Frog Lake First Nation to get transfer station

Frog Lake First Nation is celebrating the impending grand opening of the community’s new waste transfer station.

Expected to be fully operational in summer 2023, the facility will establish a sustainable waste management solution that will contribute to the community’s well-being and safeguard local ecosystems, says Indigenous Services Canada, a department within the federal government overseeing Indigenous cultures.

Located about 130 miles east of Edmonton, Alberta, Frog Lake First Nation is home to about 1,450 residents in 450 households. Frog Lake First Nation also is exploring a curbside waste diversion pilot project. If it proceeds, the Nation may be one of the first Indigenous communities in Alberta that supports local curbside pickup in their community.

“I am very pleased to announce the official grand opening of our new waste transfer,” Frog Lake First Nations Nos. 121 and 122 Chief Greg Desjarlais says. “It has been a long time coming as our Nation struggles to manage the ever-growing concern of the solid waste overflow and begins the cleanup of the contamination of our current waste management site. I would like to thank the Frog Lake First Nations Capital Committee, ISC (Indigenous Services Canada), GHD and others who took part in the development of the new site. We are hopeful that this new waste transfer system will shine a light on the importance of recycling to better manage solid waste in Frog Lake.”

Waste management is a critical component of community infrastructure. As the fastest growing population in Canada, it is vital that Indigenous communities have the resources they need to protect their local ecosystems and maintain strong public health standards that will enable them to thrive for generations to come, says Indigenous Services Canada.

Indigenous Services Canada says it has invested $3.2 million to support the project. The Nation worked with local Indigenous contractors throughout the development of the project. The new waste transfer station will enable the Frog Lake First Nation to manage waste in an environmentally safe manner and eliminate the need for third-party contractors.

“Congratulations Chief Desjarlais and Frog Lake First Nation on your efforts to get to today’s milestone and grand opening of your new waste transfer station,” says The Honourable Patty Hajdu 
minister of Indigenous Services. “Waste management is just one part of all the important infrastructure required in any community to keep our environment safe and our people healthy.”

The government of Canada is committed to working in partnership with First Nations to improve key infrastructure and environmental well-being in First Nation communities.