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
August and September highlights — adventure and key deadlines
Prepare for an engaging August in the M.D. of Bonnyville as we kickoff with the first-ever Kinosoo Adventure Race on August 17. Whether you’re tackling the race or enjoying the scenic view, there’s an abundance of outdoor fun and natural beauty to experience. It’s going to be a great way to spend the day with friends and family. You can find out more about the race on Page 20 of this newsletter.
As we transition into September, a gentle reminder that the September 15 tax payment deadline is coming up. Timely payment ensures you avoid late fees and keep your financial matters in order, making for a smooth year ahead and avoiding any last-minute stress.
In the realm of local governance, the nomination deadline for the 2025 Municipal Election is fast approaching.
If you’re considering taking a step into leadership and making a difference in our community, now’s your chance to submit your candidacy and contribute to our community’s future.
Before you hit the voting booth, voters can streamline their voting experience by registering with Elections Alberta, helping you save time during election day on October 20. Being on the voter registry ensures a seamless voting process without unnecessary delays. Go to voterlink.ab.ca to see if you’re on the registry, add your name to the registry if not, or update your information if necessary. Whether you’re a voter or a candidate, you can find more information about the M.D.’s election at bit.ly/2025MDElection and on the following pages.
Thanks for staying engaged and helping keep our community strong and connected as the M.D. of Bonnyville navigates an exciting lineup of activities and important civic responsibilities.
MUNICIPAL ELECTION
Voter information
To make your voting experience faster and easier, please register in advance for the M.D. of Bonnyville’s Permanent Electors Register. Voters need to register by August 15, 2025, on voterlink.ab.ca to be included on the Permanent Elector Register with the M.D.
You are eligible to vote if you are: At least 18 years of age, a Canadian citizen, your place of permanent residence is in the M.D. of Bonnyville, within the ward in which you are voting for, on Election Day, October 20, 2025, and capable of meeting the ID requirements.
All voters that are not on the Permanent Electors Register will be required to complete a statement of elector eligibility (Form 13) at the Voting Station. You can find a full list of acceptable ID forms at elections.ab.ca/voters/id-required-to-vote
There are two scenarios that will determine what ID you need to vote:
1. On the Permanent Elector Register
Voters are required to show valid government-issued identification containing, at minimum, the voter’s photograph and name. For example:
• Alberta Driver’s Licence
• Alberta Identification Card Certificate of Indian Status Card First Nation Membership Card
• Métis Nation of Alberta Citizenship Card
• Métis Settlement Membership Card
• Firearm Possession and Acquisition Licence (PAL)
• Alberta Service Dog ID Card
• Canadian Passport Canadian Citizenship Card
• CANPASS, FAST, or Nexus Card
• CATSA Identification Card
• Canadian Forces ID Card
• Veterans’ Health Care ID Card
2. Not on the Permanent Elector Register
• Voters will be required to complete a statement of elector eligibility (Form 13) at the Voting Station on Election Day, to be eligible to vote.
• Show valid government-issued identification containing the voter’s photograph, name, and current address. It is recommended to use one of the following common types of identification:
→ Alberta Driver’s Licence
→ Alberta Identification Card
If you do not have Photo ID that validates your name and current address:
If you are a non-registered voter unable to produce government-issued photo identification that validates your name and current address or your address has recently changed, you’ll be required to provide one piece of Valid ID with your name and current address. Some of the more common types of identification from this list include:
Insurance documen
• Bank statement
• Mortgage statement
•
If a voter’s identification shows a post office box number as the address instead of a residential or legal address, it can be accepted as verification of current address if it is within reasonable distance to the voting jurisdiction.
Vouching
NEW in 2025 — The province has introduced a significant change to the rules surrounding vouching. An individual vouching is now only allowed to validate another person’s address and not their identity. Due to this change, all voters require valid identification to vote.
If you are a non-registered voter unable to produce identification with your address, you may have a registered voter vouch for you.
An individual can have another voter vouch for them if:
• The individual requesting shows valid identification.
• The individual requesting submits a statement by filling out a form provided by the Election Officer at a Voting Station.
The individual requesting is accompanied by another voter who can validate their current address.
→ This voter who is validating an address needs to be registered and listed on the Permanent Electors Register.
→ The voter who is validating may vouch for more than one person ONLY if every person they vouch for shares the same current address.
→ A scrutineer shall not vouch for any person.
Find out more about the municipal election at bit.ly/MD2025VoterInfo or by scanning the QR Code.
Election Day in the M.D. of Bonnyville is October 20, 2025.
All voters in the M.D. of Bonnyville must be on the permanent Electors Registry. If you do not register by the deadline, you can still register and vote on Election Day at your voting station. Pre-registering will make the process easier and faster on Election Day.
To register, or to check your registration status, visit the Voterlink website, which is linked to the provincial voter registry.
The M.D. receives its list of eligible voters from Voterlink, this is why it is important you confirm your presence and details on the list.
The deadline to register is August 15, 2025.
The Municipal District of Bonnyville is accepting applications for Presiding Deputy and Deputy Returning Officers (Poll Clerks) for the 2025 Municipal Election. All Deputy Returning Officers will be required to attend a half-day training session in early October and will be expected to select specific work shifts at a specific polling station from 9 a.m. to completion of Ballot Counting on Election Day, October 20, 2025.
Qualifications
for these positions are as follows:
• Must be 18 years or older and eligible to work in Canada
• Must have excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Must be able to read maps and understand rural addressing
• Must be tactful and exercise good judgement
• Must be professional, polite, and reliable
• Must maintain and aid in maintaining the absolute secrecy of the vote
Questions? Contact our Returning Officer by email at sseverin@md.bonnyville.ab.ca or by 780-826-3171, ext. 2062.
DROUGHT CONDITIONS
M.D. Council declares state of municipal agricultural disaster
Following recommendations from the General Manager of Environmental and Protective Services, Council declared a state of municipal agricultural disaster due to drought in the Municipal District of Bonnyville at its July 22, 2025 Regular Meeting of Council.
At the time of the meeting, the M.D. had not met the drought guidelines as published by the Rural Municipalities of Alberta (RMA). However, the expected lack of precipitation in the 14-day forecast would have the M.D. meeting the RMA drought standards within the next two weeks.
General Manager of Environmental and Protective Services, Matt Janz, conducted field inspections in mid-July and found that the quality and quantity of the canola crops will be greatly reduced at harvest. He also indicated cereal crops will suffer if the municipality did not receive a significant amount of moisture. Janz said the northern portion of M.D. has been hit hardest by the lack of moisture this year.
“There are many farmers in our area that would say we are already in an agricultural state of disaster,” said Reeve Barry Kalinski. “Many farmers are having to feed extra because the pastures can’t sustain the cattle. We have farmers looking at selling animals because of it.”
AGRICULTURAL SERVICES
Drought assistance
Farming can be unpredictable. Unexpected weather events can cause challenges for livestock and crops. There are various programs to provide relief for Alberta’s rural producers.
The M.D. of Bonnyville and Lakeland Agricultural Research Association (LARA) have assembled program information useful for local farmers.
Visit bit.ly/MDBvilleAG or scan the QR Code below for more information.
LARA is here to help!
LARA is a tremendous resource for local producers. They will help with applications and supplying more information on the programs listed here.
Give them a call at 780-826-7260 for more information or to request assistance.
Keep an eye on laraonline.ca for webinars, workshops, and other learning opportunities.
TEMPORARY LIVESTOCK WATER ASSISTANCE
Livestock and poultry producers impacted by water shortage and drought conditions can receive temporary livestock water assistance. Offered by Alberta Environment and Protected Areas
• Assistance is available for sourcing an urgent alternative water supply
• Examples of alternative water sources include storm water ponds, gravel pits, larger rivers or wetlands, municipal bulk water stations
bit.ly/ABWaterAssistance
LARA WATERSHED RESILIENCY AND RESTORATION PROGRAM (WRRP)
• Offered by LARA Open only to producers in the M.D., County of St. Paul, Lac La Biche County, and Smoky Lake County
Current Environmental Farm Plan required Program provides funding for riparian health assessments, fencing for sensitive areas, off-site watering systems, and wetland enhancement
Call LARA at 780-826-7260
ON-FARM WATER SUPPLY PROGRAM
• Offered by Alberta Agriculture and Irrigation
• Now open
• Up to $15,000 available for projects including new wells or well reconstruction, dugout expansion or new construction, spring development, cisterns, and more
alberta.ca/water-program or call 403-381-5532
WATER PUMPING PROGRAM
• Offered by Alberta Agriculture and Irrigation
• Now open
• Producers – individually or as a group – can rent pipe and pumping equipment to fill dugouts from nearby water sources
• Rental rates apply - $500 per day for 6” PTO driving pump and one mile of 6” pipe. Additional equipment available for rent at an additional cost
• Water licenses to divert water required
alberta.ca/water-pumping-program
AUGUST/SEPTEMBER
UPCOMING EVENTS
Glendon Derby and Mudbogs
Glendon Derby Grounds, just off Highway 660
August 9
glendonagsociety.com
Rolling Barrage’s LuauPalooza
Shaw House at Vezeau Beach
August 12
therollingbarrage.com
Alberta Open Farm Days
Various farms throughout the Lakeland Region
August 16 & 17 facebook.com/LakelandOFD
Kinosoo Adventure Race (see Page 20)
Kinosoo Ridge Resort
August 17
kinosoo.ca
Extreme Mudfest
Cold Lake Ag Society
August 21 – 24
extrememudfest.com
Cherry Grove Lawn Tractor Races
Cherry Grove Recreation & Agricultural Society
August 23
cherrygroveag.com
Cherry Grove Car Show
Kinosoo Ridge Resort
August 31
Facebook: Cherry Grove Car Show Shine
Hello Local Alberta Day Market (see Page 11)
Shaw House VIC at Vezeau Beach
September 1
bit.ly/VICShawHouse
Check out our online event calendar at bit.ly/MDBvilleEventCalendar for updates.
Alberta Open Farm Days is a weekend that brings Albertans together to celebrate and experience agriculture.
Lakeland area hosts include:
Charlotte Lake Farms O-Canada Bison
• Rocky Meadows Country Get Away
• K-Cow Ranch
• Serben Farms
• Backroad Farmhouse
• The Gathering Place Co-op
The Nest Cafe & Boutique
Little Feet Homestead
• St. Paul Museum
• Caouette’s & Sons Implements
• St. Paul Ag Society
• Smoky Lake Farmers’ Market
To learn more about this annual event and participating locations, scan the QR Code or visit facebook.com/LakelandOFD
September 1, 2025
COME CELEBRATE ALBERTA DAY!
Head to the Shaw House VIC at Vezeau Beach on Moose Lake from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The outdoor market will host only local makers and vendors, plus family fun for all ages with oversized lawn games ready to play!
Want to be a vendor?
Scan the QR Code below to register as a market vendor. Spaces are $20+GST each. Deadline for submission is August 14, 2025.
Visit bit.ly/VICShawHouse or call 780-826-3972 for more information.
PARKS & REC
Fun and games!
Looking for a new playground to visit or trail to hike? Check out the online interactive Parks & Recreation map at bit.ly/ParksAndRecMap. You’ll find information about all the parks and recreation facilities and amenities owned and operated by the M.D. of Bonnyville including baseball diamonds, boat launches, ice rinks, campgrounds, and more!
PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT
MRs and ERs in your neighbourhood
As part of our ongoing Municipal Lands and Reserves education initiative, M.D. employees are in the process of identifying Municipal Reserves (MRs) and Environmental Reserves (ERs) and installing informative signage. It is the intention of the M.D. to install these signs in all neighbourhoods with MRs and ERs within the next few years. To date, the M.D. has completed sign installations in multi-lot subdivisions around Cold Lake and Crane Lake.
In the coming months, M.D. employees will be onsite to determine appropriate signage locations in the following neighbourhoods:
• Birch Grove (SW-17-61-6-W4M)
Eagle’s Nest (SE-18-61-6-W4M)
Elk Haven (NE-7-61-6-W4M)
• Hillside Estates (NW-8-61-6-W4M)
• Willow Ridge Estates (SW-8-61-6-W4M)
• Chateau Estates (NE-6-61-6-W4M)
• Model Developments (N½-5-61-6-W4M) Fontaine Subdivision (SE-5-61-6-W4M)
Additionally, landowners in the affected neighbourhoods will receive information via mail identifying the MRs and ERs within their communities.
What is an ER? ERs are valuable for helping safeguard and improve the environment. Typically dedicated alongside lakes, streams, or other water bodies, these lands play a crucial role in limiting pollution and facilitating access to the waterways.
What is a MR? MRs are designated lands useable for various public purposes, including parks, recreation areas, school board facilities, green spaces, or to act as a buffer zone separating lands used for different purposes.
Visit bit.ly/PreserveReserve or scan the QR code to learn more.
The M.D. thanks all landowners and communities for their continued collaboration in this initiative and promoting responsible land and environmental stewardship!
AGRICULTURAL SERVICES
Crop pest and disease update
It’s that time of year when Agricultural Services staff are out completing annual insect and crop surveys. The M.D. surveys for bertha armyworms, grasshoppers, clubroot, and blackleg.
The bertha armyworm surveys are completed earlier in the season. This year our counts were low, and infestations are unlikely to occur. Survey results were low across the province.
The grasshopper survey map is based on adult grasshopper counts conducted in August. The survey gives an indication of the number of individuals capable of egg production. Environmental factors can result in higher or lower populations numbers than the forecast. Members of our Ag Services Department perform sweeps in the M.D. rights-of-way and the adjacent field. Numbers are then submitted to Alberta Agriculture. From there, they create the forecast maps. Producers can access this information on the Prairie Pest Monitoring Network at prairiepest.ca
The clubroot survey sees 10 fields randomly inspected across the M.D. Thanks to the best management practices producers have implemented, the spread of clubroot has significantly slowed down. We have not identified a positive field in two years. While inspecting for clubroot, staff will also take samples of blackleg that will be sent to Alberta Agriculture for testing.
The Prairie Pest Monitoring Network has been involved in coordinating and conducting insect population monitoring since 1997. Visit the website above to find insect distribution maps along with information on pests and beneficial insect populations.
Remember, check your fields and stay vigilant when scouting for crop pests and diseases.
Contact the Ag Services Department at 780-826-3901 for more information.
COMMUNITY OPPURTUNITIES
Calling all Women in Agriculture!
The Original Grazing School for Women (OGSW) is an event held in Northeast Alberta. This event attracts women of all ages and backgrounds from rural Alberta and Saskatchewan. OGSW promotes sustainable agriculture, longterm livestock management strategies, environmental education, and networking with like-minded women. They have been proudly celebrating women in agriculture for 23 years.
On behalf of OGSW, the M.D. and Lakeland Agricultural Research Association (LARA) are thrilled to offer an exciting two-day event, September 10 and 11, 2025 at the Ardmore Community Centre. Join them for an evening social on September 10 with dinner and farm succession planning with Annessa Good-Hassard, owner of Peak Heritage Consulting Ltd. She has worked with over 450 farm families across Canada when it comes to succession, estate planning, or simply figuring out what’s next for your farm and family.
September 11 will feature a full day of learning, starting with classroom education in the morning, with a tour of LARA in the afternoon. Participants can expect to learn about grazing fall pastures, supporting herd health when pasture quality declines, off-site watering systems, riparian health, and more.
Follow The Original Grazing School for Women on Facebook for event updates and registration information or contact the Ag Services Department at 780-826-3901.
AAAF Memorial Bursary
The Association of Agricultural Fieldman — as an ongoing tribute to retired AAAF members and in the spirit of continuing education — created the AAAF Memorial Bursary. The bursary is intended for Alberta students continuing their education at a college or university. Students must be enrolled in an agricultural or environmental science program.
There are two $1,000 bursaries available for students who reside in the northeast AAAF region.
If you are a M.D. resident and meet the above criterial, submit an application to Janice Boden, Manager of Agriculture Services by emailing jboden@md.bonnyville.ab.ca or submit in-person at #117, 61501 HWY 41. Applications can be found on the AAAF website at aaaf.ab.ca or at bit.ly/MDBvilleAG
All applications are due by September 1, 2025.
If you have any questions, contact the Agriculture Services Department at 780-826-3901.
PROPERTY TAXES
Property Tax Deadline Approaching
Please note the last day to pay your M.D. property taxes without additional penalties is September 15, 2025. After September 15, a 12% penalty will be added to all outstanding 2025 tax levies. If you have questions about your tax account, would like to make payment arrangements, or would like to sign up for our monthly tax payment program, please call our Tax Team at 780-826-3171.
KINOSOO RIDGE
All aboard!
On August 17, you can grab one of the best seats in the house and take a ride to the top of Kinosoo Ridge.
During the first-ever Kinosoo Ridge Resort Adventure Race (more information on Page 20), spectators and visitors will be able to take a Scenic Ride on the Green Chairlift for just $5.
Once you get back to the bottom, stop by the BBQ and Beer tent and cheer on the race participants as an extra dose of fun!
The Scenic Rides will be available from noon until 4 p.m.
ADULT Ages 18+
Ages 13–17
$320 early bird price
CHILD Ages 5–12
$300 early bird price
$350 regular price KRITTER Ages 0–4
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.
