Alberta’s Minister of Forestry and Parks, Todd Loewen, spent a day touring the Lakeland recently, meeting with local leaders and learning more about the natural resources, industries and outdoor attractions that help drive northeastern Alberta’s economy.

The visit took the minister to Cold Lake, Moose Lake and the Cold Lake Fish Hatchery, where discussions focused on fisheries, forestry, economic development and wildfire preparedness.

Bonnyville-Cold Lake-St. Paul MLA Scott Cyr said the visit provided an opportunity to showcase the region while ensuring local priorities were heard firsthand.

Showcasing one of Alberta’s premier lakes

The day began with a boat tour of Cold Lake, giving Loewen a chance to experience one of Alberta’s largest recreational lakes while discussing its importance to the region.

Cold Lake is not only a popular destination for anglers, boaters and outdoor enthusiasts, but also an important contributor to the local economy through tourism and recreation.

The tour also highlighted the ongoing balance between protecting Alberta’s natural resources while ensuring residents and visitors can continue to enjoy them.

Local leaders discuss regional priorities

Later in the day, Loewen met with Municipal District of Bonnyville representatives at Shaw House on Moose Lake.

Joining the discussion were M.D. of Bonnyville Reeve Barry Kalinski, Deputy Reeve Ben Fadeyiw, Chief Administrative Officer Ben Berlinguette and Cyr.

The group discussed several priorities affecting the region, including expanding opportunities for anglers to keep more of the fish they catch, the state of the local forestry industry, economic development, fish stocking initiatives and wildfire prevention.

“These conversations are important because they help ensure Alberta’s policies support both responsible stewardship of our natural resources and the long-term economic success of communities like ours,” Cyr said.

He added that hearing directly from municipal leaders helps ensure provincial decisions reflect the unique opportunities and challenges facing northeastern Alberta.

Balancing conservation and economic growth

While each topic focused on a different aspect of Alberta’s natural resource sector, a common theme emerged throughout the day.

Discussions centred on finding practical ways to protect Alberta’s forests, lakes and wildlife while supporting the industries and communities that rely on them.

For the Lakeland region, where forestry, recreation, tourism and resource development all play significant roles, maintaining that balance is critical to long-term economic growth and environmental stewardship.

Tour highlights importance of Cold Lake Fish Hatchery

The minister concluded his visit with a tour of the Cold Lake Fish Hatchery, where he learned more about the facility’s role in Alberta’s fish stocking program.

Each year, the hatchery raises hundreds of thousands of fish that are stocked into lakes across the province, helping support recreational fishing while contributing to fisheries management and conservation efforts.

The hatchery plays an important role in maintaining healthy fish populations and ensuring Alberta’s lakes continue to provide opportunities for anglers for generations to come.

Opportunity to showcase the Lakeland

Cyr thanked Loewen for taking the time to visit the region and hear directly from local leaders and stakeholders.

He also acknowledged the contributions of Reeve Barry Kalinski, Deputy Reeve Ben Fadeyiw, CAO Ben Berlinguette, the staff at the Cold Lake Fish Hatchery and everyone who helped organize the visit.

“Visits like these provide an excellent opportunity to highlight local priorities and ensure our communities have a strong voice as decisions are made for Alberta’s future,” Cyr said.

Beyond showcasing local attractions, the visit gave provincial and municipal leaders an opportunity to discuss the issues shaping the future of northeastern Alberta. From forestry and fisheries to wildfire preparedness and economic development, the conversations reflected the important role the Lakeland continues to play in Alberta’s natural resource economy.