On September 9, the town of St. Paul’s regular council meeting focused on an important issue that could impact the future of transportation investments in northeast Alberta. The discussion revolved around the accuracy of the Commodity Flow Values Map, a resource being developed by Alberta Transportation and Economic Corridors (ATEC) to assess the economic value of commodities transported along the province’s major highways.
The issue was prompted by a letter from Bonnyville-Cold Lake-St. Paul MLA Scott Cyr, who pointed out inaccuracies in the draft map. Cyr noted that economic activity along Highway 28, which services St. Paul and other Lakeland municipalities, was underrepresented. He argued that the highway plays a significant role in Alberta’s economy and should be depicted similarly to highways in more populous areas, such as Grand Prairie.
“The line in the graphic should be at least as thick as the one for Grand Prairie, given that our region generates a comparable level of economic output,” Cyr stated in the letter. He also raised concerns about Highway 55, another key route, suggesting that necessary data for the region may have been overlooked by ATEC.
Cyr urged the town of St. Paul to review the map and ensure that the region’s commodity data is accurately reflected. He emphasized that while the region may not have the population of other areas, its economic activity is substantial and deserves accurate representation.
Town officials echoed Cyr’s concerns. CAO Steven Jeffery agreed, highlighting that the highways in the northeast seem underrepresented compared to other areas in the province. Mayor Maureen Miller recalled a previous conversation with Alberta’s Minister of Transportation and Economic Corridors, Devin Dreeshen, who mentioned that future highway construction decisions would be based on a region’s economic activity. Mayor Miller questioned the data used in the current map, expressing doubts about its accuracy. “Knowing the facts that come out of the northeast here, I challenge where they came up with this information,” she said.
Councillor Nathan Taylor raised another point, questioning whether the map considered other means of transportation commodities, such as rail or air. He suggested that if the map only focuses on road-use data, it may fail to capture the full scope of the region’s economic activity. Miller agreed, stating that a review of the map was necessary and proposing further collaboration with other municipalities.
After further discussion, councillor Gary Ward made a motion for the town to send a letter to Cyr requesting additional information. The council also agreed to meet with Cyr and representatives from other municipalities in northeast Alberta during the Alberta Municipalities Fall Conference to discuss the issue further. The motion passed unanimously.
The council’s decision to address these concerns is seen as a critical step in ensuring that the northeast Alberta region is accurately represented in future transportation investment decisions, particularly for highways as essential as Highway 28.
