Highway frustrations

Council discussed road maintenance and a damaged four-way stop.

M.D. CAO Chad Tullis told council he recently met with provincial ministers, but the news was not good.

“Priority has not been put on highways this year,” Tullis said. “Albertans will need to deal with their road conditions.”

He noted there is no indication the province plans to do further work soon.

“I own a truck, and I can’t imagine people who have cars driving there,” said Councillor Darlene Jackson. “It doesn’t matter what direction you’re coming from, it’s terrible.”

Jackson suggested the municipality might have to pay for engineering studies themselves to force the issue.

Reeve Marcel D. Auger noted heavy industrial traffic damages the region’s roads. He wondered if the M.D. is being ignored.

“We can’t be forgotten just because we’re a little further north,” Auger said. “I hate to say it, but maybe just because we’re an Indigenous community, it’s not as big of a priority for this government.”

The M.D. plans to schedule another joint meeting with the province alongside the Bigstone Cree Nation.

Recreation and finance

Administration presented the recreation and culture report, and the finance report. Council accepted both as information and carried the motions.

FCSS grant

Council voted in favour of a Jackson motion allowing Family and Community Support Services (FCSS) to apply for the Alberta Indigenous Cultural Grant. Administration confirmed the M.D. will not need to provide matching funds.

Rezoning request defeated

Council defeated a proposed bylaw to rezone a Calling Lake property from residential (R1C) to recreation residential (RR).

The landowner wanted the zoning change to legally park an RV and leave a sea-can shipping container on the empty lot for weekend use. Current rules say you cannot have an accessory building like a sea-can on a residential lot unless a primary building is already there.

Councillor Gerald Johnson worried this would set a bad precedent.

“If we do this we will not have any structures soon because people can promise anything,” Johnson said. He noted there are already too many lots around town with just sea-cans on them.

Jackson agreed and warned they might end up with a town full of RV parks.

The motion was defeated on first reading. Administration will tell the landowner they can apply to the Municipal Planning Commission for a temporary one-year permit for the sea-can, which keeps the original zoning intact.

Wabasca Powwow Committee

A delegation from the Wabasca Powwow Committee presented their plans for a traditional gathering in August 2027.

The committee has about $9,000 left in a trust fund from their last event in 2014. They are currently looking for sponsorships, including from the M.D. and Bigstone Cree Nation.

Reeve Auger supported the idea. He recalled a recent gathering and the effect the drumming and dancing had on local youth.

“You see the young kids that were part of the drumming light right up,” Auger said. “It is so important for our younger generations to get that sense of where they come from. I’m glad you guys are looking at reviving this.”

Calling Lake internet access

Dropped connections at the Calling Lake complex prompted a discussion about internet issues.

Tullis explained that under the M.D.’s old setup, everything routed through the main Wabasca office. If Wabasca had an issue, the outlying buildings went down too.

Hardware upgrades are underway and should be done in a few weeks. If that does not fix the problem, Tullis said they can look at running a dedicated fibre line straight to the Calling Lake building.

Homeless shelter grant

Jackson asked for an update on a $250,000 grant application for a local homeless shelter. Administration said the project is still in the early stages to figure out logistics.

Eagle Point Golf Course

Reeve Auger asked administration to look into opening up parts of holes 15 and 18 at the Eagle Point Golf Course.

These holes are currently closed to golf carts. Players have to park and walk long distances, sometimes on steep hills, just to take a shot.

“It slows the game right down for people who have to walk all the way across the fairway, shoot their ball, and walk all the way back,” Auger said.

Administration will see if the boundaries can be safely adjusted to let carts through.

Canadian Natural pipeline expansion

Canadian Natural (CNRL) delegates presented a heavy oil pipeline expansion plan near the Sandy Lake settlement.

Jackson asked how close the heavy oil line would get to homes. The delegates assured the council the line will stay clear of residential areas.

Council reviewed the maps and agreed that the company’s preferred Option A was the best choice, as it safely loops around the outside boundary of the Sandy Lake settlement.

Council approved the route. Jackson requested the company hire local workers. The company agreed to try to use local businesses and workers. The M.D. and CNRL also agreed to meet once a year to discuss future projects.

Information and calendar

Tullis presented the information correspondence, and the council accepted it as information. They also approved the council calendar. The meeting ended at 11:47 a.m. The next M.D. of Opportunity meeting is scheduled for July 15 in Wabasca.

Armaan Khanna 

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter