COLD LAKE - As the year draws to a close, City of Cold Lake Mayor Craig Copeland took some time to reflect on 2024 - a year of significant progress and persistent challenges – while also setting his sights on ambitious goals for 2025.
Addressing issues from homelessness to infrastructure, and health care to housing, Copeland provided a candid assessment of the City's achievements and the hurdles that lay ahead.
Homelessness and social issues
"I think 2024 will sort of be a continuation of going into 2025,” said Copeland, noting that many of the same issues, such as “the major issues we have on the social front,” will continue to be important. He noted the increase in the homeless population and the growing complexity of homeless camps will continue to be a focus.
"It seems like the population of the homeless has increased more. And the difficulties in terms of camps, the severity of the camps where they don't necessarily want to live in John Howard building . . . They want to have their own lives. The amount of camps in Cold Lake was quite stunning,” said the mayor.
Beyond their numbers, the camps themselves have presented safety concerns. "The level of sophistication of some of the camps . . . and of course the amount of debris that they collected,” are a concern, he explained.
Cleanup efforts of the camps in 2024 involved the RCMP, municipal enforcement, and external firms. Fires originating from the camps were another major issue in 2024.
The mayor emphasized the need for systemic change.
"We can't reward continued behaviour like this," he said, referencing meetings with the Justice Minister to address repeat offenders. Additionally, the City continued lobbying for essential mental health, addiction, and detox facilities.
"Council supports a mental health facility, an addictions facility, and especially a detox facility in Cold Lake. We think that our community plays very well in terms of the ability to attract workers,” but unfortunately, progress has been slow.
Health care advocacy
Copeland expressed frustration over the stalled efforts to secure a dedicated MRI machine for Cold Lake.
“We’ve been trying to push for a couple of years now having a dedicated MRI machine in Cold Lake.” Despite strong local support, including from City council, the project has yet to move forward.
Copeland highlighted the willingness of a local businessman to invest in the project, saying, “We have a gentleman in town that's willing to invest his money to complement his business, CGA Medical, to have a dedicated MRI machine in Cold Lake, and council is all for it.”
“We’ve met with several (Alberta Health Services) executives on it. We feel it’s a no-brainer,” Copeland continued. But there has been a disappointing lack of progress.
Infrastructure Projects
Significant strides were made in infrastructure, including the advancement of the Regional Utility Service Commission's wastewater treatment plant. "That's going to be pretty huge for our area," he said. The state-of-the-art technology will improve water quality and alleviate capacity issues.
The redevelopment of Lakeshore Drive also progressed.
"That was a big challenging project fixing everybody's underground [services]," he noted. "We built the seawall and it's going to change the whole vista there. It's going to be beautiful and make it really a complement of Kinosoo Beach walkways."
Housing and development
Over the past year, the City has focused on addressing Cold Lake's housing challenges by introducing incentive programs to spur development.
"We finished the year with some people kicking the tires on what we have to offer," said Copeland, who acknowledged the need for affordable housing stock in the community.
"We're very thankful . . . to those that are pushing dirt in Cold Lake for development," he said, referencing ongoing projects near the hospital. The city's future growth is tied to several key developments, such as the F-35 project.
“The F-35 is going to bring a renaissance back to the base. It's going to be quite exciting.”
In 2023, the federal government announced it would be purchasing 88 F-35 fighter jets. The purchase means the government will have to update the two fighter jet bases in Canada – one being 4 Wing in Cold Lake, and the other in Bagotville, Que.
Highway 28
Copeland also spoke about the ongoing issues with Highway 28, calling it “the forgotten highway.” He noted, “Highway 28 again just keeps on getting kicked down the highway a bit. No pun intended. But is the light bright on that subject? I don’t know. There’s no doubt about it . . . We’ve missed major opportunities over the last 20 years to really invest into [Highway] 28.”
With regional growth driven by projects like the F-35s, carbon capture, and potential developments like the Keystone pipeline, the mayor warned that “more people are going to be on that highway.” He also pointed out the danger people face on the road.
“It’s dangerous in terms of passing. When you get behind some of the big units that are on the highway, it can be a dangerous highway without any passing lanes.”
“We’re hopeful that the province is going to come in and twin from Cold Lake to Bonnyville,” Copeland continued. He also expressed disappointment that Highway 28 was not included in the 2024 provincial budget, despite hopes for improvements.
“We’ll keep on pursuing that.”
Celebrating community and festivals
Copeland reflected on the success of Cold Lake’s festivals in 2024, highlighting the city's commitment to bringing people together.
“We had a good festival year. I always like a good party. When we sponsor all of these events, whether it's the Air Show, whether it's Feast on the Beach, whether it's Mudfest, Summer Rush, Canada Day, Aqua Day - it's [goal is] to have people enjoy our area."
He acknowledged the risks involved in hosting large events but expressed appreciation for those willing to take them on.
He specifically recalled the excitement of the return of the chuckwagons in 2024 and the success of the 2024 Air Show.
Accomplishments of 2024
Copeland highlighted the success of the medical clinic as one of the biggest achievements of 2024, noting the significant progress made since the city purchased it in 2023.
“The biggest achievement of 2024 was the success of the medical clinic. The city purchased the clinic in 2023, and it really gained momentum in 2024. We've seen significant progress, with several doctors already practicing there.”
He also reflected on the importance of the Lakeshore Drive project, calling it a standout initiative.
“I think that one's been a neat initiative. . . When you look back, when all the bushes and all that grow in and all that . . . that place, five years from now you'll say, ‘Wow, that was a pretty cool project we did’.”
Looking ahead
Mayor Copeland's vision for 2025 includes continued advocacy for critical infrastructure like Highway 28 and the expansion of the city’s medical clinic.
“We’re optimistic that that building eventually will house 12 to 20 doctors once we do the expansion,” he shared.
He is also excited about the upcoming Portage College AME Structures Program, set to launch in 2026 at the regional airport.
“It seems like it's far away but we're doing all of the steps in order to be able to house students,” he said.
Mayor Copeland remains optimistic despite the challenges.
“Cold Lake will be the fastest growing community in this region,” he stated, emphasizing the city's affordability and potential for steady growth. With an ambitious agenda for the coming year, 2025 promises to build on the successes and lessons of 2024.
