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
I would like to extend my heartfelt congratulations and a very warm welcome to the 2025-2029 Council as they begin their term in public service. Whether they are newly elected or returning to Council, their commitment to serve our community is deeply appreciated and recognized.
Stepping into a leadership role at the municipal level is both an honour and a significant responsibility. It requires time, thoughtfulness, and a deep commitment to collaboration and community well-being for our region. From time away from their families to balancing professional lives and personal commitments, public service is never easy, but it is always meaningful and rewarding.
I would also like to take a moment to sincerely thank all the candidates who put their names forward in this election. Putting yourself out there and engaging in the democratic process takes courage and dedication, and your willingness to step up for the good of the community is truly commendable.
To our residents — thank you. Thank you for voting, for engaging in the process, and for showing that you care about the future of the M.D. Your voice is the foundation of local democracy, and your participation helps shape the direction we take together.
CAO
Ben Berlinguette
As the CAO of the M.D., it is both my role and my privilege to support Council in carrying out their duties and to ensure they have the information, resources, and professional advice they need to make informed decisions on behalf of our residents.
Council sets the vision and direction for our municipality, and M.D. staff is here to carry out that vision with diligence, professionalism, and respect. We are committed to fostering a culture of transparency, trust, and teamwork between Council, community members, and Administration. Open communication, mutual respect, and a shared commitment to serving the public are the foundation of our success.
Over the coming weeks, months and years, M.D. staff and I look forward to building strong working relationships with Council while continuing to build relationships with our community. There will be questions, challenges, and big decisions ahead, but also opportunities to make meaningful, lasting contributions to our community.
Thank you again to the members of Council for their service and your willingness to lead. We are truly excited for the journey ahead and are honoured to work alongside you.
ON THIN ICE
Dangerous ice conditions at Little Bear Lake
While we know the ice is just starting to form, we want to make sure everyone knows there will be dangerous ice conditions at Little Bear Lake this winter.
The Alberta Conservation Association has lake aerators set up, which means the ice will be thin and there will be open water at Little Bear Lake. Please do not go beyond the posted danger signs, and do not approach open water.
For more information, call 780-410-1999 or visit bit.Iy/ACAAeratedLakes
ASSESSMENT SERVICES
M.D. assessors are making the rounds!
Please expect a knock on your door from our property assessors if you have an outstanding building/development permit that was not completed in 2024, or if you were issued a permit anytime in 2025.
Assessors will be checking on the status of the permit and assessing the progress of it. If you are not home, they will leave a card on your door either with questions or with contact information if you want to get in touch with them.
Also, if you have recently purchased a home in the M.D., assessors will be stopping by to talk about the sale, confirm property details, and give you information about the M.D. and the services and programs the municipality offers.
If you have questions, contact the Assessment Team at 780-826-3171.
Tax Payment Plan
Did you know the Municipal District of Bonnyville offers a monthly payment plan for property taxes?
If you sign up today, your monthly payment plan to pay your 2026 property taxes will start in January.
How does it work?
When you sign up for the Tax Installment Payment Plan (TIPP), your tax bill will be broken up into 12 monthly payments and automatically withdrawn from your bank account on the 15th day of each month, starting in January 2026.
In order to sign up for the program, your tax account must have a zero balance. While current ratepayers must sign up at the beginning of the year, new M.D. property owners have 30 days after their purchase date to sign up.
TIPP is a great way to manage your tax payment and avoid penalties.
Need more information? Want to sign up? Contact our Tax Department at 780-826-3171.
INFRASTRUCTURE SERVICES
M.D. snow removal programs
HARDSHIP PROGRAM
The M.D. provides driveway snowplowing service, at no charge, for residents lacking the means to remove snow themselves, and who are over the age of 75 and/or physically disabled. In order to confirm their Hardship Program eligibility, a resident must complete an application form on an annual basis and provide the following:
i. a copy of provincial or federal government identification confirming their age; and
ii. explanation of the lack of means to self-perform snow removal or, if physically disabled, a note or certificate from their physician confirming their physical disability.
If the qualifying resident is not the owner of the property, the landowner will also need to sign the liability waiver before service is provided.
Those residents who qualify for the Hardship Program can apply at the M.D. Public Works Shop located at 61330 Range Road 455 or the M.D. Main Administration Building located at 4905 – 50 Avenue in Bonnyville.
SNOWPLOW SERVICE/FLAGS
If you live in the M.D., you can purchase a flag that will provide you with snow clearing service, performed by the municipality, for your residential driveway.
The snow will be removed from the road approach to the residence using the most direct route. Please note — residential driveways do not include farmyards, fields, pathways to homes or garages, or commercial/industrial sites.
You can purchase flags online or from one of the flag depots below. A maximum of two flags can be used per visit, for a maximum of 30 minutes of work.
Visit bit.ly/SnowFlags, scan the QR Code above, or call 780-826-3951 for more information.
DON’T CROWD THE PLOW
‘Tis the season to share the roads with the snowplows
This year, the Transportation Department would like to share some driving dos and don’ts to help us all get through this winter safely.
DO
• Ensure your headlights are on during snow or freezing rain, even during the day.
• Use winter-rated tires with the snowflake symbol, if possible.
• Watch for flashing amber lights. Sometimes the lights on snowplows can be difficult to see because of the whirling snow during plowing operations.
• Give snowplows plenty of space. We recommend 10 car lengths. Sand, salt, and other debris can fly and cause damage to windshields and paint.
• Remember, the snowplow is restricted to slower speeds while plowing (40 to 60 km/hr). Please have patience and refrain from passing as the road ahead has not been plowed yet and may have additional hazards. The operator will periodically pull over to allow motorists to pass.
• Pull over as far to the right as safely possible when meeting an oncoming snowplow.
• Remember, the posted speed limits are a maximum during ideal conditions. Driving to the current road conditions will allow the required braking time should something unexpected happen.
DON’T
• Don’t assume the snowplow operator can see you, especially when visibility is poor.
• Don’t tailgate. Tailgating any vehicle puts you at risk of a collision, and this is amplified with larger vehicles such as snowplows. Snowplows and graders also have larger blind spots than most vehicles, especially while actively plowing.
• Don’t pass snowplows.
• Don’t be a distracted driver. Focus on driving, especially during less-than-ideal conditions.
While we do our very best to plow the roads in a timely manner, there will be times when you may find yourself travelling on an unplowed road. Please use caution and slow down during these times.
We want everyone to have a safe and enjoyable winter!
AGRICULTURAL SERVICES
Rat on Rats!
Did you know Alberta continues to remain the largest rat-free jurisdiction in the world? Rats can be found on every continent in the world except for Antarctica and within Alberta.
Rats are believed to have been introduced to Canada around 1775 through early settlers. They are highly adaptable to new environments and reproduce quickly, making established populations difficult to control. Rats are notorious carriers of disease that can spread to humans and animals when near each other. The species are unique in the way that they rely on humans for survival. Rats need easy access to shelter, food, and water to live. It is estimated that in the United States damages, contamination, and pest control costs taxpayers $19 billion annually. There are currently no Canadian stats available.
Alberta’s Rat Control Program was established in the 1950s when rats were first reported on the eastern borders. The program is the most successful pest management initiative, keeping Alberta virtually rat-free for over 70 years. This program continues to be effective through strict regulations, public education, and routine inspections of farms, businesses, and residential areas. Inspections are completed by municipalities in the Rat Control Zone. The Rat Control Zone consists of seven municipalities (from Cold Lake to Montana) whose eastern boundaries border Saskatchewan. Rat control is not carried out on the western boundary of the province due to the Rocky Mountains acting as a natural barrier. Municipalities are tasked with appointing a Pest Control Officer who works diligently to monitor and manage potential rat activity. The M.D. of Bonnyville completes approximately 600 inspections — twice annually — in Range 1.
Right now, we are asking for your help to report sightings of rats or any damage that they may have caused.
Look for these most common signs:
• Droppings (same size and shape as an olive pit).
• Burrow entrances (5 – 7.5 cm round), look for entrances around grain bins, outbuildings, haystacks, etc.
• Runways in the grass or under bales. Gnaw or chew marks on wood, buildings, wires, etc. Rub marks along walls.
There are four ways you can “Rat on Rats”,
1. Through the invasive species reporting app — EDDMapS — available for iPhone and Android.
2. Call 310-FARM.
3. Email rats@gov.ab.ca.
4. Contact the M.D. at 780-826-3901.
Our Pest Control Officer will be out completing rat inspections this winter and coming spring. They are extensively trained to identify Norway Rat common signs. When an inspector visits your property, they will be easily identified driving a white M.D. truck (with logo), high-visibility vest, and will be carrying an inspector’s identification card. If you are not home, the individual will leave a door hanger at your front door. Please contact the number and schedule a time for an inspection to be completed.
You can help too by taking basic preventative measures to help stop Norway Rats from making themselves at home in Alberta:
• Keep your property clean and tidy by removing easyto-access food sources.
• Rat-proof farm structures by adding a protective covering to doorways, windows, utility connections, and any other openings.
If you have any questions or would like to learn more about the M.D. of Bonnyville’s Rat Control Program, contact the Ag Services Department at 780-826-3901.
WASTE SERVICES
Bin site tips
There are 31 community bin sites located around the M.D. of Bonnyville. These sites are meant to give residents a convenient drop-off location for household waste and recyclables. Unfortunately, with the convenience of these sites being accessible to residents 24/7 there is also convenient access to vandals and thieves.
The following is a list of tips to ensure your community bin sites remain viable and your waste can be managed responsibly and economically.
Bag your household waste! Waste is transferred a minimum of three times before it leaves the M.D. If it’s bagged properly, it will transfer effectively and will be less likely to float away during a transfer, causing unnecessary mess at your site and around the M.D.
Freecycle! Dropping off used furniture, appliances, or other items on the ground at a bin site is a form of illegal dumping and could be subject to a fine of up to $2,000. Items dropped off on the ground at bin sites do not go for recycling, they are landfilled. If you have an item that could be useful to someone else, you can drop it off at one of the Freecycle Sheds at your nearest M.D. Landfill or seek out other donation possibilities.
Don’t throw that out! Waste containing personal information (mailing address, SIN, health numbers, etc.) should be shredded or alternatively disposed of. As mentioned above, community sites are available to the public 24 hours per day seven days per week, making them accessible to individuals seeking information like this for dubious purposes.
Call it in! If you see someone rummaging through bins or illegally dumping waste materials, call the Public Safety Department at 780-812-3332.
Should you have any questions or concerns regarding the M.D. of Bonnyville bin sites, give the Waste Services Department a call at 780-826-3901.
SNOWBIRDS SKI Ages 3–5 45-minute lesson starts at 10 or 11 a.m.
Two- and three-day camps are available. For more information and available dates, scan the QR Code below.
FREESTYLE CAMP
FREESTYLE SKI Ages 7+ 10 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
KPA SNOWBOARD Ages 7+ 1–3:30 p.m.
Dates: March 7, 14, 21 + 28, 2026
Call 780-594-5564, scan the QR Code below, or visit store.kinosoo.ca for more information or to book your kids in today!
December 3, 2025
CHRISTMAS AT THE LAKE JUST GOT GRINCHIER!
Come enjoy late-night shopping at the Shaw House VIC Trading Post at Vezeau Beach from 4–7 p.m. Bring items for the food bank in exchange for a photo with your favourite trouble maker by Sees The Day Photography — first come, first served.
Scan the QR Code or visit bit.ly/VICShawHouse for more information.
