LAC LA BICHE - Lac La Biche County council has requested that Ward 1 Coun. Darlene Beniuk issue an apology for comments made during a July 22 council meeting.
A special meeting was held on July 29, and after discussing the matter described as “intergovernmental relations” in closed session, a motion was put forward in the public portion of the meeting demanding Beniuk issue a written and public apology for the comments she made during the July 22 meeting. The motion was carried 8-1.
When asked to speak to the request, Beniuk explained that she is seeking legal counsel regarding the matter. She was unwilling to issue an apology.
“I can’t apologize for telling the truth,” Beniuk stated.
Background
During the July 22 meeting, a request to repair an intersection on Beaver Lake Cree Nation was the subject of a contentious half-hour debate among Lac La Biche County council.
As previously reported by Lakeland This Week, according to the information in the agenda package, Beaver Lake Cree Nation approached Lac La Biche County about repairs to the intersection of Township Road 660A and Range Road 134, which has deteriorated and “is now considered hazardous for regular vehicle traffic.”
County crews are already working on the County’s portion of Township Road 660A and “to extend into the Nation would be an additional $36,000 in material costs,” according to the administration information.
At the time, Beniuk spoke for nearly six minutes about roads in need of repairs in her area, including the Eleanor Lake Road and Christy Creek bridge.
“Beaver Lake Cree Nation does not pay taxes [to Lac La Biche County],” said Beniuk.
“I don't care if you’ve got extra money in your budget. I'll spend that right now, right where I live. When I complain for eight years about getting something done and it's not done, and then we're giving away labor, material, equipment. Think about it. I am not going to ever approve this for anyone unless they go through the process,” said Beniuk.
Mayor Reutov tried to shut down Beniuk’s comments, noting she had exceeded her allotted three minutes. Beniuk continued speaking for another three minutes.
Some councillors spoke in favour of doing the work, noting the mutual aid agreements that are in place between Beaver Lake Cree Nation and Lac La Biche County.
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Special meeting motions
At the end of the special meeting on July 29, Reutov asked Beniuk to resign, to which she did not respond.
A statement, released by Lac La Biche council on July 29, states that, “While Council Members have the right to express personal views as part of healthy democratic debate, Council firmly rejects any comments that diminish the County's commitment to truth, reconciliation and mutual respect.”
The letter, which is signed by all nine councillors says, “Council reaffirms its respect for the histories, cultures and contributions of all Indigenous peoples, including First Nations and Métis Settlements. We recognize the vital contributions of Indigenous peoples to our region and affirm that these partnerships are grounded in shared values, trust and ongoing dialogue. These principles are foundational to who we are as a community.”
It further adds, “We stand with our Indigenous partners today and every day, and will not allow individual comments or opinions to distract us from the path we have chosen to build a future grounded in understanding, mutual respect and meaningful reconcili-action together.”
Representatives of local Indigenous groups were present at the special meeting, including Cole Gladue, Michael Lameman, and Leonard Jackson, who are members of Beaver Lake Cree Nation council.
Reutov spoke first during the public portion of the meeting, talking about concerns the public had regarding comments previously made by Beniuk.
Council agreed to issue a public statement, emphasizing that statements or opinions expressed by individual members of council, such as those made during the July 22 regular meeting, are solely their own.
Another motion put forward was, “That Mayor Reutov shares the outcomes of the July 29, 2025, Special Council Meeting with members of the Indigenous Collaboration Committee.”
Another motion directed “Administration to draft a letter on behalf of Council to the Minister of Municipal Affairs to express concerns with the removal of the Council Code of Conduct provisions from the Municipal Government Act and include the Beaver Lake Cree Nation correspondence, and further to advocate that the Province expedite the creation of the municipal ethics commissioner and associated regulations to deal with Council conduct matters."
Lakeland This Week asked members of Beaver Lake Cree Nation council for comments on the matter, but was told that Chief Gary Lameman, who is away on business, will be meeting with council and elders when he returns. Following that, they may provide a statement.
*With files from Meredith Kerr
