Hearing set for land use change to define and regulate work camps

Cold Lake, AB – Cold Lake Council will be holding a public hearing to gather feedback for changes to the city’s Land Use Bylaw to define and regulate “temporary project accommodations,” a definition meant to capture accommodations that would generally be described as work camps.

The move to add a definition and regulations to the City’s Land Use Bylaw comes after discussions surrounding temporary camps associated with work for the federal Future Fighter Capabilities Project, and other projects associated with Canada’s plans to upgrade its fighter jet fleet that will bring trades people to the community. Without a specific definition or regulations surrounding land use and development of work camps, the existing legal framework could allow for a proposed work camp to be treated as the next closest development definition in the city’s existing bylaw. 

“It is important, should an application for a workcamp be brought forward, that we are not stuck in a position where a workcamp is regulated as a hotel, or a boarding house, for instance,” Cold Lake Chief Administrative Officer Kevin Nagoya said. “Without specific definitions and regulations, there is room for unintended consequences. And because discussions and planning are happening, it is important that we lay the groundwork for what we consider a workcamp to be and under what, if any, conditions such a development could be permitted.” 

The public hearing has been scheduled to take place on February 24, 2026, at 6:00 pm in Council Chambers. The public hearing takes place early on the Regular Council Meeting’s agenda for the evening.

The City of Cold Lake has not received an application for a development that can be described as a workcamp as of yet, and so no specific location will be discussed. The public hearing will center on the definition of “temporary work accommodations,” under what circumstances such a development might be allowed and, if such a development is allowed, where it would be allowed and how it would be regulated in the community. 

Administration’s early framing of the subject is to regulate proposed “temporary project accommodations” through a zoning known as Direct Control. Direct Control requires a motion of council to approve a development and set the conditions and regulations for the development within the community. It is the strictest form of zoning and land use regulation available to municipalities.

“We appreciate that our administration has identified this and is bringing the definition and regulation options to council early,” Mayor Bob Mattice said. “These types of developments often garner a significant amount of public interest, and it is important that the public has a say early on in the process. This ensures everyone is heard and our bylaws are well thought out and structured to meet the needs of the community, rather than becoming the product of last-minute changes.”

People can attend the Public Hearing in person in Council Chambers on February 24, 2026, at 6:00 pm, or may make arrangements to attend virtually. Options to send letters of support or concern are also available. Members of the public who want to ensure that they are heard during the public hearing should make the necessary arrangements. Information is available online at www.coldlake.com/publicnotices, or by emailing the city’s planning department at planning@coldlake.com.

The city is also encouraged by discussions relating to several single family and multi-family development opportunities that will all assist with management growth.

“Cold Lake is poised to see a lot of growth in the very near future, and it is crucial that we are ready for what’s coming,” Mattice said. “The city is preparing to see a once-in-a-generation investment begin to ramp up in Cold Lake, and we need to consider all housing options and whether they are a fit for our community. We look forward to hearing residents’ feedback as we consider this matter.” 

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