Growing Your Business - January 2026

Alberta HUB

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Land and Buildings Project Update

As reported in the February 2024 edition of Growing Your Business (which can be found at isu.pub/eXTWF2Z), Alberta HUB, through an Alberta Community Partnership grant, aspired to build a resource for industrial and commercial property listings, whether private or MLS properties, within the HUB Region.

This project has created a system to identify and elevate properties and provide access to commercial and industrial listings to support sales related to opportunities for growth in the region. The Site Selector mapping tool is owned and managed by the Government of Alberta. Listings are updated regularly by realtors, brokers, and municipal bodies through a leading commercial real estate aggregator, Spacelist. This means data accuracy is subject to the listing owner’s ability to maintain current and relevant data in the system.

The M.D. has eight industrial properties and one featured industrial property. This tool is beneficial for site selectors and realtors as another avenue to market local properties.

If you have a commercial or industrial property to add, please visit albertahub.com and click “Available Properties”. See Page 6 for more on Alberta HUB.

2026 Alberta Winter Games

The Lakeland Region will be hosting the Alberta Winter Games, February 13 to 16, 2026.

We will welcome over young 2,400 athletes and coaches to facilities across the region, including in the M.D. of Bonnyville, Town of Bonnyville, Village of Glendon, and City of Cold Lake.

Athletes will participate in individual and team sports such as Alpine Skiing, Archery, Artistic Gymnastics, Badminton, Biathlon, Cross-country Skiing, Curling, Fencing, Figure Skating, Freestyle Skiing, Hockey, Judo, Ringette, Speed Skating, Artistic Swimming, Volleyball, and Wrestling.

Visit 2026awg.com for schedules, information, and results.

Good luck to all athletes!

S.T.A.R. 2026 being held in Cold Lake, Alberta

The Cold Lake S.T.A.R. 2026 event (Summit for Technology, Aerospace, and Research) is an opportunity to learn and identify investment opportunities for the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) Aerospace and Technology sector.

It will be attended by industry leaders, innovators, and investors to shape the future of unmanned systems and defense technology.

The summit will be held July 15 to 17, 2026 at the Cold Lake Energy Centre.

The event will include keynote speakers, demonstrations, trade shows, networking opportunities, hangar huddles and a closing ceremony.

Registration opens January 30, 2026. Get your tickets at coldlake.com/star2026

Contractor’s corner – save the date!

The M.D. of Bonnyville Economic Development team is once again collaborating with other regional partners to bring local businesses and contractors together with major project partners and procurements specialists.

The full day event will be held at St. Paul Recreation Centre, 4802 – 53 Street, St. Paul, Alberta, on Thursday, February 19, 2026 from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

This is a great opportunity to learn how to apply for the Open Construction Source List, the bidding process for contracts, security clearance, current and future labour demand, training, certification, workforce pathways, networking opportunities, and qualification requirements. Major project contractors, procurement educators, training providers and business support and consultants will be in attendance.

Watch investmdbonnyville.com for registration details and future events.

Email ecdev@md.bonnyville.ab.ca for more information and to be added to the contact list.

2026 Council Boards and Committees

The 2025-2029 Council was sworn in following last fall’s municipal election. The Council is made up of Reeve Barry Kalinski, Ward 1 Councillor Josh Crick, Ward 2 Councillor Caroline Palmer, Ward 3 Councillor Dan Amalia, Ward 4 Councillor Ed Duchesne, Ward 5 Councillor Brian Koluk, and Ward 6 Councillor Ben Fadeyiw. Councillor Fadeyiw was also appointed as the Deputy Reeve for a one-year term.

Council is committed to building a viable and diversified regional economy and to promote community development.

Council members have been appointed to various committees and boards, including those associated with Economic Development, Agriculture, and Tourism.

Reeve Kalinski

M.D. Industry Liaison Committee (one-year term)

Councillor Josh Crick – Ward 1

M.D. Industry Liaison Committee (one-year term)

Councillor Caroline Palmer – Ward 2

Chamber of Commerce – Bonnyville (one-year term)

North East Muni-Corr Ltd. (four-year term) (Alternate for Councillor Duchesne)

Regional Sports Tourism Committee (two-year term)

Councillor Dan Amalia – Ward 3

M.D. Agricultural Service Board (one-year term) (Chair)

Lakeland Agricultural Research Association (LARA) (one-year term)

Bonnyville and District Leisure Facility Corp. – Part 9 (C2) (one-year term)

Councillor Ed Duchesne – Ward 4

M.D. Industry Liaison Committee (one-year term)

M.D. Ambassador Program (up to a two-year term)

M.D. Agricultural Service Board (one-year term) (Alternate for Councillor Amalia)

Lakeland Agricultural Research Association (LARA) (one-year term) (Alternate for Councillor Amalia)

North East Muni-Corr Ltd. (four-year term)

Riverland Recreational Trail Society Board (four-year term)

Councillor Brian Koluk – Ward 5

M.D. Ambassador Program Committee (up to two-year term)

Chamber of Commerce – Cold Lake (one-year term)

Northeast Alberta Information Hub Ltd. (one-year term) (Alternate for Councillor Fadeyiw)

Councillor Ben Fadeyiw – Ward 6

Deputy Reeve (one-year term)

M.D. Ambassador Program Committee (up to a two-year term)

Bonnyville and District Leisure Facility Corp. – Part 9 (C2) (one-year term)

Go East of Edmonton Regional Tourism Board (two-year term as Liaison)

Northeast Alberta Information Hub Ltd. (one-year term)

2026 M.D. Budgets Passed

Following four days of deliberations in November 2025, Council adopted an interim operating budget for 2026 as well as the 2026 Capital Budget.

Adopted at the November 25, 2025 Regular Meeting of Council, the 2026 Interim Operating Budget comes in at $132,910,323. This budget allows the M.D. to continue doing day-to-day business, while allowing for adjustments, including provincial requisitions for education and seniors’ housing, accounting for any adjustments to the industrial assessment base, and any other assessment growth. The projected deficit of $8,776,402 was funded from Unrestricted Surplus. The final operating budget must be approved before the end of April 2026, as legislated by the Municipal Government Act.

The 2026 Capital Budget, while approved at $25,301,000, may see some changes. Currently, it is fully funded through grants, reserves, and taxes. A Special Meeting of Council was held December 10, 2025, where Council

had a workshop about bridge infrastructure replacement and/or repair requirements and estimated project costs. A State of the Infrastructure report presented to Council in 2023 indicated the M.D. was looking at $90 million in bridge replacements and repairs over a 10-year period.

“It’s important we look at the bridges in our community,” said Reeve Barry Kalinski. “With rivers and creeks running through the M.D., we have a lot of bridges and culverts that require maintenance.”

Some of the highlights from the budget include: The first phase of a boat mooring system at Kinosoo Ridge Resort ($60,000, in addition to a previously budgeted $140,000)

• Upgrades to the Fort Kent Recreation Park ($158,000)

• A wildland firefighting unit for the Bonnyville Regional Fire Authority ($250,000)

• Grants, scholarships, and donations through the Community Association Operating and Action grants ($1.18 million).

New President for Portage College

Effective October 1, 2025, Portage College announced the appointment of Dr. Stephen Price as its next President. He succeeds the outgoing President Nancy Broadbent, who retired after 35 years of service.

Dr. Price brings 25 years of academic leadership experience from Mount Royal University and has long standing personal ties to northern Alberta. His early career as a teacher and coach, along with his strong commitment to community engagement and Indigenous relationship building, aligns closely with the College’s mission and values.

As incoming President, Dr. Price will focus on strengthening connections with students, employees, regional partners, and Indigenous communities across the College’s seven campuses.

Portage College Micro-credentials: A Lever for Regional Economic Development

Portage College’s micro-credential offerings provide a powerful tool for strengthening regional competitiveness, supporting workforce growth, and enabling employers to respond quickly to shifting labour market needs. Built in partnership with industry and grounded in competency based learning, these short, flexible programs deliver practical skills that accelerate workforce readiness and improve economic resilience.

Find out more at portagecollege.ca/micro-credentials.

Business Support Partners

Below, you will find links to business support agencies that provide grants, training, and more.

NORTHEAST ALBERTA INFORMATION HUB (ALBERTA HUB)

The M.D. of Bonnyville is a proud member of the Northeast Alberta Information HUB (Alberta HUB), the Regional Economic Development Alliance (REDA) with 48 members including municipalities, First Nations, Métis settlements, post-secondary institutions, and businesses in Northeast Alberta. Established in 2000, Alberta HUB promotes investment, entrepreneurship, and regional collaboration to foster economic growth and sustainability. The Alberta HUB region offers diverse opportunities in agriculture, energy, aerospace, and tourism. Alberta HUB enhances investment readiness, supports business expansion, and markets the region as a prime location to live, work, and invest.

albertahub.com

AGRICULTURE FINANCIAL SERVICES CORPORATION afsc.ca

ALBERTA INNOVATES albertainnovates.ca

ALBERTA WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS awebusiness.com

BONNYVILLE AND DISTRICT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE bonnyvillechamber.com

BUSINESS LINK businesslink.ca

CANADIAN MANUFACTURERS & EXPORTERS (CME) cme-mec.ca

COLD LAKE REGIONAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE coldlakechamber.ca

COMMUNITY FUTURES LAKELAND lakeland.albertacf.com

EAST CENTRAL REGIONAL INNOVATION NETWORK eastcentralrin.com

FARM CREDIT CANADA fcc-fac.ca

FUTURPRENEUR futurpreneur.ca

INVEST ALBERTA investalberta.ca

PRAIRIES ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CANADA canada.ca

TRAVEL ALBERTA industry.travelalberta.com

Please visit our website at investmdbonnyville.com for grants and funding opportunities.

Facts & Figures Q4 2025

December 2025 Results

12-month Small Business Confidence Index Canada

59.9 – change +4.2

3-month Small Business Confidence Index Canada

48.6 – change +2

• Small business optimism reached 59.9 in December, an increase of 4.2 points from November, which was equal in British Columbia, Ontario, and Alberta.

The short-term optimism index, based on a three-month outlook, rose by two points to 48.6.

The average price increase increased slightly to 2.6 per cent in December, while the average wage increase remained steady at 2.2 per cent for the fourth consecutive month.

• The health and education, retail, and insurance sectors gained momentum.

For the complete article, visit cfib-fcei.ca

2025 M.D. Development Statistics

Q1

$4,291,300

Q2 $6,925,678

Q3 $7,322,489

Q4 $5,193,459

2025 Total $23,732,926

The recovery in Alberta’s international goods exports regained momentum in September. The value of Alberta’s merchandise trade increased by 3.5 per cent month-over-month to $14.4 billion. The rebound was driven by non-energy exports (+8.9 per cent month over month), with gains across eight of eleven sectors. Farm, fishing and intermediate food products (+21 per cent month over month) and industrial machinery, equipment and arts (+15 per cent month over month) posted the strongest growth. Energy exports also advanced (+1.9 per cent month over month), supported mainly by higher volumes.

The finances of Canadian households continued to improve in the third quarter. Household net worth rose 2.6 per cent quarter over quarter to $18.4 trillion. The increase was the fastest since the first quarter of 2024, led by equity-driven gains in financial assets (+4.8 per cent quarter over quarter) which typically benefit the wealthiest households.

Alberta housing starts increased 6.3 per cent month over month in October to 58,072 units (seasonally adjusted at annual rate). They were up 7.6 per cent from a year ago.

Source: Government of Alberta Treasury Board and Finance Reports

Alberta’s real GDP is expected to lead Canada this year, forecast at 2.1 per cent, up 0.3 percentage points from budget. Increased demand for public services is also boosting hiring in services industries, including in the health care and education sectors. New housing construction remains exceptionally strong across the province, with housing starts expected to average 50,000 units this year, the fastest annual pace on record.

Source: Government of Alberta, Economic Outlook 2025

Alberta – Here We Grow Again!

Alberta’s population reached 5,040,871 in Q3 2025, growing by 0.23 per cent. Alberta was the only province to post notable population growth, while populations across much of the country are shrinking.

Between July and September, Alberta added 11,525 residents. Net international migration contributed to 0.01 per cent to growth within the province. Net interprovincial migration and natural increase each contributed 0.11 per cent. Over the previous 12 months, Alberta’s population increased by 83,796 people, representing 1.7 per cent year-over-year growth, 0.2 per cent above the national average. Alberta gained 5,849 new residents through migration. Net international migration added 197 new residents. Alberta welcomed 12,963 immigrants, representing 12.6 per cent of national arrivals.

Source: Government of Alberta, Quarterly Population Report, Third Quarter 2025

Source: Statistics Canada