Local councils will see a funding request to hire an lobbying group to try to advance issues relating to northeast Alberta. 

This comes out of the Northeast Alberta Mayors, Reeve, Indigenous Leaders meetings, which sees 43 communities come together to discuss their problems. 

While not a new group, it is becoming more united in advocating for common goals.

Coming out of the latest meeting was the idea to push for a voice at the table, to make issues like Highway 28 more top of mind for provincial leaders. 

“The intention was to be heard,” St. Paul mayor Maureen Miller told Lakeland Connect.

“The two goals that we’re trying to gain traction around are transportation and health for sure. We’ve all talked to our ministers in our own little departments around our municipalities. And we decided maybe it’s time for the province to actually see the numbers we’re representing, the industry that we’re representing.” 

Frustration is growing.

Ranging from communities along Highway 28 and Highway 16, the group spans from Vegreville to Athabasca, while including all Lakeland area communities. 

While some issues are provincial, the attention heavy oil corridor attracts warrants federal consideration as well. 

“I think people are feeling kind of alone, right. So I think getting somebody out and getting somebody to work in the room inside Edmonton there to schmooze for us – why not?” said Cold Lake mayor Craig Copeland. 

Earlier this year, the group united and co-signed a letter to Alberta Transportation about Highway 28. It drew a similar, tepid response to those sent in the past.  

With concerns also harbouring around ER closures, obstetrics, and the spinning wheel around nurses and physicians, not to mention policing challenges and crime, the hope is to shed more light and create action for an area that draws significant revenue for Alberta. 

Some figures taken from the Alberta Regional Dashboard quantifies just how much economic activity happens in the region. 

With 133,141 people calling the northeast their home, including over 20,000 residents who identify as Indigenous or Metis, there is an estimated value of $3.1 billion in major projects in the region. 

Also highlighted is the more than 600,000 head of cattle, 30,000 K-12 students enrolled in public schools, and more than 5,200 active businesses in the area, almost 96 per cent of which are small businesses.

“We want to actually bring awareness to what the Northeast actually brings to the province, because I think we’re a forgotten gem,” said Miller. 

Funding for a lobbyist firm will be divvied up by the member municipalities. What the costs look like are currently unknown.

Copeland said its anticipated to come to council tables in the coming weeks.

Stakeholders in northeast leaders

The municipalities include:

• Town of Bonnyville
• Municipal District Bonnyville No. 87
• Lac La Biche County
• Lamont County
• Minburn County
• Smoky Lake County
• County of St. Paul
• Two Hills County
• County of Vermilion River
• City of Cold Lake
• City of Lloydminster
• Village of Chipman
• Village of Kitscoty
• Mannville
• Village of Myrnam
• Village of Vilna
• Town of Bruderheim
• Town of Elk Point
• Town of Lamont
• Town of Mundare
• Town of Smoky Lake
• Town of Two Hills
• Town of St. Paul
• Town of Vegreville
• Town of Vermilion
• Village of Andrew
• Village of Innisfree
• Village of Marwayne
• Hamlet of Willingdon
• Thorhild County
• Hamlet of Thorhild
• Village of Glendon
• Athabasca County

Metis Settlements

• Elizabeth
• Fishing Lake
• Kikino
• Buffalo Lake

First Nations

• Cold Lake
• Kehewin
• Whitefish/Goodfish
• Frog Lake
• Beaver Lake Cree Nation