Meet the Candidate: Vania Lawrence (Ward 1, MD of Bonnyville)

Born and raised in the Lakeland, longtime Bonnyville resident and RE/MAX realtor Vania Lawrence is running for Ward 1 Councillor with a simple promise: “Your choice for your voice.” She says she isn’t chasing politics, she’s offering service — the kind that deals with roads, safety, taxes and the day-to-day decisions that shape rural life.

Roots in the Lakeland

Lawrence (née Sanregret — “French for no regrets,” she smiles) grew up in Cold Lake. Her husband is from the Lindbergh area, and the couple chose Bonnyville as the midpoint between families. Nineteen years later, they’ve raised two children here — a son now 19 and a daughter in Grade 11 — and made their home in Ward 1.

Professionally, many will recognize Lawrence from her years at the credit union, before she moved full-time into real estate with RE/MAX. She says the job keeps her connected to every corner of the MD. “I love meeting people, helping them transition here and bragging about our community,” she says.

Why she’s running

“I like to say I’m not getting into politics — I want to be of service,” Lawrence explains. For her, municipal government is “boots on the ground” work. She points to “good governance” as the core, not the headline-grabbing stuff, and says her goal is to represent the people who live where she lives. “I don’t have an agenda or allegiances. You may not always get the outcome you want, but you will be heard.”

What she’s hearing at the doors

After weeks of door-knocking, Lawrence says the themes are familiar across the MD and felt sharply in Ward 1:

• Public safety and crime
• Property taxes
• Roads and construction impacts

Ward 1’s strong agricultural base adds practical concerns, she notes, from farm equipment sharing the road to the height of guardrails, speeding traffic and potholes. “These things hit farmers every day — and everyone else who uses those roads.”

Ward 1 priorities: trails, access and safety

Lawrence wants to see more focus on community amenities and safe connections close to town. She highlights the Muriel Lake basin’s year-round potential and says Ward 1 hasn’t seen the same level of pathway development as other areas.

She points to neighbourhoods just outside Bonnyville’s boundary — like Emerald Lake Estates and Meadowview — where teens are often walking or biking along high-speed stretches to reach school, jobs or the C2. “People want proper walking and cycling links into town. These are ideas that have been discussed. It’s time to implement.”

Lawrence also supports stronger links into the existing trail network around Jesse Lake and toward Moose Lake, allowing MD residents near town to access the amenities their families use.

Economy and diversification

Lawrence is clear she supports oil and gas, like most in the region, but she also wants the MD to welcome a wider mix of investment. “Diversifying industry brings more opportunity, more jobs and more reasons for our kids to come back,” she says. With a fourth-generation farm on her husband’s side, she frames this as a family value as much as an economic plan.

Fiscal responsibility and transparency

Lawrence calls fiscal responsibility and openness non-negotiable. She has followed MD council closely — watching meetings online and digging into agendas and financials for the past five years. Her takeaway: keep building on what works.

“I’m proud of the job council has done,” she says. “I don’t believe in tearing things down. That costs money. Let’s build on the strategic plan, modernize where it makes sense and make sure people can see the value for the taxes they pay.”

How to connect with Vania

Lawrence says constituent access will be a hallmark of her term if elected. Her campaign email is listed on the MD website and on her pamphlets. As a local realtor, she’s easy to find by phone. She’s also attending community meet-and-greets, including a candidate night in Fort Kent hosted by the Reeve candidate.

“Your choice for your voice means I’ll listen,” she says. “Even if we can’t solve everything at once, you will be heard.”

Election details

The Municipal District of Bonnyville by-election is on Monday, 20 October, with advance voting available. Check the MD’s official channels for polling locations, ID requirements and advance poll dates.

Lakeland Connect’s Meet the Candidate series is neutral and informational. Profiles are based on candidate interviews and publicly shared materials.