“The needs of communities dictate. We’re not in it for our gain, but for the people’s.”
That’s the mantra Paul Sinclair says he’s adopted as his own. The reeve of the Municipal District of Opportunity for the past two terms – and prior to that chairman of the board for at least three, he’s made a career of politics – at least for the past 18 years.
And last week he announced that come this fall, he wants to make it a ‘three-peat’ in the reeve’s chair.
Is it an addiction?
“I think so,” he says with a quiet smile. “I like the job.”
Change has been a constant throughout the M.D. that lies to the north and northeast of Slave Lake in recent years. The municipality stretches from Calling Lake in the southeast to Sandy Lake and Wabasca, Peerless and Trout Lakes and Red Earth Creek in the north. The community of Loon River is no longer included since it achieved First Nation status, he added, but beginning this fall Chipewyan Lake will have its own member on the M.D. council.
Sinclair says he wants those changes to continue, bringing water and sewer to each of the hamlets in the municipality.
“We’re just about finished (installing) water and sewer in Wabasca,” he says, “but I want it throughout the M.D., not just in Wabasca.”
There are small water treatment plants in Trout and Peerless Lakes, but the man who would be reeve for a third term says he’ll push the province to ensure there are proper systems with the capacity to service both communities for many years to come.
“We’re negotiating with the government, and I’d like to see them able to produce 30 or 40,000 gallons per day,” rather than the current 3,000, he says. And he’s set his sights on expanding service levels throughout the communities.
“My plan is to have proper treatment facilities in all the communities – Peerless, Trout, Sandy Lake and Calling Lake too.”
He hesitated to be specific with timing, but the reeve says the next focus will be road upgrades throughout the municipality.
“Roads will be our next priorities in all communities,” he insists.
“And a year from now, maybe even pavement on more of them.” And that’s in all the hamlets, not just his home turf in Wabasca, he added.
Sinclair says residents in his community have often been critical of his push to spread the wealth throughout the M .D., but adds that comes with the territory when he’s the reeve.
“We’re all in it together,” he insists. “All the revenue that comes in goes into one pot, and we have to share it.” Equally throughout the municipality.
He says he got into election mode early this time because he knows there could be challengers, but more importantly that he wants to continue as the lead hand for Opportunity – and to ensure each community is properly serviced.
“And I hope I can live long enough (to see) that all the people in the M.D. can have (washrooms indoors).
“That’s the big challenge in all our communities.”
That said, however, the reeve says he knows elector satisfaction must come first.
“My job as a reeve is to make sure council is working toward the goals of our taxpayers. And for me, the most important thing is to keep in touch with all the councillors.”
The reeve admits he took the last election a little too casual, but adds all that has changed.
“The last time I challenged someone to run against me,” he says with a grin. “I figured I walked on water for a while, but now I know it’s not everybody that agrees with that.”

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