Richard Froese

For the Lakeside Leader

Big Lakes County and Driftpile Cree Nation have formed a special economic partnership.

At its April 9, meeting county council approved the county’s participation in the First Nation – Municipal Community Economic Development Initiative (CEDI), with Driftpile. It’s to run from that date until March 15 of 2027.

Council then appointed Grouard Councillor Jeff Chalifoux, CAO David Reynolds and county grants officer Samantha Smith to a CEDI working group. Councillor Richard Mifflin will serve as alternate.

The April 9 decision formalizes an intention expressed back in November of last year.

Making the report to council, the county’s director of corporate services Joe Zdeb said the two communities are “also committed to an improved community-to-community relationship, through the establishment of a joint working group.”

This working group, Zdeb told council, will work on building the capacity of elected officials and staff to identify, prioritize, plan for and implement economic development initiatives, “while developing a resilient, sustainable partnership.”

After March 2027, the idea is that the relationship will continue, Zdeb said.

Working group leaders and elected official plan on meeting monthly. The working group will also come up with a community engagement plan. This will be to keep residents of both communities informed about the program, the local partnership and joint economic development initiatives.