Current councillor Bob Mattice not seeking re-election for council and is running for Mayor in October 20 Cold Lake municipal election.
Q1: What are the biggest needs you’re seeing and hearing from residents in the community and how would you work to address them if elected mayor?
“I think right now the challenge for council, and the new mayor of course, with at least some changes on council, is to continue the work council is already doing. With our current mayor stepping down, there will be a bit of a learning curve for some of the new members. We’ve had the same mayor for 18 years, and there’s also longevity on council as well. Our challenges are affordability in housing and city services, that’s the big one, and public safety, which is everybody’s hot button with crime, crime prevention, and homelessness. These have been key topics in our books for the last four-plus years.”
“Honestly, I don’t think we need to change a lot in how we do things, because we have a really good mayor and council right now. I’m proud to be on this council because we’re very diverse and have a lot of respect for each other. Our forward planning is designed in a way that we have a 20-year plan and a 10-year plan, with top priorities identified. From there, if things change, we can pivot.”
Q2: Looking back over the past four years on council, what are the biggest lessons you are noticing?
“I think public engagement is very top of mind right now. Everyone has lots to say on the different candidates’ pages, but we struggle with public participation during non-election periods. For example, public hearings or information sessions for big city projects could be better attended.”
“That said, we’re all very approachable and do get feedback from people. In a public forum, whether its an open house or another event, people have a chance to voice their opinion, ask questions, and see the designs. We’d like to see that more robustly.”
Q3: What motivated you to run for mayor rather than seeking another term as councillor, and how would your leadership style differ from the current approach?
“The only reason I ran for mayor is because Mayor Copeland is retiring after 18 years. I’ve had four years sitting at the same table as him to lear how he interacts with people and handles things. With the vacancy for mayor, I felt I could be the best person to fill that roll. I understand the steep learning curve that new councillors face with municipal government and meetings. That experience gives me an advantage, on day one, I can start working toward what needs to be done with council. The mayor is the leader of council, but the council operates as seven people with equal votes.”
“I recently retired as a community pharmacist after 44 years, 35 of those in Cold Lake. I’ve also owned pharmacies with my brother for 31 years, so I understand small business challenges, crime issues, and the healthcare system. My skill set allows me to understand the frustrations residents face, like difficulty accessing a family doctor and how to help navigate solutions.”
“I’ve also served on multiple committees, including the Cold Lake Chamber of Commerce, the RCMP Public Advisory Committee, and the Cold Lake Ambulance Society. I believe in giving back and being engaged in the community. I always say, bloom where you’re planted.”
Q4: Cold Lake continues to grow and face new pressures. What is your vision for balancing infrastructure demands with affordability for residents?
“Growth is largely coming from CFB Cold Lake with the arrival of F-35 airplanes and the massive build to retrofit facilities. This creates pressure on rents and housing availability for people, including short-term workers, which affects the rental market. While there is economic benefit for local businesses, there’s a real challenge for lower-income residents. We’re aware of it and are working with developers to build more affordable housing, such as duplexes and four-plexes.”
“We’re looking at incentives for affordable housing through government programs administered locally. I serve on the Lakeland Housing Foundation, which covers Cold Lake, Bonnyville, and Glendon. We manage seniors’ lodges and social housing where residents pay about 30% of their income. However, inventory is limited, so we need more options. We’re also investing in infrastructure, including a new water treatment plant shared with Bonnyville and potentially Cold Lake First Nations, and a new city maintenance shop to replace a 60-year-old facility. By addressing both housing and infrastructure, we’re preparing the city to grow while keeping it affordable for residents.”
