The Mackenzie Region holds incredible, untapped potential for our future. We are a strong, hard-working, entrepreneurial people who are tied to the land that we all call home. We need a strong voice for the new Ward 9 with a land mass close to 1/2 the size of the County as a whole!
Meet Your Candidate for the New Combined Ward 9/10, Mackenzie County
As a true Northerner, I’ve lived, worked, and raised my family in Zama City for 34 years. More times than I can count people’s response to that is “why do you live there?” My response… because it’s home and I love it! It was a good place to start a businesses, it was a good place to be a single mom, it was a good place to raise my kids. I love the peace, the sense of community, the people, the long summer nights and the dark skies and northern lights.
Since 2004, I’ve served as a Councillor for Ward 10 in Mackenzie County, Alberta’s largest municipality, advocating not only for my community but for our region’s untapped potential and the needs of our residents. My two daughters in High Level and my son is in Fox Creek, they are all community builders, reflecting my commitment to making life better where ever one calls home. Some may look at my 20 years of experience as a detriment…. in every other profession experience, knowledge and hard work are sought after! We have experienced first hand what lack-of-experience has cost us. My full-time job is working for you, my constituents and ratepayers, and advocating for the North. It is important to be connected and involved throughout the region and beyond, but you cannot forget where you come from, what our businesses and industries need to be successful, and what is important to your residents … I have always done that and will continue to work for us all!
Vision for the Ward 9/10 and our Municipality
Ward 9/10, nearly half of Mackenzie County, deserves a strong, engaged voice. I believe in:
- Fair Governance: Transparent, collaborative structures to prevent rural voices from being further silenced.
- Responsive Governance: Being available and responsive to the Rate-Payers and Residents
- Accountable Governance: Common sense policies, sustainable expectations and budgeting.
- Economic Growth: Supporting growth in our Agricultural land base, tourism and industry on the North side of the River.
- Population Growth: Creating and supporting policy and infrastructure to grow our North side of the River population sustainably.
- Growth Nodes: Identifying and building out growth nodes within the Ward, to create dynamic rural housing and property choices to help combat the housing shortages and availability in our area.
- Future Governance: With the long-troubled history of governance in our area, and the changing dynamic of the region. I believe that the future for our region requires a serious look at creating a new municipal structure, two large rural municipalities, that take into account more than just population numbers.
Why Me?
I’m not a passive official—I’ve rolled up my sleeves for two decades, building connections across Alberta and beyond. My roots in Zama City, the love for the Mackenzie Region, and proven track record make me the advocate Ward 9/10 needs. Let’s build a stronger, connected future together. I ask for your Vote in the upcoming Municipal Election on October 20, 2025.
Proven Leadership, Rooted in Rural Values and Working for You
With October 2024 marking 20 years on Council, including two as Deputy Reeve, I’ve championed our northern voice and have been for strong educated advocate for our corner of Mackenzie County. I’ve fought for fair governance, transparent decision-making, and the infrastructure we require to have the quality of life that we hope for and that will drive economic growth and vibrant communities. Our area is one with hard working people, who are busy building their lives, who elect and then trust that someone to represent them. What works for other areas of the County, may not work in our areas, and I understand that to the fullest.
Building strong relationships with urban neighbors like High Level, our vital service hub, is essential for Ward 9/10’s residents. Unlike other areas of the County, these reciprocal partnerships are critical to our success, ensuring access to services and fostering collaboration. My leadership and regional participation in initiatives like working on the regional service sharing agreements and inter-municipal development plans, the Regional Economic Development Initiative (REDI), Mackenzie Frontier Tourism (MFTA), Boreal Housing and Northwest Species at Risk Committee (NWSAR) reflects my commitment to nurturing these connections while standing up for our county residents and businesses’, and advocating for policies that support vibrant, thriving communities in our corner of Mackenzie County.
Working For You
Chair, Forest Capital of Canada (2024-2025): Led application process for this national designation, I have worked alongside an amazing group of individuals throughout 2024 and 2025 to celebrate all things living, working and playing in the Mackenzie Region of the Boreal Forest. FCC partnered with non-profits and communities across the region, and as one of our legacy projects have launched an educational program that features Boris the White Spruce to educate and showcase our region, it’s people and our Boreal Forest. www.fcc2024.com
Chair, Northwest Species at Risk Committee (NWSAR): Since 2016, working with 13 rural and urban municipalities working together to bring local perspectives and voices to the tables to help unsure that a multi-species, working-balanced landscape, including communities socio-economic health. NWSAR was instrumental in getting the Province to roll back with sterilizing 18 million hectares in our region, and forced inclusion of local voices within land planning. With the substantial amount of crown land that we all rely on, local input and collaboration is critical to land planning for the future. www.albertanwsar.ca
Chair, Regional Economic Development Initiative (REDI): I have chaired REDI for going over 8 years now. REDI was formed in 2002 to promote and enhance economic growth within our region and to promote the region as a whole. Membership includes Mackenzie County, High Level, Rainbow Lake, Paddle Prairie Metis Settlement, Beaver First Nation, and community organizations like our Chambers, Community Futures and Northern Lakes College. The North-to-Alaska Rail, Economic Corridors, many investor ready business cases and much more have been supported through REDI. www.rediregion.ca
- Director, Mackenzie Frontier Tourism Association (MFTA): I believe that tourism has unmeasurable opportunities in our region and have put in the time and effort to not only bring more tourism investment to the area, but also educating our locals what their role is in tourism. From operating a tourism company, hosting an AirBnb, being involved in community events like the rodeos, golf tournaments or farmers markets… all of these plus so much more enhances tourism dollars spent in our area. I have been involved with the creation of MFTA, as it started at a business case level with REDI and have been a part of building the organization. We promote Northwestern Alberta tourism opportunities. www.mackenziefrontier.com
Mackenzie County Committees and Volunteer Work: part of the job of a Councilor is appointment to a multitude of external and internal working committees and organizations. I have been much more active than most when it comes to appointments, and take every appointment seriously. Being a Municipal Elected Official is so much more than two council meetings a month. The more you are involved, the more difference you can make in your communities, the more change you help create. Working for my home community, our Municipalities and our Region and in some cases on Provincial initiatives that tie back to the local area. On top of the four substantial committees that I am involved, here is some additional initiatives that I am involved with as they affect our communities in some way: Subdivision and Appeal Board, Assessment Review Board, Agricultural Appeal Board, Community Services (Chair), Boreal Housing, Northern Lights Forest Education Society, Upper Hay Regional Forests Public Advisory Committee, Mackenzie County Library Board, Zama City Library, Zama Recreation Society, Zama City Parent Council, High Level Oilmen’s Association, Zama Fire-Rescue and more over the past 20 years.
Provincial Appointments
Alberta Parole Board: Currently, and one of the founding Provincially Appointed members of the Alberta Parole Board. The Alberta Parole Board is an independent tribunal, that helps maintain safe communities for Albertans. The Board has exclusive jurisdiction to examine, hear and determine all matters and questions relating to the parole and the release of inmates serving time in a provincial institution.
Alberta Provincial Economic Corridor Task Force: Appointed Northern Team Lead, work completed in November 2021. Was part of a province-wide task force to identify and build out the business case for economic corridors across the Province. Shortly after our work the transportation Ministry was renamed to include Economic Corridors, and some of what we worked on during that time has been announced through the Government of Alberta. Such as the east-west connector to Fort McMurray. Three others that were identified through that work were the expansion of Highway 58 east through Wood Buffalo National Park to Fort Smith, West to Fort Nelson, and a corridor to points in the Arctic and Alaska.
Bistcho Sub-Regional Planning Task Force: Sub Regional Task forces are established to develop recommendations and advise the Government on sub-regional land planning, including caribou recovery actions.
LISA WARDLEY 