Meet the Candidate: Ben Fadeyiw for MD of Bonnyville Ward 6

When voters in Cherry Grove head to the polls this fall, they’ll see a familiar name on the ballot. Ben Fadeyiw, Councillor for Ward 6 in the Municipal District of Bonnyville, is seeking re-election for a third term. After serving eight years on council, Fadeyiw says there’s still more work to do, and he believes continuity is key to keeping projects moving forward.

Local roots and business ties

Fadeyiw’s connection to the region runs deep. Born in Belgium, he moved to Bonnyville in 1978. He and his wife, Leila, an Iron River native, later raised their two children in Cold Lake, where they still operate two businesses – Budget Blinds and Fads Vintage. He says being a local business owner keeps him connected to residents from across the MD, while his family’s involvement in community sports and activities gave him a first-hand view of the value of strong local facilities.

Over the years, he’s also worn several hats outside of council. He has served as Director, Vice President and President of the Cold Lake Chamber of Commerce, and was Vice Chair with Community Futures Lakeland, later working with the Community Futures Network of Alberta. Those roles, he says, pushed him to get involved in local politics.

 

Building bridges between communities

When Fadeyiw first entered municipal politics, he recalls a clear divide between Bonnyville, Cold Lake and the MD. “I wanted to bridge that connection,” he says. Today, he’s proud that residents and municipalities alike are working more collaboratively. “People don’t see the borders anymore. We can do better things together than apart.”

He points to recent projects as examples of that collaboration paying off, from improved recreation facilities to long-discussed infrastructure investments.

 

Notable achievements

One of the projects Fadeyiw highlights most is the new Cherry Grove Fire Hall and grader shop. The idea took nearly seven years to bring to life. Before the project, one of the MD’s graders was left outdoors in winter while another barely fit into an aging shed. The need for better facilities became urgent after a series of arsons in the area raised community concern.

Council eventually approved the combined fire hall and grader shop, and the community responded in kind. A call for volunteers saw more than 60 residents show up, with 35 signing on and over 20 fully trained as firefighters. “That level of response really shows what community means out here,” Fadeyiw says.

He also points to investments in outdoor rinks and recreational spaces as a major step forward. In Cherry Grove, the MD developed a multi-season rink that doubles as a space for weddings, concerts and summer events. “It’s not just about winter. It’s about year-round gathering places for people,” he explains.

 

Projects across the MD

Although elected in Ward 6, Fadeyiw votes on projects across the MD. He highlights upgrades at Kinosoo Beach, new trails at Crane Lake and Muriel Lake, and improvements at Kinosoo Ridge, now developed into a year-round facility.

“These projects show how council works as a team,” he says. “Even if it’s not in my ward, it benefits the whole MD.”

 

Challenges and priorities ahead

Looking forward, Fadeyiw acknowledges that progress at the municipal level can be slow. “It’s a long game,” he says, pointing to the planned mooring station at Kinosoo Beach as an example. After two years of waiting for disposition approval, council is now funding a $65,000 water study before the project can advance. Federal and provincial consultations, he notes, are part of the process.

Fadeyiw believes his relationships with ministers, deputy ministers and chiefs of staff, built over two terms, are a valuable asset. “Continuity matters,” he says. “Those connections help us save time and money when moving projects forward.”

One of his biggest advocacy points remains Highway 28. Alongside neighbouring municipalities, the MD has hired lobbyists to press for upgrades. With major economic projects on the horizon, including billions in investment at 4 Wing Cold Lake and the arrival of F-35 jets, Fadeyiw argues improved transportation corridors are urgent. “We don’t have rail and we don’t have strong east-west routes. These highways are our lifeline,” he says.

 

Seeking a third term

After eight years, Fadeyiw says he’s motivated by the same goals that first brought him into council – building community, supporting growth and keeping the MD connected. He stresses that the job isn’t about quick wins, but about persistence and long-term results.

“This work takes time, but we’ve seen what can happen when we work together,” he says. “I want to keep that momentum going.”