Roger Bilodeau, one of the individuals found guilty in connection with the deaths of Jacob Sansom and Maurice Cardinal near Glendon, in March of 2020, has been granted temporary absences from prison for personal development and family contact, according to a report released by the Parole Board of Canada.

Bilodeau, aged 60, is serving a sentence of five years, six months, and 19 days for manslaughter. Despite being subject to a DNA order and a lifetime firearms prohibition order, he had no prior convictions.

His son, Anthony Bilodeau, was convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison with 13 years of parole ineligibility in January 2023.

On December 6, 2023. The parole board requested a panel hearing to discuss the possibility of granting Roger Bilodeau unescorted temporary absences (UTAs). Although supported by the case management team, the board sought to meet with Bilodeau to assess his progress, acceptance of responsibility for the offense, and understanding of his attitude and behavior contributing to the tragic event.

Following a hearing on February 21, 2024, the board authorized UTAs for Bilodeau, citing reasons of personal development and family contact. These absences will not exceed 72 hours per month and come with stringent reporting requirements to the institution.

The decision comes despite opposition from local RCMP, expressing concerns about potential community unrest if Bilodeau were allowed unsupervised visits. However, the board emphasized the positive aspects of Bilodeau’s case, stating that the mitigating factors outweigh the aggravating circumstances.

In March 2020, the incident occurred when Sansom and Cardinal drove past the Bilodeau property, triggering a confrontation that escalated into a fatal altercation, leaving both victims dead. Bilodeau’s version of events does not fully align with the official account, and he is currently appealing his sentence, partly motivated by influencing his son’s appeal.

Despite these discrepancies, the board categorized Bilodeau as “low risk” for reoffending. The decision to grant UTAs was seen as desirable to maintain family relationships and facilitate Bilodeau’s engagement with the church community for personal development.

Bilodeau remains under a no-contact order with the victims’ families. The decision to grant UTAs reflects the board's assessment that his risk during these absences will not be undue, allowing him opportunities for rehabilitation while maintaining public safety.

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Alberta's top junior athletes, coaches, and spectators are eagerly anticipating the 25th Alberta Winter Games in 2026, set to take place in the M.D. of Bonnyville, City of Cold Lake, Town of Bonnyville, and the Village of Glendon. Athletes aged 11 to 16 will compete in various sports, including ringette, hockey, and speedskating, highlighting the province's rich athletic talent.

Minister of Tourism and Sport, Joseph Schow, expressed his support stating, “We are proud to support opportunities that celebrate the achievements of our young athletes, offering them a platform to compete and realize their athletic potential.”

Scott Cyr, MLA for Bonnyville, Cold Lake, and St. Paul, affirmed the readiness of the host communities, noting, “Our exceptional recreation infrastructure and warm hospitality will leave athletes, coaches, parents, and technical officials with a desire to keep coming back.”

With preparations underway, the Alberta government has pledged an $820,000 operating grant to assist in covering essential expenses. Barry Kalinski, reeve of the M.D. of Bonnyville, emphasized the significance of collaboration among municipalities in hosting the games.

Leadership from the host municipalities, including Craig Copeland, mayor of the City of Cold Lake, and Elisa Brosseau, mayor of the town of Bonnyville, echoed their enthusiasm for showcasing the region's facilities and community spirit.

Nicholas Werstiuk, mayor of the Village of Glendon, expressed excitement for the event, stating, “We look forward to seeing athletes and their families from all over the province, making memories, achieving goals, receiving medals, and even possibly getting a picture next to the world’s largest perogy.”

The 2026 Alberta Winter Games will build upon the event’s legacy of excellence since 1976, reinforcing Alberta’s commitment to athletic development and community engagement.

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In a tight vote on November 28, the Glendon Library Board secured $20,000 in start-up funding from Bonnyville’s Municipal District.  

The motion, proposed by Coun, Dana Swigart, narrowly passed with a 3-2 vote, highlighting the contentious nature of the decision and the importance of the funding for the Glendon community.  

The approved motion designates $9,000 from the 2023 operating budget and the remaining $11,000 from the cash flow reserve to support the establishment of the Glendon Library. Additionally, Coun. Mike Krywiak has been appointed to the Glendon Library Board for a two-year term.  

The split vote saw councilors Dana Swigart, Don Slipchuck, and Darcy Skarsen in favor, while Reeve Barry Kalinski and Deputy Reeve Josh Crick opposed it.  

The Glendon Library Board, seeking a $20,000 start-up budget, initially presented the proposal during the Nov. 14 council meeting. The library, operating within Glendon School, officially opened earlier this fall after the Village of Glendon had been without a public library for 23 years.  

A key point of contention during the council discussion was the potential diversion of resources and visitors from the Bonnyville Municipal Library, located about 30 km away.  

Coun. Dana Swigart addressed concerns by providing specific figures on the anticipated local usage of the Glendon Library compared to the Bonnyville Municipal Library. The Glendon Library Board presented a comprehensive vision emphasizing its role as a community hub, offering various programs for all age groups to reduce the need for residents to travel to Bonnyville.  

The programs include drop-in Storytime, maker space, read and rolls for young children, after-school homework help, writing groups, board game nights, financial literacy, resume writing, cooking, and sewing classes for adults, as well as computer classes for seniors. The library plans to operate 45 hours weekly to address accessibility concerns.  

The Glendon Library Board clarified that the $20,000 requested aimed to cover start-up expenses, including equipment, books, furniture, and technology. Despite concerns, Glendon residents have been able to register for library cards and borrow books from the newly established public library since October 30. Marking a significant step forward for community access to educational and recreational resources.  

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