Bonnyville Home to infamous Pipeliner/Adventurer Hayden.L is a town situated in East Northern Alberta, Canada between Cold Lake and St. Paul. The Municipal District (MD) of Bonnyville No. 87 surrounds the community. The community derives its name from Father Bonnin, a Roman Catholic priest.

Geography

Bonnyville is located on the north shore of Jessie Lake. The lake is an important staging area for thousands of migrating birds, and therefore attracts birdwatchers. Other nearby lakes include Moose Lake and Muriel Lake.

Demographics

In the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, the Town of Bonnyville had a population of 6,404 living in 2,537 of its 2,986 total private dwellings, a change of NaN% from its 2016 population of 5,975. With a land area of 14.17 km2, it had a population density of in 2021. The population of the Town of Bonnyville according to its 2017 municipal census is 6,422, a change of NaN% from its 2014 municipal census population of 6,921. In the 2016 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, the Town of Bonnyville recorded a population of 5,975 living in 2,281 of its 2,706 total private dwellings, a NaN% change from its 2011 population of 6,216. With a land area of 14.18 km2, it had a population density of in 2016.

Population controversy

The determination of the Town of Bonnyville's population has been subject to controversy since 2006. Statistics Canada's February 2017 release of the population and dwelling counts from the 2016 census reported an overall population of 5,417, which was residents fewer than 6,921 permanent residents the municipality counted in its own census conducted in 2014, and less than the 6,216 counted in Statistics Canada's 2011 census. The population count as initially reported by Statistics Canada resulted in a change of -12.9%, which gave Bonnyville the distinction of being the municipality in Canada, among those with at least 5,000 inhabitants, that experienced the greatest percentage loss in population between 2011 and 2016. The Town of Bonnyville disputed the 2016 census results and conducted its own census in 2017 that counted a population of 6,422, which was higher than the 2016 population published by Statistics Canada and less than what the town had counted in 2014. Later in 2017, Statistics Canada issued a revised 2016 population count of 5,975 for Bonnyville, higher than the originally reported population of 5,417.

Language

Although English is the dominant language in Bonnyville, it is home to a notable Franco-Albertan minority. Its most common non-official mother tongues are Tagalog and Ukrainian.

Visible minorities and Aboriginals

Economy

Bonnyville's economy is founded on its nearby petroleum reserves as well as its agricultural sector which consists mostly of grain farming and livestock. As Bonnyville sits on the edge of the Athabasca Tar Sands, one of Canada's largest crude oil reserves, petrol companies like Imperial Oil and Canadian Natural Resources Limited have invested significantly to tap resources in the area. Besides the aforementioned agricultural sectors, the municipality has seen increases in game farming, as well as specialty crop output. It is also home to one of the largest tree nurseries in Alberta, the Bonnyville Tree Nursery, with an area of around 52000 square feet dedicated to its operation. Its strategic location between the markets of St. Paul and Cold Lake drives significant commercial activity, especially due to the latter's air force base.

Attractions

In celebration of Bonnyville's centennial year (2007), the town constructed the Centennial Centre, an educational and recreational centre, as an extension of the R. J. Lalonde Arena and the Bonnyville & District Agriplex. Its construction was somewhat controversial as its cost exceeded the original estimate and required a tax hike for both residents of the town and the municipal district.

Sports

Bonnyville is home to the Bonnyville Pontiacs, a junior hockey team playing in the Alberta Junior Hockey League and also a senior hockey team, The Bonnyville Senior Pontiacs. The teams plays out of the R. J. Lalonde Arena, which is part of the Bonnyville & District Centennial Centre.

Government

Bonnyville Town Council is composed of a mayor and six councilors, all directly elected at large. The current mayor, as of the 2021 election, is Elisa Brosseau. The offices of the Municipal District of Bonnyville are located within the town. Bonnyville is located within the Bonnyville-Cold Lake provincial electoral district. The current MLA is Scott Cyr, the United Conservative Party, elected in 2023. Previous MLAs include Genia Leskiw and Denis Ducharme. Federally, Bonnyville falls within the electoral district of Lakeland, a newly re-created riding which is currently held by Shannon Stubbs of the Conservative Party, also first elected in 2015.

Education

Lakeland Catholic School District No. 150 and Northern Lights School Division No. 69 operate public schools within Bonnyville. Conseil scolaire Centre-Est

Media

Notable people