Mayor Craig Copeland Reflects on Cold Lake’s Wins, Challenges, and What Comes Next

As his time in office winds down, Mayor Craig Copeland is leaving behind a record defined by persistence, long-term battles with Ottawa, and a community always looking to the future. In his final sit-down at City Hall with interviewer Michael Menzies, Copeland discussed Cold Lake’s decade-long fight over federal tax payments, the challenges of housing and policing, and the city’s hopes for junior hockey and major infrastructure investments.

The Debate Over FCM Membership

Copeland addressed recent public concerns about Cold Lake’s membership in the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM). Some residents have questioned whether the national body reflects local values, pointing to links with climate and green initiatives.

The mayor acknowledged the skepticism but defended the city’s involvement. “Sometimes it’s best to be in the room,” he said. “You may not agree with everything, but if you’re not there, you don’t know what’s going on.”

Copeland highlighted the value of networking, learning from other municipalities, and FCM’s direct support during Cold Lake’s legal battle with Ottawa over Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILT). “They were instrumental in helping us be a voice,” he noted.

A Victory in the PILT Case

One of Copeland’s most significant files has been the PILT dispute with the federal government over taxes owed on 4 Wing Cold Lake. For more than a decade, the city argued Ottawa was underpaying by millions each year.

This summer, the Federal Court of Appeal ruled in Cold Lake’s favour, affirming the city’s property assessments. Copeland called it a major win not just for Cold Lake, but for municipalities across Canada. “We just want the federal government to pay their fair share,” he said.

The decision could mean $1.2 to $1.6 million annually in additional revenue, plus repayment of years of shortfalls. While some residents have wondered about rebates or “Ralph Bucks”-style payouts, Copeland pointed to infrastructure as the likely focus. “When we had extra money under Premier Stelmach, we didn’t give it back—we fixed the city up. Recreation, underground work, all of it.”

He added that any decision on tax relief or reinvestment will rest with the next council.

Junior Hockey Hits Pause

Cold Lake’s attempt to secure an Alberta Junior Hockey League franchise didn’t materialize this year, and the outgoing Axemen organization marked the end of the Aeros era. Copeland praised the team’s community spirit and billet families, saying they “bled their heart and soul into Cold Lake.”

Council has opted to pause new junior hockey proposals until January, giving potential leagues time to prepare properly. “We want a hockey team to be successful,” Copeland said, noting the city’s arena is already “turnkey ready” with a dedicated dressing room and advertising opportunities.

In the meantime, the city will host university-level exhibition games this fall, including the University of Alberta Golden Bears against the University of Saskatchewan Huskies, which typically draw over 1,000 fans.

Highway 28 and Provincial Funding

Highway 28 remains a sore point. Copeland labelled it “a forgotten highway,” calling the lack of twinning between Bonnyville and Cold Lake “absolutely ridiculous.” With oil and defence projects ramping up, he warned the road will face even more strain.

The mayor expressed hope that the provincial budget in 2026–27 will finally deliver capital dollars, alongside long-awaited investments in schools and health care. “Our region is long overdue,” he said.

Policing Costs and Crime

Cold Lake now pays 90% of its RCMP costs, a financial strain Copeland said will test future councils. Rising salaries, new equipment requirements, and inflation are pushing annual budgets higher.

While crime statistics show mixed results, Copeland stressed that frontline officers are stretched. “It’s a tough environment,” he said, pointing to repeat offenders and a justice system that rarely incarcerates them. “Some people are eating up officers’ time in a huge way.”

Housing Incentives and Market Pressure

The city renewed its $10,000-per-door incentive for multi-unit housing and $5,000 grants for secondary suites, but take-up has been slow. With major federal projects at 4 Wing looming, Copeland warned Cold Lake needs “about a hundred suites” soon or will face a serious housing crunch.

The challenge, he explained, lies in construction costs, which are 20–30% higher than in Edmonton due to labour and supply expenses. “Land isn’t the issue. Development fees aren’t the issue. It’s the cost of bringing crews here.”

Concerts, Sales, and Summer Spirit

Cold Lake will cap summer with major events, including a Dallas Smith concert on Halloween night, the citywide garage sale, car show, Summer Rush, and Mudfest. Copeland said events like these highlight the community’s vibrancy. “It’s good to close out summer with a couple of great events,” he said.

Looking Back, Looking Ahead

As he prepares to step aside, Copeland credited city staff, councillors past and present, and legal teams for sticking with tough files like PILT. Strategic planning, he said, kept priorities consistent across council terms.

While he avoided hints about his political future, Copeland said he remains optimistic about Cold Lake’s trajectory. “There’s a lot of credit to go around,” he reflected. “We stayed the course, and now it’s up to the next council to keep building on that momentum.”