Cold Lake Mayor Craig Copeland Announces He Will Not Seek Re-Election

In a press release issued Monday, January 20, Cold Lake Mayor Craig Copeland has announced that he will not be running in the upcoming municipal election this fall. After serving as Mayor for the City of Cold Lake since 2007 and spending nearly two decades in public service, Copeland expressed gratitude for the opportunity to lead the community through a period of significant growth and transformation.

Reflecting on his tenure, Copeland highlighted the city’s strides in infrastructure development, financial sustainability, and community-building efforts. He praised his council colleagues, city staff, and the residents of Cold Lake for their dedication and collaboration in shaping the city into a vibrant and resilient community.

Looking ahead, Copeland expressed optimism about Cold Lake’s future, citing upcoming projects such as the F-35 program, advancements in carbon capture, and a potential resurgence in local oil sands activity. While acknowledging current challenges, he emphasized the city’s strengths, including its strong sense of community, economic potential, and unique local assets.

As he prepares to step back from municipal politics, Copeland thanked his family, council members, city staff, and the broader Cold Lake community for their support and partnership throughout his time as Mayor.

Press Release – January 20, 2025

Craig Copeland not running for Mayor in next municipal election City Cold Lake

It has been an honor serving the residents of the City of Cold Lake as the Mayor since the fall of 2007. As
I enter year 18, I would just like to let everyone know that I will not be running in the fall municipal
election this year.

In looking back at what our community was when I was on council in 2004 to where we are now twenty
years’ later, we all should be proud. The infrastructure investments to water, sewer, storm water
management, road and recreational facilities during this time have shaped our community that attracts
people to want to live and stay. Business investment has grown even though our economy experienced
fluctuated oil markets over this period.

The financial sustainability of the City was a driving force of council initially during the early years which
led to an agreement with the province that resulted in significant industrial municipal taxes coming to
the City to help fund our infrastructure deficit and future growth. Although this arrangement
significantly altered years later, the additional revenue that we do get compliments residential and
commercial tax.

The people that have been on council with me over the years have been tremendous to work with. The
community trusted us to move the community forward as we saw fit. I want to thank all of them as they
were people in most cases I did not know prior to elected but have become friends and people that
respected one another on council so very much. I was lucky and I thank them all.
The staff for the city are amazing and all here to make our community great and I want to thank them
for all they do. The CAO Kevin Nagoya and I have been together an exceptionally long time which is
unique in municipal government he is a talented person; I was fortunate to have such a person to work
with as Mayor.

I want to thank my wife Joanne and my three girls who have sacrificed so much for the time I have been
gone in order to fill the role of Mayor.

The City at the moment is in a period of time that feels like treading water (not that I can swim) but we
are about to boom with the F35 project, Carbon Capture and what should be a growth phase of our local
oil sands operations as we Canadians realize we are a super power when it comes to resources and need
to take advantage of that and create jobs and wealth for our people, business community and our
country.

I want to thank everyone I have worked with over my tenure as Mayor. It is a lengthy list for sure. It is so
unique to have what we have here. At times we take it for granted. We have the largest air force base in
Canada, the top oil companies here, health and social service sector that is leaders in their field, a strong
first nation community a lake that is second to none, great recreational facilities, schools and post
secondary opportunities and political leaders in our area that want what’s best for our community and
region. We have our challenges right now with crime, homelessness, and drugs there is no hiding that
fact, but these issues are all over but in the end its everyone that I have had the pleasure with working
with over the years that have made it so much fun as Mayor.

I believe when you are on council you need to move your community forward. You do that by setting
policy, have a vision, make decisions, set a budget plan for the future, and then allow the staff to
execute. I think we on council have done that over the years. I look forward in watching the future
councils continue to make Cold Lake great.