lake M.D. Park
• Cold Lake M.D. Park
• Crane Lake M.D. Parks
Ethel Lake M.D. Park
French Bay M.D. Park (on Cold Lake)
• Minnie Lake M.D. Parks
• Pelican Point M.D. Park (on Moose Lake)
• Wolf Lake M.D. Park
The following campgrounds are open until September 30, 2025:
Muriel Lake M.D. Park
• Vezeau Beach M.D. Park (on Moose Lake)
To see campground availability and to book your sites online today, visit letscamp.ca. Scan the QR Code for more information about each campground.
Pelican Point M.D. Park on Moose Lake
COLD LAKE
How many M.D. Parks have you explored so far? If Pelican Point M.D. Park isn’t checked off your list yet, it’s time to hit the OHV trails — just look at the front cover shot for inspiration!
JUMPiNG PiLLOW at VEZEAU BEACH M.D. PARK ON MOOSE LAKE
FRENCH BAY M.D. PARK ON COLD LAKE
BEACH VOLLEYBALL at MURiEL LAKE M.D. PARK
PLAYGROUND at MiNNiE LAKE M.D. PARK
LAKE M.D. PARK
WASTE SERVICES
Top 10 tips for visiting the landfill
It’s that time of the year again — everyone is cleaning up their yards and garages and taking unwanted items to one of the M.D.’s six landfill transfer stations. Below are the Waste Department’s tips for making your trip to the landfill easier and more efficient.
1. Have all your waste and recyclable materials sorted. Gone are the days of the “dump” where all your waste is headed for the pit. M.D. residents are not charged to use the sites; however, they are expected to place materials in their designated locations to ensure our sites last for generations to come.
2. Wood – clean wood-only piles are for green wood and raw, untreated, and unpainted lumber. All other treated, painted, or laminated wood must be disposed of in the Class 3 Bulky Waste location, which will be shredded to save valuable airspace in our pit.
3. Freecycle – if you are bringing items for the Freecycle shed please ensure they will be useful for someone. Broken and worn-out items should be disposed of or recycled properly.
4. Fridges/freezers – if you are bringing a fridge or freezer, you must ensure it is empty. You will be asked to show it is empty before you can drop it off for recycling. Any food or items left in units must be removed by the resident.
5. Metal – if you are planning to search the metal pile for spare parts, your feet must remain on the ground while you are looking for reusable material.
6. Mattresses/boxsprings – place clean units in the sea can for recycling. Soiled units will need to go to the Class 3 Bulky Waste location designated for the pit.
7. Oil – please be prepared to unload your own oil and containers. Landfill attendants have a lid remover tool for residents to remove the lids from five-gallon pails, but it is not their responsibility to unload oil and containers.
8. Household hazardous waste – HHW is accepted at all M.D. landfills in the secondary totes provided. Empty jugs and containers should be bagged and disposed of with your household waste.
9. Paint – all paint cans, whether or not they are empty, are required to go into the paint recycling tote.
10. Electronics – almost any household item, toy, or tool that takes a battery or has a cord is accepted for recycling in the electronics program. Please bring those items in to be recycled.
Having your items sorted is a good idea if you’re using one of our bin sites as well. It will help you identify what can go to a bin site and what should go to the landfill. As a reminder, our bin sites are not meant to be a dumping ground, and littering charges apply starting at $250 for a first offense. Waste Services staff were disappointed to come across this mess at one of our bin sites recently. It took three trips with a dump trailer to clean up. As a reminder, M.D. landfill transfer stations are free for residents to use.
To find out more about what is accepted at each site — whether it be a bin site or landfill — check out the list at bit.ly/MDWaste or scan the QR Code above.
AGRICULTURAL SERVICES
About Agricultural Service Boards
Agricultural Service Boards (ASBs) are special committees appointed by municipal councils to address agriculture concerns in their local jurisdiction. The Municipal District of Bonnyville’s ASB consists of two Council members and three Members at Large.
ASBs are the Delegated Authority for the Agricultural Service Board Act, Agricultural Pest Act, Weed Control Act, Soil Conservation Act, and Animal Health Act, and their associated regulations. The boards act as an advisory body to the Minister on matters of mutual concern through an annual resolution session.
ASBs support the creation and implementation of policies and procedures that support compliance with Provincial legislation. There are 69 ASBs in Alberta. Together they have implemented 575 agriculture policies to improve agronomic practices.
They are key to Alberta’s robust pest surveillance network that helps Albertans maintain market access by mitigating the risk of agricultural pest threats.
Here are some statistics*:
• 48,000 weed inspections conducted annually
• 119,577 km of municipal roadways controlled for noxious weeds
ASBs are unique to Alberta. Together we can support our agriculture sector and meet the needs of our rural communities.
If you would like to bring forward a concern involving agriculture in the M.D. of Bonnyville, contact the Agricultural Services Department at 780-826-3901.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Check out our online event calendar at bit.ly/MDBvilleEventCalendar or scan the QR Code above for updates.
Bonnyville Gear Grabbers Show ‘n Shine
M.D. of Bonnyville Regional Airport
July 4
Bonnyville Gear Grabbers Drag Races
M.D. of Bonnyville Regional Airport
July 5 & 6
geargrabbers.ca/drag-racing
RCMP Musical Ride
Cold Lake Ag Society Exhibition Park
July 24
coldlakeag.com/tickets
Ribfest Cold Lake
Energy Centre
July 25 to 27
Facebook: Cold Lake Ribfest
Disney Trivia Night
Glendon RCMP Hall
July 25
Facebook: Glendon Agricultural Society
Aqua Days
Kinosoo Beach, Cold Lake
August 2
coldlake.com/aquadays
Haying in the ‘30s
Mallaig
August 2 & 3
hayinginthe30s.com
Glendon Demolition Derby & Mudbogs
Glendon Derby Grounds
August 9
Facebook: Glendon Demolition Derby & Mudbogs
Alberta Open Farm Days
Various farms around the Lakeland Region
August 16 & 17
Facebook: Lakeland Open Farm Days
Kinosoo Adventure Race
Kinosoo Ridge Resort
August 17
kinosoo.ca
OF NOTE
Attention M.D. property owners!
The M.D.’s 2025 Assessment and Tax Notices have officially hit mailboxes.
Notices were mailed out at the end of May. If you haven’t received notices for all of the property you own by the end of the month, please contact the M.D.’s Tax Department at 780-826-3171.
This year’s tax deadline is September 15, 2025.
If you have questions about your tax account or your assessment, please call 780-826-3171.
Election workers
Did you know the M.D. will need to hire over 100 people for this fall’s municipal election on October 20, 2025?
In order for the election to run smoothly and efficiently, the M.D.’s Returning Officer will require more people to assist in the running of polling stations and counting votes.
Keep an eye on the M.D.’s website and social platforms for an opportunity to join our election team. Jobs will be posted soon.
Summer council meeting schedule
With summer just around the corner, there are a few changes to the Council Meeting schedule.
Typically, Regular Meetings of Council are held the second and fourth Tuesday of every month, while Committee of the Whole meetings are held the third Tuesday of every month.
Due to scheduling conflicts and holidays, the following meetings will be cancelled:
Regular Meetings of Council
August 12, 2025
Committee of the Whole
July 15, 2025
August 19, 2025
Regular Meetings of Council and Committee of the Whole meetings start at 9 a.m. in Council Chambers and are open to the public. You can find the meeting schedule, agenda packages, and minutes at bit.ly/MDBvilleAgendas. Get live updates by following us at x.com/mdbville. Recordings of Regular Meetings of Council are posted at youtube.com/@mdbonnyville87
PACKAGE
SUMMER CAMPS 2025
CAMP DETAILS
Our summer camps offer fun and creative outdoor activities for ages five to 12! Physical and educational experiences include outdoor games, aerial adventure park climbing, target golf, giant swing rides, scavenger hunts, and crafts! Lunch is included.
Our focus is nature, survival skills, and outdoor recreation.
AGE GROUPS
GRASSHOPPERS Ages 5-6
BEAR PAWS Ages 7-8
FOREST RANGERS Ages 9-10
LUMBERJACKS Ages 11-12
DATES
July 7-11
July 14-18
July 21-25
July 28-August 1**
RATES
August 5-8
August 11-15
August 18-22
August 25-29
$299 per week or $65 per day
**Reduced rate due to August long weekend $239 per week
