Smoking bylaw changed to allow smudging

Cold Lake, AB – An amendment to the smoking bylaw now allows for Indigenous ceremonial use of smoked products for smudging and/or pipe ceremonies to be permitted within City facilities. Previously, no smoke of any kind was permitted. However, prior authorization and approval will be needed the ceremony, to ensure the specific location is appropriate, which includes temporarily disabling the smoke detector and sprinkler system, having access to a fire extinguisher, and notifying other users of the facility.

City signs on to information sharing to help seniors

Cold Lake, AB – For nearly two decades, the City of Cold Lake has been offering a tax rebate to low-income seniors, as part of the Seniors Rebate Program. In 2023, the City entered into an information sharing agreement with the Province of Alberta, which helped to identify seniors who qualified for the program. This agreement needs to be signed annually, and council voted to continue this agreement at the April 23 council meeting. Through the benefit of the information sharing agreement, an additional 40 seniors were identified in 2023 from the previous year, bring the total to 62. These eligible seniors receive a rebate from the City of Cold Lake in the form of a property tax rebate.

Vacant lots encouraged to sell or be developed with new program

Cold Lake, AB – Council made a final approval on the Vacant Lot Incentive Program policy, which aims to improve development in the community. Property owners with longstanding vacant properties listed for sale may be eligible for a one-time property tax rebate grant. With an increased interest from developers in the area, but a lack of available properties to build on, the city intends the program to encourage development or sale of the vacant lots.

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