Lion’s Club to host municipal election forum

Cold Lake, AB – The Grand Centre Lion’s Club will receive the Municipal Election Forum Grant in the amount of $7,500.

Two applications were received by the City of Cold Lake for the Municipal Election Forum Grant, to assist with the expenses incurred by hosting a municipal election forum for the upcoming 2025 municipal election. Applications were received from the Bonnyville and District Chamber of Commerce with a proposed budget of $7,500 and the Grand Centre Lion’s Club with a proposed budget of $2,242.

An election forum is a public event where candidates running for election are invited to express their positions on different topics, as well as an opportunity to answer questions. Part of the grant criteria is for the forum to be livestreamed and broadcast online, for people to view from home.

“The audio for any forum is going to make or break it,” said Mayor Craig Copeland. “But the whole organization and production of the forum is up to the group hosting it. The City remains neutral during an election, which is why you won’t see the City hosting any forums. This grant is the City’s way of helping cover some of the costs associated with such an event at a time when local media companies and volunteer organizations are having their budgets and volunteer pools stretched to the breaking point.”

Normally a recommendation for a grant recipient would be made by a volunteer advising committee to council for a decision. However, with a lack of volunteers coming forward to assemble a committee, council was presented with the information on the two applications for their consideration and decision.

Council looked through the details of both applications, before deciding to award the grant to the Grand Centre Lion’s Club.

“Council ultimately felt it wanted to keep the funding with a local organization,” said Copeland. “It’s a difficult decision to make. Even though the Bonnyville Chamber has a lot of experience hosting forums, we wanted to give the Lion’s Club a chance to show the community what they can do.”

The municipal election takes place on Oct. 20, 2025. Nominations are open until Sept. 22, 2025. For more information on the election, voting registration, or nomination, visit www.coldlake.com/election

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