Approximately 200 people came out to the Lakeland Inn to show their appreciation to former Cold Lake mayor Craig Copeland at an informal gathering Sunday afternoon. Copeland, who had been mayor for 18 years, didn’t stand for reelection in the 2025 municipal election.
The afternoon was organized by the City of Cold Lake.
Copeland regaled the audience with tales of overcoming decades of bizarre sewer design, and the open-bar policy in a provincial cabinet minister’s office (he didn’t name the minister).
He also spoke of the importance to the city of securing stable funding through the Improvement District 349 arrangement, and the importance of 4 Wing’s input into getting the deal.
Now a seasoned and skilled politician, Copeland said he didn’t bring a natural aptitude to the role.
“I was a skunk in a school play,” he said. “I didn’t have any kind of speaking ability. I hated talking. My mom always said I was a rebel without a cause. When I got into politics, I guess I found a cause to be a rebel.”
MLA Scott Cyr, 4 Wing Commander Colonel Mark Hickey, former and current councillors, and several community members offered some good-natured ribbing, heartfelt praise, and well-wishes.
Current mayor Bob Mattice said councillors who served with Copeland appreciated his consensus-building style.
“The bulk of council said in their own way that Craig would be patient and understanding of decisions that didn’t necessarily always go his way, but was very, very good at building a consensus with council to come to a decision,” Mattice said.
“And after we made the decision, we just looked forward and didn’t second-guess it.”
Copeland had twice attempted to run provincially. If he is harbouring any future political ambitions, he wasn’t letting on. He said he is continuing his day job as fish hatcheries manager and involving himself in volunteer projects like the upcoming Alberta Winter Games.
Of his mayoralty, he said “it was a pleasure serving the people of Cold Lake.”
JEFF GAYE
