Council heard presentations on emergency medical services and wildfire mitigation, approved two property-tax penalty cancellations, discussed investment returns, and approved vegetation management at municipal viewpoints in Widewater and Canyon Creek.

AltaLink outlines wildfire mitigation efforts

Council also received a presentation from AltaLink on the company’s wildfire mitigation plan. The presentation was delivered by Colin Harvey, who outlined the company’s role in Alberta’s electricity system and its efforts to reduce the risk of its infrastructure contributing to wildfires.

Harvey said AltaLink is Alberta’s largest regulated electricity transmission provider, with more than 13,400 kilometres of transmission lines and 310 substations, serving approximately 85 per cent of Albertans.

He said wildfires are becoming larger and more severe and that AltaLink is committed to reducing the likelihood that its infrastructure contributes to the ignition of a catastrophic wildfire. Harvey described AltaLink as a leader in wildfire mitigation in Canada.

AltaLink proactively shuts off power during extreme and dangerous weather conditions that could result in catastrophic wildfires. The company also engages in community awareness through social media and works with the Government of Alberta and Alberta Wildfire through the Powerline Wildfire Risk Mitigation Task Force.

The delegation request to council stated that the purpose of the presentation was information only. According to the request, AltaLink wanted council to be aware of the work it is undertaking to keep communities safe during wildfire season and to understand the process involved in a public safety power shutoff.

Councillor Brad Pearson asked whether AltaLink implements fire mitigation directly at transmission poles, giving as an example materials that could potentially be wrapped around the base of poles to prevent them from igniting. Harvey said this is a technology the company is starting to look at.

Pearson also asked what could be done when winds carry sparks onto vegetation surrounding transmission lines. Brendan Pan, AltaLink’s wildfire system operations engineer, said the company is increasing the frequency of inspections in high-risk areas.

Councillor Lester Vanhill said there are at least 50 kilometres of power transmission lines in the M.D. that are at risk of ignition from wildfire. He said one of the challenges facing the M.D. is that it must go through provincial regulations to remove vegetation around the lines. Harvey said AltaLink could work with the M.D. to approach the province together in an effort to improve that process.

Council cancels two property-tax penalties

Council approved requests to cancel two separate property-tax penalties applied to residents. The requests were presented by Erik Loken, tax and financial administrator. The agenda noted that under section 347(1) of the Municipal Government Act, council may cancel or refund taxes when it considers doing so equitable.

In the first case, involving tax roll 327005, the resident made a payment for the full tax balance owing on June 29, 2026. However, the payment was accidentally made to the Town of Slave Lake rather than the M.D.. Because the M.D. had not received the payment by June 30, a six per cent penalty of $143.15 was applied on July 1.

The Town of Slave Lake refunded the payment on July 7, after which the resident made a payment in person at a bank. The M.D. received that payment on July 15. The resident provided a bank statement as supporting documentation showing the original payment.

According to the report, the resident had consistently paid property taxes on time since taking ownership of the property in 2009. Council approved cancelling the $143.15 penalty.

The second case involved tax roll 215784. The property was transferred during the year, with a sale closing date of June 12 and the title change becoming effective July 25.

The combined assessment and tax notice had been mailed to the owners on title in April. The previous owners were on a pre-authorized payment plan and had made monthly tax payments through May 15.

Tax certificates showing the amount of taxes owing were provided upon request to the law firms involved in the transaction on May 22 and May 26.

The report noted that lawyers often account for outstanding taxes as part of a property sale closing. The M.D. communicated with the lawyer that responsibility for the taxes owing was with the buyer, but the amount was not included in the sale closing.

Because the M.D. had not received payment by June 30, a six per cent penalty of $57.41 was applied on July 1. The new owner said the first mail they received regarding property taxes was an arrears letter sent in mid-August. The remaining taxes were paid by the owner on Aug. 29. Council approved cancelling the $57.41 penalty.

STARS asks M.D. to restore contribution to previous level

Council received a presentation from Glenda Farnden of STARS (Shock Trauma Air Rescue Service), who provided an overview of the organization’s work and its role in emergency medical care across the region.

From 2021 to 2026, STARS has rescued 61 people throughout the M.D. of Lesser Slave River, including 28 critical interfacility transfers in which patients were transported to Slave Lake Hospital.

Farnden said STARS provides both physical and virtual emergency response, enhances rural health care and provides 24/7 access across Western Canada. There is no cost to patients for the service.

Farnden said STARS has $38.4 million in direct operating costs, with $15.6 million coming from the Alberta government and the remaining $22.8 million coming primarily from donations, fundraising and the STARS lottery.

The organization’s costs are divided among aviation-related expenses, which account for 41 per cent, clinical costs at 35 per cent, base operations and administration at 18 per cent, and the STARS Emergency Link Centre at six per cent. The Emergency Link Centre works with 911 to determine when calls require STARS intervention.

The STARS helicopters are equipped as flying intensive-care units. Farnden said about 80 per cent of missions involve cardiac incidents, vehicle incidents or other medical and trauma interventions.

Equipment carried aboard the helicopters includes a video bronchoscope, i-STAT handheld blood analyser, Hamilton T1 ventilator, video laryngoscope, EZ-IO and LUCAS chest-compression system.

The equipment allows crews to perform many of the same types of advanced medical procedures that would be available in a hospital intensive-care unit. STARS is also CAMTS accredited.

Farnden said STARS looks for a minimum contribution of $2 per capita from municipalities to help maintain its operating costs. The M.D. contributed $5,750 in 2025, which met that target, but contributed $5,000 this year. Farnden asked the council to restore the contribution to its previous level.

During questions following the presentation, Coun. Brad Pearson asked whether there is enough time to coordinate a ground ambulance to intercept a patient when a helicopter cannot land at a hospital.

Farnden said STARS does its best to coordinate transportation and that fixed-wing aircraft can also become involved when necessary. She said STARS works in concert with 911 and its team determines the appropriate mode of transport when fielding a call.

M.D. reviews investment portfolio

Council received an investment overview for information and discussed the possibility of moving some investments into options that could provide better returns.

A large portion of the M.D.’s investments are currently held with RBC and are generating approximately three per cent. The presentation indicated that this return is below current rates because of the age of the accounts.

The M.D. is considering whether some investments should be moved to improve its return on investment and reviews its investments regularly.

Councillor Richard Colborne questioned why the M.D. maintains such a large number of investment accounts, saying the number of accounts made the situation confusing. CAO Kevin Gannon responded that many municipalities use diversification to maximize access to financial markets and said the M.D. regularly reviews its investments.

Councillor Norm Seatter said he liked that the M.D. was not “keeping all of its eggs in one basket.”

M.D. plans vegetation management at Southshore viewpoints

Council received a request for a decision regarding vegetation management at the Southshore viewpoints in Widewater and Canyon Creek.

At the Aug. 12, 2026 meeting, Coun. Brad Pearson gave notice of motion requesting information about brushing at municipally owned viewpoints in Widewater and Canyon Creek.

The M.D. owns two viewpoints, one in each community, which are intended to provide residents and travellers with an enjoyable, quiet rest area where they can take in views of Lesser Slave Lake.

The M.D. said vegetation has grown over the past couple of years and has begun to impede the views from the sites. Both viewpoints were planned to be included in the M.D.’s 2026 fall brushing program.

The work was being planned at the time of the meeting and is typically completed during the winter under frozen conditions, when environmental damage is minimized.

There is an additional complication at the Widewater viewpoint because the brush is actually located outside the M.D.’s property. A temporary field authorization will need to be obtained, depending on the extent of brushing required, and permission may also be required from CN Rail.

Council was also informed that a member of the public had been taking care of some of the brushing. Coun. Sandra Melzer said the M.D. wanted to thank that member of the public for the work.

The council said the M.D. would now look into obtaining a Treatment Funding Arrangement through the provincial government to handle the work going forward.

William Hetherington
Lakeside Leader