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Message from the Reeve Notes from the CAO Water Act Approval Changes Rat on Rats! Halloween Safety Tips Winter Dock and Boat Lift Storage Reminder Upcoming Events Early Bird Sale at Kinosoo Ridge

C O NTAC T S

CO NTEN TS

BARRY KALINSKI Reeve

bkalinski@md.bonnyville.ab.ca 780-573-6082

BEN FADEYIW

Deputy Reeve, Ward 6 Councillor bfadeyiw@md.bonnyville.ab.ca 780-826-1462

JOSH CRICK Ward 1 Councillor

jcrick@md.bonnyville.ab.ca 587-398-2916

CAROLINE PALMER Ward 2 Councillor

cpalmer@md.bonnyville.ab.ca 587-398-3075

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 CONTACT US

DAN AMALIA Ward 3 Councillor

damalia@md.bonnyville.ab.ca 587-398-2716

ED DUCHESNE Ward 4 Councillor

educhesne@md.bonnyville.ab.ca 587-398-3004

Main Administration 780-826-3171 Public Safety/Bylaw Concerns 780-812-3332 24-Hour Concern Line 780-812-5000 FIND US ONLINE web - md.bonnyville.ab.ca email - info@md.bonnyville.ab.ca

BRIAN KOLUK Ward 5 Councillor

bkoluk@md.bonnyville.ab.ca 587-398-2992 Regular Meetings of Council are typically held the second and fourth Tuesday of each month. View recordings of these meetings at bit.ly/MDBvilleYouTube. Committee of the Whole meetings are held the third Tuesday of each month.

Agenda packages are published at bit.ly/MDBvilleAgendas by the end of day the Friday before the meeting. Meetings begin at 9 a.m. and are open to the public.

M ESSAGE

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R EEV E

Our M.D. is beautiful year-round, but there’s something special about watching the leaves on the trees turn gold in autumn. It’s a busy season for everyone in the municipality. From farmers getting through harvest and kids returning to school to Council and staff getting ready for budget season, there is no shortage of work to go around. As farmers move from field to field, please remember to be patient and give agricultural equipment room when driving on our local roads. Blind spots on tractors, combines, and other equipment are large, and these vehicles need a lot of room to manoeuvre. We’ve also seen an increase in oilfield traffic, which also requires patience and room to move. Please drive safe, to road

N OTES

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Barry Kalinski

conditions, and allow for more time for any extra traffic you may encounter. When it comes to budget season, Council and I are excited to get to work on plans for 2027. Guided by our new Strategic Priorities adopted earlier this year, we are dedicated to ensuring we are being responsible with taxpayer money while providing the quality services our residents have come to expect. Budget deliberations get underway October 20 and can last up to three days. Keep an eye on the M.D. website for updates. If you haven’t seen our Strategic Priorities document yet, you can find it at bit.ly/MDBvilleStrategicPriorities. I wish everyone a bountiful and safe fall. Our next edition of Rural Review will be in December.

Ben Berlinguette

There is something comforting about fall in the M.D. of Bonnyville. As the days grow shorter and the leaves begin to change, it is a reminder of how quickly the seasons pass — and how important it is to make the most of the time we have together as a community.

There will also be a new way to gather this Halloween, with Kinosoo Ridge hosting its first-ever dinner theatre. It promises to bring people together for an evening of food, entertainment, and a little Halloween fun. See page 7 for more information!

This fall brings several changes and activities for residents to look forward to. Beginning October 1, the M.D.’s new recycling program will provide residents with another way to do their part in caring for the place we all call home. Small efforts, when we make them together, can have a lasting impact on our communities and environment.

And while Halloween is a time for excitement, our children’s safety remains the most important thing. We’ve shared some helpful safety reminders from M.D. Public Safety on page 6 so families can enjoy the evening with peace of mind.

At Kinosoo Ridge, winter is already in the works. The Early Bird season pass sale gives families and friends a chance to start planning those winter days spent outdoors, enjoying the fresh air and making memories together. Buy passes online at store.kinosoo.ca.

Fall is a busy time, but it is also a time to appreciate our neighbours, our community, and the little things that make the M.D. of Bonnyville feel like home.

AGRI CU LTURAL

SERV IC ES

Upcoming Water Act Approval Changes The Alberta Government is removing Water Act approval requirements for routine agricultural activities involving temporary/seasonal wetlands and ephemeral water bodies on private cropland. Farmers will no longer be required to apply for Water Act approvals for routine work such as cultivating, seeding, spraying, ditching, draining, and infilling on non-permanent, seasonal, or ephemeral wetlands on private cropland. Under the current system, routine farming activities can trigger regulatory requirements if they affect a temporary or seasonal wetland. In some cases, a farmer may have to hire a qualified wetland professional, complete an assessment, wait for government approvals, and potentially pay wetland replacement costs. The water that is managed under these exemptions must remain onsite without negatively impacting infrastructure or neighbouring properties. Downstream landowners consent remains mandatory for tile drainage projects that affect others, and protections for wetlands and sensitive species remain in place. The province will be replacing traditional approval requirements for tile drainage systems with a new code of practice allowing farmers to proceed using a notification process. A great example is pulse growers, as pulse crops are highly suspectable to excess moisture. Early diversion of excess temporary water will help reduce the risk with waterlogged soils. Producers can expect these changes to come into effect this fall, with the new code of practice for tile drainage being released in early 2027.

Rat on Rats! Did you know Alberta continues to be the largest rat-free jurisdiction in the world? Rats can be found on every continent in the world except for Antarctica and within Alberta. Alberta’s Rat Control Program was established in the 1950s when rats were first reported on the eastern borders. This program is a 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 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 on properties located in Range One along the municipality’s eastern border. The “Rat on Rats” campaign was initiated to create awareness and encourage the public to report observations of rats in the province. There are four ways you can Rat on Rats — through the invasive species reporting app EDDMapS, by calling 310-FARM, emailing rats@gov.ab.ca, or by contacting the M.D. of Bonnyville Agricultural Services Department. The most common signs to look for include, droppings (same size and shape as an olive pit), burrow entrances (5 to 7.5 cm round), runways in the grass or under bales, gnaw or chew marks on wood, building, or wires, and rub marks (grease) along walls. The municipal Pest Control Officer will be completing rat inspections in Range One beginning in October. This will be the final round of checks for this year. Our Pest Inspectors are extensively trained in identification of a Norway rat infestation. They are easily identifiable driving a white M.D. truck (with a M.D. logo and marked with “Pest Inspector”) and wearing high visibility vests. If you are not home, a pamphlet will be left at your door, and the inspector will come back to complete the inspection. Need more information? Call Agricultural Services at 780-826-3901.

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SA F ET Y

Halloween Safety Tips The countdown is on — soon the streets will be crawling with little ghosts, superheroes, and witches as they get ready to fill their candy bags! As Halloween approaches, our Protective Services Department and members of Public Safety remind residents to help make the evening safe and enjoyable for everyone. Drivers are encouraged to slow down, stay alert in residential areas and rural hamlets, and watch carefully for children who may be crossing roads or walking along shoulders after dark. Rural residents can also support a safe Halloween by keeping driveways, walkways, and entrances well-lit and free of hazards. To help make sure everyone has a fun and safe Halloween here are some safety tips: • Trick or Treat in groups of three or more • Paint your face instead of wearing a mask which can obstruct your vision • Don’t eat your candy until your parents say it’s ok • Only cross the road at intersections where safe and legal to do so • Never go inside someone’s house or vehicle, no matter what they say to you • When possible, Trick or Treat with your parents who will enjoy the experience as much as you will • Wear appropriate footwear — Halloween typically falls on a slippery and cold fall evening • Wear reflective clothing, extra lights, glow sticks, etc. to increase your visibility during dusk. Most of all, have fun and be safe! Keep an eye out for our Public Safety Officers — they’ll be around the M.D. handing out treats (and maybe even a few tricks)! 6

P L A NNING & D EV ELOPM ENT

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Winter Dock and Boat Lift Storage Reminder

Dinner Theatre – Parlour Players presents Beware the House on Haunted Hill, a family-friendly horror comedy! Wear your Halloween costume for a spooky dinner theatre experience.

As another summer lake season comes to a close, the Planning & Development Department would like to thank everyone for helping keep our waterfront areas safe, clean, and enjoyable throughout the year. As you prepare your property for winter, please remember that all docks, boat lifts, and related equipment removed from the water must be stored on your own property. Municipal reserves, road allowances, public access points, and other public lands are not intended for seasonal storage. Taking the time to move and properly store equipment on private property helps keep public areas accessible, protects the shoreline environment, and ensures these spaces remain available for everyone to enjoy. We appreciate your cooperation and wish everyone a safe and enjoyable autumn. Thank you for doing your part to help keep our lakes and communities looking their best!

When: October 30-31, November 1 Where: Kinosoo Ridge Resort Tickets: bit.ly/KRRDinnerTheatre

Wreath Making – Create a traditional wreath

using BC-sourced pine, fir, and cedar. Your $130 ticket includes guided instruction from Lena from Providence Acres Flower Farm, all supplies, a beverage, and a snack plate with dessert! When: November 22 Where: Kinosoo Ridge Resort Tickets: store.kinosoo.ca When: November 26 Where: Shaw House VIC at Vezeau Beach Tickets: bit.ly/MDWreathMaking

Grinchy Christmas Photos – Enjoy late-night shopping at the Trading Post from 4 to 7 p.m. Bring items for the food bank in exchange for photos with your favourite festive trouble maker by Sees The Day Photography — first come, first served. Visit bit.ly/VICShawHouse for more information. When: December 2 Where: Shaw House VIC at Vezeau Beach

Scan the QR Code above to view the full M.D. events calendar.