COLD LAKE - City of Cold Lake council finalized discussions on a seed grant for a baby box program at Covenant Health’s Bonnyville Health Centre at the Dec. 10 regular council meeting, confirming $25,000 to the project.
“Council - at the Corporate Priorities Committee meeting on Sep. 17 - passed a motion to provide a seed grant in the amount of $25,000 for the development of a baby box program at Covenant Health's Bonnyville Health Care Centre with the recommendation that it is funded from contingency and held in restricted surplus until the health centre could provide confirmation that it was launching the program,” explained Kristi Isert, General Manager of Corporate Services.
The project aims to establish a safe haven baby box at the health centre, providing a secure and anonymous option for individuals in crisis to safely surrender a baby. Council first reviewed this proposal in January 2024, following a delegation.
After further discussions throughout the year, including a motion on Oct. 8 authorizing the City to provide a letter of support for the project, administration recommended amending the operating budget to allocate funds for the grant.
Isert recommended council approve $25,000 in contingency funding for the Baby Box program at Covenant Health's Bonnyville Health Centre.
Coun. Chris Vining sought clarification on whether a timeline would be imposed on the grant’s availability. “Is there a sunset on this, like for how long that would sit? If we put any kind of timeline on it, like 12 months, 24 months?”
In response, Isert clarified that funds restricted for a specific project remain in place until used or reviewed.
“Once funds are restricted for a specific project, they would stay there until they're needed for the project or we otherwise review the restricted accounts,” she noted. While no formal timeline was recommended, Isert suggested council could include a specific resolution if desired.
CAO Kevin Nagoya provided additional context, referencing the City’s practice of allowing approximately 12 months for projects to confirm viability.
“The most recent one would be in comparison [to] the arts theatre in Bonnyville,” said Nagoya. “They had until I believe Dec. 31, 2023, in order to get kind of groundbreaking and construction started, which they did comply to.”
Coun. Ryan Bailey inquired about the involvement of other regional partners in the initiative. Nagoya confirmed that the Cold Lake Lions Club had contributed funding but noted uncertainty regarding support from the MD of Bonnyville or the Town of Bonnyville.
“This action here was for administrative cleanup from a budget purpose, because council has already signaled that it would provide the funding,” said Nagoya.
Council made a motion to proceed with the grant allocation as recommended. The $25,000 will remain in restricted surplus until the Bonnyville Health Centre confirms the program's launch.
