Located in west-central northern Alberta covering a total area of 1,213,056 hectares (2,995,200 acres) the M.D. of Big Lakes is an outdoor enthusiast’s paradise. Its boundaries stretch from south and east of the Town of Swan Hills to north and west of the Town of High Prairie. Hiking, hunting, birding, snowmobiling and cross-country skiing are just a few of the outdoor activities that abound in the M.D., but the hallmark of the municipality is its large lakes. Lesser Slave Lake, Snipe Lake and Winagami Lake are all well known for the fishing and recreational opportunities they present. It is against this backdrop of natural splendour that the M.D. of Big Lakes strives to provide effective local government to its residents.

Incorporation: Advisory Council to Municipal Council
The M.D. was incorporated on January 1, 1995, after 90 years as an improvement district. The I.D. Advisory Council consisting of Alvin Billings, Guy L’Heureux, Gary Basarab, Craig Bissell, Ken Killeen, Larry Lamouche, Tom Milner, Gail Perry and Ethel Ruecker, had successfully guided the municipality through the incorporation process and took on the new responsibilities of leading the newly formed Municipal District of Big Lakes. Alvin Billings, the former Chairman of the Advisory Council, assumed the role of Reeve. Municipal elections were subsequently held in October 1995, in conjunction with the province-wide local authorities elections. These elections saw the return of five councillors, including Guy L’Heureux, Craig Bissell, Ken Killeen, Gail Perry and Ethel Ruecker. As well, four new councillors were elected including Ralph Courtorielle, Joyce Dvornek, Helen Henderson and John Simpkins. Mr. L’Heureux was chosen to serve as Reeve.

The commitment and leadership of these councillors, together with the Municipal Administration led by John Eriksson, were key ingredients to the successful transition to M.D. status. The continuing dedication and teamwork of Council and Administration will be a key factor as the municipality continues to adapt not only to its new status and responsibilities, but also to shrinking grants and support from the Provincial Government.

New Responsibilities
Six months prior to the transition from an improvement district to a municipal district, Big Lakes assumed responsibility from Alberta Transportation and Utilities for upgrading and maintaining all of the local transportation infrastructure. A Public Works shop was therefore constructed in 1995. Using a combination of municipal and private crews, the M.D. maintains a total of 1,315 kilometres of roads (1996 statistics), but there are also many kilometres of seasonal and unmaintained roads and trails throughout the municipality that are available for the adventurous to explore. In addition to maintaining the road infrastructure, the M.D. has also taken on responsibility for operating the Swan Hills Airport. Transfer of the Airport to the M.D. was made official in June 1995.

The M.D. hired its first Special Constable in April of 1995. The duties of the Special Constable include enforcing all municipal bylaws and most provincial statutes, with particular attention to enforcing road bans and weight restrictions on local roads and secondary highways. This is particularly important for the M.D. as there is a significant volume of truck traffic associated with forestry and oil and gas industries that travel through the municipality on a daily basis. The Special Constable also watches for livestock theft and is responsible for removing stray dogs in M.D. hamlets.

Other new responsibilities that the M.D. has taken on since incorporation include assuming its own subdivision approving authority in 1995, and incorporating Big Lakes Family and Community Services into the municipal administration as a new department on April 1, 1997. Also in 1997, the M.D. adopted its first Municipal Development Plan and revised its Land Use By-Law as required by the new planning provisions of the Municipal Government Act. The M.D. has also negotiated the implementation of 9-1-1 services throughout its jurisdiction.

Intermunicipal Cooperation
Seeking opportunities to improve regional cooperation in order to achieve mutual benefits is one of the ways municipalities have been trying to maximize the services available to their residents at the most reasonable cost. Facilitating cooperation and communication between the M.D. and its neighbours has been an important priority in the region. In March 1995 the M.D. signed an intermunicipal agreement with the Town of Swan Hills, and two years later, another intermunicipal agreement was signed, this time with the Town of High Prairie. These agreements are updated annually and cover services such as fire protection, recreation, libraries, water utilities, recycling, cemetery maintenance and operating the local airport. Communities in the area have also pursued a regional approach to waste management and the M.D. is the operating authority for the regional landfill.

Regional cooperation between the M.D., the three Metis Settlements and the four First Nations Reserves is also important. For example, the M.D. of Big Lakes supplies water to the Kapawe’no First Nation and the Swan River First Nation. In another unique agreement, the M.D., in conjunction with Alberta Transportation and Utilities, reached an "Understanding Agreement" with the Peavine Metis Settlement to upgrade the access road to the Peavine Metis Settlement. A similar agreement was negotiated with the East Prairie Metis Settlement.

People and Places in the M.D.
The M.D. has a total population of 4,030 as of the 2006 census, with most of the population concentrated along the south shore of Lesser Slave Lake and also to the west of the Lake. There are five hamlets within the M.D., Kinuso, Joussard, Faust, Enilda and Grouard. In addition, but not counted in the census figures are three Metis Settlements and four First Nation Reserves.

The Hamlet of Joussard, located at the west end of Lesser Slave Lake, was previously a small lake shore fishing settlement that has recently become a bustling lakeside resort community. The Hamlet of Faust is nestled in a well protected bay on Lesser Slave Lake, half way between the Towns of Slave Lake and High Prairie, and is a popular spot for camping, fishing and boating. The Hamlet of Enilda is a quiet community located 12 kilometres east of High Prairie on Highway 2. Located 40 kilometres north-east of High Prairie on Buffalo Bay, the hamlet of Grouard is one of the oldest communities in northern Alberta. Named after Roman Catholic missionary, Emile Jean Marie Grouard, this community is rich with history. As well, Grouard is home to the St. Bernard Mission Church and the Native Cultural Arts Museum which highlights the fascinating aboriginal and cultural past of the community.

Economic Development
The economy of the area is largely based on the forestry industry, with other employment coming from agriculture and oil and gas activity.  All of the communities within the M.D. are characterized by a relaxed, friendly environment. This rural hospitality, combined with the multitude of recreational opportunities, make the M.D. an attractive tourist destination. Consequently, tourism is a growing industry in the area. While still an improvement district, Big Lakes was an instrumental player in the formation of the Lesser Slave Lake Regional Tourism Committee incorporated under the Societies Act in 1987. It was the first regional tourism organization to be formed in Alberta under the Regional Tourism Action Plan process. The committee, which has over 50 members, promotes the area as "Big Lake Country".  The mandate of the committee is to develop and coordinate marketing initiatives designed and targeted to attract tourists to the region. A marketing plan has been developed and is updated annually. Key activities that have been identified with the most marketing potential include: camping, fishing, sports competitions, conferences, touring vacations and big game appreciation/hunting. 

In addition to the tourism industry however, the municipality is also home to many of the traditional resource industries that drive the economy of much of the rest of Alberta. The oil and gas and forestry industries are extensively involved in resource extraction and processing in the area, providing a source of employment for area residents as well as a solid tax base for the municipality. There are also approximately 568,035 acres of farmland in the M.D., making agriculture another important contributor to the local economy. As well, there is a commercial fishing industry in the region.

The Force of Nature
The wild beauty of nature is abundantly clear in the M.D. An abundance of wildlife ranging from bears to birds, the rugged forest wilderness and the many beautiful lakes, streams and beaches make the M.D. truly spectacular. However, as residents and tourists enjoy the opportunities nature presents, they are from time to time reminded of the powerful forces nature can wield. Such was the case in the M.D. in June 1996 as massive flooding swept through the area. Area residents and volunteers worked together to try to prevent the rushing waters from destroying their homes and communities, but in the end the power of nature was too great to be contained. When the waters receded, the total damage to municipal infrastructure alone exceeded $730,000. The continued wet weather resulted in another $380,000 in culvert washouts and frost damage to the roads. Between 1996 and 1997, the M.D. received $970,000 in Disaster Service grants to help defray the cost of repairing this damage.

Adjusting to Change
With incorporation and the many other new responsibilities the M.D. has taken on over the past few years, adjusting to change has become a way of life. Having successfully adapted to the many challenges that have impacted the municipality, including incorporation, changes in the Municipal Government and Planning Acts, coping with reduced grants and meeting demands for increases services, the M.D. feels that through continued hard work, it will be in an excellent position to provide responsible local government to its ratepayers into the future.

(Excerpted from "Serving Martha & Henry: Rural Municipal Government in Alberta 1983-1998", published by the AAMD&C in 1998)