Rural Review is published eight times a year and is distributed to residents via unaddressed ad mail. Opt in for flyers at your local post office to ensure you receive your copy. If you wish to pick up an additional copy of the latest newsletter, please visit an M.D. office or sign up for a digital copy at md.bonnyville.ab.ca
Disclaimer: Generative AI has been used in portions of this publication.
Municipal District of Bonnyville 4905 - 50 Avenue, Bag 1010, Bonnyville, Alberta T9N 2J7
CONTACT US
Main Administration
780-826-3171
Public Safety/Bylaw Concerns
780-812-3332
24-Hour Concern Line
780-812-5000
FIND US ONLINE
web - md.bonnyville.ab.ca email - info@md.bonnyville.ab.ca
damalia@md.bonnyville.ab.ca 587-398-2716 ED DUCHESNE
Ward 4 Councillor
educhesne@md.bonnyville.ab.ca 587-398-3004
BRIAN KOLUK
Ward 5 Councillor
bkoluk@md.bonnyville.ab.ca 587-398-2992
Happy 2026! I hope you all had a good holiday and had a chance to enjoy the snow!
I’d like to say thank you to all the M.D. equipment operators who worked during the Christmas break, including on Christmas Day and New Year’s. These dedicated employees spent their Christmas making sure everyone in the M.D. could get to where they were going and to spend time with family.
With a new year and a new Council, we’re getting into planning for the next four years. We have started the journey on creating our new strategic plan for 2025 to 2029. With a strong focus on economic development and continuing to provide key, quality services for our residents, we will go into the strategic planning process with all the information we heard during the fall election campaign. Keep an eye on our website and social media platforms for updates. Once the plan has been completed, it will be posted online and will also be available at the front counter for review, ensuring we continue to serve with transparency and openness in mind.
In February, we will welcome athletes from all over the province for the 2026 Alberta Winter Games. The M.D. is hosting events at the Muriel Lake M.D. Park and Kinosoo Ridge Resort. Be sure to keep an eye on 2026awg.com for information on how to get involved and cheer on these athletes as they compete at recreation facilities across the Lakeland from February 13 to 16.
I would like to take this opportunity to mourn the loss of one of our community pillars.
Brian McEvoy dedicated most of his life to this community first as the Bonnyville Regional Fire Authority fire chief and then as a councillor for the Town of Bonnyville. Day or night, Brian showed up for our community, meeting many people on one of the worst days of their lives and suffering from a loss. His calm demeanour and empathy offered comfort to many. His continued dedication to his community through his service on Council will leave a lasting legacy. On behalf of Council and M.D. staff, I send my condolences to Brian’s family, friends, and coworkers.
NOTES FROM THE CAO Ben Berlinguette
The Municipal District of Bonnyville is more than a collection of roads, lakes, farms, and subdivisions — it is a community shaped by the people who call it home. Every person who lives and works within our boundaries plays a special role in creating the vibrant, supportive, and resilient M.D. we call home today.
From long-time residents whose families have farmed the land for generations, to newcomers discovering the beauty of our region for the first time, everyone adds something meaningful to the fabric of our community.
Across the M.D., people rise early and give their time, skills, and energy to keep our region thriving. Farmers tend to crops and livestock, business owners welcome customers with pride, tradespeople build and repair the structures we rely on, and workers across every industry contribute to the strength of our local economy.
Their dedication reflects the spirit of the M.D. — hardworking, caring, and committed. This is a place where people support one another, share resources, and lend a hand without hesitation. It is this spirit of cooperation that helps our community face challenges with resilience and gratitude.
Our schools, recreation programs, community halls, and volunteer groups thrive because of the people who give their time generously.
Whether someone has lived here for decades, has recently made the M.D. their home, or left for many years and returned, they become part of a community where kindness grows naturally. Small gestures — waves on rural roads, folks checking on their neighbours during storms, people volunteering at community events — create the sense of connection that makes the M.D. of Bonnyville special.
Residents who work within the M.D. contribute directly to the well-being of the entire region. Their efforts support local businesses, strengthen services, and help keep the M.D. a place where families can grow and there are opportunities to succeed. Teachers, healthcare workers, tradespeople, farmers, oil and gas workers, small business owners, emergency responders, and countless others shape daily life here. Their work supports their families and lifts the entire community
As our municipality continues to grow and evolve, the people who live and work here remain the heart of every decision, every improvement, and every plan for the future. Our community is stronger because of the shared effort, respect, and pride shown by its residents.
We are grateful for every individual who contributes to the M.D. — whether through work, volunteerism, community involvement, or simply through the act of being a good neighbour — thank you. You are the heart of our home, and our greatest strength.
AGRICULTURAL SERVICES
2026 Shelterbelt Program
The M.D.’s annual shelterbelt tree sale will go live on March 11, 2026, at 10 a.m. This popular program has been running for over a decade and provides residents with the opportunity to purchase seedlings at a discounted price. Trees and shrubs are available on a first-come, first-served basis and often sell out quickly.
This year we are excited to offer a wide range of deciduous, coniferous, ornamental, and fruitbearing shrubs and trees, grown right here in Bonnyville and neighbouring Smoky Lake. Purchasing seedlings grown from seed in our zone means they are acclimated to our region and — given proper planting and care — have a great chance of survival.
Shelterbelts are commonly used to reduce soil erosion by diminishing the impact of prevailing winds. Mature shelterbelts can significantly reduce blowing snow along roadways, preventing it from blocking access to your property. In addition to their environmental benefits, planting trees also enhances the aesthetic value of your property for years to come.
Once you have determined where your property would benefit most from a shelterbelt, it’s time to start planning. As a general guideline, choose an evergreen species — such as Colorado Spruce or White Spruce — for the first row, which should be planted on the boundary of the property. The second row should consist of a fast-growing deciduous species, such as willow or poplar. The third row is typically reserved for shrubs. One of the most popular choices is lilac, although there are many options to consider.
Many landowners opt to plant a fourth and fifth row, which may include another deciduous row followed by an additional shrub row. A good rule of thumb for spacing is to plant trees (both evergreen and deciduous) 10 feet apart and shrubs three feet apart.
Combining flowering species with shelterbelt trees will enhance their benefits. Native bees and butterflies are attracted to flowering plants for pollination. If you want to draw these beneficial insects to your property, consider planting fragrant, colourful species that have a long flowering season. These flowering plants can diversify your shrub row. Some excellent options include lilacs, cherries, raspberries, and saskatoons which you can purchase through this year’s program.
Predatory insects like ladybugs, lacewings, damsel bugs, and ground beetles provide excellent protection against pests, including aphids, mites, caterpillars, and mealybugs. For instance, planting raspberries can attract ladybugs to your garden. Additionally, diversifying the types of plants in your shelterbelt can help minimize the impact of diseases and pests.
Please note that this sale is exclusively for M.D. residents. You must provide your blue sign address when placing an order.
A catalogue detailing the available varieties will be available online in February at bit.ly/MDTreeSale or by scanning the QR code above.
The shelterbelt program is proud to offer the following species this year:
Conifers/evergreens
• Green Alder
Manitoba Maple
• Scots Pine
• Colorado Spruce
• White Spruce
• White Birch
• Okanese Poplar
Tower Poplar
Ornamental trees/shrubs
• Common Purple Lilac
• Laurel Leaf Willow
• Eastern Red Bud
• Burning Bush
Dragon Baby Hydrangea
Variegated Dogwood
• Snowball Viburnum
Fruit bearing trees/shrubs
• Saskatoon
• Bob Gordon Elderberry
Brianna Grape
Romeo Cherry
• Evans Cherry
• Aurora Haskap
• Borealis Haskap
• Lowbush Blueberry
Manor Cherry Plum
Manchurian Apricot
• Wild Red Raspberry
• Red Mammoth Raspberry
*The Municipal District of Bonnyville No.87 will not be held liable or responsible for seedlings sold through our programs that do not break dormancy and produce new growth within the first 30 days. It is the responsibility of the owner to plant seedlings in a timely manner and in appropriate site conditions. Please refer to our best practices and resources for information on proper care and planting techniques for seedlings.
WASTE SERVICES
La Corey Landfill operational updates
Starting in 2026, the La Corey Landfill will be open on Mondays. This allows the M.D. to offer increased service to residential and commercial customers. The site also now features a weigh scale so that commercial customers can be charged by the tonne. Along with the change in process for commercial waste, we have changed the traffic plan to include one-way entrance and one-way exit roads for our M.D. of Bonnyville residential users.
Should you have any questions or concerns regarding the La Corey Landfill or regarding Commercial Waste acceptance, contact the Waste Services Department at 780-826-3901.
Diagram of the landfill entrance with the updated traffic flow
Tipping fee signage
PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT
Updating the Land Use Bylaw – Where we’re at
The draft of the updated Land Use Bylaw (LUB) was presented to Council for First Reading on December 10, 2025. A Public Hearing for the LUB has been scheduled for February 10, 2026.
What’s happened so far
The update and review of the LUB was introduced in April 2024. Open houses were held in May 2024. Information received was compiled into the first What We Heard report and taken into consideration when drafting the LUB. Once the draft LUB was created, it was posted on the M.D. of Bonnyville’s website and social media accounts with a survey for feedback open for the summer of 2025.
Multiple press releases, social media posts, and an article in the June 2025 edition of Rural Review were released to promote engagement. A second What We Heard report was drafted and posted on the M.D.’s website.
Updates considered from community feedback
We heard landowners want:
an increase in the number of dwellings or secondary suites per parcel
• a new formula for livestock allowing animals based on lot size
• the creation of permitted use for minor (residential), and discretionary use for major (commercial) solar energy collection systems
• a decrease in side yard setbacks for lots under 30,000 sq. ft.
Another opportunity for input
The Public Hearing is your chance give feedback on the draft before it is presented for Second Reading. Written submissions can be submitted prior to the meeting and registration for virtual attendance will be made available closer to the public hearing date.
For more details and to see the draft of the Land Use Bylaw, visit bit.ly/MDBvilleLUB or scan the QR code above. Additionally, stakeholders can provide feedback directly to the project team during this period by sending an email to planning@md.bonnyville.ab.ca or Sylvia.summers@stantec.com
KINOSOO RIDGE RESORT
Get ready, get set, MUSH!
Kinosoo Ridge has always been your winter destination for fun. On January 24, we’re giving you a chance to try out another winter pastime — dogsledding!
Join us from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. as Conner Family Racing & Tours takes to the hill and gives you a whole new winter experience!
All season pass and day lift ticket holders get to ride for free. Want to come enjoy the dogsleds without a pass? Great news! You can buy a ticket online (or in person) for $10. Visit the Special Events section at store.kinosoo.ca to get your tickets today!
Coming soon!
The Alberta Winter Games will be held from February 13 to 16, 2026. The M.D. of Bonnyville is excited to welcome over 2,400 athletes and their families to our area.
Both Muriel Lake M.D. Park and Kinosoo Ridge Resort will be hosting athletes from across the province.
While Muriel Lake will be hosting the cross-country skiing events, Kinosoo Ridge will be hosting the alpine skiing and freestyle skiing events. There will be over 140 athletes competing at Kinosoo Ridge.
Great news! We’ll also be offering a Family Tubing Pass (for up to five family members) for a special price of $79 from February 14 to 16.
At the time of printing, the schedules were not yet available. Keep an eye on 2026awg.com for information and event updates.
